plasticman
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In 1974 the cowboys went 8-6, missing the playoffs for the first time in 9 seasons. Analysts and pundits eagerly declared an end to the Cowboy dynasty. Most of the players from the late 60's and early 70's had retired. The ones left were extremely long in tooth.
The legend goes that the Cowboys rookie class of 75 was responsible for zero years of reconstruction, their combined contributions provided the boost that propelled the team from a rebuilding project to the Super Bowl in just one season.
It's a fun story and it was exciting to watch these rookies contribute something. However, their play did not dominate Cowboy opponents except for special teams and an occasional defensive takeaway.
In fact, of the 12, there was only one starter, that is, one rookie that started over half of the games. This was Guard Burton Lawless.
The offensive stars in that 1975 season included 30 year old Preston Pearson, a former Pittsburgh Steeler. Many believe he was waived by the Steelers because he was their outspoken player rep. Calvin Hill left the Cowboys to join the new league and Garrison retired after suffering a rodeo injury during the offseason so they signed Pearson.
Pearson and FB Robert Newhouse were a 1-2 punch at RB, combining for 1439 yards rushing in a 14 game season as well as over 600 yards in receptions.
The WR squad was led by two year veteran and former undrafted rookie Drew Pearson. During the previous season, 1974, Drew was 1st team All Pro.
The offensive line was anchored by 30 year old Rayfield Wright and 31 year old Ralph Neely.
The QB was future HOFer 33 year old Roger Staubach. he was the #1 ranked passer in two of his last four seasons.
The defensive line was anchored by 31 year old Jethro Pugh. The starting LBers were 36 year old Dave Edwards, 34 year old Lee Roy Jordan and 30 year old D.D. Lewis. The defensive line was impacted by young bookend DE's drafted the two previous seasons, Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones.
The secondary included HOFer 34 year old Mel Renfro. Waters and Harris, the safeties, were both 27.
It was the MLB Jordan who led the defense in INT's with 6. Renfro followed with 4.
Randy White, the #2 overall pick in the draft was given jersey #54 to honor Chuck Howley who had just retired and was expected to reach the HOF. Randy, who had played DT in college was being converted to MLB and backed up Jordan. That was a mistake the team soon rectified, but not in 1975.
The other 1st round pick LB Thomas (Hollywood) Henderson didn't become a starter until his 3rd season in 1977. However, he did provide some fireworks when he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD...a linebacker.
Bob Breunig, their 3rd round pick, became the eventual replacement for Lee Roy Jordan the following season.
Offensive linemen Pat Donovan and Herbert Scott became eventual starters on the next generation of the Cowboy dynasty, Donovan in 1977, Scott in 1976.
The 8th rounder, punter Mitch Hoopes did become their starter that season.
The 7th rounder LB Mike Hegman would eventually start after the Cowboys cut Hollywood Henderson after the '78 season.
Although 4th rounder DB Randy Hughes did not start a game in 1975 he did contribute two INT's and 2 fumble recoveries during the regular season.
The 14th round pick, FB Scott Laidlaw, had three carries for ten yards in 1975.
This draft regenerated a dynasty and played an integral part during the Cowboys next seven seasons in which they played in 5 conference championship games and 2 Super Bowls. That is what they should be remembered for. The credit for the Cowboy's "rebuilding" season of 1975 belongs to those veterans, although they would admit that the excitement generated by their rookies was an inspiration.
The playoffs that season was dominated by big plays led by veterans Preston Pearson, Roger Staubach, Drew Pearson, D.D. Lewis and Mel Renfro.
One group that is often forgotten but must be recognized for this special season is the coaches, particularly special teams coach Mike Ditka, offensive backfield coach Dan Reeves, and defensive backfield coach Gene Stallings.
.........which brings me to this season and the reason for this post......
I'm seeing posts about what this year's rookie crop is going to bring to the Cowboys.....this season. It's possible. There could be a player that can just come in and dominate but it is highly unlikely. It just takes some time for players to acclimate to the NFL. I see Parsons and perhaps a D-lineman making some contributions as pass rushers. The 2022 season should be entirely different.
If the Cowboys are to succeed this season, it must come from the expected source. I'm talking about young players in their 2nd to 4th seasons. In 1975, it was the play of young guys like Drew Pearson, Robert Newhouse, Harvey Martin, Too Tall Jones, and Golden Richards.
We all have some high expectations from Cee Dee Lamb and rightfully so. Lamb must meet most of the reasonable expectations.
Biadasz must be a steady and dependable addition to the offensive line. He doesn't have to be great, just steady. Williams must continue to improve.
The passing game with Dak and the three receivers must dominate. Jarwin must contribute in addition to Schultz's steady improvement. Zeke has to realize that this season will define him.
One of the young DT's Gallimore or Hill must emerge. This is critical. I believe we will see Gallimore break out.
The LB's will be Smith and LVE, like it or not. They will not start Parsons at LB unless they do it later in the season. He is going to find out that his athleticism isn't enough in this league where everybody is fast. He must learn the position. As long as there is improvement by the DT's, these veteran LB's should rebound.
The same goes for all the rookie DB's. Starting guys who played little more than a dozen college games isn't going to happen but expect great things on special teams.
Just like 1975, this draft class is going to be special. It will provide quality defensive starters for many seasons, just not this one.
Finally, the coaches must teach. They have to devise thoughtful game plans, make great game time decisions. They must earn the respect of their team.
The legend goes that the Cowboys rookie class of 75 was responsible for zero years of reconstruction, their combined contributions provided the boost that propelled the team from a rebuilding project to the Super Bowl in just one season.
It's a fun story and it was exciting to watch these rookies contribute something. However, their play did not dominate Cowboy opponents except for special teams and an occasional defensive takeaway.
In fact, of the 12, there was only one starter, that is, one rookie that started over half of the games. This was Guard Burton Lawless.
The offensive stars in that 1975 season included 30 year old Preston Pearson, a former Pittsburgh Steeler. Many believe he was waived by the Steelers because he was their outspoken player rep. Calvin Hill left the Cowboys to join the new league and Garrison retired after suffering a rodeo injury during the offseason so they signed Pearson.
Pearson and FB Robert Newhouse were a 1-2 punch at RB, combining for 1439 yards rushing in a 14 game season as well as over 600 yards in receptions.
The WR squad was led by two year veteran and former undrafted rookie Drew Pearson. During the previous season, 1974, Drew was 1st team All Pro.
The offensive line was anchored by 30 year old Rayfield Wright and 31 year old Ralph Neely.
The QB was future HOFer 33 year old Roger Staubach. he was the #1 ranked passer in two of his last four seasons.
The defensive line was anchored by 31 year old Jethro Pugh. The starting LBers were 36 year old Dave Edwards, 34 year old Lee Roy Jordan and 30 year old D.D. Lewis. The defensive line was impacted by young bookend DE's drafted the two previous seasons, Harvey Martin and Ed "Too Tall" Jones.
The secondary included HOFer 34 year old Mel Renfro. Waters and Harris, the safeties, were both 27.
It was the MLB Jordan who led the defense in INT's with 6. Renfro followed with 4.
Randy White, the #2 overall pick in the draft was given jersey #54 to honor Chuck Howley who had just retired and was expected to reach the HOF. Randy, who had played DT in college was being converted to MLB and backed up Jordan. That was a mistake the team soon rectified, but not in 1975.
The other 1st round pick LB Thomas (Hollywood) Henderson didn't become a starter until his 3rd season in 1977. However, he did provide some fireworks when he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD...a linebacker.
Bob Breunig, their 3rd round pick, became the eventual replacement for Lee Roy Jordan the following season.
Offensive linemen Pat Donovan and Herbert Scott became eventual starters on the next generation of the Cowboy dynasty, Donovan in 1977, Scott in 1976.
The 8th rounder, punter Mitch Hoopes did become their starter that season.
The 7th rounder LB Mike Hegman would eventually start after the Cowboys cut Hollywood Henderson after the '78 season.
Although 4th rounder DB Randy Hughes did not start a game in 1975 he did contribute two INT's and 2 fumble recoveries during the regular season.
The 14th round pick, FB Scott Laidlaw, had three carries for ten yards in 1975.
This draft regenerated a dynasty and played an integral part during the Cowboys next seven seasons in which they played in 5 conference championship games and 2 Super Bowls. That is what they should be remembered for. The credit for the Cowboy's "rebuilding" season of 1975 belongs to those veterans, although they would admit that the excitement generated by their rookies was an inspiration.
The playoffs that season was dominated by big plays led by veterans Preston Pearson, Roger Staubach, Drew Pearson, D.D. Lewis and Mel Renfro.
One group that is often forgotten but must be recognized for this special season is the coaches, particularly special teams coach Mike Ditka, offensive backfield coach Dan Reeves, and defensive backfield coach Gene Stallings.
.........which brings me to this season and the reason for this post......
I'm seeing posts about what this year's rookie crop is going to bring to the Cowboys.....this season. It's possible. There could be a player that can just come in and dominate but it is highly unlikely. It just takes some time for players to acclimate to the NFL. I see Parsons and perhaps a D-lineman making some contributions as pass rushers. The 2022 season should be entirely different.
If the Cowboys are to succeed this season, it must come from the expected source. I'm talking about young players in their 2nd to 4th seasons. In 1975, it was the play of young guys like Drew Pearson, Robert Newhouse, Harvey Martin, Too Tall Jones, and Golden Richards.
We all have some high expectations from Cee Dee Lamb and rightfully so. Lamb must meet most of the reasonable expectations.
Biadasz must be a steady and dependable addition to the offensive line. He doesn't have to be great, just steady. Williams must continue to improve.
The passing game with Dak and the three receivers must dominate. Jarwin must contribute in addition to Schultz's steady improvement. Zeke has to realize that this season will define him.
One of the young DT's Gallimore or Hill must emerge. This is critical. I believe we will see Gallimore break out.
The LB's will be Smith and LVE, like it or not. They will not start Parsons at LB unless they do it later in the season. He is going to find out that his athleticism isn't enough in this league where everybody is fast. He must learn the position. As long as there is improvement by the DT's, these veteran LB's should rebound.
The same goes for all the rookie DB's. Starting guys who played little more than a dozen college games isn't going to happen but expect great things on special teams.
Just like 1975, this draft class is going to be special. It will provide quality defensive starters for many seasons, just not this one.
Finally, the coaches must teach. They have to devise thoughtful game plans, make great game time decisions. They must earn the respect of their team.
