Bobhaze
Staff member
- Messages
- 18,373
- Reaction score
- 72,328
The great Calvin Hill. The OG when it came to hurdling defenders.
2021 season countdown thread
- Thread starter Jake
- Start date
maryquality
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 6,928
- Reaction score
- 18,659
I had totally forgotten about Jacques "burnt toast" Reeves!!! LOL
Hagman
Put Niland and Green in the ROH
- Messages
- 3,379
- Reaction score
- 8,012
Calvin Hill was the Cowboys' first round pick in 1969 out of Yale--not exactly a seedbed of NFL prospects but Gil Brandt was great at finding talent wherever it was. Some thought was given to making the 6'4" HIll a tight end, but Don Perkins retirement kept him at running back. The start to his career was electric. In the opening game against the Cardinals (quarterbacked by rookie Roger Staubach with Morton injured) Hill ran for 70 yards and threw a 53 yard td. He was on pace to set a new rookie rushing record when he suffered a foot injury and finished the season with 942 yards--the same number as Jim Brown's rookie seasson.
Calvin's career was limited by injury and the arrival of Duane Thomas the next year---I remember for one brief, passing moment both Hill and Thomas played together in the same backfield and the result was devastating. Calvin became the first Cowboy to rush for over 1,000 yard in 1972 and broke 1,000 yards again in 1973. Most of 1973 and 1974 saw him limited by injuries.
I hated Calvin Hill for a time because he was one of several Cowboy to bolt to the WFL after 1974, even though given what I know today about how cheap Tex Schramm was I understand. But to add insult to injury he signed with the Commanders when he came back to the NFL and played for them for 2 seasons, finishing his career with Cleveland.
His son, Grant Hill, had a very successful basketball career. Today Calvin sits on several boards and has worked with the Cowboys and Browns as a consultant regarding troubled players and drug use.
Calvin's career was limited by injury and the arrival of Duane Thomas the next year---I remember for one brief, passing moment both Hill and Thomas played together in the same backfield and the result was devastating. Calvin became the first Cowboy to rush for over 1,000 yard in 1972 and broke 1,000 yards again in 1973. Most of 1973 and 1974 saw him limited by injuries.
I hated Calvin Hill for a time because he was one of several Cowboy to bolt to the WFL after 1974, even though given what I know today about how cheap Tex Schramm was I understand. But to add insult to injury he signed with the Commanders when he came back to the NFL and played for them for 2 seasons, finishing his career with Cleveland.
His son, Grant Hill, had a very successful basketball career. Today Calvin sits on several boards and has worked with the Cowboys and Browns as a consultant regarding troubled players and drug use.
Jake
Beyond tired of Jerry
- Messages
- 36,067
- Reaction score
- 84,351
35 days to Tampa Bay
A few interesting characters have worn that number. @Hagman nicely covered Calvin Hill so let's look at a couple other old timers. Pete Gent was signed as an UDFA out of Michigan State in 1964. He spent 5 seasons in the NFL, all with Dallas, but is best remembered as the author of North Dallas Forty. Published in 1973, the book was controversial for its time. It looked at what went on behind the scenes, locker room stuff, at a time when fans saw little more than the games themselves. It was made into a movie in 1979. After seeing the film, Don Meredith quipped: "If I'd known Gent was as good as he says he was, I would have thrown to him more."
A few interesting characters have worn that number. @Hagman nicely covered Calvin Hill so let's look at a couple other old timers. Pete Gent was signed as an UDFA out of Michigan State in 1964. He spent 5 seasons in the NFL, all with Dallas, but is best remembered as the author of North Dallas Forty. Published in 1973, the book was controversial for its time. It looked at what went on behind the scenes, locker room stuff, at a time when fans saw little more than the games themselves. It was made into a movie in 1979. After seeing the film, Don Meredith quipped: "If I'd known Gent was as good as he says he was, I would have thrown to him more."
Jake
Beyond tired of Jerry
- Messages
- 36,067
- Reaction score
- 84,351
Scott Laidlaw was a fullback out of Stanford, drafted in the 14th round in 1975. A member of the Dirty Dozen, Laidlaw would only spend 5 seasons in Dallas yet played in 3 SBs, winning a ring in SB XII. Laidlaw finished his career by playing part of one season with the Giants before requesting his release in October of 1980.
maryquality
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 6,928
- Reaction score
- 18,659
34 more days!! Great players who wore #34 are Cornell Green and Herschel Walker!! Current player with #34 is Rico Dowdle...who played a pretty decent game last night!
Jake
Beyond tired of Jerry
- Messages
- 36,067
- Reaction score
- 84,351
34 days to Tampa Bay
Two number 34s played huge roles in the history of the Cowboys, but for different reasons: Cornell Green and Herschel Walker.
Cornell Green was an All-American basketball player at Utah State. He never played college football. The Cowboys signed him for $1,000. Given what came next, that's all pretty amazing. Green basically reported to camp for the $1,000, assuming he'd get cut then try his hand at pro basketball. Instead, he not only made the squad he was part of the NFL All-Rookie team in 1962. He became a starting CB in 1963 and had 7 interceptions. He would go on to play in five Pro Bowls, some as a corner and later as a safety, two SBs, and got a ring in 1971.
Green never missed a game in 13 seasons. He was part of the Cowboys 25th Anniversary team, and would go on to be a pro scout for 35 years after retiring in 1975.
Odd fact: his older brother was Pumpsie Green - the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox (the last team to integrate).
Y'all know Walker's story. Thanks to Tex/Landry wisely spending a 5th round pick on him while he was playing in the USFL. Eventually, that played a big part in building the 90s three-time Super Bowl winners, after the Cowboys used Walker to fleece the Vikings in possibly the greatest trade in NFL history.
Two number 34s played huge roles in the history of the Cowboys, but for different reasons: Cornell Green and Herschel Walker.
Cornell Green was an All-American basketball player at Utah State. He never played college football. The Cowboys signed him for $1,000. Given what came next, that's all pretty amazing. Green basically reported to camp for the $1,000, assuming he'd get cut then try his hand at pro basketball. Instead, he not only made the squad he was part of the NFL All-Rookie team in 1962. He became a starting CB in 1963 and had 7 interceptions. He would go on to play in five Pro Bowls, some as a corner and later as a safety, two SBs, and got a ring in 1971.
Green never missed a game in 13 seasons. He was part of the Cowboys 25th Anniversary team, and would go on to be a pro scout for 35 years after retiring in 1975.
Odd fact: his older brother was Pumpsie Green - the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox (the last team to integrate).
Y'all know Walker's story. Thanks to Tex/Landry wisely spending a 5th round pick on him while he was playing in the USFL. Eventually, that played a big part in building the 90s three-time Super Bowl winners, after the Cowboys used Walker to fleece the Vikings in possibly the greatest trade in NFL history.
Bobhaze
Staff member
- Messages
- 18,373
- Reaction score
- 72,328
Catching up….Mentioned Calvin Hill and his greatness. I’m old enough to remember Pete Gent. He was one of Dandy Don’s favorite guys. Loved his book “North Dallas Forty”. As usual the book was better than the film, but Mac Davis did a pretty good job being like “Dandy”.
The GREAT Cornell Green. The OG #34. What an underrated great Cowboys player. An All pro at corner and safety on the original “Doomsday Defense”. One of the toughest guys to ever wear the Star. Never, ever missed a game in 13 years! Should be in the ROH.
The GREAT Cornell Green. The OG #34. What an underrated great Cowboys player. An All pro at corner and safety on the original “Doomsday Defense”. One of the toughest guys to ever wear the Star. Never, ever missed a game in 13 years! Should be in the ROH.
Thomas82
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Reaction score
- 3,386
The Vikings definitely outsmarted themselves in that trade for Herschel Walker. With everything they gave up to get him, they set themselves back years. To compound the problem, Herschel didn't fit their offense. Jimmy and Jerry knew exactly what they were doing when they made that trade.
Hagman
Put Niland and Green in the ROH
- Messages
- 3,379
- Reaction score
- 8,012
To expand on what Jake said, Cornell Green started at left corner his first eight seasons, and .named to 4 Pro Bowl and 4 All- Pro teams. After the Cowboys got Herb Adderley in 1970 and moved Mel Renfro to right corner, Green moved to strong safety, where again he went to the Pro Bowl.
Never missed a game in 13 seasons, NFL All-Rookie team, 5 Pro Bowls, 3 First Team All Pros, 1 Second Team All Pro, Dallas Cowboys 25th Anniversary Team. Super Bowl winner.
Jerry Jones should be horsewhipped naked around AT and T Stadium until he agrees to put Cornell Green in the Ring of Honor.
Never missed a game in 13 seasons, NFL All-Rookie team, 5 Pro Bowls, 3 First Team All Pros, 1 Second Team All Pro, Dallas Cowboys 25th Anniversary Team. Super Bowl winner.
Jerry Jones should be horsewhipped naked around AT and T Stadium until he agrees to put Cornell Green in the Ring of Honor.
Techsass
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,517
- Reaction score
- 6,076
The Vikings had a bad history with draft picks. Didn't they lose their pick twice because they waited too long to submit their draft pick?
Thomas82
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Reaction score
- 3,386
That's right.....it happened in 2003.
maryquality
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 6,928
- Reaction score
- 18,659
33 more days!! No better #33 than Tony Dorsett!!! Also Duane Thomas wore #33. Current player wearing #33 is Deante Burton.
Jake
Beyond tired of Jerry
- Messages
- 36,067
- Reaction score
- 84,351
33 days to Tampa Bay
Duane Thomas has always fascinated me because I was so young when he played I didn't understand how someone that good could keep being dumped by teams. As an adult I learned a lot more about his story. A Dallas native, Thomas was drafted in the first round in 1970 out of West Texas State (now West Texas A&M). Thomas got his first start in week 5 and took over from there.
In the 1970 playoffs, he became the first rookie to rush for over 100 yards in two games (135 vs Detroit and 143 at San Francisco), carrying the Cowboys to SB V (along with a stout defense) despite Craig Morton only completing 13 of 40 passes in those two games for a whopping 139 yards. How there was any QB controversy going into 1971 I'll never know, but I digress. Thomas was stopped by the Colts (18 carries for 35 yards) and lost a crucial fumble, as Baltimore dared Morton to beat them and won.
1971 was Thomas' breakout year, but it almost didn't happen. After being denied a requested pay raise, Thomas criticized Tex, Gil, and Landry, ultimately forcing a trade to the Patriots. Within a week Thomas wore out his welcome in New England so badly that Pete Rozelle, in an unprecedented move, voided part of the trade and Thomas was sent back to Dallas. The Patriots kept two other players and Dallas kept two draft picks, one of which was used to select Robert Newhouse in 1972.
Thomas went on to lead the NFL in TDs in 1971, was named All Pro, and helped the Cowboys win their first championship in SB VI. He also boycotted the media during the season and spoke very little at the SB. Unfortunately, with that successful season and still unhappy with his pay Thomas became more of a problem. What might have been for the Cowboys had he not been so unhappy. With Thomas, I like the chances of a rematch with Miami in SB VII and a chance to derail 17-0, but we'll never know.
Thomas didn't do much the rest of his pro career, which included stints in the WFL and CFL. Probably his brightest moment during that time was scoring against the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving in 1974. But his chance to win in Texas Stadium was derailed by Clint Longley and Drew Pearson in the final minute.
I could go on but I'll leave it there. I'm sure others remember Duane. Of course, there's another 33 who was kind of important but we'll get to him later. Gotta run for now.
Duane Thomas has always fascinated me because I was so young when he played I didn't understand how someone that good could keep being dumped by teams. As an adult I learned a lot more about his story. A Dallas native, Thomas was drafted in the first round in 1970 out of West Texas State (now West Texas A&M). Thomas got his first start in week 5 and took over from there.
In the 1970 playoffs, he became the first rookie to rush for over 100 yards in two games (135 vs Detroit and 143 at San Francisco), carrying the Cowboys to SB V (along with a stout defense) despite Craig Morton only completing 13 of 40 passes in those two games for a whopping 139 yards. How there was any QB controversy going into 1971 I'll never know, but I digress. Thomas was stopped by the Colts (18 carries for 35 yards) and lost a crucial fumble, as Baltimore dared Morton to beat them and won.
1971 was Thomas' breakout year, but it almost didn't happen. After being denied a requested pay raise, Thomas criticized Tex, Gil, and Landry, ultimately forcing a trade to the Patriots. Within a week Thomas wore out his welcome in New England so badly that Pete Rozelle, in an unprecedented move, voided part of the trade and Thomas was sent back to Dallas. The Patriots kept two other players and Dallas kept two draft picks, one of which was used to select Robert Newhouse in 1972.
Thomas went on to lead the NFL in TDs in 1971, was named All Pro, and helped the Cowboys win their first championship in SB VI. He also boycotted the media during the season and spoke very little at the SB. Unfortunately, with that successful season and still unhappy with his pay Thomas became more of a problem. What might have been for the Cowboys had he not been so unhappy. With Thomas, I like the chances of a rematch with Miami in SB VII and a chance to derail 17-0, but we'll never know.
Thomas didn't do much the rest of his pro career, which included stints in the WFL and CFL. Probably his brightest moment during that time was scoring against the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving in 1974. But his chance to win in Texas Stadium was derailed by Clint Longley and Drew Pearson in the final minute.
I could go on but I'll leave it there. I'm sure others remember Duane. Of course, there's another 33 who was kind of important but we'll get to him later. Gotta run for now.
Bobhaze
Staff member
- Messages
- 18,373
- Reaction score
- 72,328
I saw Duane Thomas play in person at Texas Stadium in 1971. He was fantastic. A rare blend of speed and power, much like the great Jim Brown. If DT had ever gotten his mental health right, I believe he would have been a HOFer. Such a shame that he was just a two year meteor that flamed out.33 days to Tampa Bay
Duane Thomas has always fascinated me because I was so young when he played I didn't understand how someone that good could keep being dumped by teams. As an adult I learned a lot more about his story. A Dallas native, Thomas was drafted in the first round in 1970 out of West Texas State (now West Texas A&M). Thomas got his first start in week 5 and took over from there.
In the 1970 playoffs, he became the first rookie to rush for over 100 yards in two games (135 vs Detroit and 143 at San Francisco), carrying the Cowboys to SB V (along with a stout defense) despite Craig Morton only completing 13 of 40 passes in those two games for a whopping 139 yards. How there was any QB controversy going into 1971 I'll never know, but I digress. Thomas was stopped by the Colts (18 carries for 35 yards) and lost a crucial fumble, as Baltimore dared Morton to beat them and won.
1971 was Thomas' breakout year, but it almost didn't happen. After being denied a requested pay raise, Thomas criticized Tex, Gil, and Landry, ultimately forcing a trade to the Patriots. Within a week Thomas wore out his welcome in New England so badly that Pete Rozelle, in an unprecedented move, voided part of the trade and Thomas was sent back to Dallas. The Patriots kept two other players and Dallas kept two draft picks, one of which was used to select Robert Newhouse in 1972.
Thomas went on to lead the NFL in TDs in 1971, was named All Pro, and helped the Cowboys win their first championship in SB VI. He also boycotted the media during the season and spoke very little at the SB. Unfortunately, with that successful season and still unhappy with his pay Thomas became more of a problem. What might have been for the Cowboys had he not been so unhappy. With Thomas, I like the chances of a rematch with Miami in SB VII and a chance to derail 17-0, but we'll never know.
Thomas didn't do much the rest of his pro career, which included stints in the WFL and CFL. Probably his brightest moment during that time was scoring against the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving in 1974. But his chance to win in Texas Stadium was derailed by Clint Longley and Drew Pearson in the final minute.
I could go on but I'll leave it there. I'm sure others remember Duane. Of course, there's another 33 who was kind of important but we'll get to him later. Gotta run for now.
Bobhaze
Staff member
- Messages
- 18,373
- Reaction score
- 72,328
I want to take a moment to thank @Jake and @Hagman for making this thread so cool and so fun. A daily walk down memory lane with the Cowboys.
Sometimes we forget how many great, great players made the Cowboys “America’s Team”. All the great Cowboys players of today are standing on the shoulders of many great players before them.
Thanks for making this thread happen every day. Regular season in 33 days!
Sometimes we forget how many great, great players made the Cowboys “America’s Team”. All the great Cowboys players of today are standing on the shoulders of many great players before them.
Thanks for making this thread happen every day. Regular season in 33 days!