2021 season countdown thread

[Jake]

25 days to Tampa Bay

Aaron Kyle was the Cowboys first round pick in 1976, a cornerback who played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys. It was the first time the Cowboys had ever taken a defensive back that high in the draft, so much was expected of him. He became a starter in 1977 and 1978, and the Cowboys went to the SB both years, but Kyle's fate in both games matched the fate of the team as well - a good day vs the Broncos but a second half meltdown vs the Steelers.

He remained a starter through 1979, but had knee surgery in 1980 and never played for the Cowboys again. He played 3 more seasons for the Broncos before retiring in 1983. Unfortunately, Kyle is remembered as a first round bust. Perhaps a bit harsh, but surely not the player Dallas hoped they were getting in 1976.

 

[Hagman]

 

[maryquality]

Ha ha!! Derrick Lassic!! Now there's a blast from the past!!

 

[Jake]

Derrick Lassic is remembered as the guy who started two games during Emmitt's 1993 contract dispute, and the defending champs lost both of them (including a home loss to a Bills team they crushed in SB XXVII). What's usually forgotten is Lassic started week three as well - after Emmitt was signed and reported - and played a good game. He rushed for 60 yards on 14 carries and scored two TDs in Dallas' 17-10 win over the Cardinals. Starting 0-3 would've surely killed the Cowboys chances of a repeat, which of course they accomplished a few months later after Emmitt carried them to a division title and first round bye.

Lassic only lasted one more season with the Cowboys, and as an active NFL player. But he will always be the first rookie RB to start week one for the defending SB champions, and he has a ring from SB XXVIII.

 

[maryquality]

24 more days!!! Maybe best player to wear #24 is Everson Walls!! Also Marion Barber wore #24. Current player who wears #24 is Kelvin Joseph.

 

[Hagman]

 

[Texasfootball21]

How about Larry Brown Jr. Super Bowl XXX MVP. Played college football at TCU

 

[maryquality]

23 more days!! Former players who wore #23 were Tashard Choice and Robert Williams. I remember Robert Williams well as he is from my home town. Wasn't an elite player in the NFL, but he did play for my favorite team for a few years!!
Current player wearing #23 is Darian Thompson.

 

[Hagman]

 

[Jake]

How about Larry Brown Jr. Super Bowl XXX MVP. Played college football at TCU

I'd like to give a belated shout out to Everson Walls and MB3 as well.

 

[Jake]

23 days to Tampa Bay

Tashard Choice holds the distinction of scoring the clinching TD in the Cowboys final win at Texas Stadium and yours truly was there to see it.

James Jones spent 6 seasons as one of Dorsett's back ups, but made his mark as a return man. In his rookie year, he broke Butch Johnson's marks for punt returns and return yardage. A knee injury cut his career short in 1986.

 

[Hagman]

To me Dick Nolan was the most significant person to wear #23, although he wore #25 as a Cowboys player. He was a defensive back chosen by the Giants in 1954, where Tom Landry was his teammate in the secondary. He also played for the Chicago Cardinals before returning to the Giants. Dallas traded for him in 1962 in a three-team deal, where Landry used him as a "Player-coach." After an injury half-way through his first Cowboys season, Landry made him the team defensive coordinator.

He was one of our key assistant coaches for six years before moving on the San Francisco in 1968 as Head Coach. We older fans will remember some of the great 49er games in the early 70's , with the Cowboys . He later became head coach of New Orleans, where he coached the "New Orleans Aints" one of the worst teams in league history, before being fired before the end of the season.

His son Mike had what is widely regarded as a disappointing year as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2020.

 

[Hagman]

Woodley Lewis was the original #23 for the Dallas Cowboys in 1960. He had played 10 years for the Rams and Chicago Cardinals before being traded to the Cowboys on Sept 16 of the Boys first year. He was the team elder and a reserve wide receiver.

He made one catch for 19 yards. He was cut on Nov. 10.

But hey Woodley, I wish that you were still around to tell stories of the good old days and that inaugural season for our heroes.

 

[Bobhaze]

I’m late to #25…remember RB Les Shy? I will always remember the original Cowboys play by play announcer - the great Frank Gleiber- and his call “Shy is shy of the first down”. Still makes me laugh.

24 more days!!! Maybe best player to wear #24 is Everson Walls!! Also Marion Barber wore #24. Current player who wears #24 is Kelvin Joseph.

I’m with you on the greatest #24- has to be Everson Walls!

 

[Bobhaze]

To me Dick Nolan was the most significant person to wear #23, although he wore #25 as a Cowboys player. He was a defensive back chosen by the Giants in 1954, where Tom Landry was his teammate in the secondary. He also played for the Chicago Cardinals before returning to the Giants. Dallas traded for him in 1962 in a three-team deal, where Landry used him as a "Player-coach." After an injury half-way through his first Cowboys season, Landry made him the team defensive coordinator.

He was one of our key assistant coaches for six years before moving on the San Francisco in 1968 as Head Coach. We older fans will remember some of the great 49er games in the early 70's , with the Cowboys . He later became head coach of New Orleans, where he coached the "New Orleans Aints" one of the worst teams in league history, before being fired before the end of the season.

His son Mike had what is widely regarded as a disappointing year as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator in 2020.

Man I wish coaches would bring back the classic look of a suit while wearing cleats. Or wearing fedoras like Landry. Classic!

 

[Hagman]

Man I wish coaches would bring back the classic look of a suit while wearing cleats. Or wearing fedoras like Landry. Classic!

I would love that too. But as you know the NFL has all of these merchandising deals with clothing companies so that they have to wear their crap instead of a nice suit. It certainly was a lot classier look back in the day.

 

[Motorola]

2021 Season countdown: Day #22.
Let me start off by stating - how many NFL franchises have two players that are enshrined in the HOF with the same jersey number - but at different positions?
#22 Bob "Bullet"Hayes - 'Split End' & #22 Emmitt Smith - Running Back

 

[ArtClink]

2021 Season countdown: Day #22.
Let me start off by stating - how many NFL franchises have two players that are enshrined in the HOF with the same jersey number - but at different positions?
#22 Bob "Bullet"Hayes - 'Split End' & #22 Emmitt Smith - Running Back

The great, underrated Bob Hayes! He single handedly created the zone defense cause no one could run with him!! Should have been in the ROH decades earlier.

 

[Bobhaze]

The great, underrated Bob Hayes! He single handedly created the zone defense cause no one could run with him!! Should have been in the ROH decades earlier.

Bullet Bob Hayes! The OG #22! He was literally my first Cowboys hero as a kid.

His first two years as a Cowboy are still eye popping. In a running game era, and in a 28 game span over 65-66, Bullet Bob scored 26 TDs, had over 2,200 yards receiving and struck absolute terror in the hearts of every defense he faced.

How about this: he averaged a whopping 20 yards per catch- FOR HIS CAREER! And he had 6 TDs of over 80 yards, including a 90 yard punt return TD. He had 71 TD receptions in his 10 yrs with the Cowboys, and 76 total TDs including returns and rushes. To this day, Hayes STILL holds ten regular-season receiving records, four punt return records and 22 overall franchise marks, making him one of the greatest players to ever wear the Star.

 

[maryquality]

You guys are on top of the countdown today!!! Nice job!!! No better player to wear #22 than E. Smith!! No current player wears #22, and most likely, no future player ever will.