All Time Cowboys Rankings (at each position)

[Diehardblues]

Top 5 QB

Staubach, Aikman, Merideth, Morton and White

Screw stats, etc. These were the 5 best QB.

Romo and Dak begin the best of the rest.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Danny White lead the team to 3 straight NFC title games and got robbed of a super bowl by Joe Montana in one of the most improbable and iconic moments in NFL history. Not sure how Dak or Romo goes ahead of him.

D Ware was truly a DE but played in that 3-4 alignment at OLB.

 

[quickccc]

What most don’t want to talk about is Switzer cost us at least one other championship. I don’t really blame him but rather blame Jethro for beginning our Puppet era. Switzer was the first.

Ironically, i actually don't blame Switzer for the NFC title loss to Deion/Steve Young's Niners team.

- Aikman's INT, Irvin's fumble.., Emmitt pulled hamstring,.. Larry Allen limping at RT, ..1st half turnovers, etc. we had to overcome a lot from getting such in a deep deficit hole early.
Despite Switzer's goofy unsportsman like conduct flag on the sidelines in the 4th quarter, it didn't detour a rally as we still managed to pull the game close at the end,

- And who can ever forget Deion's obvious hold Irvin in the red zone, but yet no calls at all from the refs, who either missed it badly or biasedly ignored it. ?

 

[Diehardblues]

Danny White lead the team to 3 straight NFC title games and got robbed of a super bowl by Joe Montana in one of the most improbable and iconic moments in NFL history. Not sure how Dak goes ahead of him.

Right

And how would you not place Merideth who led us to our 1st 2 NFL championship games and the 1st Cowboy QB enshrined into our Ring of Honor.

I’d also place Morton ahead who led us to our 1st SB and was 1st QB in NFL history to start for two different teams in a SB.

 

[Diehardblues]

Ironically, i actually don't blame Switzer for the NFC title loss to Deion/Steve Young's Niners team.

- Aikman's INT, Irvin's fumble.., Emmitt pulled hamstring,.. Larry Allen limping at RT, ..1st half turnovers, etc. we had to overcome a lot from getting such in a deep deficit hole early.
Despite Switzer's goofy unsportsman like conduct flag on the sidelines in the 4th quarter, it didn't detour a rally as we still managed to pull the game close at the end,

- And who can ever forget Deion's obvious hold Irvin in the red zone, but yet no calls at all from the refs, who either missed it badly or biasedly ignored it. ?

Agreed but it was the lack of culture and discipline with Barry that cost us . And We lucked out the next year with Steelers. We did not have the same swagger after Jimmy left.

 

[HungryLion]

Naah, sorry, but everyone knows Switzer was just a tattoo caretaker along for a ride, and this team won off a SB more off it's coordinators, asst coaches and uniquenesss of it's core players.

Barry Switzer won 3 national championships as a college head coach.


Sure the cowboys team was already the most talented in the league when he was coach. But Jason Garrett has not accomplished anything close to what Switzer did as a football coach. Nowhere close.

If Garret goes on to win a Super Bowl elsewhere or goes to college and wins a few national championships. Then we can debate if he is as good as Switzer was.

 

[HungryLion]

What most don’t want to talk about is Switzer cost us at least one other championship. I don’t really blame him but rather blame Jethro for beginning our Puppet era. Switzer was the first.

None of this means he still wasn’t a better coach than Garret. The ultimate Jones puppet/chosen one.

 

[Captain-Crash]

Danny White was okay, just think how good he would have been if he would have got that one crazy eye fixed. sarcasm.

 

[quickccc]

Agreed but it was the lack of culture and discipline with Barry that cost us . And We lucked out the next year with Steelers. We did not have the same swagger after Jimmy left.

yeh eventually it did. There was already dissention and disgruntlement with Aikman vs Switzer even before the SB vs Steelers.
along with big injuries, free agency, coaching departures, constant off field player issues and suspensions, decline of big stars, and horrible drafting took over, Switzer's laid back approach
eventually took it's toll in the return to the losing seasons.

Even " 500 head coaches" Jerry claimed could coach this team to a SB" , couldn't coach that team back to it's winning ways.
The damage was far well done.

 

[Diehardblues]

Barry Switzer won 3 national championships as a college head coach.


Sure the cowboys team was already the most talented in the league when he was coach. But Jason Garrett has not accomplished anything close to what Switzer did as a football coach. Nowhere close.

If Garret goes on to win a Super Bowl elsewhere or goes to college and wins a few national championships. Then we can debate if he is as good as Switzer was.

True but our measurement or evaluation of Switzer only relates to his time here in Dallas not his success at OU.

 

[OmerV]

.
Here's Ranking All Time Dallas Cowboys players - Top 5 at each position (My List)
How would YOU rank them ?

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/lineups.htm

QUARTERBACKS
1 Roger Staubach
2 Troy Aikman
3 Tony Romo
4 Dak Prescott
5 Danny White

WIDE RECEIVERS
1 Michael Irvin
2 Bob Hayes
3 Drew Pearson
4 Terrell Owens
5 Dez Bryant

SLOT WRS
1 Cole Beasley
2 Kevin martin
3 Butch Johnson
4 Patrick crayton
5 Randall cobbs

TIGHT ENDS
1 Jason Witten
2 Jay Novacek
3 Doug Cosbie
4 Billy Joe Dupree
5 Pettis Norman

RUNNING BACKS
1 Emmitt Smith
2 Tony Dorsett
3 Zeke Elliott
4 Hershel Walker
5 DeMarco Murray

FULLBACKS
1 Darryl Johnston
2 Robert Newhouse
3 Ron Springs
4 Don Perkins
5 Walt Garrison

OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1 Rayfield Wright
2 Erik Williams
3 Tyron Smith
4 Mark Tuinei
5 Pat Donovan

OFFENSIVE GUARDS
1 Larry Allen
2 Zack Martin
3 Nate Newton
4 John Niland
5 Herb Scott

CENTERS
1 Mark Stepnoski
2 Travis Fredrick
3 Ray Donaldson
4 Andre Gurode
5 John Fitzgerald

RETURNERS
1 Bob Hayes
2 Deion Sanders
3 Mel Renfro
4 Reggie Swinton
5 Kevin Williams

KICKERS
1 Dan Bailey
2 Chris Bonoi
3 Nick Folk
4 Richie Cunningham
5 Rafael Septien

PUNTERS
1 Matt McBriar
2 John Jett
3 Mike Saxon
4 Toby Gowin
5 Chris Jones

DEFENSIVE ENDS
1 Charles Haley
2 Harvey Martin
3 Ed Jones
4 Tony Tolbert
5 Jim Jeffcoat

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1 Bob Lilly
2 Randy White
3 La' Roi Glover
4 Jethro Pugh
5 Jay Ratliff

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1 DeMarcus Ware
2 Chuck Howley
3 Dexter Coakley
4 Thomas Henderson
5 D.D. Lewis

MIDDLE LINEBACKERS
1 Lee Roy Jordan
2 Bob Breunig
3 Sean Lee
4 Ken Norton Jr.
5 Dat Nyguen

CORNERBACKS
1 Deion Sanders
2 Mel Renfro
3 Everson Walls
4 Cornell Green
5 Terrence Newman

SAFETIES
1 Cliff Harris
2 Darren Woodson
3 Charlie Waters
4 Roy Williams
5 Mike Downs

HEAD COACHES
1 Tom Landry
2 Jimmie Johnson
3 Jason Garrett
4 Barry Switzer
5 Wade Phillips

OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS
1 Norv Turner
2 Dan Reeves
3 Ernie Zampese
4 Kellen Moore
5. Jason Garrett

DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS
1 Dave Wansted
2 Ernie Stautner
3 Dave Campo
4 Butch Davis
5 Mike Zimmer
.

Everyone can have their own variations, but overall I think this is a commendable effort. Certainly nothing outlandishly off base.

 

[HungryLion]

True but our measurement or evaluation of Switzer only relates to his time here in Dallas not his success at OU.

True. And I would again say. That Switzer made an NFC title game and won a Super Bowl.

his record in the playoffs was 5-2.

if you make Garrett the head coach during that time. Does he fare any better? I suppose we will never know. Maybe he does better. Maybe he does worse. Obviously this thread is like a Bar room discussion. Which is cool because we need it during the off season.

I just don’t see any reason to list Garrett above Switzer. But that’s JMO


I’ll add. I think Switzer kind of “packed it in” and was just coasting. But Switzer in his prime and actually caring and trying. I think is a better coach than Garret ever was.

 

[CouchCoach]

.
Here's Ranking All Time Dallas Cowboys players - Top 5 at each position (My List)
How would YOU rank them ?

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/lineups.htm

QUARTERBACKS
1 Roger Staubach
2 Troy Aikman
3 Tony Romo Don Meredith
4 Dak Prescott Danny White
5 Danny White Tony Romo

WIDE RECEIVERS
1 Michael Irvin Lance Alworth
2 Bob Hayes Bob Hayes
3 Drew Pearson Terrell Owens
4 Terrell Owens Michael Irvin
5 Dez Bryant Drew Pearson

SLOT WRS
1 Cole Beasley
2 Kevin martin
3 Butch Johnson
4 Patrick crayton
5 Randall cobbs

TIGHT ENDS
1 Jason Witten Jay Novacek
2 Jay Novacek Mike Ditka
3 Doug Cosbie Jason Witten
4 Billy Joe Dupree BJ Dupree
5 Pettis Norman Doug Cosbie

RUNNING BACKS
1 Emmitt Smith Tony Dorsett
2 Tony Dorsett Emmitt Smith
3 Zeke Elliott Herschel Walker
4 Hershel Walker Duane Thomas
5 DeMarco Murray Calvin Hill

FULLBACKS
1 Darryl Johnston Walt Garrison
2 Robert Newhouse Ron Springs
3 Ron Springs Daryl Johnston
4 Don Perkins Robert Newhouse
5 Walt Garrison Don Perkins

OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1 Rayfield Wright
2 Erik Williams
3 Tyron Smith
4 Mark Tuinei
5 Pat Donovan

OFFENSIVE GUARDS
1 Larry Allen
2 Zack Martin
3 Nate Newton
4 John Niland
5 Herb Scott

CENTERS
1 Mark Stepnoski
2 Travis Fredrick
3 Ray Donaldson
4 Andre Gurode
5 John Fitzgerald

RETURNERS
1 Bob Hayes
2 Deion Sanders
3 Mel Renfro
4 Reggie Swinton
5 Kevin Williams

KICKERS
1 Dan Bailey
2 Chris Bonoi
3 Nick Folk
4 Richie Cunningham
5 Rafael Septien

PUNTERS
1 Matt McBriar
2 John Jett
3 Mike Saxon
4 Toby Gowin
5 Chris Jones

DEFENSIVE ENDS
1 Charles Haley
2 Harvey Martin
3 Ed Jones
4 Tony Tolbert
5 Jim Jeffcoat

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1 Bob Lilly
2 Randy White
3 La' Roi Glover
4 Jethro Pugh
5 Jay Ratliff

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1 DeMarcus Ware
2 Chuck Howley
3 Dexter Coakley
4 Thomas Henderson
5 D.D. Lewis

MIDDLE LINEBACKERS
1 Lee Roy Jordan
2 Bob Breunig
3 Sean Lee
4 Ken Norton Jr.
5 Dat Nyguen

CORNERBACKS
1 Deion Sanders Mel Renfro
2 Mel Renfro Cornell Green
3 Everson Walls Herb Adderly
4 Cornell Green Deion Sanders
5 Terrence Newman Everson Walls

SAFETIES
1 Cliff Harris Darren Woodson
2 Darren Woodson Cliff Harris
3 Charlie Waters
4 Roy Williams
5 Mike Downs

HEAD COACHES
1 Tom Landry
2 Jimmie Johnson
3 Jason Garrett Bill Parcells
4 Barry Switzer
5 Wade Phillips Chan Gailey

OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS
1 Norv Turner
2 Dan Reeves
3 Ernie Zampese
4 Kellen Moore
5. Jason Garrett

DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS
1 Dave Wansted
2 Ernie Stautner
3 Dave Campo
4 Butch Davis
5 Mike Zimmer
.

That's mine

 

[Diehardblues]

True. And I would again say. That Switzer made an NFC title game and won a Super Bowl.

his record in the playoffs was 5-2.

if you make Garrett the head coach during that time. Does he fare any better? I suppose we will never know. Maybe he does better. Maybe he does worse. Obviously this thread is Luke’s. Bar room discussion. Which is cool because we need it during the off season.

I just don’t see any reason to list Garrett above Switzer. But that’s JMO


I’ll add. I think Switzer kind of “packed it in” and was just coasting. But Switzer in his prime and actually caring and trying. I think is a better coach than Garret ever was.

I’m not comparing Garrett. I’m only evaluating how the great team Jimmy built was diminished under Switzer.

The real mistake in his coaches listing was omitting Parcells.

Cowboys have really only had 3 great HC’s. Tom, Jimmy and Bill. The rest were Jethro’s puppets.

 

[HungryLion]

I’m not comparing Garrett. I’m only evaluating how the great team Jimmy built was diminished under Switzer.

The real mistake in his coaches listing was omitting Parcells.

Cowboys have really only had 3 great HC’s. Tom, Jimmy and Bill. The rest were Jethro’s puppets.

Agree on Parcells. He is easily #3.

 

[DFWJC]

Good list and opinions by the OP

Regarding the QBs….same old people arguing the same old thing.
Usually using team success to measure an individual player.
Fine, whatever
At this point, nobody is changing anyones opinion

 

[Silver N Blue]

.
Here's Ranking All Time Dallas Cowboys players - Top 5 at each position (My List)
How would YOU rank them ?

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/lineups.htm

QUARTERBACKS
1 Roger Staubach
2 Troy Aikman
3 Tony Romo
4 Dak Prescott
5 Danny White

WIDE RECEIVERS
1 Michael Irvin
2 Bob Hayes
3 Drew Pearson
4 Terrell Owens
5 Dez Bryant

SLOT WRS
1 Cole Beasley
2 Kevin martin
3 Butch Johnson
4 Patrick crayton
5 Randall cobbs

TIGHT ENDS
1 Jason Witten
2 Jay Novacek
3 Doug Cosbie
4 Billy Joe Dupree
5 Pettis Norman

RUNNING BACKS
1 Emmitt Smith
2 Tony Dorsett
3 Zeke Elliott
4 Hershel Walker
5 DeMarco Murray

FULLBACKS
1 Darryl Johnston
2 Robert Newhouse
3 Ron Springs
4 Don Perkins
5 Walt Garrison

OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1 Rayfield Wright
2 Erik Williams
3 Tyron Smith
4 Mark Tuinei
5 Pat Donovan

OFFENSIVE GUARDS
1 Larry Allen
2 Zack Martin
3 Nate Newton
4 John Niland
5 Herb Scott

CENTERS
1 Mark Stepnoski
2 Travis Fredrick
3 Ray Donaldson
4 Andre Gurode
5 John Fitzgerald

RETURNERS
1 Bob Hayes
2 Deion Sanders
3 Mel Renfro
4 Reggie Swinton
5 Kevin Williams

KICKERS
1 Dan Bailey
2 Chris Bonoi
3 Nick Folk
4 Richie Cunningham
5 Rafael Septien

PUNTERS
1 Matt McBriar
2 John Jett
3 Mike Saxon
4 Toby Gowin
5 Chris Jones

DEFENSIVE ENDS
1 Charles Haley
2 Harvey Martin
3 Ed Jones
4 Tony Tolbert
5 Jim Jeffcoat

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1 Bob Lilly
2 Randy White
3 La' Roi Glover
4 Jethro Pugh
5 Jay Ratliff

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1 DeMarcus Ware
2 Chuck Howley
3 Dexter Coakley
4 Thomas Henderson
5 D.D. Lewis

MIDDLE LINEBACKERS
1 Lee Roy Jordan
2 Bob Breunig
3 Sean Lee
4 Ken Norton Jr.
5 Dat Nyguen

CORNERBACKS
1 Deion Sanders
2 Mel Renfro
3 Everson Walls
4 Cornell Green
5 Terrence Newman

SAFETIES
1 Cliff Harris
2 Darren Woodson
3 Charlie Waters
4 Roy Williams
5 Mike Downs

HEAD COACHES
1 Tom Landry
2 Jimmie Johnson
3 Jason Garrett
4 Barry Switzer
5 Wade Phillips

OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS
1 Norv Turner
2 Dan Reeves
3 Ernie Zampese
4 Kellen Moore
5. Jason Garrett

DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS
1 Dave Wansted
2 Ernie Stautner
3 Dave Campo
4 Butch Davis
5 Mike Zimmer
.

Pretty compelling list esp when you see just how many from the 90s fill the slots. I'd get Danny on the punter's list at number 5 over Chris Jones. Breath of fresh air post! Thanks

 

[quickccc]

Pretty compelling list esp when you see just how many from the 90s fill the slots. I'd get Danny on the punter's list at number 5 over Chris Jones. Breath of fresh air post! Thanks

thanks ..
I tend to lean more towards players i've seen play and players that have such accolades, reputation, resume credentials, and historical impact notes - ala Bullet Bob Hayes, Bob Lilly
and Rayfield Wright that 60's or not, how could they be left out ...

 

[quickccc]

Cornell Green made the Pro Bowl at BOTH positions.

yeh i dunno if it'd be too confusing to list Cornell at both positions.
that's like Rod Woodson or Aneas Williams, .... do they go down in HOF as CBs or safeties ?- which they both converted to at tail end of their careers.
and it's the 60's guys that are more difficult to evaluate as that was way before my time on Earth.
Thank goodness for YouTube help.

 

[cowboyec]

☆QB...Roger Staubach
☆FB...Don Perkins
☆RB...Tony Dorsett
☆WR...Michael Irvin
☆TE...Billy Joe Dupree
☆OT...Rayfield Wright
☆OG...Larry Allen
☆C...Tom Rafferty

☆DE...Ed "too tall" Jones
☆DT...Bob Lilly
☆LB...Chuck Howley
☆CB...Mel Renfro
☆S...Cliff Harris

☆Head Coach...Tom Landry