Best Cowboys WR's of all time

[Clove]

I'd put Owens 3rd behind Irvin and Pearson. Those 2 above him were clutch, didn't drop balls. Owens was unbelievably explosive. He would take a 2 yard pass and consistently score from it. No matter what you thought about the person who dogged out Romo (was right) and Garrett (was right), he's still one of the most talented receivers to ever play the game.

 

[john van brocklin]

Who are the best wr in this teams history?

.1 Michael Irvin
2.Drew Pearson
3.Tony Hill
4. Bullet Bob Hayes
5. Dez Bryant

Hard to argue with your list and placement.

 

[Phoenix]

Hayes
Irvin
Pearson
Hill
Rentzel

Here's the list of all time leading Dallas receivers:

Dallas Cowboys All-time Leading Receivers
Players listed in bold were active with the team during the 2013 season.
AAFC statistics are not included in franchise totals.


Player Seasons # Yrs Rec Yds Avg Lg TD
Jason Witten 2003-2013 11857 9,517 11.1 69 50
Michael Irvin 1988-1999 12750 11,904 15.9 87 t65
Drew Pearson 1973-1983 11489 7,822 16.0 67 48
Emmitt Smith 1990-2002 13486 3,012 6.2 86 11

* snip *

We OWN the all time receptions list!

 

[joseephuss]

I'd put Owens 3rd behind Irvin and Pearson. Those 2 above him were clutch, didn't drop balls. Owens was unbelievably explosive. He would take a 2 yard pass and consistently score from it. No matter what you thought about the person who dogged out Romo (was right) and Garrett (was right), he's still one of the most talented receivers to ever play the game.

No way Owens goes above Hayes or Hill. I don't recall any 2 yard passes TO turned into TDs while in Dallas. Perhaps he did that on some other teams, but it wasn't a common accomplishment in Dallas.

You are right, it doesn't matter what I think about Owens as a person because he was only in Dallas 3 years and that isn't enough for him to be ranked above Hayes or Hill and a few others. And Owens was not right about either Romo or Garrett.

 

[Tabascocat]

1. Irvin
2. Hill
3. Pearson
4. Hayes
5. T.O. with Dez taking that spot soon

 

[jobberone]

Hayes
Irvin
Pearson
Hill
Rentzel

Here's the list of all time leading Dallas receivers:

Dallas Cowboys All-time Leading Receivers
Players listed in bold were active with the team during the 2013 season.
AAFC statistics are not included in franchise totals.


Player Seasons # Yrs Rec Yds Avg Lg TD
Jason Witten 2003-2013 11 857 9,517 11.1 69 50
Michael Irvin 1988-1999 12 750 11,904 15.9 87t 65
Drew Pearson 1973-1983 11 489 7,822 16.0 67 48
Emmitt Smith 1990-2002 13 486 3,012 6.2 86 11
Tony Hill 1977-1986 10 479 7,988 16.7 75t 51
Tony Dorsett 1977-1987 11 382 3,432 9.0 91t 13
Bob Hayes 1965-1974 10 365 7,295 20.0 95t 71
Jay Novacek 1990-1995 6 339 3,576 10.5 49 22
Doug Cosbie 1979-1988 10 300 3,728 12.4 61t 30
Daryl Johnston 1989-1999 11 294 2,227 7.6 28 14
Miles Austin 2007-2013 7 293 4,379 14.9 69t 34
Frank Clarke 1960-1967 8 281 5,214 18.6 80t 50
Billy Joe DuPree 1973-1983 11 267 3,565 13.4 42t 41
Dez Bryant 2010-2013 4 261 3,722 14.3 85t 35
Kelvin Martin 1987-1992,1996 7 237 3,083 13.0 60t 9
Terrell Owens 2006-2008 3 235 3,587 15.3 75t 38
Herschel Walker 1986-1989,1996-1997 6 232 2,556 11.0 84t 8
Ron Springs 1979-1984 6 222 2,028 9.1 80t 10
Timmy Newsome 1980,1982-1988 8 212 1,966 9.3 52t 11
Terry Glenn 2003-2006 4 208 3,337 16.0 71t 20
Patrick Crayton 2004-2009 6 196 2,888 14.7 80t 23
Preston Pearson 1975-1980 6 189 2,274 12.0 49 11
Lance Rentzel 1967-1970 4 183 3,521 19.2 86t 31
Walt Garrison 1966-1974 9 182 1,794 9.9 53 9
Marion Barber 2005-2010 6 174 1,280 7.4 70t 6

Not trying to quote my own post just using the list. I didn't separate the years and receptions making it look more like total yards. I bolded those with averages about 15 and italicized those of mention. Notice Bryant and Austin both on that italicized list.

 

[CooterBrown]

I agree I remember him he reminded me of Paul Warfield. He only played 7 games for the Cowboys in 1973 which was his only season in Dallas but he looked terrific catching 23 passes for 389 yards and 6 TD's. I spent years wondering whatever happened to him. Information wasn't nearly as easy to come by back in those days. Drew Pearson arrived that season and I just assumed he beat him out. Stowe went onto Denver in 74 spending only 8 games there before retiring. Below is an article for those who don't remember him.


http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1472866

Thanks! I often wondered about what happened to him. He was a great receiver. He and Roger just seemed to click.

And, how about Emmitt Smith's place on that list? He caught more passes than most people realize.

 

[jobberone]

Great find KJJ. I actually remember this guy. Guess his ankle was unstable or had to be fused to make him retire. He was a big guy back then. Again great find.

Otto Stowe - Hall of Fame Class of 2008
Courtesy: cyclones.com
Release: 05/20/2008

Otto Stowe - Hall of Fame Class of 2008

Courtesy: Athletics Communications


Otto Stowe stands as one of the finest receivers in Cyclone football history. A three-year letterwinner, Stowe set virtually every school receiving record during his outstanding three-year career (1968-70).

A native of Springfield, Ill., Stowe was an all-state performer in both football and basketball at Feitshans High School before arriving in Ames. He was briefly a member of the ISU basketball team, playing in four games during the 1968-69 season before concentrating on football after his sophomore season.

Stowe quickly became ISU’s go-to receiver under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Johnny Majors. Stowe led the Cyclones in receiving in his initial season (1968), catching 34 passes for 421 yards. He established himself as one of the best pass-catchers in the Big Eight Conference in his junior season, leading the squad in receiving for the second consecutive season with 39 receptions for 508 yards. At 6-2, 190 pounds, Stowe was considered a strong, powerful receiver in his day. He was adept at turning short pass routes into big gains with his superb running.

http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1472866

 

[Gameover]

Surprised more haven't placed Dez at number 1.

 

[jobberone]

Surprised more haven't placed Dez at number 1.

He may be before it's over.

 

[Gameover]

He may be before it's over.

Long ways to go...

 

[KJJ]

And, how about Emmitt Smith's place on that list? He caught more passes than most people realize.

Emmitt wouldn't rank on that list because he was an RB not a WR which is what this topic is about. Emmitt caught a lot of short passes coming out of the backfield. He only averaged 6.3 per catch so he wasn't going down the field having to beat coverage and battle DB's to make catches like a WR. He was excellent coming out of the backfield catching passes out in space.

The top 3 WR's in Cowboys history in my opinion was Irvin followed by Drew Pearson and Bob Hayes. TO was a great WR but he didn't put enough time in as a Dallas Cowboy for me to rank him in the top 3 and he never contributed to a championship in Dallas. Plus his receiving average was behind Irvin, Pearson and Hayes.

 

[landroverking]

You have got to add the Lances. Alworth and Rentzel

 

[KJJ]

Great find KJJ. I actually remember this guy. Guess his ankle was unstable or had to be fused to make him retire. He was a big guy back then. Again great find.

Otto Stowe - Hall of Fame Class of 2008
Courtesy: cyclones.com
Release: 05/20/2008

Otto Stowe - Hall of Fame Class of 2008

Courtesy: Athletics Communications


Otto Stowe stands as one of the finest receivers in Cyclone football history. A three-year letterwinner, Stowe set virtually every school receiving record during his outstanding three-year career (1968-70).

A native of Springfield, Ill., Stowe was an all-state performer in both football and basketball at Feitshans High School before arriving in Ames. He was briefly a member of the ISU basketball team, playing in four games during the 1968-69 season before concentrating on football after his sophomore season.

Stowe quickly became ISU’s go-to receiver under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Johnny Majors. Stowe led the Cyclones in receiving in his initial season (1968), catching 34 passes for 421 yards. He established himself as one of the best pass-catchers in the Big Eight Conference in his junior season, leading the squad in receiving for the second consecutive season with 39 receptions for 508 yards. At 6-2, 190 pounds, Stowe was considered a strong, powerful receiver in his day. He was adept at turning short pass routes into big gains with his superb running.

http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1472866

Not many remember Stowe even some long-time Cowboy fans because of his very short stint in Dallas in 73 where he only played in 7 games. He had excellent body control and great hands very reminiscent of Paul Warfield.

 

[KJJ]

You have got to add the Lances. Alworth and Rentzel

Alworth has already been mentioned but he wasn't a great WR for the Cowboys. His last 2 seasons were played in Dallas and he didn't produce much because he was at the end of his career. Granted he was one of the all-time great WR's but he achieved that in San Diego.

 

[KJJ]

Surprised more haven't placed Dez at number 1.

The ones who have don't have a clue.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Irvin
Hays
Pearson
Hill
Dez

 

[dupree89]

Among the better deep ball threats? Golden Richards and Alvin Harper. I am old. But I loved Golden Richards # 83. Also a very good punt returner.

Now to get back on topic..I think most people nailed all the best ones!

 

[landroverking]

The ones who have don't have a clue.

Just what has he done? Lead the league in yards? TDs? Super Bowl catches? The book is far from written about Dez but greatest ever? Come on man.
He's not even the best 88!

 

[Tabascocat]

Just what has he done? Lead the league in yards? TDs? Super Bowl catches? The book is far from written about Dez but greatest ever? Come on man.
He's not even the best 88!

Re-read the above posts. He was essentially saying that those who ranked Dez #1 don't have a clue.

Or maybe I don't have a clue and misunderstood