Biggest Cowboy Mistake - Ever

[dbair1967]

How about letting Swann and The other Steelers Legendary WR (his name is escaping me now) get passed by in the draft?

uh, we had pretty good WR's here during the 70's...Drew Pearson, Golden Richards, Butch Johnson and then Tony Hill

our offense year in and year out was always at the top of the league

and as FYI, Pearson was a better player than either Swann or Sywallworth in the opinion of alot of people

David

 

[Skin]

and as FYI, Pearson was a better player than either Swann or Sywallworth in the opinion of alot of people

David

ABSOLUTELY! Swann and Stallworth were very good receivers, but not nearly as good as many fans (i.e., BSPN) would have you believe. If Drew had been on the Steelers, he would be worshipped as a living god.

 

[step]

Leon Lett's play was the low point, even though it didn't result in a loss.
All of the others involved players trying their best to mke the play.

You're thinking of the Super Bowl play. That didn't result in a loss. I was talking about the Miami game in the snow where Lett went after the ball, touched it, and Miami got possesion again to let them win. What year was that? Ummm, maybe 1995?

 

[lurkercowboy]

In the 1974 draft, Dallas picked Ed "Too Tall" Jones #1 overall. Pittsburgh drafted Lynn Swann with the 21st pick. I don't think Dallas should receive any grief for passing on Lynn Swann.

If anything, maybe Dallas should have drafted Jack Lambert at #22 instead of running back Charley Young that same year. Althought some stuff I read in the past suggests that Young was a good choice. In hind sight it wasn't.

Pittsburgh didn't draft John Stallworth until the 4th round of that same 1974 draft, so every team passed on him including Pittsburgh until that round. You can't fault Dallas for that.

Dallas also took Danny White in the 3rd round of that draft.

I don't hold Lett's dumb mistake against Miami to any high level. Dallas lost that game, but then went undefeated after that on their way to winning another Superbowl. In context, that mistake means nothing.

I heard Dan Patrick compare the Romo fumble to Lett in Superbowl XXVII. I thought that was stupid. Lett's showboating play meant absolutely nothing to the outcome of that game. It was a blowout. I wish Romo's fumble had been in that same context.

Sure Jackie Smith's drop hurt Dallas that game, but it wasn't the only bad play.

Randy White fumbled a kick off return. Why was he on the kick off return team? He had a cast on his arm. Why did he even try running the ball when it came to him? He should have just down the ball and given it to Staubach and crew.

Why did Dorsett and Pearson drop a simple hand off early in the game on a reverse. They ran reverses all the time back then, so it should have been pretty standard. Instead they fumbled.

Why did Hollywood Henderson do cocaine during the game? If he isn't high, maybe he makes more plays.

Why did Landry get away from running Dorsett? The Steelers had trouble slowing Tony down(16 carries for 96 yards).

Jackie Smith is unfairly criticized. He made a bad play, but he isn't the only reason Dallas lost that game. His single play was not the reason Dallas lost. It did not help Dallas win, but the defense did give up 35 points. That is quite a bit.

I agree about Lett. And the "showboating?" All his did was hold the ball out a little. He was not doing the funky chicken dance. I think that aspect has been exaggerated too much.

 

[ilovejerry]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]OK, well, I'm still sore from the reality smack the other night, but in an effort to lighten the mood, I was thinking about where this recent loss falls in the biggest Dallas failures? I mean, it qualifies on so many levels: a play the holder should make a million times, the possible misuse of clock (no time out to get organized? or, maybe better yet, take the FG on 3rd down instead of 4th, etc etc), the potential to crush the mojo of an up and coming star qb, the potential to end a hall of fame coach's career, and on and on... so, i ask you, which is the worst cowboys moment:[/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Romo vs the snap[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Lett's FG mistake in the Miami thanksgiving game[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Jackie Smith's dropped TD in Super Bowl XIII[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* 4th and 1 [/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Ice Bowl[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Allowing the 49ers "The Catch" (creating a 49ers dynasty)[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Swann, in Super Bowl X, bobbling but holding on to a 53-yard pass, which most consider the most spectacular and acrobatic catch in Super Bowl history. And the Cowboys lose to the Steelers - sound familiar? [/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]I almost added "firing Landry" and "letting Jimmy go", but I'm limiting this to on the field stuff. ;-)[/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]For the record, I vote for Jackie Smith. Haunted the guy forever, and was a sure-fire TD which likely wins us a game against the dreaded Steelers, not to mention, if all else stayed the same, our Super Bowl record would then be 6-2. No one is even close to that. Although, erasing that 49ers play from history would be great too. Maybe then we go on to beat the Bengals. Sheesh, think about it, take away Jackie Smith's bad play and the Joe Montana play, and we could realistically be 7-2 in Super Bowls! What do you think?? [/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]Anyway, glad to be here -- I know some of you here. I left my old message boards for this site, looking forward to hangin with those of you I havent met yet![/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]Step[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif] [/FONT]

I was a 13 at the time I was at my grandfathers in Miami and my Uncle took me to SB 13 and I still curse him for that, I have a lot of memories and funny stories about that experience BUT I will never ever Forget JS ( cant say his name out-loud) Drop. to me That will always be tops and then DC catch is right behind that, There is no way that changed the future of the Cowboys from having the players inducted into the Hall of Fame and just even having to defend the Cowboys as a whole, I think we were better then Pittsburgh that year, and unfortunately losing 2 to them has cost us, But also think losing to Baltimore was just as big back then because ( and some older DC fans could justify this ) when we played them we were a big favorite and a better team.
On that note please forgive me when I say I would have rather lost in the early round of the playoffs then to go to the SB with a mediocre team. Now I didn't want to lose like this, but Our season was just one missed opportunity after another, So lets hope Romo can bury this season and get on next year t yours from the start to the end.

 

[ilovejerry]

I'm afraid it did.

We still one the SB that year so bigh deal its a wash.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Romo's fumble could never rank up there with BIGGEST mistakes let alone biggest mistakes in cowboys history.

Like it or not... it didnt decide the game. Probably kept us from viewing a Josh Brown 60 yard game winning FG

There was plenty that went on before that play that could/should have cemented that game away for us.

It was a 1st round game that we played almost well enough to win but played more to lose. We didnt use our strengths.

As time goes by it will be hard to rank this high up on the blunders chart in history. Although with the media... they are trying to give it ARTIFICIAL life.

 

[step]

I think bad moments are worse when you have your hopes up and they are dashed.

Worst moment in Cowboys history since I have been a fan? I remember thinking at the time that the Smith drop was no big deal. The pass interference call against Barnes bothered me much more. Staubach throwing the pass to Herb Scott to close out the 1979 playoffs was pretty bad. The catch was of course bad, but I thought the ensuing "fumble" was worse. The 1983 (No Danny no!) and 1984 late season losses to the Commanders were both low points, plus the season-ending loss to Miami in 1984 was crushing because of how it ended. The season-ending loss to Atlanta in 1990 was demoralizing because the playoffs were on the line. The 1998 playoff loss to Arizona was one of the franchise low-lights, especially when the triplets all looked so awful. This years bobbled hold was pretty bad as well.

I'm glad I had this chance to cheer everyone up!

Great post. Excellent points. Since you've taken that approach, let me add one more... how about the non call of Pass Interference in the San Fran-Dallas Championship game in 94? Irvin was destroying Deion that day and was clearly interfered with near the end of the game. Make that call and the Cowboys probably overcome Steve Young and his monkey and the Cowboys likely win three in a row. In fact, speaking of low moments, how about just the first few series in that game. Irvin, Aikman, and the rest uncharacteristically fumbling, dropping balls, and making dumb mistakes in the mud. They got off to a terrible start and still almost won the game! That game broke the hearts of a lot of fans, especially watching the 49ers destroy the Chargers ... as we would have as well!

step

 

[lurkercowboy]

Great post. Excellent points. Since you've taken that approach, let me add one more... how about the non call of Pass Interference in the San Fran-Dallas Championship game in 94? Irvin was destroying Deion that day and was clearly interfered with near the end of the game. Make that call and the Cowboys probably overcome Steve Young and his monkey and the Cowboys likely win three in a row. In fact, speaking of low moments, how about just the first few series in that game. Irvin, Aikman, and the rest uncharacteristically fumbling, dropping balls, and making dumb mistakes in the mud. They got off to a terrible start and still almost won the game! That game broke the hearts of a lot of fans, especially watching the 49ers destroy the Chargers ... as we would have as well!

step

No doubt. The first few minutes of that game were very very bad. Seeing the team rally was great though and they nearly pulled it off.

 

[mmillman]

Letting JJ go.

 

[Vtwin]

Great post. Excellent points. Since you've taken that approach, let me add one more... how about the non call of Pass Interference in the San Fran-Dallas Championship game in 94? Irvin was destroying Deion that day and was clearly interfered with near the end of the game. Make that call and the Cowboys probably overcome Steve Young and his monkey and the Cowboys likely win three in a row. In fact, speaking of low moments, how about just the first few series in that game. Irvin, Aikman, and the rest uncharacteristically fumbling, dropping balls, and making dumb mistakes in the mud. They got off to a terrible start and still almost won the game! That game broke the hearts of a lot of fans, especially watching the 49ers destroy the Chargers ... as we would have as well!

step

I was surprised no one had mentioned the fumble of the opening kickoff of the 94 NFC championship game. Or the fumble on the drive following the next kickoff.Those two plays killed our chance for a third consecutive SB.Personally I am very tired of all the talk putting Romo's fumble up there with the worst of the worst of sports blunders. Not even close.

 

[jackrussell]

We still one the SB that year so bigh deal its a wash.

I never said it wasn't.

They really should do a better job screening here.

 

[lewpac]

To this day, I still don't get how Cowboy fans would still consider "letting Landry go" as a mistake, let alone an "all time blunder". I understand the loyalty part of it and "the way" he was treated at the end. But how else do you let someone like that go? Look at Miami NOT letting Shula go and paying for it for too many seasons after he was washed up.
I've been a Cowboy fan since 1965, so I loved Landry and all I ever knew was Landry, as much as the next guy. I also was miserable as a fan the last 3-4 years of his time in Dallas.
Finally, what about the results of letting him go and hiring Johnson? All the media and talking heads who were getting a big laugh out of Jones back then, I don't recall any retorts or apologies after, because of his decisions, probably the greates of all Cowboys teams was produced and won three SB's. Not to manetion the horde's of Cowboy fans calling for his head. No telling how many more could've been had had "the divorce" not happened.
I'm sorry for Landry, but have zero regrets as to what transpired afterwards.

 

[ilovejerry]

I never said it wasn't.

They really should do a better job screening here.

So explain to me please. How that classify as a devastating loss?

 

[LatinMind]

letting parcells maniuplate jerry every offseason

 

[Established1971]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]OK, well, I'm still sore from the reality smack the other night, but in an effort to lighten the mood, I was thinking about where this recent loss falls in the biggest Dallas failures? I mean, it qualifies on so many levels: a play the holder should make a million times, the possible misuse of clock (no time out to get organized? or, maybe better yet, take the FG on 3rd down instead of 4th, etc etc), the potential to crush the mojo of an up and coming star qb, the potential to end a hall of fame coach's career, and on and on... so, i ask you, which is the worst cowboys moment:[/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Romo vs the snap[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Lett's FG mistake in the Miami thanksgiving game[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Jackie Smith's dropped TD in Super Bowl XIII[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* 4th and 1 [/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Ice Bowl[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Allowing the 49ers "The Catch" (creating a 49ers dynasty)[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]* Swann, in Super Bowl X, bobbling but holding on to a 53-yard pass, which most consider the most spectacular and acrobatic catch in Super Bowl history. And the Cowboys lose to the Steelers - sound familiar? [/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]I almost added "firing Landry" and "letting Jimmy go", but I'm limiting this to on the field stuff. ;-)[/FONT]

[FONT=tahoma, new york, times, serif]For the record, I vote for Jackie Smith. Haunted the guy forever, and was a sure-fire TD which likely wins us a game against the dreaded Steelers, not to mention, if all else stayed the same, our Super Bowl record would then be 6-2. No one is even close to that. Although, erasing that 49ers play from history would be great too. Maybe then we go on to beat the Bengals. Sheesh, think about it, take away Jackie Smith's bad play and the Joe Montana play, and we could realistically be 7-2 in Super Bowls! What do you think?? [/FONT]

and beat the packers in one of those 2 games ans we are 8-2 in super bolws, then toss in any number of plays in SB 5 and we are 9-1. Heck even SB 10 was close.

anyway, back to your list I dont put the Leon Lett thing to high. You know the Boys never lost another regular season game that year and won the super bowl. The Dolphins never won another game that year and missed the playoffs. I remind my Dolphins fan friend of that if he ever brings it up. Shuts his *** right up

 

[VA Cowboy]

On the field, I would say the "catch", but I don't really consider that a mistake. We just couldn't stop them on that drive. It's not like there was a blatant miscue or anything.

So to me, the biggest mistake would be the Jackie Smith dropped TD pass in Super Bowl XIII.

 

[brucem78]

How about Doug Donnely's dropped pass on 3rd and eight in the '82 championship game? That first down would have allowed Dallas to run out most of the clock or kick a field goal that would have prevented Dwight Clark from getting his "Catch" opportunity.
He makes that catch and I'm sure we have one more Lombardi Trophy on our shelf.

 

[2much2soon]

How about letting Montana drive down the field and hit Clark for "The Catch"?

I don't really get all the disrespect for Swann and Stallworth. They drove me crazy back in the day but those guys were clutch. I hated it, but they made a lot of plays that broke a lot of teams backs in many big games.

Off the field, the two #1s for Galloway really set Dallas back. Those two picks should of been guys that contributed in a big way for the past seven years.
Two more guys that could contribute at their positions at the level that a Newman or Witten contribute would be huge.

 

[step]

Off the field, the two #1s for Galloway really set Dallas back. Those two picks should of been guys that contributed in a big way for the past seven years.
Two more guys that could contribute at their positions at the level that a Newman or Witten contribute would be huge.

One problem with your theory. Did you see the kinds of people we were drafting then? What makes you think either of those 1st two picks would contribute? Hmm, maybe we could have gotten another David LaFleur or blown another 2 picks on CBs that would be off quickly be off the team.

step