Biggest defensive play in Dallas Cowboys history?

[The30YardSlant]

 

[Manster68]

I'll agree.

Let's not forget Larry Cole's tackle on Riggins in 1979, allowing Staubach to complete his last miracle to Tony Hill.

 

[Manster68]

Stuffing the Steelers on 4th and 1 at midfield in Super Bowl XXX was pretty big as well.

 

[The30YardSlant]

I'll agree.

Let's not forget Larry Cole's tackle on Riggins in 1979, allowing Staubach to complete his last miracle to Tony Hill.

True, but Norton's stuff turned the tide of a very close game and began a blowout that won us a Superbowl.

 

[The30YardSlant]

Stuffing the Steelers on 4th and 1 at midfield in Super Bowl XXX was pretty big as well.

I don't remember this play, what were the circumstances? Score, quarter, etc?

 

[Kilyin]

I don't remember this play, what were the circumstances? Score, quarter, etc?

On their next drive, the Steelers found themselves with a second down and 2 situation on their own 47-yard line. However, they turned the ball over on downs after running back Bam Morris was tackled for no gain on 3 consecutive running plays: a draw play to the left, a run to the left, and one to the middle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXX

 

[Redball Express]

Biggest play..? Does a non-play count..?

Jethro Pugh's failure to stop Bart Starr's QB sneak on 3 and 1 with 16 seconds on the clock and no GB timeouts to win the game for GB..NFL Championship Game '66.

That play still lives on in football history as a legendary play that will live for ever.

I hate it, but that's probably the biggest defensive non-play in Cowboy history and it wasn't pretty.

parcellswaterboy

 

[Manster68]

Oh, here's one.

Nov 7, 1976 at home against the NY Giants. Big Blue has the ball on like the 5 yard line. Harvey Martin comes in hard from the blindside and just obliterates Craig Morton. The ball flies up in the air and Randy White falls on the ball to preserve a critical 9-3 lackluster win over the G-Men.

 

[MONT17]

that play makes u wanna go outside and HIT SOMEONE in the Parkin lot!!!!

 

[Manster68]

Another one.

Oct 21, 1984 at home against the Saints on a special Sunday Night edition of Monday Night Football.

New Orleans went out to a 24-3 halftime lead. Dallas battles back to a 27-20 deficit inside of two minutes.

With the ball inside of their own 5 yard line, Stabler goes back to pass. Randy White sacks Stabler and strips the ball in the end zone. Ed "Too Tall" Jones falls on it to tie the game. Dallas won in overtime 30-27.

 

[Manster68]

that play makes u wanna go outside and HIT SOMEONE in the Parkin lot!!!!

MONT, have you seen the highlights of that play? It was one of those hits where Morton got jolted back so hard that his helmet hit the back of his shoulder pads.

Just AWESOME!

 

[BIGDen]

I don't remember this play, what were the circumstances? Score, quarter, etc?

I'm almost 100% sure that Shante Carver was a big part of that play or the one before. I'll always remember that as bad as that draft pick was and as bad as the Kendall Watkins pick was - they both helped us win SBXXX. Watkins was the fat TE that set a pick on a TD catch in that game. They were busts, but they each did something pivotal in the biggest game of the year and that always makes me feel a little better. Who knows? Better players may have made big mistakes in that game. We won our 5th and they helped us. For that, they will always have asterisks next to their "bust" tags.

 

[COWBOYFAN]

The Larry Cole play popped into mind first.

The Ken Norton play popped to mind as soon as I opened the thread.

The Jethro Pugh play is indelibly etched.

But the biggest DEFENSIVE play in Cowboys history RIGHT NOW are actually two plays: the Santana Moss TD's that robbed us of a victory that was clearly OURS!!!!

That will NOT be forgotten in these quarters... and that WILL propel us, much like the Norton play, to VENGEANCE ON A GRAND SCALE!!!!!!

 

[THUMPER]

Biggest play..? Does a non-play count..?

Jethro Pugh's failure to stop Bart Starr's QB sneak on 3 and 1 with 16 seconds on the clock and no GB timeouts to win the game for GB..NFL Championship Game '66.

That play still lives on in football history as a legendary play that will live for ever.

I hate it, but that's probably the biggest defensive non-play in Cowboy history and it wasn't pretty.

parcellswaterboy

Actually, if you watch that play carefully from the endzone camera you can see that it is MLB Lee Roy Jordan who blows it. He is not blocked but totally reads the play incorrectly and goes to the wrong hole. Had he gone to his left instead of his right he would have been in position to stuff Starr before he crossed the goalline.

If he was cueing in on the QB like he should have then he should have filled the gap created by the wedge block on Pugh.

I've never understood why Pugh gets the blame while being doubleteamed by Bowman and Kramer on a sheet of ice yet Jordan gets a pass when he was untouched. Watch for Jordan the next time you see that play and you'll see what I'm talking about, he totally misreads it.


The Larry Cole play was the first one that came to my mind when I read the question.

 

[littlewebs]

No Larry Brown? I thought his 3 picks in 95-96 were alright.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

We have had way to many big defensive plays....they were all #1 at the time!

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

That will NOT be forgotten in these quarters... and that WILL propel us, much like the Norton play, to VENGEANCE ON A GRAND SCALE!!!!!!

How did the Norton play propel us to vengence on a grand scale?.....or are you saying the Norton play will not be forgotten, just like the Moss play? I a little confused .

By the way, I thought of the Norton play before I even opened the thread. It was in the Super Bowl, it turned the momentum of the game, and it took a tremendous effort on the part of Ken Norton Jr. to stop a big, strong fullback who was going full speed toward the end zone. Norton didn't even have a great angle. He hit him coming in from the side, so it took incredible strength to pull that play off.

*Just a side note. Guys, when you are using the word "to" as in "also" or "to an excessive degree" as in "too many plays", please use the word "too". I love the Cowboys too. Sometimes I spend way too much time on my Cowboy's obsession.
That conclude's our English lesson for the day........:laugh2:

 

[Hostile]

Bob Lilly sacking Bob Griese for a 30 yard loss in Super Bowl VI deserves some credit. It may be the defensive play that launched the franchise into the limelight.

 

[THUMPER]

Actually, if you watch that play carefully from the endzone camera you can see that it is MLB Lee Roy Jordan who blows it. He is not blocked but totally reads the play incorrectly and goes to the wrong hole. Had he gone to his left instead of his right he would have been in position to stuff Starr before he crossed the goalline.

If he was cueing in on the QB like he should have then he should have filled the gap created by the wedge block on Pugh.

I've never understood why Pugh gets the blame while being doubleteamed by Bowman and Kramer on a sheet of ice yet Jordan gets a pass when he was untouched. Watch for Jordan the next time you see that play and you'll see what I'm talking about, he totally misreads it.

This is too weird, I posted this comment this morning then I come back at lunch and find a post of some comments by Cliff Harris where he brings up the same thing:

Interesting story: "Lee Roy Jordan would always ride on the first seat of the bus next to Landry, where they would talk defense and strategy. It was right before we got to the stadium and everyone was really pensive and solemn, and Landry leaned over to Lee Roy and said: 'Why did you go right instead of left on that QB sneak? Lee Roy looks over and asks: 'Do you mean the Ice Bowl against Green Bay, Coach? That was five years ago, I don't know. Landry just goes, 'Oh.' "

That is just too weird.

 

[sonnyboy]

I'll go with Lett's play in SBXXVIII.

If you guys remember we trailed at the half and Buffalo comes out to start the second half hot, moving the ball well.

I was just starting to get a little worried when Lett splits a double team and punches the ball out of Thomas' hands. Washington picks it up and takes it to the house!

The play was a huge momentum swing and a tremendous individual effort on Lett's part.

I always felt he was our most valuable defensive player during that four year run.