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As we head into the summer doldrums, BTB introduces its own form of March Madness to get you through the slow period until training camp: a 64-player "Best Cowboy of all time" tournament! Today’s first round match-up features two seed Michael Irvin facing off against fifteen seed Bill Bates
Today, we close out the Paul Tagliabue bracket with a contest between two men who were probably the hardest-working players during the Cowboys' Super Bowl run: second-seeded Michael Irvin, The Playmaker, and fifteenth-seeded Bill Bates, the man who forced the league to create a special teams spot on its Pro Bowl rosters. Who will emerge victorious? Read the bios and cast your ballots, good people!
Wanna keep tabs on the state of the bracket or look ahead to future contests? All the Midsummer Madness info you could ever want can be found right here.
Player: Michael Irvin
Position: wide receiver
Seed: 2
Essentials:
Name Years Career AV Pro Bowls All-Pro RoH HoF
Michael Jerome Irvin 1988-99 129 5 1 yes yes
Bio: Irvin was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft, as the last first rounder selected by the Schramm-Brandt-Landry triumverate. He became the first rookie receiver in Cowboys' history to start a game in 20 years, finishing his rookie season with a 20.4 yards per catch average, tops in the NFC. After two injury-plagued seasons, he exploded in 1991, leading the NFL in yards (1,523, on 93 catches) and making the first of five consecutive Pro Bowls. In 1992, he helped lead the Cowboys to Super Bowl XXVII, where he caught seven passes for 114 yards and the two second-quarter touchdowns that essentially sealed the game.
At 6'2" and 207 pounds, Irvin was a big, physical receiver who manhandled cornerbacks and often was able to use his big body to make tough catches in traffic. He was also a vocal, emotional leader who set the tone for the great 90s Cowboys through his passion and work ethic. He was instrument in the Cowboys again winning Super Bowls in 1993 and '95. In 1995, he set Cowboys records for receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,603), while scoring 10 touchdowns and setting an NFL record with 11 games with over 100 yards receiving.
From 1991 through 1998, Irvin recorded 1,000-yard seasons in all but one year (1996, when he missed the season's first five games), and racked up an impressive 10,265 receiving yards. Irvin finished his career as the Cowboys receiving leader in games played, receptions, and yards, and second to Bob Hayes in touchdowns. His 47 100-yard receiving games remains the third most in NFL history, and his 87 postseason receptions and 1,315 postseason receiving yards place him second in NFL history behind Jerry Rice. Irvin was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 1995 and elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Selected by Dallas in first round (17th player overall), 1990 … Won rushing crowns in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 … Led NFL in rushing touchdowns three times … Major contributor to Cowboys Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, XXX victories … Named first-team All-Pro 1992-95 … In 1993, named NFL’s MVP and MVP in Super Bowl XXVIII … 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons … Became NFL’s all-time rushing leader in 2002 … Career totals: 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns rushing; also had 515 receptions … Born May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida. - See more at: http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=291#sthash.i2MiaRqc.dpuf
Player: Bill Bates
Position: special teams, strong safety
Seed: 15
Essentials:
Name Years Career AV Pro Bowls All-Pro RoH HoF
William Frederick Bates 1983-97 33 1 1 no no
Bio: Bates wasn't selected in the 1983 Draft and opted to sign with the Cowboys as a free agent. He was a long shot to make the roster, but won a spot by playing the entire preseason as if his hair was on fire. From the start. Bates excelled on special teams, and was named NFC special teams player of the year as a rookie. In 1984 he was selected to the Pro Bowl after the NFL created a roster spot for special teams players. He was also elected All-Pro that season.
From 1986-88, Bates was the Cowboys' starting strong safety, and annually continued to be the team's leading tackler on special teams. He was immensely popular; from 1990-94, Bates received the team’s Bob Lilly Award, given by fan vote to the player who displays leadership and character on and off the field. At the end of his career, he won three Super Bowl rings with the Cowboys, playing in two of them (a knee injury prevented him from paying in Super Bowl XXVII). Bates is tied for the most seasons playing in a Cowboys uniform with 15.
Alright, BTBers, which man advances to the next round?
Poll
Who is the "better" Cowboy?
- Michael Irvin
- Bill Bates
27 votes | Results
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