Dallas Cowboys QB History

[THUMPER]

Romo also plays in an era that is kind to offenses and in particular QBs. I am not putting him down and think it is just a matter of time before he starts winning playoff games. I am just saying.

Staubach had a 5.2% TD percentage at a time when the league average was 4.2%. Staubach was 23.8% better than the league average.

Staubach had a 3.7% INT percentage at a time when the league average was 5.2%. Staubach was 40.5% better than the league average.

Aikman had a 3.5% TD percentage at a time when the league average was 3.9%. Aikman was 10.9%% worse than the league average. That is because Irvin always fell down at the 1 yard line.

Aikman had a 3.0% INT percentage at a time when the league average was 3.4%. Aikman was 13.3% better than the league average.

So what are the league averages for Romo's career? I would venture to guess that he is considerably higher in nearly every category compared to the averages. He is currently the leader in average yards per attempt and per completion among active QBs.

For him to be this good so early in his career is amazing! Like Staubach & White he sat for a few years before getting the starting job but unlike both of them, he didn't step into a SB caliber team.

We were in the SB the year before Roger took over. We were in the SB 2 years prior to White being named the starter. We hadn't won a playoff game in 10 years when Romo got the nod.

People continually want to downgrade Romo because we haven't won a playoff game under him but he is on easily the worst coached team any of those other QBs ever had to deal with except Aikman at the end of his career, but Troy had nowhere near the success that Romo is having in that situation.

Also, the defenses of those other teams were outstanding, while ours is better than average at this point. Face it, Romo is having a phenomenal start to his career by whatever measurement you want to use.

 

[DWhite Fan]

So what are the league averages for Romo's career? I would venture to guess that he is considerably higher in nearly every category compared to the averages. He is currently the leader in average yards per attempt and per completion among active QBs.

For him to be this good so early in his career is amazing! Like Staubach & White he sat for a few years before getting the starting job but unlike both of them, he didn't step into a SB caliber team.

We were in the SB the year before Roger took over. We were in the SB 2 years prior to White being named the starter. We hadn't won a playoff game in 10 years when Romo got the nod.

People continually want to downgrade Romo because we haven't won a playoff game under him but he is on easily the worst coached team any of those other QBs ever had to deal with except Aikman at the end of his career, but Troy had nowhere near the success that Romo is having in that situation.

Also, the defenses of those other teams were outstanding, while ours is better than average at this point. Face it, Romo is having a phenomenal start to his career by whatever measurement you want to use.

I agree with you that Romo is off to an awsome start and I see only good things to come for him, in the way of championships.
As for me, I am not down grading Romo, I am standing up for Danny White.
I hope Romo does become the best QB this team has ever had. He is just not there yet. As some in here are saying he is already the best, they are not giving Danny, Roger, Troy, and Don their due respect.
Romo is good, but he is not better than the others yet. Give Tony time and we shall see just how good he is.

But, until then, I am going to say to all in here the same thing I was told growing up about Danny White, "Stats mean squat!" :starspin

 

[THUMPER]

Let's take a look at some other comparisons. I want to see what the caliber of the key players were for each QB as well as the Defensive rank (total yards allowed). Only years that they started a majority of games and players that had a significant contribution are included.

Don Meredith:
RB- Don Perkins, Amos Marsh, Amos Bullocks, Jim Stiger, Dan Reeves, JD Smith, Walt Garrison, Les Shy.
WR- Frank Clarke, Billy Howton, Tommy McDonald, Buddy Dial, Bob Hayes, Pete Gent, Lance Rentzel.
TE- Lee Folkins, Pettis Norman.
Defense rank: 1962-13th, 1963-13th, 1964-2nd, 1965-6th, 1966-2nd, 1967-7th, 1968-4th.
HC- Tom Landry

Roger Staubach:
RB- Calvin Hill, Walt Garrison, Duane Thomas, Robert Newhouse, Scott Laidlaw, Preston Pearson, Tony Dorsett.
WR - Bob Hayes, Lance Alworth, Drew Pearson, Golden Richards, Tony Hill, Butch Johnson
TE - Mike Ditka, Billy Joe DuPree, Jay Saldi
Defense rank: 1971-3rd, 1973-5th, 1974-4th, 1975-5th, 1976-7th, 1977-1st, 1978-2, 1979-8th.
HC- Tom Landry

Danny White:
RB- Tony Dorsett, Robert Newhouse, Preston Pearson, Ron Springs, James Jones, Timmy Newsome.
WR- Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, Butch Johnson, Doug Donley, Mike Renfro.
TE- Billy Joe DuPree, Jay Saldi, Doug Cosbie.
Defense rank: 1980-17th, 1981-20th, 1982-11th, 1983-17th, 1985-20th.
HC- Tom Landry

Troy Aikman:
RB- Herschel Walker, Paul Palmer, Daryl Johnston, Emmitt Smith, Tommie Agee, Curvin Richards, Derek Lassic, Sherman Williams, Chris Warren, Michael Wiley, Robert Thomas.
WR- Michael Irvin, Kelvin Martin, James Dixon, Alvin Harper, Kevin Williams, Stepfet Williams, Anthony Miller, Billy Davis, Ernie Mills, Rocket Ismail, Jason Tucker, James McKnight, Wane McGarity.
TE- Steve Folsom, Jay Novacek, Eric Bjornson, David LaFleur, Jackie Harris.
Defense rank: 1989-20th, 1990-10th, 1991-17th, 1992-1st, 1993-10th, 1994-1st, 1995-9th, 1996-3rd, 1997-2nd, 1998-18th, 1999-9th, 2000-19th.
HC- Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo.

Tony Romo:
RB- Julius Jones, Marion Barber.
WR- Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd.
TE- Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano, Tony Curtis.
Defense rank: 2006-13th, 2007-9th.
HC- Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips.


A few things surprised me in this comparison:

1. The Cowboys defense in the 80s was pretty bad, at least in terms of yardage. I remembered them being a lot better than that.

2. Aikman had a lot of turnover among the WRs (opposite Irvin) as well as the HCs. There were a bunch of RBs also but they were all Emmitt's backups.

3. Meredith & White didn't start for many seasons. Dandy Don retired early (only 30) and Danny waited until Roger retired then was injured a lot later in his career. Heck, Roger only started 8 seasons.

4. I miss Tom Landry.

 

[DWhite Fan]

Let's take a look at some other comparisons. I want to see what the caliber of the key players were for each QB as well as the Defensive rank (total yards allowed). Only years that they started a majority of games and players that had a significant contribution are included.

Don Meredith:
RB- Don Perkins, Amos Marsh, Amos Bullocks, Jim Stiger, Dan Reeves, JD Smith, Walt Garrison, Les Shy.
WR- Frank Clarke, Billy Howton, Tommy McDonald, Buddy Dial, Bob Hayes, Pete Gent, Lance Rentzel.
TE- Lee Folkins, Pettis Norman.
Defense rank: 1962-13th, 1963-13th, 1964-2nd, 1965-6th, 1966-2nd, 1967-7th, 1968-4th.
HC- Tom Landry

Roger Staubach:
RB- Calvin Hill, Walt Garrison, Duane Thomas, Robert Newhouse, Scott Laidlaw, Preston Pearson, Tony Dorsett.
WR - Bob Hayes, Lance Alworth, Drew Pearson, Golden Richards, Tony Hill, Butch Johnson
TE - Mike Ditka, Billy Joe DuPree, Jay Saldi
Defense rank: 1971-3rd, 1973-5th, 1974-4th, 1975-5th, 1976-7th, 1977-1st, 1978-2, 1979-8th.
HC- Tom Landry

Danny White:
RB- Tony Dorsett, Robert Newhouse, Preston Pearson, Ron Springs, James Jones, Timmy Newsome.
WR- Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, Butch Johnson, Doug Donley, Mike Renfro.
TE- Billy Joe DuPree, Jay Saldi, Doug Cosbie.
Defense rank: 1980-17th, 1981-20th, 1982-11th, 1983-17th, 1985-20th.
HC- Tom Landry

Troy Aikman:
RB- Herschel Walker, Paul Palmer, Daryl Johnston, Emmitt Smith, Tommie Agee, Curvin Richards, Derek Lassic, Sherman Williams, Chris Warren, Michael Wiley, Robert Thomas.
WR- Michael Irvin, Kelvin Martin, James Dixon, Alvin Harper, Kevin Williams, Stepfet Williams, Anthony Miller, Billy Davis, Ernie Mills, Rocket Ismail, Jason Tucker, James McKnight, Wane McGarity.
TE- Steve Folsom, Jay Novacek, Eric Bjornson, David LaFleur, Jackie Harris.
Defense rank: 1989-20th, 1990-10th, 1991-17th, 1992-1st, 1993-10th, 1994-1st, 1995-9th, 1996-3rd, 1997-2nd, 1998-18th, 1999-9th, 2000-19th.
HC- Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo.

Tony Romo:
RB- Julius Jones, Marion Barber.
WR- Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd.
TE- Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano, Tony Curtis.
Defense rank: 2006-13th, 2007-9th.
HC- Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips.


A few things surprised me in this comparison:

1. The Cowboys defense in the 80s was pretty bad, at least in terms of yardage. I remembered them being a lot better than that.

2. Aikman had a lot of turnover among the WRs (opposite Irvin) as well as the HCs. There were a bunch of RBs also but they were all Emmitt's backups.

3. Meredith & White didn't start for many seasons. Dandy Don retired early (only 30) and Danny waited until Roger retired then was injured a lot later in his career. Heck, Roger only started 8 seasons.

4. I miss Tom Landry.

I am with you on thinking the 80s Defense was better than these rankings indicate. I remember that D being very opportunistic. I wish our Defense now could generate turnovers likes those of the past did. Maybe they will now that it seems their intensity is back.

I totally miss Landry too. It would be neat to see how Landry (70s version) and Romo would work together.

Two things about Meredith and White:

1. I think Don retired too early (kinda like Roger). I know he was beat up by then, but the Cowboys were still at the top of their game. Meredith deserved a trip to the SB after all what he dealt with during the 60s, like Lombardi's Packers.

2. My only real regret about Danny will always be the 1986 season. How I wish he had not gotten hurt. Dorsett & Walker and Danny leading the league in passing thanks to Paul Hackett........6-2 when White went down, 1-7 the rest of the way (did Pelluer have his helmet on backwards or what?).
*SIGH*

And now for a statement that I know will get me slaughtered:
Craig Morton was not as bad a QB as a lot of folks think he was. Sure he wasn't Roger, but he still was a pretty darn good QB. He had some good seasons in Denver.

 

[Temo]

I guess you're just ranking on how these guys played for the Cowboys, because Randal Cunningham is a borderline Hall of Fame guy. And Brad Johnson over his career has certainly been better than Anthony Wright.

 

[Q_the_man]

As near as I can tell from past lists the Cowboys have had 47 total QBs. Some of these jaybirds never took a snap so there is no true way to really judge them. I tried to be fair. Feel free to disagree.


Best to Worst

1. Roger Staubach, 1969-1979
2. Troy Aikman, 1989-2000
3. Don Meredith, 1960-1968
4. Tony Romo, 2003-2008
5. Danny White, 1976-1988
6. Eddie LeBaron, 1960-1963
7. Craig Morton, 1965-1974
8. Steve Beuerlein, 1991-1992
9. Drew Bledsoe, 2005-2006
10. Bernie Kosar, 1993
11. Randall Cunningham, 2000
12. Rodney Peete, 1994
13. Jerry Rhome, 1965-1968
14. Steve Pelleur, 1984-1988
15. Steve Walsh, 1989-1990
16. Gary Hogeboom, 1980-1985
17. Babe Laufenberg, 1990-1991
18. Quincy Carter, 2001-2003
19. Jason Garrett, 1993-1999
20. Vinny Testaverde, 2004
21. Mike Quinn, 1998-1999
22. Glenn Carano, 1977-1983
23. Wade Wilson, 1995-1997
24. Anthony Wright, 2000-2001
25. Kevin Sweeney, 1987-1988
26. Clint Longley, 1974-1975
27. Brad Johnson, 2007-2008
28. Drew Henson, 2004-2005
29. Chad Hutchinson, 2002-2003
30. Clint Stoerner, 2000-2002
31. Cliff Stoudt, 1990-1991
32. Hugh Millen, 1993
33. Scott Secules, 1988
34. Brooks Bollinger, 2008
35. Ryan Leaf, 2001
36. Paul McDonald, 1986-1987
37. Bob Beldon, 1969-1970
38. Sonny Gibbs, 1963
39. Reggie Collier, 1986
40. John Roach, 1964
41. Craig Kupp, 1991
42. Tommy Hodson, 1994
43. Daniel Gonzalez, 1998
44. Loren Snyder, 1987
45. Brad Wright, 1982
46. Bobby Humphrey, 1961
47. Don Heinrich, 1960

How is Quincy so far down, I don't understand, he did way better than Babe, Kosar, Cunningham, Hogeboom and Pulluer, actually he did better than Walsh who only won one game, but we did trade Walsh for a 1st or 2 2nds I believe so Walsh gets a pass.

QC lead us to the playoffs, the only thing with him is he messed up with his MaryJane....

 

[Hostile]

How is Quincy so far down, I don't understand, he did way better than Babe, Kosar, Cunningham, Hogeboom and Pulluer, actually he did better than Walsh who only won one game, but we did trade Walsh for a 1st or 2 2nds I believe so Walsh gets a pass.

QC lead us to the playoffs, the only thing with him is he messed up with his MaryJane....

I had several factors in making up my list. In my opinion the guy stunk. He is as high as he is on my list because of his time as a starter and the 2003 season. If not for that year alone he would be way below where I have him now. You know me, I never thought he was talented enough to be a starting QB in the NFL. My opinion has not changed over time. We paid too much to acquire him (that is a factor as well as what you mentioned about Walsh) and then he screwed up a great opportunity. I don't reward people for screwing up.

The QB I like least of all the starters we have had is Steve Pelleur, but I kept my dsilike out of it and acknowledged that he was our starter for several seasons. That raised him on my list. I would like nothing more than to put him at 47. There are flaws on my list. I have acknowledged that. Where Q is placed is not one of them. IMO.

Here are factors I weighed.

• Talent level of team
• Talent of player
• Who I think would be above if the two players were on the team at the same time. I think the players you named would start over him if they were all on the team at the same time in their prime. None are very good.
• Record with the team
• Games started
• Contributions to the team image
• Cowboys record while they were with the team, which is why Don Heinrich is dead last. Like many on the list he never played, but he was on a worse team than many of them.

 

[THUMPER]

I am with you on thinking the 80s Defense was better than these rankings indicate. I remember that D being very opportunistic. I wish our Defense now could generate turnovers likes those of the past did. Maybe they will now that it seems their intensity is back.

We tended to give up a lot of yardage but we also made big plays. "Thurman's Thieves" were a great group of young DBs who intercepted a lot of passes in the early 80s. We also had a great passrush with Too Tall, Harvey Martin & Randy White.

I totally miss Landry too. It would be neat to see how Landry (70s version) and Romo would work together.

It is, unfortunately, a different era and both the game and the players have changed a lot. I don't think Landry would do as good a job as he did back in the 70s but he couldn't be any worse than what we have seen here the last 15 years.

Two things about Meredith and White:

1. I think Don retired too early (kinda like Roger). I know he was beat up by then, but the Cowboys were still at the top of their game. Meredith deserved a trip to the SB after all what he dealt with during the 60s, like Lombardi's Packers.

Meredith took that loss to the Browns in the 68 playoffs very hard. he was awful in that game and Landry cut him no slack. He was just coming into his prime IMO and would have led us to a SB the following season if he were healthy. The drop in talent from him to Morton was dramatic IMO and cost us an opportunity in both 69 & 70.

2. My only real regret about Danny will always be the 1986 season. How I wish he had not gotten hurt. Dorsett & Walker and Danny leading the league in passing thanks to Paul Hackett........6-2 when White went down, 1-7 the rest of the way (did Pelluer have his helmet on backwards or what?).
*SIGH*

Danny White just seemed to never catch a break. He was an excellent QB and had a lot of great games for us (he has a higher career passer rating than Aikman). He wasn't the leader that Staubach was and that cost him a lot both in terms of reputation/legacy and in his lack of success in the playoffs. It wasn't just him as our defense really tailed off in the 80s and our drafts were nowhere near as productive as they were when Roger was playing.

Had he played in the late 70s I believe he would have had more success.

And now for a statement that I know will get me slaughtered:
Craig Morton was not as bad a QB as a lot of folks think he was. Sure he wasn't Roger, but he still was a pretty darn good QB. He had some good seasons in Denver.

Morton was absolutely HORRIBLE in the playoffs. He played on some of the most talented Cowboys teams ever assembled and sucked miserably in big games. Our defense ranked 4th overall in both 69 & 70 and we were the best rushing team in the league as well. We had outstanding receivers in Hayes & Rentzel and while Morton did well in the regular season (ranked 3rd in passer rating both years) he was wretched in the playoffs both years.

He was less than dazzling with the Giants when he left here but he did have some very good years with the Broncos. He was one of the best people you could ever hope to meet and I hated that I didn't like him as our QB because he was such a nice guy. But I just can't bring myself to get over the missed opportunities in 69 & 70 when we were so dang good and couldn't get it done.

Craig had a tendency to throw high when he was excited and it happened a lot in those big games. He got better as he got older though.

His "best" playoff game as a Cowboy was against the 49ERs in the 70 NFC Championship game but it wasn't very good: 7 of 22 for 101 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs, 31.8% completion and a 62.9 QB rating. That was his BEST game, they go downhill rapidly from there.

 

[CowboyChris]

As near as I can tell from past lists the Cowboys have had 47 total QBs. Some of these jaybirds never took a snap so there is no true way to really judge them. I tried to be fair. Feel free to disagree.


Best to Worst

1. Roger Staubach, 1969-1979
2. Troy Aikman, 1989-2000
3. Don Meredith, 1960-1968
4. Tony Romo, 2003-2008
5. Danny White, 1976-1988
6. Eddie LeBaron, 1960-1963
7. Craig Morton, 1965-1974
8. Steve Beuerlein, 1991-1992
9. Drew Bledsoe, 2005-2006
10. Bernie Kosar, 1993
11. Randall Cunningham, 2000
12. Rodney Peete, 1994
13. Jerry Rhome, 1965-1968
14. Steve Pelleur, 1984-1988
15. Steve Walsh, 1989-1990
16. Gary Hogeboom, 1980-1985
17. Babe Laufenberg, 1990-1991
18. Quincy Carter, 2001-2003
19. Jason Garrett, 1993-1999
20. Vinny Testaverde, 2004
21. Mike Quinn, 1998-1999
22. Glenn Carano, 1977-1983
23. Wade Wilson, 1995-1997
24. Anthony Wright, 2000-2001
25. Kevin Sweeney, 1987-1988
26. Clint Longley, 1974-1975
27. Brad Johnson, 2007-2008
28. Drew Henson, 2004-2005
29. Chad Hutchinson, 2002-2003
30. Clint Stoerner, 2000-2002
31. Cliff Stoudt, 1990-1991
32. Hugh Millen, 1993
33. Scott Secules, 1988
34. Brooks Bollinger, 2008
35. Ryan Leaf, 2001
36. Paul McDonald, 1986-1987
37. Bob Beldon, 1969-1970
38. Sonny Gibbs, 1963
39. Reggie Collier, 1986
40. John Roach, 1964
41. Craig Kupp, 1991
42. Tommy Hodson, 1994
43. Daniel Gonzalez, 1998
44. Loren Snyder, 1987
45. Brad Wright, 1982
46. Bobby Humphrey, 1961
47. Don Heinrich, 1960

couple of things stick out, first of all Danny White should be 3 and Meredith 4, and how in the world do you have Babe Laufenbergahead of Quincy, he would be towards the bottom of my list. oh and Stoerner should be ahead of Henson

 

[bbgun]

His "best" playoff game as a Cowboy was against the 49ERs in the 70 NFC Championship game but it wasn't very good: 7 of 22 for 101 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs, 31.8% completion and a 62.9 QB rating. That was his BEST game, they go downhill rapidly from there.

In case you missed it.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133695

The announcer actually said that Morton "doesn't like to throw the ball." Yet he's the quarterback!

 

[Wrangler87]

I think Carter is way too high on some of these lists. How can you not put both Bledsoe and Testaverde above Carter.

That's not even taking into acount the fact that Carter set this organization back three to four years.

 

[Wrangler87]

I'll do a quick ten (don't expect to see Carter or Hutchinson)

1.Roger Staubach- Overall, to this point, he is number one, although I only vaguely remember him because I was born in 1972. It's really close between him and two, and I have to admit, I gave Roger the edge because he was not quite sorrounded by the talent Aikman was.

2.Troy Aikman- What can you say. As good as Roger, but with a tad bit more talent surrounding him, giving Rodger the edge.

3.Tony Romo- This guy will make this whole list much easier in a few years. He will clearly be the number 1 Cowboys QB of all time in the end, and a Hall of Famer.

4.Danny White- One of my all time favorite Cowboys growing up. If Drew Pearson was able to pull loose at the end of the 49ers game (the catch would have been forgotten), Danny White would be looked at in a whole different light today, and would have remained in Dallas longer and been more successful. One play, one inch away.

5.Don Meredith- Don't remember him at all, but have heard enough about him to place him here.

6.Craig Morton- Barely remember him but had his football card. Was good enough to force Landry to rotate QB's for a short time. Just to be considered good enough to split time with Roger gets you here.

7.Drew Bledsoe- Bledsoe had some very good moments that season and left me some great memories of a Cowboys team that was finally on the rise. Some of the best long balls I have seen from a Cowboys QB to Terry Glenn and a few come from behind victories (Carolina esp) that I will never forget.

8.Vinny Testaverde- Was thrown into a no win situation, and did the best he could to make us a respectable team. Could have been much, much worse. Personally, I liked the guy as well. He was the first to foretell of the talents of Tony Romo, when no one else even thought about Romo.

9.Gary Hogeboom- I remember him as a kid. Not all good memories, especially since I was a huge White fan. Hogeboom looked like he might have a future, but never panned out. At least he didn't use drugs or cry about not knowing his role on the team.

10.Steve Pelleur- Four years is a long time to make it in this league. He did a good job getting the ball to Walker, our only real offensive weapon. Also, never used drugs, railroaded teamates in the locker room, or sung songs with Flowers.

I didn't include backups, only starters that I saw play (except maybe Meredith). I really started watching football in 1977.

 

[THUMPER]

I'll do a quick ten (don't expect to see Carter or Hutchinson)

1.Roger Staubach- Overall, to this point, he is number one, although I only vaguely remember him because I was born in 1972. It's really close between him and two, and I have to admit, I gave Roger the edge because he was not quite sorrounded by the talent Aikman was.

2.Troy Aikman- What can you say. As good as Roger, but with a tad bit more talent surrounding him, giving Rodger the edge.

3.Tony Romo- This guy will make this whole list much easier in a few years. He will clearly be the number 1 Cowboys QB of all time in the end, and a Hall of Famer.

4.Danny White- One of my all time favorite Cowboys growing up. If Drew Pearson was able to pull loose at the end of the 49ers game (the catch would have been forgotten), Danny White would be looked at in a whole different light today, and would have remained in Dallas longer and been more successful. One play, one inch away.

5.Don Meredith- Don't remember him at all, but have heard enough about him to place him here.

6.Craig Morton- Barely remember him but had his football card. Was good enough to force Landry to rotate QB's for a short time. Just to be considered good enough to split time with Roger gets you here.

7.Drew Bledsoe- Bledsoe had some very good moments that season and left me some great memories of a Cowboys team that was finally on the rise. Some of the best long balls I have seen from a Cowboys QB to Terry Glenn and a few come from behind victories (Carolina esp) that I will never forget.

8.Vinny Testaverde- Was thrown into a no win situation, and did the best he could to make us a respectable team. Could have been much, much worse. Personally, I liked the guy as well. He was the first to foretell of the talents of Tony Romo, when no one else even thought about Romo.

9.Gary Hogeboom- I remember him as a kid. Not all good memories, especially since I was a huge White fan. Hogeboom looked like he might have a future, but never panned out. At least he didn't use drugs or cry about not knowing his role on the team.

10.Steve Pelleur- Four years is a long time to make it in this league. He did a good job getting the ball to Walker, our only real offensive weapon. Also, never used drugs, railroaded teamates in the locker room, or sung songs with Flowers.

I didn't include backups, only starters that I saw play (except maybe Meredith). I really started watching football in 1977.

Not a bad list at all Wrangler87. The reasoning might be a little fuzzy but overall I think it is pretty good. The only change I might make is to drp Hogeboom and replace him with Eddie LeBaron.

 

[big dog cowboy]

4. I miss Tom Landry.

 

[cwbyfn1957]

As near as I can tell from past lists the Cowboys have had 47 total QBs. Some of these jaybirds never took a snap so there is no true way to really judge them. I tried to be fair. Feel free to disagree.


Best to Worst

1. Roger Staubach, 1969-1979
2. Troy Aikman, 1989-2000
3. Don Meredith, 1960-1968
4. Tony Romo, 2003-2008
5. Danny White, 1976-1988
6. Eddie LeBaron, 1960-1963
7. Craig Morton, 1965-1974
8. Steve Beuerlein, 1991-1992
9. Drew Bledsoe, 2005-2006
10. Bernie Kosar, 1993
11. Randall Cunningham, 2000
12. Rodney Peete, 1994
13. Jerry Rhome, 1965-1968
14. Steve Pelleur, 1984-1988
15. Steve Walsh, 1989-1990
16. Gary Hogeboom, 1980-1985
17. Babe Laufenberg, 1990-1991
18. Quincy Carter, 2001-2003
19. Jason Garrett, 1993-1999
20. Vinny Testaverde, 2004
21. Mike Quinn, 1998-1999
22. Glenn Carano, 1977-1983
23. Wade Wilson, 1995-1997
24. Anthony Wright, 2000-2001
25. Kevin Sweeney, 1987-1988
26. Clint Longley, 1974-1975
27. Brad Johnson, 2007-2008
28. Drew Henson, 2004-2005
29. Chad Hutchinson, 2002-2003
30. Clint Stoerner, 2000-2002
31. Cliff Stoudt, 1990-1991
32. Hugh Millen, 1993
33. Scott Secules, 1988
34. Brooks Bollinger, 2008
35. Ryan Leaf, 2001
36. Paul McDonald, 1986-1987
37. Bob Beldon, 1969-1970
38. Sonny Gibbs, 1963
39. Reggie Collier, 1986
40. John Roach, 1964
41. Craig Kupp, 1991
42. Tommy Hodson, 1994
43. Daniel Gonzalez, 1998
44. Loren Snyder, 1987
45. Brad Wright, 1982
46. Bobby Humphrey, 1961
47. Don Heinrich, 1960

White should be ahead of Romo, only because he did win some playoff games and did lead the Team to 3 NFC Championships. Plus another poster was correct, if Drew would not have been pulled down from behind the "Catch" would have been forgotten
Also, Kosar is a little high. He never started a game, but he did win the 93 NFC Championship game for us after Aikman had a concussion.
Longly is too high, only for cold-cocking Roger in the locker room

 

[bbgun]

Longly is too high, only for cold-cocking Roger in the locker room

You get extra points/love for handing the Skins a heartbreaking defeat.

 

[DWhite Fan]

Meredith took that loss to the Browns in the 68 playoffs very hard. he was awful in that game and Landry cut him no slack. He was just coming into his prime IMO and would have led us to a SB the following season if he were healthy. The drop in talent from him to Morton was dramatic IMO and cost us an opportunity in both 69 & 70.

Morton was absolutely HORRIBLE in the playoffs. He played on some of the most talented Cowboys teams ever assembled and sucked miserably in big games. Our defense ranked 4th overall in both 69 & 70 and we were the best rushing team in the league as well. We had outstanding receivers in Hayes & Rentzel and while Morton did well in the regular season (ranked 3rd in passer rating both years) he was wretched in the playoffs both years.


Craig had a tendency to throw high when he was excited and it happened a lot in those big games. He got better as he got older though.

Thumper, do you think that if Meredith could have lead Dallas to a vicotry in either of the Packer title matches he would be in the HOF now? I know that the "Ice Bowl" is talked about more, but the title game loss in the Cotton Bowl against GB was the harder one to accept. I believe that if Meredith & Co. could have scored on that last drive and forced overtime, Dallas would have won. It is always disappointing when I see Don's final desperation pass picked off in the end zone.

I read one time where Meredith went to Landry right after the Cowboys drafted Morton and asked Tom if his (Don's) position with the team was secure? Landry told Don that his position was secure. Meredith said it came to him later that Landry wasn't talking about Meredith being safe only that the QB position was secure.

When you said Craig had a tendency to throw high when excited, did you see in your mind the pass to Dan Reeves that ended up being picked off by the Colts, which allowed them to kick the winning field goal in SB V? That was the play I thought of when I read you comment. I feel Reeves could have caught the ball, but the ball was throw too high. I heard a comment about Troy Aikman one time that Troy was everything Craig Morton should have been (both from California Universities, both drafted #1, and both were strong armed pocket passers).

 

[MONT17]

Whr is Jessica's dad on this list?

 

[THUMPER]

Thumper, do you think that if Meredith could have lead Dallas to a vicotry in either of the Packer title matches he would be in the HOF now? I know that the "Ice Bowl" is talked about more, but the title game loss in the Cotton Bowl against GB was the harder one to accept. I believe that if Meredith & Co. could have scored on that last drive and forced overtime, Dallas would have won. It is always disappointing when I see Don's final desperation pass picked off in the end zone.

I think that if we would have won in 1966 in the Cotton Bowl that we would also have won the following season as well and possibly a few more times after that. We had an enormously talented team back then with an incredibly dominating defense. No one could run on us... except the freakin Browns for some reason. I hated Leroy Kelly with a passion because it seemed like he could break big runs on us every time they played us.

Had we won in 66 then I think Meredith would have played a few more seasons than he did and would have been in the HoF. His numbers don't justify it on their own but if we would have won then that would have been enough IMO.

I read one time where Meredith went to Landry right after the Cowboys drafted Morton and asked Tom if his (Don's) position with the team was secure? Landry told Don that his position was secure. Meredith said it came to him later that Landry wasn't talking about Meredith being safe only that the QB position was secure.

That's funny! Meredith & Landry never did see eye-to-eye which was too bad because Meredith was a great QB and as tough as they came.

When you said Craig had a tendency to throw high when excited, did you see in your mind the pass to Dan Reeves that ended up being picked off by the Colts, which allowed them to kick the winning field goal in SB V? That was the play I thought of when I read you comment. I feel Reeves could have caught the ball, but the ball was throw too high. I heard a comment about Troy Aikman one time that Troy was everything Craig Morton should have been (both from California Universities, both drafted #1, and both were strong armed pocket passers).

That pass in SBV (GRRRRR) but also a few more. There was another one to Garrison and one to one of the TEs (Pettis Norman I think) that were also high. It wasn't just that game though. He had a number of high passes in the playoff game against the 49ERs that year as well as against the Browns the year before. I think it was just nerves or something that made him throw high in big games like that.

 

[Extreme]

Without the SB wins, completely due to everyone else on the team, would you even put Aikman in the top 10?

Terry Bradshaw won some SB for Pittsburgh, but like Aikman, was more a product of being in the right place at the right time IMO.