DMN Blog: Which Cowboys would start for '90s Super Bowl teams?

[YosemiteSam]

History always clouds perception. Smith was a good player, but he was never a shutdown cornerback.

I disagree. He made himself into one. His rookie year ('92) and even 1993 he had some breakdowns, but by 1994 he was damn good.

Even with a few more years to mature (Newman), I think Smith was more dominating against the leagues best receivers.

 

[InmanRoshi]

This is almost impossible to say, because you're fighting against 'good-ole-days' syndrome and the fact that the whole of that team was better than the sum of it's individual parts, especially on defense. Many of those players we remember as being great went off in free agency (in their prime) and proved to be extremely underwhelming players, if not downright bad, for other teams once removed from the optimal conditions at Valley Ranch. Robert Jones for the Rams, Dixon Edwards for the Vikings, Alvin Harper for the Bucs, John Gesek for the Skins, etc.

 

[Rack]

MLB Bradie James: Defensive captain beats out Robert Jones.

No way in HELL would James start for those 90's cowboys teams. We ran a 4-3 scheme that required our LBs to be FAST. Lbs who could run sideline to sideline and could COVER the pass.

James wouldn't have a chance in hell of starting for those teams. Not cuz he sucks or whatever, it's just he wouldn't fit in that scheme.


And Roy would easily start over James Washington in the secondary.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

This is almost impossible to say, because you're fighting against 'good-ole-days' syndrome and the fact that the whole of that team was better than the sum of it's individual parts, especially on defense. Many of those players we remember as being great went off in free agency to be extremely underwhelming players, if not downright bad, for other teams once removed from the optimal conditions at Valley Ranch. Robert Jones, Dixon Edwards, Alvin Harper, John Gesek, etc.

This is an excellent point Rosh. To me, the speed factor was the key for that defensive unit. That, and the fact that the offense was so good, it kept pressure on the opposing teams and really, limited other teams from taking a large number of shots at the defense. Not saying they were scrubbs. However, had that defense had to last against a real physical offense for long periods of time, I think they would have faultered. Again, that team was built for speed, not for lasting power. JMO.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Yeah, Barber is way better than Sherman Williams and all the other Emmitt backups.

Greg Ellis is another that would fit well in that DL rotation, but it would be hard for him to beat out the '92 starters in Jeffcoat and Tolbert. Maybe by the 95 team across from Tolbert, unless you count Haley as a DE on that team.

Jeffcoat did not start in 92. Haley and Tolbert were the starting DEs. I don't understand how you mention Haley but only if you count him as a DE. He was never anything but a DE. He was never a LB. And no, Ellis would not start over either Tolbert or Haley.

 

[Rack]

Don't laugh.....

ROMO would be our starting QB--I am serious

You can be serious all you want.


But you're still wrong.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Don't laugh.....

ROMO would be our starting QB--I am serious

Advice? See a drug counselor for your problem.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Jeffcoat did not start in 92. Haley and Tolbert were the starting DEs. I don't understand how you mention Haley but only if you count him as a DE. He was never anything but a DE. He was never a LB. And no, Ellis would not start over either Tolbert or Haley.

I think Ellis would start of Tolbert. Tolbert was not that great a player, to be honest. He was pretty much a back up, most of his career.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Interesting thought. Troy Aikman didn't look so good when the talent around him deteriorated.

And John Elway never won a Super Bowl until he got a running game. Marino never won a Super Bowl because he never had a running game or a defense. What's your point? Most all great players accomplish great things because they've got great teammates. Pretty obvious.

 

[Rack]

I think Ellis would start of Tolbert. Tolbert was not that great a player, to be honest. He was pretty much a back up, most of his career.

Ellis isn't and never was a great player either.


Doesn't matter cuz my starting DEs would be Haley and Ware. Let Tolbert and Ellis be the backups.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I think Ellis would start of Tolbert. Tolbert was not that great a player, to be honest. He was pretty much a back up, most of his career.

I don't know which Dallas Cowboys you watched in the 90's, but Tolbert started almost every game of his career. That's just a pure fact. He was also an extremely solid player. Much more so than Ellis.

 

[ZeroClub]

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/superbowls/xxviii/sb28-6.jpg

I was disgusted by the tripod incident, but the man was a playmaker who made his plays when they mattered most.

He snagged an interception during the first 1990's NFC championship game vs. the 49ers. He started the turnover-fest with a critical interception in the first Bills-Cowboys Super Bowl. And IMO he should have been the MVP in that second Bills-Cowboys Super Bowl (forced fumble, a truly spectacular 45+ yard fumble return, and a critical interception). He was money when it mattered.

 

[Mavs Man]

Jeffcoat did not start in 92. Haley and Tolbert were the starting DEs. I don't understand how you mention Haley but only if you count him as a DE. He was never anything but a DE. He was never a LB. And no, Ellis would not start over either Tolbert or Haley.

I didn't say Ellis would start over anybody on those teams, just that he would be a good rotation guy, but if it came across that way, that's not what I meant.

I was thinking Haley was a DE/LB, and was putting him (in my mind on this hypothetical team) at the other OLB position opposite Ware, but I should have put him at DE. JE also pointed out Jeffcoat being a backup earlier in the thread.

 

[rcaldw]

Don't laugh.....

ROMO would be our starting QB--I am serious

You can be serious all you want, that comment is just plain _ _ _ _ _ _

 

[joseephuss]

This is almost impossible to say, because you're fighting against 'good-ole-days' syndrome and the fact that the whole of that team was better than the sum of it's individual parts, especially on defense. Many of those players we remember as being great went off in free agency (in their prime) and proved to be extremely underwhelming players, if not downright bad, for other teams once removed from the optimal conditions at Valley Ranch. Robert Jones for the Rams, Dixon Edwards for the Vikings, Alvin Harper for the Bucs, John Gesek for the Skins, etc.

Same with James Washington when he left. He did not do as well with the Washington Commanders I believe.

Brock Marion was probably the exception to the rule. He was a good back up and starter in Dallas and became better when he left for Miami. Obviously, Jimmy Smith had a great career in Jax, but his circumstances were quite different in Dallas. It is not that he did not show potential, he just could not stay healthy in Dallas.

I am not positive I would take Bradie James over Robert Jones, but is worth thinking about. Jones was not that good. At least Jimmy Johnson didn't think he was. That is why he moved Ken Norton, Jr. to the MLB spot in 1993. Jimmy did not like how Jones was doing in his second year.

Ellis and Tolbert, two of my favorite players are nearly identical in my eyes. Very comparable players.

 

[dbair1967]

Don't laugh.....

ROMO would be our starting QB--I am serious

David

 

[dbair1967]

Thomas Everett was our free safety that year after the trade with the Steelers on the eve of the season opener. I'd take Everett over Hamlin slightly from what I've seen so far.

slightly????

it isnt even close...Everett was a far better FS...he had great range, could cover and deliver huge hits

David

 

[InmanRoshi]

All this talk about speed at the LB position .... Robert Jones never looked very fast to me. He was strictly a 2 down, between the tackles MLB and not a very good one either. He was always in Jimmy's doghouse. There was a huge dropoff at the MLB position after Norton left. I think he only made it through two years with the Rams after signing a huge contract before he was released because he was so bad.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Ellis isn't and never was a great player either.


Doesn't matter cuz my starting DEs would be Haley and Ware. Let Tolbert and Ellis be the backups.

I never said he was a great player. I said he was better then Tolbert.

 

[joseephuss]

Robert Jones never looked very fast to me. He was strictly a 2 down, between the tackles MLB ... and not a very good one either. He was always in Jimmy's doghouse and constantly on the verge of being benched. I think he only made it through two years with the Rams after signing a huge contract before he was released.

I never thought Jones was anything special, but I don't think James is special, either. I would just stick with the 1993 LB corp with Norton in the middle. Or be crazy and stick Ware at the MLB spot. I know there are a couple of posters that have mentioned that idea in the past. It just may work.