Do you think that Ware could go down as the best defensive player in Cowboys history?

[FLcowboy]

Randy White and Bob Lilly were unstoppable. I'd rank Ware right behind those two.

Not to argue, but I don't think Ware can be fairly compared to White and Lilly. First, Ware was forced to convert to a 3-4 LB ftom a DE. Second, he played under two defensive schemes, Phillips and then Ryan. While both were 3-4, they were still different. Under Ryan, Ware dropped into coverage a lot. I think Ware is probably more athletic, but White and Lilly were more pure pass rushers.

Secondly, Ware is more on an island. Spencer only last year became a defensive threat that drew attention from Ware. This year Ware will have some top tier defensive teammates. He could become a monster.

Comparing players from different eras is tough. Last year, Romo set a franchise record for passing yardage, but few would rank him higher than Stauback or Aikman. Why? No post season success. Romo's fault? Not entirely, but yes to a degree.

Who was better, Emmett Smith or Tony Dorsett? I loved both.

 

[KJJ]

Unless Ware wins a ring or at least plays for some great defenses it's going to be hard to rank him ahead of players like Lilly and Randy White no matter how many sacks he gets. The big knock on Ware is he's not nasty enough and some even question him as a leader. No doubt he's a great player and a shoe-in first ballot Hall of Famer but the sacks and great plays have to lead to something special to rate him ahead of every defensive player in franchise history. He doesn't make a a lot of plays in big games. He did create a sack and fumble on Brees in 09 late in the game when the Cowboys upset the 13-0 Saints but can't think of many other real big plays he's made in critical games.

 

[BourbonBalz]

To the poster that said Ware is a more complete player than Randy White. . Don't get me wrong. I love D Ware and he's a great player. But, he's not a more complete or dominating player than the Manster. White NEVER disappeared.

 

[jobberone]

Not to argue, but I don't think Ware can be fairly compared to White and Lilly. First, Ware was forced to convert to a 3-4 LB ftom a DE. Second, he played under two defensive schemes, Phillips and then Ryan. While both were 3-4, they were still different. Under Ryan, Ware dropped into coverage a lot. I think Ware is probably more athletic, but White and Lilly were more pure pass rushers.

Secondly, Ware is more on an island. Spencer only last year became a defensive threat that drew attention from Ware. This year Ware will have some top tier defensive teammates. He could become a monster.

Comparing players from different eras is tough. Last year, Romo set a franchise record for passing yardage, but few would rank him higher than Stauback or Aikman. Why? No post season success. Romo's fault? Not entirely, but yes to a degree.

Who was better, Emmett Smith or Tony Dorsett? I loved both.

Great points. I think it fair to say Ware will be one of the all time Cowboy greats and that's good enough for me. Besides Merriman was better anyway, right?

 

[KB1122]

The best was Deion, and people kid themselves to think otherwise.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

No he won't.

 

[KB1122]

Is any Cowboy held us as the definition of his position, other than Sanders?

 

[RS12]

It will always be Mr Cowboy, Bob Lilly. Guy dominated without being a weight lifter or PED guy. One of the greatest to ply the game at any position.

 

[jobberone]

Is any Cowboy held us as the definition of his position, other than Sanders?

Maybe not to the same degree but yeah. Lilly is considered one of the greatest DTs ever. I wouldn't say that about White. Many would say Emmitt is the greatest RB of all time. Some would say Staubach is the best QB although I wouldn't.

 

[dogunwo]

No love for Coakley?

Igor Olshansky #1

 

[coult44]

Started liking the Boys when I was 5 years old. That was in 1978. It's hard for me to remember the really old guys. IMO PRIME-TIME is the most dominant defensive player that I've ever seen or remembered wearing the star...

 

[bayeslife]

Lots of nostalgia glasses in this thread. Ware is 100% in the same league as those guys mentioned. So what he doesn't have a Superbowl? It's a team game.

Ware is a notch below Lawrence Taylor, and that dude was better than anyone who's ever put on a Cowboys uniform.

 

[jobberone]

Lots of nostalgia glasses in this thread. Ware is 100% in the same league as those guys mentioned. So what he doesn't have a Superbowl? It's a team game.

Ware is a notch below Lawrence Taylor, and that dude was better than anyone who's ever put on a Cowboys uniform.

I agree he's in the same tier but I'd still rank Lilly ahead of Ware. I think White is likely next then Ware with a group to follow I have a hard time ranking. Just throw them all in the pot.

 

[Idgit]

The best was Deion, and people kid themselves to think otherwise.

Blech. I'm kidding myself, then.

 

[Doomsday101]

Not to argue, but I don't think Ware can be fairly compared to White and Lilly. First, Ware was forced to convert to a 3-4 LB ftom a DE. Second, he played under two defensive schemes, Phillips and then Ryan. While both were 3-4, they were still different. Under Ryan, Ware dropped into coverage a lot. I think Ware is probably more athletic, but White and Lilly were more pure pass rushers.

Secondly, Ware is more on an island. Spencer only last year became a defensive threat that drew attention from Ware. This year Ware will have some top tier defensive teammates. He could become a monster.

Comparing players from different eras is tough. Last year, Romo set a franchise record for passing yardage, but few would rank him higher than Stauback or Aikman. Why? No post season success. Romo's fault? Not entirely, but yes to a degree.

Who was better, Emmett Smith or Tony Dorsett? I loved both.

It is a different era but they all played vs athletes of equal size. Yes Lilly was small compared to today’s players but he was not small compared to the competition he played against. White was a converted LB who played DT and dominated. I think Ware is great but have yet to see him take over a game on defense like Lilly and White

 

[boysfanindc]

Randy White and Bob Lilly were unstoppable. I'd rank Ware right behind those two.

This.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

off top of my head, he's not a better all-around defensive player than White, Lilly, Jordan,
Renfro

 

[anj113]

Right now, the top of the list has to be Bob Lilly, Randy White and Deion Sanders in some sort of order. Next up would probably be Mel Renfro, Cliff Harris, Lee Roy Jordan, Darren Woodson, Harvey Martin, Chuck Howley and Charles Haley. I think Ware has already surpassed all those second tier guys and now has just Lilly, White and Deion* to overtake.

So what do you think? When all is said and done, do you think Ware will go down as the greatest defensive player in our history, or do you think there's no way he's passing Mr. Cowboy, The Manster or PrimeTime?


*Deion is t

ough to rank... he's probably the best cover CB of all-time, but he's half Falcon/half Cowboy.

YES he may very well wind up the best we ever had....Im only 40 I never saw Lily, but watching film and hear stories from ny dad, the man was a beast....Randy White was awesome. what a pleasure watching him play. Sanders, sure was the best corner possibly ever, but I don't consider him a 'Cowboy"..

 

[Jarv]

I just threw up in my mouth.

Seriously, Deion?

I hear ya, Deion was arguably the worst thing that ever happened to the Cowboys.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Deion was a great CB but he may not have even been the best CB of his own era. He was one of the very best Cover CBs I've ever seen but I would have to say that Rod Woodson was a better overall CB, all things considered. JMO