Epic Cowboys Then and Now

[T-RO]

There definitely is a feeling that this Cowboy team can be special again. Feels so good! Dak and Zeke and Cole...Martin and Smith and Jones...Frederick and Dez and of course other emerging heroes.

Old warriors Witten and Romo and Free may have leadership or central parts in the story still..but there is most certainly a youth movement and the passing of the baton is quite obviously underway.

The new era Cowboys will forge their own legends, battle their own rivalries, and overcome obstacles that are unique to them...unique to their moment under the spotlight.

Every four or five years I seem to be drawn to reminisce about the epic Cowboys of the early 90's. And I plan to post a little over the weekend...one segment at a time...about that time. I welcome the memories of other fans that were around to enjoy that team...Coach Jimmy Johnson...and those players under him.

 

[robbieruff]

I recall the game I saw in person during the 90s where I really thought we had a chance to be SB contenders. I went to LA coliseum where they played a decent Raiders squad. Todd Marinovich was QB and they had some solid vets in Ronnie Lott, Tim Brown and even Eric Dickerson. It was nip and tuck for a while until we used big plays and a demoralizing running game to eventually win going away. In the stands with 40k other Boys fans. Game was sold out (rarity back then) with at least 100k in total attendance.

Mind you - I had just moved to Niner country a couple of years earlier so that's all I heard talked about. Niners were dominant that year too. But when I saw that young team mature rt in front of me and that defense come up big I said, "we can do this!!!"

Will never forget that moment of realization. It was awesome. Oh. And as it turned out, I was lucky enough to be at the NFC championship game at the Stick later that season. And of course we all know what happened there!?!

 

[big dog cowboy]

Gosebumps. Every damn time!

 

[T-RO]

The first thing I want to address is not that Cowboys team itself but that era.

If you tuned into Cowboy games back then you were likely to get the Fox lead team. And back then they had two of the most historic sports broadcasters of all time to talk you through the event: John Madden. Pat Summerall.

You simply could not watch John Madden and not enjoy football, other people, and yourself just a little bit more.


And you couldn't listen to Pat Summeral and not feel the drama. His voice was the very texture of football.

Here is a sample--his lead in to the Cowboys/49ers epic playoff game...jump to the 45 second mark.


Summerall was also a special man and example for some of us in overcoming alcoholism.

 

[Maxmadden]

Madden was the impetus for my screen name. I have never played Madden Football but listening to John and Pat in the early nineties was symbolic of Cowboys Football. Everybody saw what was going on on the field at the skill positions, but Madden would show you in simplistic terms what was going on in the trenches.

The man may have sounded simplistic and goofy at times, but the man knew his X's and O's. He made me realize that the game is actually won in the trenches.

Great coach.

 

[T-RO]

Not only was the national football landscape primed for football, but the Dallas Metroplex was home to the most ridiculously rich environments to talk about, squawk about it...or laugh about it.

I don't know if I can find any sample footage, but let me tell you. Dale Hansen and Brad Sham were the most epic pair to listen to announce a game over the radio. Brad's always been very good. With Dale the two were on an entirely higher level.

In 1994 along came the Ticket and near 24/7 discussion of the Cowboys. The Ticket's original lineup consisted of Skip Bayless, Curt Menefee, Mike Rhyner and Greg Williams, Chuck Cooperstein, and George Dunham and Craig Miller.

Nothing had ever existed anywhere like this. Pure local sports coverage, and mostly Cowboys talk.

For the first time ever you could drive around in your car and at virtually any time of the day or night listen to debates about a draft pick or player interviews. It was all new and a very exciting time in sports.

 

[Broges74]

What I see is us drafting extremely well to the point our team is one of the most talented rich in the league. It seems we found our franchise quarterback of the future in the 4th as well. We are primed for a 90s style run and I remember those days well. I was young but what a team that was.

Looking forward to seeing what this young, talented team can accomplish.

 

[mrmojo]

Not only was the national football landscape primed for football, but the Dallas Metroplex was home to the most ridiculously rich environments to talk about, squawk about it...or laugh about it.

I don't know if I can find any sample footage, but let me tell you. Dale Hansen and Brad Sham were the most epic pair to listen to announce a game over the radio. Brad's always been very good. With Dale the two were on an entirely higher level.

In 1994 along came the Ticket and near 24/7 discussion of the Cowboys. The Ticket's original lineup consisted of Skip Bayless, Curt Menefee, Mike Rhyner and Greg Williams, Chuck Cooperstein, and George Dunham and Craig Miller.

Nothing had ever existed anywhere like this. Pure local sports coverage, and mostly Cowboys talk.

For the first time ever you could drive around in your car and at virtually any time of the day or night listen to debates about a draft pick or player interviews. It was all new and a very exciting time in sports.

The only downside was when Brad left in 1995 and another gentlemen stepped in, can't recall his name, needless to say the level of announcing dipped a bit, and I dont believe him ad dale got along very well.

 

[T-RO]

The only downside was when Brad left in 1995 and another gentlemen stepped in, can't recall his name, needless to say the level of announcing dipped a bit, and I dont believe him ad dale got along very well.

I don't recall ever hearing anything to suggest Brad and Dale don't get along, but maybe I just didn't hear it.

I do know that Dale lost favor (and his job) with Jerry when Hansen was highly critical of the Barry Switzer hiring and some of the stuff that went on around that time. After that Hansen often lampooned Jones for some of his questionable decisions.

 

[rags747]

All we are missing is the Whitehouse...

 

[TheHerd]

I don't recall ever hearing anything to suggest Brad and Dale don't get along, but maybe I just didn't hear it.

I think he was saying Dale and the guy who replaced Brad didn't get along. Dale and Brad were gold.

 

[T-RO]

I think he was saying Dale and the guy who replaced Brad didn't get along. Dale and Brad were gold.

Got it. I just noticed that near the same time frame Brad Sham had a 3-year hiatus away from the Cowboys...from 95-97. For some reason I don't remember that.

I know a gig with the Rangers certainly plays into that and may explain it entirely. I'd be curious if there is more to it because it seems he could have done both.

 

[mrmojo]

I don't recall ever hearing anything to suggest Brad and Dale don't get along, but maybe I just didn't hear it.

I do know that Dale lost favor (and his job) with Jerry when Hansen was highly critical of the Barry Switzer hiring and some of the stuff that went on around that time. After that Hansen often lampooned Jones for some of his questionable decisions.

NO I was talking about the new announcer, Dale didn't get a long with him. I'm too lazy to google his name. I think Dale had a falling out with Switzer is why he got let go.

 

[mrmojo]

I don't recall ever hearing anything to suggest Brad and Dale don't get along, but maybe I just didn't hear it.

I do know that Dale lost favor (and his job) with Jerry when Hansen was highly critical of the Barry Switzer hiring and some of the stuff that went on around that time. After that Hansen often lampooned Jones for some of his questionable decisions.

NO I was talking about the new announcer, Dale didn't get a long with him. I'm too lazy to google his name. I think Dale had a falling out with Switzer is why he got let go.

 

[T-RO]

The label EPIC is so apt of the 90's Cowboys--not just because of Super Bowls titles, but equally because so many of the players had bigger-than-life personalities.

Nate Newton was an original. He loved football and the Cowboys almost as much as he loved local dining establishments.

Some said that if William Perry is the Fridge...ole Nate is the kitchen.

He was a favorite on TV commercials and was a regular personality on tv and radio.

Oh my god did John Madden love him...I swear some of Madden's sound effects were invented while described Nate's play.

video link:
john madden nate newton

 

[T-RO]

All we are missing is the Whitehouse...

Oh we've got lots more to explore here...

Not all of it is pretty.

 

[skinsscalper]

The first thing I want to address is not that Cowboys team itself but that era.

If you tuned into Cowboy games back then you were likely to get the Fox lead team. And back then they had two of the most historic sports broadcasters of all time to talk you through the event: John Madden. Pat Summerall.

You simply could not watch John Madden and not enjoy football, other people, and yourself just a little bit more.


And you couldn't listen to Pat Summeral and not feel the drama. His voice was the very texture of football.

Here is a sample--his lead in to the Cowboys/49ers epic playoff game...jump to the 45 second mark.


Summerall was also a special man and example for some of us in overcoming alcoholism.

One correction. When you watched the Cowboys back then with Madden and Summerall they were on CBS. Maddden and Summerall didn't make the move to FOX until 1994.

 

[Crazed Liotta Eyes]

There definitely is a feeling that this Cowboy team can be special again. Feels so good! Dak and Zeke and Cole...Martin and Smith and Jones...Frederick and Dez and of course other emerging heroes.

Old warriors Witten and Romo and Free may have leadership or central parts in the story still..but there is most certainly a youth movement and the passing of the baton is quite obviously underway.

The new era Cowboys will forge their own legends, battle their own rivalries, and overcome obstacles that are unique to them...unique to their moment under the spotlight.

Every four or five years I seem to be drawn to reminisce about the epic Cowboys of the early 90's. And I plan to post a little over the weekend...one segment at a time...about that time. I welcome the memories of other fans that were around to enjoy that team...Coach Jimmy Johnson...and those players under him.

I went to the first game of the 1990 season, which was against the Chargers and #22's first game. Despite growing up in Austin and being a fan since I could think, this was the first Cowboy game I ever attended. I was 18 years old and drove to Dallas with my best friend. I remember arguing with him that Troy Aikman was going to be the real deal, regardless of the previous 1-15 season and trying to hype up this new running back that they drafted in the first round. If I remember right, Timmy Smith got most of the carries in the game and Emmitt only got a few with little success. My friend kept asking me which "Smith" was supposed to be the good one...LOL. Cowboys put the game away with a 30+ yard touchdown from Aikman to a receiver who's name I can't remember. Knight? I also remember are broke selves had seats up high in the end zone, sitting directly in the sun in old Texas Stadium, so I think I sweat out about 10 pounds. And I was so excited to go to the game that I forgot which lot we parked the car in, so we walked around for 2 hours before we found the car - every lot looked the same!

 

[T-RO]

One correction. When you watched the Cowboys back then with Madden and Summerall they were on CBS. Maddden and Summerall didn't make the move to FOX until 1994.

Yes. Good catch. I forget about that. There were a few years there where it was CBS.

 

[T-RO]

I went to the first game of the 1990 season, which was against the Chargers and #22's first game. Despite growing up in Austin and being a fan since I could think, this was the first Cowboy game I ever attended. I was 18 years old and drove to Dallas with my best friend. I remember arguing with him that Troy Aikman was going to be the real deal, regardless of the previous 1-15 season and trying to hype up this new running back that they drafted in the first round. If I remember right, Timmy Smith got most of the carries in the game and Emmitt only got a few with little success. My friend kept asking me which "Smith" was supposed to be the good one...LOL. Cowboys put the game away with a 30+ yard touchdown from Aikman to a receiver who's name I can't remember. Knight? I also remember are broke selves had seats up high in the end zone, sitting directly in the sun in old Texas Stadium, so I think I sweat out about 10 pounds. And I was so excited to go to the game that I forgot which lot we parked the car in, so we walked around for 2 hours before we found the car - every lot looked the same!

Oh man...memories.

OK...here is one game memory:

Thanksgiving Day, 1995. I had a buddy who had a job for a tech company that helped with Cowboy broadcasting. Zenith Data gave us access badges labelled "Press Access." My friend had very limited responsibilities. We were up in the press booth right at the 50 yard line... able to enjoy all-u-can-consume bar, and see the anchors cover the game. I remember watching Randy Galloway writing his game story. We couldn't sit down the whole time and weren't supposed to bother anyone... we didn't care!

After the game we went down and were able to walk around the old field. I was shocked at how high the crown is at the middle of the field. I was a bit crazy back then and I dared my buddy..."Hey Jim...we have media access...let's go into the locker room. If someone stops us we'll just turn around."

We walked into the locker room and as we were going down the hall Troy Aikman is exiting to go to his SUV...I thought of some dumb question to ask him (about Lorrie Morgan) but wisely bit my lip. We just quietly followed along behind him...not saying anything...Just watching. It was really only for like 90 seconds but it seemed longer...

After that we got a bit nervous and high-tailed it out of there...Nobody did say a thing to us...

Cowboys 24: Chiefs 12.