Every Team's Greatest Player of All-Time

[MichaelWinicki]

you are right, stats aren't everything.. but they are a big part of it.. the thing is, the Cowboys' best teams were in the 90s, not the 70s..

thats very debatable

You're right there.

The 1977 team was first in both offense and defense. I think that was the best Cowboy team ever.

 

[jackrussell]

I was thinking the same thing.

Marino is one of my all time favs.....give him a running game to go along with the Marks bros and they would have won a lot more games.

Or....

Pts Allowed

'83 1st
'84 7th
'85 12th
'86 26th
'87 17th
'88 24th
'89 22nd
'90 4th
'91 24th
'92 12th
'93 24th
'94 18th
'95 10th
'96 17th
'97 16th
'98 1st
'99 19th

 

[rcaldw]

you are right, stats aren't everything.. but they are a big part of it.. the thing is, the Cowboys' best teams were in the 90s, not the 70s.. Staubach won two Super Bowls, Emmitt won three.. those 70s teams would not have won without Staubach, and the 90s teams would not have won without Emmitt.. Emmitt was the most important player of those 90s teams.. so Emmitt, with the stats and the Super Bowls, gets the nod..

Nonsense, Aikman was, and after Aikman was gone, we saw it.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Roger the Dodger was the greatest Cowboy ever.........

Naa Emmitt is the greatest Cowboys player ever and it's not even close even though he played two years with the Cardinals of which I have forgiven him for....

 

[big dog cowboy]

Naa Emmitt is the greatest Cowboys player ever and it's not even close even though he played two years with the Cardinals of which I have forgiven him for....

I'm guessing you thought he should have retired instead of trying to continue his career. Remember he didn't leave us on his terms.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Nonsense, Aikman was, and after Aikman was gone, we saw it.

listen, im sure you are a big Aikman fan considering your signature, so I dont mean to be harsh.. Im an Okie and a Cowboy fan, so believe me, I like Aikman as much as the next guy.. but Emmitt was far more important to those 90s teams than Aikman was.. Emmitt was the man that D Coordinators planned around and against.. the proof is, during those 90s years, when Emmitt missed a game, we NEVER won.. we won a lot without Aikman and we won without Irvin, but we never won without Emmitt.. we didnt even look like the same team.. Aikman was a good QB, and very accurate and smart.. but Emmitt was the best and most important player on those teams.. oh? and after Aikman was gone we saw it?? sorry, we started losing while Aikman was still here.. it was losing most of the other players along with age and injuries and poor coaching that did the Cowboys in..

and for those debating the 90s and the 70s Cowboys-- they were both great.. but the 90s won 3 Super Bowls and are the team of the decade.. and most would argue that team is one of the top 5 teams in NFL history..

 

[Manster68]

Cowboys- Emmitt Smith
Commanders- Sammy Baugh (or Green, tough call)
Giants- Lawrence Taylor
Eagles- Chuck Bednarik
Lions- Bobby Layne (or Sanders, tough call)
Packers- Don Hutson (or Favre, tough call)
Bears- Walter Payton
Vikings- Alan Page
Falcons- Deion Sanders
Panthers- Julius Peppers
Buccaneers- Lee Roy Selmon
Saints- Rickey Jackson
Rams- Deacon Jones (greatest pure pass rusher of all time still)
Cardinals- Ernie Nevers
49ers- Jerry Rice
Seahawks- Steve Largent
Patriots- John Hannah (Brady is closing in though)
Bills- Bruce Smith
Jets- Joe Namath
Dolphins- Dan Marino
Colts- Johnny Unitas
Titans- Earl Campbell
Jaguars- Jimmy Smith
Texans- David Carr
Chargers- Dan Fouts
Broncos- John Elway
Raiders- Ray Guy (even though only a punter, he was the best)
Chiefs- Bobby Bell
Ravens- Ray Lewis
Browns- Jim Brown
Steelers- Jack Lambert
Bengals- Anthony Munoz

 

[deadrody]

I had them ranked:
1. Emmitt
2. Lilly
3. Staubach
4. Randy White
5. Tony Dorsett
6. Larry Allen
7. Deion Sanders

This is just wrong.

No WAY does Deion deserve to be on any Cowboy list ahead of either Aikman or Irvin, at a minimum. If not for those two and Emmitt, Deion would have never even been on the team in the first place.

I would say that players from those 90s teams that belong on the list ahead of Deion include Darren Woodson and Charles Haley (on all 3 Super Bowl teams), Jay Novacek, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Moose Johnston, and Mark Tuinei. Hell, I might even go with Tony Tolbert and Jim Jeffcoat ahead of Deion.

Deion didn't win squat with Dallas without a majority of the above listed players.

 

[rcaldw]

listen, im sure you are a big Aikman fan considering your signature, so I dont mean to be harsh.. Im an Okie and a Cowboy fan, so believe me, I like Aikman as much as the next guy.. but Emmitt was far more important to those 90s teams than Aikman was.. Emmitt was the man that D Coordinators planned around and against.. the proof is, during those 90s years, when Emmitt missed a game, we NEVER won.. we won a lot without Aikman and we won without Irvin, but we never won without Emmitt.. we didnt even look like the same team.. Aikman was a good QB, and very accurate and smart.. but Emmitt was the best and most important player on those teams.. oh? and after Aikman was gone we saw it?? sorry, we started losing while Aikman was still here.. it was losing most of the other players along with age and injuries and poor coaching that did the Cowboys in..

and for those debating the 90s and the 70s Cowboys-- they were both great.. but the 90s won 3 Super Bowls and are the team of the decade.. and most would argue that team is one of the top 5 teams in NFL history..

With all due respect, you are just plain wrong on this one. (In my opinion, of course.)

This whole "we never won without Emmitt in the 90's" stuff is pure myth. What do you base that on? 2 games in 1993. That's it. And lets talk about those 2 games. What was the real problem? Was it just that Emmitt was out? I don't think so. If you can really remember 1993 you will also remember that the Cowboys locker room was beginning to be divided along racial lines. "Aikman got his money, why doesn't Emmitt get his?" was getting whispered alot. (If you can go by media reports at the time). It wasn't just about Emmitt's great talent being out of the lineup, it was also a team grumbling because they wanted their starting running back on the field and they saw Jerry as holding out.

On top of that, have you ever noticed the backup situtation at the position that year? When Emmitt sat out those first two games, who was our starting running back? Derrick Lassic. Rookie. U of Alabama. Never made it.

Let me also add that we won PLENTY of games when Emmitt only played a portion, and in some instances, almost didn't play at all. We won PLAYOFF games without Emmitt on the field. I can show you a game I have on tape of us beating the Packers in the playoffs with Emmitt only playing about 3 plays. We won that day with the Penn State running back (I don't even remember his name at the moment) playing (Blair Thomas, just remembered), almost the entire game.

May I also remind you that in 1990 we went on a 5 game winning streak to end the year and were within 1 game of making the playoffs. We had two games left and went into Philly with momentum. Aikman had his shoulder separated in that game, and guess what? We lost that game and the next one, WITH EMMITT ON THE FIELD.

I greatly appreciate Emmitt Smith, he was the starting running back for OUR TEAM during our great 90's years. I do NOT think that we win 3 Super Bowls without him. But if you think you win 3 Super Bowls without Aikman you are out of your mind. And of the two positions the Quarterback position is much more important.

One final thought. If you ask Norv Turner whether the run set up the pass in the 90's or the pass set up the run, you will be surprised at his answer. (Based upon interviews I've read from him.) Either way, we were blessed, that 90's offense (92-96) was killer.

If I have to vote for the most important player of a 3 time Super Bowl winner, I go with the QB. I go with Aikman.

 

[CATCH17]

Roger the Dodger was the greatest Cowboy ever.........

Emmitt and its not even close.

He is the heart and soul of this franchise.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Buccaneers- Sapp Or Brooks

I'd say Derrick Brooks.....

Bucs-Steve Young :laugh1:

 

[sf49rh8r]

Montana
Marino
Elway

That's all i can think of whom would be preferable to Dodger

Wouldn't take any of those..but I'd consider Unitas.

 

[sf49rh8r]

Remember him however you want to. You enter the hall as a NFL player not just associated with any team. I remember him as a multiple team player who crippled our salary cap for years and helped cause the breakup of our super bowl winning franchise.

After he got hurt, he wasn't the same player ever again. His dominance during his Cowboy days are even less than the 5 years he spent here. He simply just isn't the #7th greatest Cowboy player of all time. Hell, we had many players who went to the pro bowl more years than he was even here.

Although I agree that he shouldn't be on the list. During the early 90's, his job was basically to stop Jerry Rice or at leas contain him. And he helped in other ways to but basically he was a mercenary that we were tired of facing and preferred having him on our side. But no way top 10.

 

[sf49rh8r]

You're right there.

The 1977 team was first in both offense and defense. I think that was the best Cowboy team ever.

The 77 team may have been the highest ranked but the 90's team was definitely better and more talented.

 

[sf49rh8r]

I'm guessing you thought he should have retired instead of trying to continue his career. Remember he didn't leave us on his terms.

No he didn't but you have to admit that he was no longer a $10 Million a year back at that time. Unfortunately, the way the league is and they way the bs game of contracts is played this is an all to familiar scenario. And he wasn't willing to "compete" for the starting position. Can't believe he let "Hambone" just have the job. I would have liked for him to settle for less pay and compete for the job and never don that ugly red jersey. I think at that point in his career, Emmitt would have agreed with the same contract AZ offered him to stay in Dallas. That hurt like watching Dorsett play for the Broncos. Unitas in a Charger jersey. Just plain wrong. Hell or Larry Allen in a Niner jersey.

 

[sf49rh8r]

listen, im sure you are a big Aikman fan considering your signature, so I dont mean to be harsh.. Im an Okie and a Cowboy fan, so believe me, I like Aikman as much as the next guy.. but Emmitt was far more important to those 90s teams than Aikman was.. Emmitt was the man that D Coordinators planned around and against.. the proof is, during those 90s years, when Emmitt missed a game, we NEVER won.. we won a lot without Aikman and we won without Irvin, but we never won without Emmitt.. we didnt even look like the same team.. Aikman was a good QB, and very accurate and smart.. but Emmitt was the best and most important player on those teams.. oh? and after Aikman was gone we saw it?? sorry, we started losing while Aikman was still here.. it was losing most of the other players along with age and injuries and poor coaching that did the Cowboys in..

and for those debating the 90s and the 70s Cowboys-- they were both great.. but the 90s won 3 Super Bowls and are the team of the decade.. and most would argue that team is one of the top 5 teams in NFL history..

Here here!!!!!

 

[mmillman]

Ive done the research.. Here it is.. My official list of every single team's greatest player of all-time.. (hey, I was bored!)

Cowboys- Emmitt Smith
Commanders- Darrell Green
Giants- Lawrence Taylor
Eagles- Reggie White
Lions- Barry Sanders
Packers- Don Hutson
Bears- Walter Payton
Vikings- Alan Page
Falcons- Deion Sanders
Panthers- Julius Peppers
Buccaneers- Lee Roy Selmon
Saints- Rickey Jackson
Rams- Merlin Olsen
Cardinals- Larry Wilson
49ers- Jerry Rice
Seahawks- Steve Largeant
Patriots- John Hannah
Bills- Bruce Smith
Jets- Curtis Martin
Dolphins- Dan Marino
Colts- Johnny Unitas
Titans- Earl Campbell
Jaguars- Jimmy Smith
Texans- Domanick Davis
Chargers- Lance Alworth
Broncos- John Elway
Raiders- Howie Long
Chiefs- Bobby Bell
Ravens- Ray Lewis
Browns- Jim Brown
Steelers- Joe Greene
Bengals- Anthony Munoz

Cowboys- Emmitt Smith
Commanders- Darrell Green
Giants- Lawrence Taylor
Eagles- Reggie White
Lions- Barry Sanders
Packers- Don Hutson
Bears- Walter Payton
Vikings- Alan Page
Falcons- Deion Sanders
Panthers- Julius Peppers
Buccaneers- Lee Roy Selmon
Saints- Rickey Jackson
Rams- Merlin Olsen - Deacon Jones
Cardinals- Larry Wilson
49ers- Jerry Rice
Seahawks- Steve Largeant
Patriots- John Hannah Tom Brady
Bills- Bruce Smith
Jets- Curtis Martin Joe Namath
Dolphins- Dan Marino
Colts- Johnny Unitas
Titans- Earl Campbell
Jaguars- Jimmy Smith
Texans- Domanick Davis
Chargers- Lance Alworth Dan Fouts
Broncos- John Elway
Raiders- Howie Long Marcus Allen
Chiefs- Bobby Bell
Ravens- Ray Lewis
Browns- Jim Brown
Steelers- Joe Greene
Bengals- Anthony Munoz

 

[sf49rh8r]

Bucs-Steve Young :laugh1:

Not a chance. He may have become a better player after his years on the Whiners but I can't agree with that one. It's between Selmon and Brooks and there is room for debate on Sapp.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Ive done the research.. Here it is.. My official list of every single team's greatest player of all-time.. (hey, I was bored!)

Cowboys- Emmitt Smith
Commanders- Darrell Green
Giants- Lawrence Taylor
Eagles- Reggie White
Lions- Barry Sanders
Packers- Don Hutson
Bears- Walter Payton
Vikings- Alan Page
Falcons- Deion Sanders
Panthers- Julius Peppers
Buccaneers- Lee Roy Selmon
Saints- Rickey Jackson
Rams- Merlin Olsen
Cardinals- Larry Wilson
49ers- Jerry Rice
Seahawks- Steve Largeant
Patriots- John Hannah
Bills- Bruce Smith
Jets- Curtis Martin
Dolphins- Dan Marino
Colts- Johnny Unitas
Titans- Earl Campbell
Jaguars- Jimmy Smith
Texans- Domanick Davis
Chargers- Lance Alworth
Broncos- John Elway
Raiders- Howie Long
Chiefs- Bobby Bell
Ravens- Ray Lewis
Browns- Jim Brown
Steelers- Joe Greene
Bengals- Anthony Munoz

This list ends at like 1985, for the most part. I can not agree with many on this list.

Roger Staubach or Bob Lilly are the greatest players in the history of our franchise.

Darrell Green? Good lord! What about Sonny Jurgensen or Riggo? I like Green but Sammy Baugh is probably the all time player.

LT? Think again. It's probably Frank Gifford

Eagles and Reggie? Had he not left, maybe. Probably Chuck Bednarik.

Lions and Barry are probably a definate.

Don Hutson? You gotta be kidding right? Bart Star, Forrest Greg, Ray Nitschke, Reggie White or Brett Favre, take your pick.

Bears and Walter are probably correct but Mike Ditka and Dick Butkas are right there.

Vikings are Fran Tarkenton.

Falcons are probably Steve Bartkowski. Deion didn't play for them long enough IMO.

Panthers are still too young but might be Peppers or Delhomme.

Bucs are probably Sapp.

Saints are Archie Manning.

Rams are Eric Dickerson or Decon Jones.

Cardinals are Night Train Lane, Dan Dierdorff, Olie Matson or Jackie Smith. My pesonal opinion is Roy Green but he's not in the hall.

49ers are Joe Montana

Seahawks are probably Largent but it will be Alexander soon IMO.

Patriots are Brady.

Bills are OJ Simpson or Jim Kelly.

Jets are Joe Namath

Dolphins are probably Marino.

Colts are Unitas

Earl was never a Titan so he should not be listed. He was the greatest Houston player IMO, if you wanted to list him that way. McNair is the greatest Titan.

Jags are also tough. Probably Smith.

Texans are Carr IMO. He has not had the opportunity to show it yet but to me, he's the guy. I'd also say Andre over Dominick.

Chargers are Fouts or Winslow IMO.

Broncos are Elway.

Raiders are not Howie Long. Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Stabler, Marcus Allen, Biletnikoff, Willie Brown, lots of guys IMO. To me, probably Mike Haynes but any of these guys could get the title over Howie IMO.

Chiefs Bobby Bell? Try Buck Buchannon or Willie Laner or Len Dawson. To me, it's probably Derrik Thomas but that's just me.


Browns are also tough. It's probably Jim Brown but let me just say that Otto Graham is right there IMO.


Ravens is a toss up, IMO, between Lewis and Ogden.

Steelers are Mike Webster IMO. Tough to call between Harris and Ham and Lambert and even Woodson. In fact, I think Woodson might be the guy, now that I think of it.

Bengals are probably Munoz.

Lots of room for disagreement here.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

OK, wanted to jump on here real quick again and "defend" the most talked about things on my list..

1. for the last time, Emmitt's numbers and his winning championships are greater than Staubach's.. Ive already stated my case here, so i wont go over it again.. but I would like to address this issue-- Emmitt is always talked about in the short list of greatest runningbacks of all-time.. Brown, Payton, Emmitt, and Sanders.. thats it, those are the four.. as much as it pains Cowboys fans to hear it, Staubach is not ever mentioned in the short list of greatest QBs ever.. its Montana, Elway, Unitas, and Marino.. thats it, those are the four.. Emmitt accomplished more on the field, in both stats and championships, than any player in NFL history besides Jerry Rice.. Cowboys fans need to embrace this, its remarkable.. last but not least-- Lilly, again, is second place, ahead of Roger..

2. Favre vs Starr-- you could argue these two forever, its really close.. but I would go with Favre.. and I think that most Packers fans would to.. but again, Favre isnt my choice as greatest Packer ever.. I gotta go with Hutson.. go back and look at my argument for more details..

3. Deion-- much has been said about my ranking him the 7th greatest Cowboy ever.. here's the deal.. I truly believe that people will remember him as a Falcon AND a Cowboy.. he will probably enter the Hall as both, not as a Commander, 49er, or Raven.. and for that reason, I considered him a Cowboy when making this list.. and while he was here, he was DOMINANT.. he is considered the greatest cover corner to EVER play.. as a matter of fact, had he played his entire career here, I would put him even higher on the list, probably 3rd or so..

This is a BS reason. Otto Graham is not mentioned either but he might be the best ever. Your reasoning is not inclusive of the fact that they played in an era when passing numbers were not as dominant because of the defensive scheme. It's the short comings of people, just like you, who fail to recognize there greatness because they didn't have 4000 yard seasons in those days.