He would've been an all-time great, but for

[robbieruff]

As is my norm for longer than I care to admit, I often get caught up in watching massive quantities of nostalgic Cowboys footage during the offseason, whether it be old games OR highlight reels from NFL films, etc. I am sure many of you can relate.

This week, I rewatched for the umpteenth time The Great Wall of Dallas - by far one of the best segments of that SB era as it captured the essence of the team's success and the 90's dynasty's true identity...and frankly their style of play gives hope for our current squad's potential success (i.e., multiple championships on the back of the the NFL's best offensive line). I LOVE ME SOME SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL!!!

During the segment, Michael Irvin commented on Erik Williams and the auto accident he suffered after the 93 SB season which likely robbed us of a 3rd straight SB the following season...anyone remembering that 94 NFC championship game should recall the beating Troy took due to a woefully depleted Oline not only missing Big E but also suffering from a Larry Allen injury that SF exploited throughout the contest - it thwarted our comeback in my view. That accident also ended Big E's dominance as the game's best tackle - he was never the same player after that incident. As an aside, that's another unfortunate similarity between that 90's team and today's...knuckleheads doing stupid off-field BS...although the 90's team was arguably much worse.

Mike went on to state that, BUT FOR his injury, Erik Williams would have gone down as one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play and a certain first ballot HOF'er...I certainly agree with that assessment.

Which leads me to my question: what other Cowboy players most stand out to you in that category (i.e., potential all-time great but for an injury, off-field issue, tragic flaw, etc) and why?

To get the discussion flowing...these players also come to mind for me:

1) Duane Thomas
2) Hollywood Henderson

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Roy Williams 31.

People say he found religion and got married or no longer had Woodson idk what the real reason was. He was a top 3 safety by the end of his rookie season. I've never seen someone fall off the way he did. He was the most ferocious hitter I've seen in my 20 years as a fan and went completely soft very abruptly.

 

[Doomsday101]

Leon Lett. I think Lett could have been a HOF'er but continued to be suspended losing so much playing time.

 

[robbieruff]

Roy Williams 31.

People say he found religion and got married or no longer had Woodson idk what the real reason was. He was a top 3 safety by the end of his rookie season. I've never seen someone fall off the way he did. He was the most ferocious hitter I've seen in my 20 years as a fan and went completely soft very abruptly.

good one!

 

[DenCWBY]

E Williams was so firkin dominant, he crushed anyone who rushed his side of the line. Recall Reggie White with GB having been beaten so badly, switching sides of the line just to lineup on anyone other E. I could watch a whole game of our offense (over Troy, E Smith and Irvin) just to watch E Williams and Moose Johnson block.
I truly believe if he wouldn't have had that car accident, E Williams would be in Canton and rated THE very best right tackle ever to play the game.

 

[TheHerd]

As is my norm for longer than I care to admit, I often get caught up in watching massive quantities of nostalgic Cowboys footage during the offseason, whether it be old games OR highlight reels from NFL films, etc. I am sure many of you can relate.

This week, I rewatched for the umpteenth time The Great Wall of Dallas - by far one of the best segments of that SB era as it captured the essence of the team's success and the 90's dynasty's true identity...and frankly their style of play gives hope for our current squad's potential success (i.e., multiple championships on the back of the the NFL's best offensive line). I LOVE ME SOME SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL!!!

During the segment, Michael Irvin commented on Erik Williams and the auto accident he suffered after the 93 SB season which likely robbed us of a 3rd straight SB the following season...anyone remembering that 94 NFC championship game should recall the beating Troy took due to a woefully depleted Oline not only missing Big E but also suffering from a Larry Allen injury that SF exploited throughout the contest - it thwarted our comeback in my view. That accident also ended Big E's dominance as the game's best tackle - he was never the same player after that incident. As an aside, that's another unfortunate similarity between that 90's team and today's...knuckleheads doing stupid off-field BS...although the 90's team was arguably much worse.

Mike went on to state that, BUT FOR his injury, Erik Williams would have gone down as one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play and a certain first ballot HOF'er...I certainly agree with that assessment.

Which leads me to my question: what other Cowboy players most stand out to you in that category (i.e., potential all-time great but for an injury, off-field issue, tragic flaw, etc) and why?

To get the discussion flowing...these players also come to mind for me:

1) Duane Thomas
2) Hollywood Henderson

I loved Duane Thomas. Two of my favorite quotes are from him and Roger:

DT: “If the Super Bowl is the ultimate game, how come there is another one next year?”
Roger: "I enjoy sex as much as Joe Namath, only I do it with one girl."

 

[CowboysRule]

Roy Williams 31.

People say he found religion and got married or no longer had Woodson idk what the real reason was. He was a top 3 safety by the end of his rookie season. I've never seen someone fall off the way he did. He was the most ferocious hitter I've seen in my 20 years as a fan and went completely soft very abruptly.

Roy Williams just didn't have the desire. I remember an interview with him either his rookie year or before the draft where he said he'd be fine with retiring after 5 years or so. No dedication to the game.

Justin Beriault could've been a good one!

On a serious note, Sean Lee. Dude is obviously a beast on the field but you can't argue he's missed a ton of time. Hopefully that's all behind him now.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

Roy Williams 31.

People say he found religion and got married or no longer had Woodson idk what the real reason was. He was a top 3 safety by the end of his rookie season. I've never seen someone fall off the way he did. He was the most ferocious hitter I've seen in my 20 years as a fan and went completely soft very abruptly.

The NFL making a couple rules that took away his advantages didn't help, helmet to helmet hits and the horse collar tackle. As his desire to play dropped, he relied on easy horse tackles rather than wrapping up. Those were made illegal and then he got slower and slower it seemed.

 

[FaSho]

I will go with Sean Lee.

If Lee was healthy all those years, he would be considered the best LB in the league. Instead of getting his first All-Pro in his early to mid 20's, he got it at 30. Could be the difference between people saying "He was very good" and people saying "He was a Hall of Famer."

 

[rags747]

As is my norm for longer than I care to admit, I often get caught up in watching massive quantities of nostalgic Cowboys footage during the offseason, whether it be old games OR highlight reels from NFL films, etc. I am sure many of you can relate.

This week, I rewatched for the umpteenth time The Great Wall of Dallas - by far one of the best segments of that SB era as it captured the essence of the team's success and the 90's dynasty's true identity...and frankly their style of play gives hope for our current squad's potential success (i.e., multiple championships on the back of the the NFL's best offensive line). I LOVE ME SOME SMASH MOUTH FOOTBALL!!!

During the segment, Michael Irvin commented on Erik Williams and the auto accident he suffered after the 93 SB season which likely robbed us of a 3rd straight SB the following season...anyone remembering that 94 NFC championship game should recall the beating Troy took due to a woefully depleted Oline not only missing Big E but also suffering from a Larry Allen injury that SF exploited throughout the contest - it thwarted our comeback in my view. That accident also ended Big E's dominance as the game's best tackle - he was never the same player after that incident. As an aside, that's another unfortunate similarity between that 90's team and today's...knuckleheads doing stupid off-field BS...although the 90's team was arguably much worse.

Mike went on to state that, BUT FOR his injury, Erik Williams would have gone down as one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play and a certain first ballot HOF'er...I certainly agree with that assessment.

Which leads me to my question: what other Cowboy players most stand out to you in that category (i.e., potential all-time great but for an injury, off-field issue, tragic flaw, etc) and why?

To get the discussion flowing...these players also come to mind for me:

1) Duane Thomas
2) Hollywood Henderson

The 3 that u name would be my choices as well.

 

[joseephuss]

I loved Duane Thomas. Two of my favorite quotes are from him and Roger:

DT: “If the Super Bowl is the ultimate game, how come there is another one next year?”
Roger: "I enjoy sex as much as Joe Namath, only I do it with one girl."

I always thought that Duane Thomas quote was stupid. It made him come across as someone trying to sound wise and intelligent, but falling short.

Mike Sherrard could have been one of the great wide receivers in Cowboys history if not for a freak leg break. He managed to come back and have a decent career, but he was clearly not the same threat he was as a rookie.

Don Meredith perhaps could have made a push to be a Hall of Famer had he stuck around another 2 or 3 seasons. He was only 30 when he retired and was playing pretty well.

Hershcel Walker probably would be a Hall of Famer had he not wasted time in the USFL.

 

[JohnsKey19]

EWill is the classic "what-if" case. The injury not only robbed him of some of his athleticism but also a spot in the HOF and being in the discussion as best RT to ever play.

 

[Ranching]

Randy Gregory

 

[QT]

I agree on Mike Sherrard. Broke his leg twice.

But for his size, Dat Nguyen could have been a Hall of Famer. The 3-4 defense put a beating on his smaller size, he had to take on more of the Offensive lineman.

 

[Western]

The tragic flaw for this player was the front office (Jerry Jones) failure to recognize a talented player they actually drafted, and subsequently waived quickly in 2 years.

The player that got away, and still was an all-time great.
But for his leg injury, emergency appendectomy (in which a preseason hit was a contributing factor), & Jerry Jones denying him his salary claiming that the appendectomy was a non-football condition, this player could have been a valuate asset for the Boys.

Jimmy Smith.

 

[Idgit]

Did anybody say 'Quincy Carter' yet?

 

[silver]

Ron Stone. After only starting one game for the Cowboys in 3 seasons this former 4th round pick in 1993 went on to start 141 games out a possible 160 in the next 10 years, made the pro-bowl 3 times and was all pro twice. He could've been an all time great for us but we decided to stick with Nate Newton who was 33 at the time and entering his 15th professional season (counting his USFL years)

 

[trickblue]

But for lack of any measurable athletic ability, BrainPaint would've been an all-time great...

 

[Scotman]

I would honestly say Tony. If he gets that snap down cleanly or runs it into the end zone, I think his entire career would have gone differently.

 

[Longboysfan]

But for lack of any measurable athletic ability, BrainPaint would've been an all-time great...

At???????