How many current Cowboys OL would've started during the 'Great Wall' era?

[burmafrd]

I don't know if Frederick would start over Stepnoski, but Smith would definitely start. I get the love for Tuinei. I really do. But Smith is just better.

Yeah Tui was a great scrappy player but Tyron is just so much a better athlete that in the end he would be the starter.

 

[burmafrd]

Stepnoski couldn't even be a backup in today's NFL. Too small.

Step had incredible technique but there were times when he got beaten just because he was too small. He was too small really for that era when it came down to it. When he came back to us later in his career he was nowhere near as good; injuries and wear and tear had reduced his ability to the point where he was almost a shadow.

 

[burmafrd]

I can imagine a pre injury Erik and LA with those three- without a doubt the greatest O line in NFL history and it would not even be close.

 

[AzorAhai]

I can imagine a pre injury Erik and LA with those three- without a doubt the greatest O line in NFL history and it would not even be close.

That line, would not only be great and feared, but mean also. Erik Williams and Larry Allen would bring some of that nasty attitude that would just make this line break teams will.

On a side note, I'm not sure how much a lot of those O-Line guys from the early 90's would even play. They got into so much stuff on and off the field, Godell would have a field day. They would be suspended every other game.

 

[BAT]

Yes, Martin, Fred and Tyron could start. Oddly, Tyron would have had the biggest battle because Tuinei was underrated and Erik Williams was as good as it gets at RT before the car wreck

I would love to see the current OL with the 1993 version of Eric Williams at RT.

Erik Williams pulling would not be a pretty sight. Agree with Fred and Martin on 90's team. Martin may have to bulk up a bit though because of the power man scheme they played. Tyron not nasty enough to oust Tui IMO.

 

[jrumann59]

Tunei, was probably the meanest guy on that line. He was not the most talented that would go to Williams and Allen but he is probably the meanest. Big E was just nasty on the field.

 

[CF74]

What no love for Free? Shocking

 

[AzorAhai]

Tunei, was probably the meanest guy on that line. He was not the most talented that would go to Williams and Allen but he is probably the meanest. Big E was just nasty on the field.

Gogan was probably the meanest and nastiest guy on the line during that time, maybe in the whole NFL, followed by Williams imo. Gogan got kicked out of a Pro Bowl, he just couldn't help himself lol.

 

[Tabascocat]

Depends on how you define "started". If it means being a starter on those teams who would not have had those players, then yes.....they could have.

Now, if you mean in place of them, then I am not so sure who would have won that battle.

 

[jazzcat22]

It's funny, I don't ever remember hearing this term 'great wall' until this tv special.

I think it's a hindsight name given to them. They were under appreciated at the time. But looking back at it shows how good they really were. The triplets got all the glory and press. And the Defense got their share of attention at times too, with Haley, then Deion.
So the trench guys guys along with with what Novacek added were forgotten in a way. Except to Madden.

 

[BigD5]

Emmitt smith made that 90's line. People forget that same line sucked before enmity got there and almost got Aikman killed

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Emmitt smith made that 90's line. People forget that same line sucked before enmity got there and almost got Aikman killed

Really? So it was all Emmitt.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Which 90s OL are we talking about because we never had the same 5 starting in our 3 superbowls.

 

[Sarge]

This cross era speculation is horse crap.
Sorry, but jmo.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

It's funny, I don't ever remember hearing this term 'great wall' until this tv special.

It wasn't.

 

[BIGDen]

Erik Williams at RT, Martin at RG, Frederick at center, and (obviously) Allen at LG. Stepnoski was a really good player but Frederick is just much bigger and stronger. IMO the toughest battle would be at LT. Tuinei was very good and somewhat underrated. He used to make Bruce Smith disappear in those SBs. However, Tyron Smith is also very good and improving. I'd probably give the nod to Tyron because he is physically superior and still developing. The level of play of Tuinei in '92/'93 and Tyron now is probably not that different, but I'll take Smith because he is already a top player and, probably, has not hit his ceiling yet. This was a good thread idea! How amazing would that OL be?!

 

[Knotamus]

Well, this discussion just cements my thoughts/visions of this OL ever since we drafted Martin. Of course I never would have imagined Martin becoming an All-Pro his rookie season, but I'll gladly admit I was wrong. As soon as my prayers were answered and we passed up Manziel to pick Martin, I had a visions of Dallas resurrecting the "Great Wall". So much so, that my friends laughed at me when I picked Murray in the first round of my fantasy league.(guess who had the last laugh The mere fact that this discussion exist confirms the "Great Wall II".

Second thought, Doug Free is very under estimated.. And I believe the FO thinks so too. The OL was noticeably different when he wasn't playing. Maturity, attitude, and 'Skins on the Great Wall' are hard to measure. He brought a nastiness that trickled down the right side of the line that Parnell just couldn't match. Now, I'm not saying he would replace anyone on the original Great Wall, but he's definitely worth mentioning and better than most give him credit for. And I'll add this nugget.. a few people will remember a fellow by the name of Kevin Gogan. He played on the earlier version of the 90's Cowboys OL. He's nickname was the 'Big Nasty'. My opinion, Free and Gogan could have been interchangeable.

 

[dallasdave]

That's picture Tyron, Martin, Frederick, Larry Allen, and Erik Williams as the Cowboys offensive line today all playing today . There is only one way to describe that "Oh What a Rush"!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[burmafrd]

Erik Williams pulling would not be a pretty sight. Agree with Fred and Martin on 90's team. Martin may have to bulk up a bit though because of the power man scheme they played. Tyron not nasty enough to oust Tui IMO.

SOME people have this theory all you need is to be mean> Sorry but that is BS. Tyron is just so much better the athlete that in a head to head Tui would lose the job battle.

 

[burmafrd]

Well, this discussion just cements my thoughts/visions of this OL ever since we drafted Martin. Of course I never would have imagined Martin becoming an All-Pro his rookie season, but I'll gladly admit I was wrong. As soon as my prayers were answered and we passed up Manziel to pick Martin, I had a visions of Dallas resurrecting the "Great Wall". So much so, that my friends laughed at me when I picked Murray in the first round of my fantasy league.(guess who had the last laugh The mere fact that this discussion exist confirms the "Great Wall II".

Second thought, Doug Free is very under estimated.. And I believe the FO thinks so too. The OL was noticeably different when he wasn't playing. Maturity, attitude, and 'Skins on the Great Wall' are hard to measure. He brought a nastiness that trickled down the right side of the line that Parnell just couldn't match. Now, I'm not saying he would replace anyone on the original Great Wall, but he's definitely worth mentioning and better than most give him credit for. And I'll add this nugget.. a few people will remember a fellow by the name of Kevin Gogan. He played on the earlier version of the 90's Cowboys OL. He's nickname was the 'Big Nasty'. My opinion, Free and Gogan could have been interchangeable.

you have truly creative eyesight if you think Free is either nasty or all that important.