My All-time Cowboys players Top 5 Ranking list (per position)

kskboys

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RB)
1) Emmitt Smith
2) Tony Dorsett
3) Calvin Hill-he was pretty good!!
4) Ezekiel Elliott
5) DeMarco Murray

I think Calvin is underrated. He was a good back on some great teams. Zeke, DeMarco, and Hershel are all close for #4.
You forgot Perkins and Duane Thomas.
 

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My All-time Cowboys Players Top 5 Ranking list (per position unit)


Quarterbacks
1- Roger Staubach
2 – Troy Aikman
3 – Tony Romo
4 – Dak Prescott
5 – Danny white

Running Backs
1 – Emmitt Smith
2 – Tony Dorsett
3 – Zeke Elliott
4 – Demarco Murray
5 – Hershel Walker

Full Backs
1 - Daryl Johnston
2 - Ron Springs
3 - Walt Garrison
4 - Don Perkins
5 - Robert Newhouse

Wide Receivers
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Michael Irvin
3 - Dez Bryant
4 - Drew Pearson
5 - Tony Hill

Tight Ends
1 - Jason Witten
2- Doug Cosbie
3- Jay Novacek
4- Billie joe Dupree
5 - Pettis Norman


Offensive Tackles
1 - Rayfield wright
2 - Erik Williams
3 - Tyron smith
4- Pat Donovan
5 - Ralph Neely


Offensive Guards
1 - Larry Allen
2 - Zack Martin
3- John Niland
4 - Nate Newton
5 - Herb Scott

Center
1 - Travis Fredrick
2 - Mark Stepnoski
3 - Ray Donaldson
4 - Andre Gurode
5 - Derek Kennard

Defensive end
1- Charles Haley
2- Harvey Martin
3- - Demarcus Lawrence
4 - Jim Jeffcoat
5 - Ed too tall jones


Defensive tackles
1- Bob Lilly
2- Randy White
3 - Jay Ratliff
4 - Jason hatcher
5 - Leon Lett

Outside Linebackers
1 - Demarcus ware
2 - Chuck Howley
3 - Dexter Coakley
4 - Ken Norton jr.
5 - Thomas Henderson

Middle linebackers
1 - Lee Roy Jordan
2 - Sean lee
3- Bob Breuing
4 - Jaylon smith
5 – Bradie james


Safeties
1 - Darren Woodson
2 - Cliff Harris
3 - Roy Williams
4 - Brock Marion
5- Charlie waters

Cornerbacks
1 - Deion sanders
2 - Mel Renfro
3 - Everson walls
4 - Cornell Green
5 - Terrance Newman

Returners
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Deion sanders
3 - Kevin Williams
4 - Reggie Swinton
5 - Kelvin martin

Kickers
1- Dan Bailey
2- Efren Herrera
3- Tony Fritsch
4- Chris Boniol
5- Rafael Septien


Punters
1- Pat McBriar
2- John Jett
3- Mike Saxon
4- Toby Gowin
5- Micah Knorr


Head coaches
1- Tom Landry
2- Jimmie Johnson
3 - Bill Parcells
4- Jason Garrett
5- Wade Phillips
Bryant over Drew Pearson? wow

Fullback is hard, they are all such different players. Ron Springs was a 3rd down back who could catch while Moose barely ever touched the ball.
 

RodeoJake

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Bryant over Drew Pearson? wow

Fullback is hard, they are all such different players. Ron Springs was a 3rd down back who could catch while Moose barely ever touched the ball.

FB is one of the easy ones for me. Garrison all the way. He could do it all.
 

Reverend Conehead

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Quarterbacks
1- Roger Staubach
2 – Troy Aikman
3 – Tony Romo
4 – Dak Prescott
5 – Danny white

I like the list, except I would take Prescott off #4 and replace him with Craig Morton.

Running Backs
1 – Emmitt Smith
2 – Tony Dorsett
3 – Zeke Elliott
4 – Demarco Murray
5 – Hershel Walker

I would not put a current player on any of these lists, so I would take Elliott off (for now) and put Hershel Walker at #3 and Demarco Murray would stay at #4. At #5 I would put Calvin Hill.

Full Backs
1 - Daryl Johnston
2 - Ron Springs
3 - Walt Garrison
4 - Don Perkins
5 - Robert Newhouse

I agree with all the choices, but Newhouse belongs at #3 and that pushes Garrison and Perkins down to 4 and 5 respectively.

Wide Receivers
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Michael Irvin
3 - Dez Bryant
4 - Drew Pearson
5 - Tony Hill

I would take Dez Bryant off the list and replace him with Lance Alworth.

Tight Ends
1 - Jason Witten
2- Doug Cosbie
3- Jay Novacek
4- Billie joe Dupree
5 - Pettis Norman

I would put Novacek ahead of Cosbie and replace Pettis Norman with Mike Ditka.

Offensive Tackles
1 - Rayfield wright
2 - Erik Williams
3 - Tyron smith
4- Pat Donovan
5 - Ralph Neely

Leave as is.

Offensive Guards
1 - Larry Allen
2 - Zack Martin
3- John Niland
4 - Nate Newton
5 - Herb Scott

Leave as is.

Center
1 - Travis Fredrick
2 - Mark Stepnoski
3 - Ray Donaldson
4 - Andre Gurode
5 - Derek Kennard

I would take Andre Gurode off the list and replace him with John Fitzgerald. I would replace Kennard with Dave Manders.

Defensive end
1- Charles Haley
2- Harvey Martin
3- - Demarcus Lawrence
4 - Jim Jeffcoat
5 - Ed too tall jones

Leave as is.

Defensive tackles
1- Bob Lilly
2- Randy White
3 - Jay Ratliff
4 - Jason hatcher
5 - Leon Lett

Take Jay Ratliff of the list and replace with Larry Cole. Take Jason Hatcher off list and replace with Jethro Pugh.

Outside Linebackers
1 - Demarcus ware
2 - Chuck Howley
3 - Dexter Coakley
4 - Ken Norton jr.
5 - Thomas Henderson

Leave as is.

Middle linebackers
1 - Lee Roy Jordan
2 - Sean lee
3- Bob Breuing
4 - Jaylon smith
5 – Bradie james

Replace Jaylon Smith with DD Lewis (because Smith is a current player and IMO we should wait to the end of his career before he's eligible.)

Safeties
1 - Darren Woodson
2 - Cliff Harris
3 - Roy Williams
4 - Brock Marion
5- Charlie waters

Leave as is.

Cornerbacks
1 - Deion sanders
2 - Mel Renfro
3 - Everson walls
4 - Cornell Green
5 - Terrance Newman

Replace Terrance Newman with Kevin Smith.

Returners
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Deion sanders
3 - Kevin Williams
4 - Reggie Swinton
5 - Kelvin martin

Leave as is.

Kickers
1- Dan Bailey
2- Efren Herrera
3- Tony Fritsch
4- Chris Boniol
5- Rafael Septien

Replace tony Fritsch with Ken Willis. Rafael Septien should be at #2 and Effren Herrera at #5.

Punters
1- Pat McBriar
2- John Jett
3- Mike Saxon
4- Toby Gowin
5- Micah Knorr

Replace Toby Gowin with Mitch Hoops. Replace John Jett with Danny White.

Head coaches
1- Tom Landry
2- Jimmie Johnson
3 - Bill Parcells
4- Jason Garrett
5- Wade Phillips

Leave as is.
 

eromeopolk

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My All-time Cowboys Players Top 5 Ranking list (per position unit)

My Revision

Quarterbacks
1- Roger Staubach
2 – Troy Aikman
3 – Danny white
4 – Dak Prescott
5 – Tony Romo (I am into winning, winning playoff games and winning championships)

Running Backs
1 – Emmitt Smith
2 – Tony Dorsett
3 – Hershel Walker - Trade makes him more valuable as of this date
4 – Zeke Elliott
5 – Demarco Murray

Full Backs
1 - Don Perkins - was the entire running game for a expansion team
2 - Ron Springs - led the team in receiving
3 - Robert Newhouse - led the team in rushing
4 - Daryl Johnston
5 - Walt Garrison

Wide Receivers
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Michael Irvin
3 - Drew Pearson - led the NFL in receiving something Dez never did.
4 - Dez Bryant
5 - Tony Hill

Tight Ends
1 - Jason Witten
2- Billie joe Dupree - he ran TE sweeps, caught the passes thrown, and could block
3- Jay Novacek
4- Doug Cosbie
5 - Pettis Norman


Offensive Tackles
1 - Rayfield wright
2 - Tyron smith
3 - Pat Donovan - Four Irishman and a Scott
4- Erik Williams
5 - Ralph Neely


Offensive Guards
1 - Larry Allen
2 - Herb Scott - Four Irishman and a Scott (check them out). Joe Greene never jacked him up.
3- Zack Martin - Fletcher jacked him up
4 - John Niland
5 - Nate Newton

Center
1 - Travis Fredrick
2 - Mark Stepnoski
3 - John Fritzgerald - Four Irishman and a Scott
4 - Andre Gurode
5 - Tom Rafferty - played OG and C. Four Irishman and a Scott

Defensive end
1- Harvey Martin
2- Charles Haley
3- Demarcus Ware - He did not drop in coverage as a 3/4 OLB/he was a DE
4 - George Andrie
5 - Ed too tall jones


Defensive tackles
1- Bob Lilly
2- Randy White
3 - Leon Lett
4 - Jethro Pugh
5 - John Dutton - Similar to Haley as a Cowboy, Was suppose to play DE after Jones went boxing. Made the switch to DT when Jones returned and Cowboys went to 3 straight NFC Champ Games.

Outside Linebackers
1 - Chuck Howley
2 - Thomas Henderson
3 - Ken Norton jr. - played both MLB and OLB
4 - Dexter Coakley
5 - Darrin Smith - Jerry would not pay him. But he was the close to Henderson at OLB.

Middle linebackers
1 - Lee Roy Jordan
2 - Bob Breuing
3- Jerry Tubbs - 1 of only 3 MLB in Cowboys History from 1960-1984 and Tubbs coached the other 2
4 - Bradie james
5 – Robert Jones


Safeties
1 - Cornell Green - Pro Bowler at CB and S and never played football until the NFL. He then was a player coach and scouted Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters.
2 - Darren Woodson - Freak could play FS/SS/LB and Special Teams stud.
3 - Cliff Harris
4 - Roy Williams - Was so devastating he was banned illegal by the NFL
5- Charlie waters

Cornerbacks
1 - Mel Renfro
2 - Everson walls
3 - Deion sanders
4 - Terrance Newman
5 - Kevin Smith

Returners
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Mel Renfro - Kickoffs and Punts and All Pro CB
3 - Deion sanders
4 - Kevin Williams
5 - Kelvin martin

Kickers
1- Dan Bailey
2- Rafael Septien - Automatic
3- Chris Boniol
4- Tony Fritsch
5- Efren Herrera


Punters
1- Danny White - was the back up QB, starting QB, place kick holder, and Punter and was very good at all
2- Mike Saxon
3- Pat McBriar
4- John Jett
5- Sam Baker - The only full time Cowboys Kicker and Punter to make a Pro Bowl


Head coaches
1- Tom Landry
2- Jimmie Johnson
3 - Bill Parcells
4- Barry Switzer - He did what he was suppose to do...stay out of the way
5- Chan Gailey - Never had a losing season.

Honorable Mention
Dennis Thurman CB/FS - Thurman's Thieves
Dave Manders C - Was 1 of only 3 to play C from 1960-1989
Randy Hughes - Would have been Super Bowl MVP of XII was Darren Woodson like (injuries cut his career)
Jim Jeffcoat - Will always be known for not being Dan Marino
Greg Ellis - Will always be known for not being Randy Moss
Benny Barnes - Was the starter in 8 NFC Championship games and 3 Super Bowls.
 

IndianaCowboys1994

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REALLY tough to do a top 5 for each position for this franchise. I'll take a look at the top player at each position:

QB Roger Staubach-slightly over Troy
RB Emmitt Smith
FB Don Perkins
WR Michael Irvin
TE Jason Witten
OT Rayfield Wright-If Tyron has a few more good seasons, he will take over this spot
OG Larry Allen
C Travis Frederick- Beats out Stepnoski
Edge DeMarcus Ware
DT Bob Lilly
LB Chuck Howley
DB Mel Renfro
S Cliff Harris
 

DFWJC

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It's hard to compare players in the sixties to players of recent years.

The natural dividing line is the pre and post Jerry era.

The modern era players will get over-represented by most people; although, old timers will tend to over-rate the long ago players.

I started watching Cowboys games in their entirety starting with the Super Bowl of the 1977 season; however, I do NOT really feel that I can give an accurate assessment of many Landry era players, even in the late seventies and early eighties.
This coming from the guy who, from the same era, ranked Marion freaking Barber ahead of Zeke and Walker, or even Murray.....and Dak ahead of Romo.
Almost looks like a troll job its so far-fetched.
Its your ranking though, so you're entitled to an opinion.
Rank on!
 
Last edited:

DFWJC

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I'll do QB for now.

1) Roger Staubach
2) Troy Aikman
3) Tony Romo
4) Don Meredith
5) Danny White

Roger/Troy are close and so is Tony/Don. Danny has to be ahead of Dak because of posteason success. Give Dak a few good years and playoff runs and he enters the discussion for #3. Dak/Morton are tied for 6.
Agree
I think Dak is a clear 6th or 7th with an opportunity to keep moving up.
Thats pretty good after only 3 years
Hope he keeps rising for the current team’s and fans sake!
 

PAPPYDOG

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My All-time Cowboys Players Top 5 Ranking list (per position unit)


Quarterbacks
1- Roger Staubach
2 – Troy Aikman
3 – Tony Romo
4 – Dak Prescott
5 – Danny white

Running Backs
1 – Emmitt Smith
2 – Tony Dorsett
3 – Zeke Elliott
4 – Demarco Murray
5 – Hershel Walker

Full Backs
1 - Daryl Johnston
2 - Ron Springs
3 - Walt Garrison
4 - Don Perkins
5 - Robert Newhouse

Wide Receivers
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Michael Irvin
3 - Dez Bryant
4 - Drew Pearson
5 - Tony Hill

Tight Ends
1 - Jason Witten
2- Doug Cosbie
3- Jay Novacek
4- Billie joe Dupree
5 - Pettis Norman


Offensive Tackles
1 - Rayfield wright
2 - Erik Williams
3 - Tyron smith
4- Pat Donovan
5 - Ralph Neely


Offensive Guards
1 - Larry Allen
2 - Zack Martin
3- John Niland
4 - Nate Newton
5 - Herb Scott

Center
1 - Travis Fredrick
2 - Mark Stepnoski
3 - Ray Donaldson
4 - Andre Gurode
5 - Derek Kennard

Defensive end
1- Charles Haley
2- Harvey Martin
3- - Demarcus Lawrence
4 - Jim Jeffcoat
5 - Ed too tall jones


Defensive tackles
1- Bob Lilly
2- Randy White
3 - Jay Ratliff
4 - Jason hatcher
5 - Leon Lett

Outside Linebackers
1 - Demarcus ware
2 - Chuck Howley
3 - Dexter Coakley
4 - Ken Norton jr.
5 - Thomas Henderson

Middle linebackers
1 - Lee Roy Jordan
2 - Sean lee
3- Bob Breuing
4 - Jaylon smith
5 – Bradie james


Safeties
1 - Darren Woodson
2 - Cliff Harris
3 - Roy Williams
4 - Brock Marion
5- Charlie waters

Cornerbacks
1 - Deion sanders
2 - Mel Renfro
3 - Everson walls
4 - Cornell Green
5 - Terrance Newman

Returners
1 - Bob Hayes
2 - Deion sanders
3 - Kevin Williams
4 - Reggie Swinton
5 - Kelvin martin

Kickers
1- Dan Bailey
2- Efren Herrera
3- Tony Fritsch
4- Chris Boniol
5- Rafael Septien


Punters
1- Pat McBriar
2- John Jett
3- Mike Saxon
4- Toby Gowin
5- Micah Knorr


Head coaches
1- Tom Landry
2- Jimmie Johnson
3 - Bill Parcells
4- Jason Garrett
5- Wade Phillips



Quarterbacks
1- Roger Staubach
2 – Troy Aikman
3 – Tony Romo
4 – Dak Prescott
5 – Danny white

LOL......nothing more to say on that one....thanks for the laughs....
 

xwalker

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This coming from the guy who, from the same era, ranked Marion freaking Barber ahead of Zeke and Walker, or even Murray.....and Dak ahead of Romo.
Almost looks like a troll job its so far-fetched.
Its your ranking though, so you're entitled to an opinion.
Rank on!
Did that thread say absolute best players?
 

DFWJC

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Did that thread say absolute best players?
I see.

I think his ranking is based on who he thinks were the best, but maybe its just his personal favorites.
Didn't read it that way...and it looks like almost everyone else just ranking them based on ability and contribution, but I could be wrong.
If so, that explains your Barber ranking. He WAS fun to watch and wasn't a team headache off the field
 

xwalker

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Careful on the GOAT comment....Tom Landry is the Cowboys GOAT HC. I’m still amazed at 20 straight winning seasons, making the playoffs 19 times and winning 20 playoff games. Jimmy was great. But....
What Jimmy accomplished is extremely rare in professional sports.

He took a team with extremely minimal talent and built it into a team that won 2 SBs in his 5 years and another one with his players.

Most coaches that have early success inherited drastically more overall talent than what Jimmy had to work with.

Jimmy 2 SB wins in 5 years.

Landry 2 SB wins in 29 years.
 

xwalker

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I can't get on board with the OT list. Pre-injury Erik Williams is one of the best tackles I've ever seen in my life.

Also, Jimmie Johnson drives for NASCAR. Jimmy Johnson is the GOAT.

I tend to screw up the Jimmy / Jimmie issue even though I know it is Jimmy. I think the Jimmie Jones name sticks in my head from back then.

I see people often screw up Johnnie Walker typing it as Johnny Walker.
 

xwalker

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I see.

I think his ranking is based on who he thinks were the best, but maybe its just his personal favorites.
Didn't read it that way...and it looks like almost everyone else just ranking them based on ability and contribution, but I could be wrong.
If so, that explains your Barber ranking. He WAS fun to watch and wasn't a team headache off the field
Good reply.

I took it as favorites of the top players.

Not favorites like Bill Bates, but favorite 5 of top 10 type players.

If it were absolute best at their peak I would obviously have to include Dez Turd Bryant.

Bob Lilly is almost always rated above Randy White in rankings that include players from the beginning but Randy White was my favorite of the two.

The off-ball LBs were really difficult to rank. Guys like Robert Jones, Darrin Smith and even Dixon Edwards were over-looked because there was so much other talent on those teams. Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen might have been slightly inflated as fan favorites because they were near the top talent on the roster in many years they were here.

I don't see Dak over Romo as completely outlandish. Romo had better stats but Dak has a propensity for winning.

Of nfl players it would be hard to rank Aikman over Marino considering Marino's passing stats completely overwhelm Aikman's; however, Aikman was a winner and did what was required to win. He didn't care about his own stats.
 

Super_Kazuya

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My Revision

Quarterbacks
1- Roger Staubach
2 – Troy Aikman
3 – Danny white
4 – Dak Prescott
5 – Tony Romo (I am into winning, winning playoff games and winning championships)

I mean, we know you are trolling here but you do realize that Dak has “won” and played in less playoff games than anyone on this list...
 
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