Ralph Neely - worth it?

[fgoodwin]

Great post Thumper -- just one minor correction: Neely was the 28th overall selection in the NFL draft; he was 15th overall in the AFL draft. But that detail doesn't change the gist of your article -- the Cowboys paid dearly for him.

 

[THUMPER]

Great post Thumper -- just one minor correction: Neely was the 28th overall selection in the NFL draft; he was 15th overall in the AFL draft. But that detail doesn't change the gist of your article -- the Cowboys paid dearly for him.

Good pickup. Thanks. :starspin

 

[Manster68]

Great post Thumper -- just one minor correction: Neely was the 28th overall selection in the NFL draft; he was 15th overall in the AFL draft. But that detail doesn't change the gist of your article -- the Cowboys paid dearly for him.

Just how dearly of a price did the Cowboys really pay? And what was the return of that investment?

The return was that the Cowboys got a high quality, Pro-Bowl, All-Pro player for ten years that was a strong bookend tackle opposite Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright.

In today's NFL, doesn't fans from all teams drool over having that luxury?

Ralph Neely helped the Cowboys get to the post season every year he played except for 1974.

Ralph Neely helped the Cowboys have a winning season every year he played in his career.

Ralph Neely helped solidify one of the greatest offensive lines not only in Cowboys history, but also NFL history.

Ralph Neely played in three Super Bowls and should have been four had he not get injured before Super Bowl VI (BTW - Thank you Tony Liscio).

Ralph Neely went up against players like Deacon Jones, Carl Eller, Fred Dryer, Ed O'Bradovich, and LC Greenwood. Ralph did pretty darn well considering.

Bottom line - I think Dallas got a terrific return on investment for what they paid for Ralph Neely. I would make that payment again in that situation.

 

[fgoodwin]

Just how dearly of a price did the Cowboys really pay? And what was the return of that investment?

The return was that the Cowboys got a high quality, Pro-Bowl, All-Pro player for ten years that was a strong bookend tackle opposite Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright.

In today's NFL, doesn't fans from all teams drool over having that luxury?

Ralph Neely helped the Cowboys get to the post season every year he played except for 1974.

Ralph Neely helped the Cowboys have a winning season every year he played in his career.

Ralph Neely helped solidify one of the greatest offensive lines not only in Cowboys history, but also NFL history.

Ralph Neely played in three Super Bowls and should have been four had he not get injured before Super Bowl VI (BTW - Thank you Tony Liscio).

Ralph Neely went up against players like Deacon Jones, Carl Eller, Fred Dryer, Ed O'Bradovich, and LC Greenwood. Ralph did pretty darn well considering.

Bottom line - I think Dallas got a terrific return on investment for what they paid for Ralph Neely. I would make that payment again in that situation.

It's an easy decision with the benefit of hindsight. But the point of the OP was, how would fans react if Jerry made such a deal today? Without the benefit of hindsight, if Jerry makes that deal today, how do we know the acquired player will give us ten years worth of Pro Bowl and All-Pro service?

Will the player help the Cowboys into the post season every year but one?

Will he help the Cowboys to winning seasons every year?

Will he play in three Super Bowls?

Put yourself in Jerry's shoes and tell me which rookie tackle would you take right now in exchange for all those picks?

Again, I'm not dissing Neely or his legacy and his contributions; but if you can tell me honestly that you would make that deal not knowing ANYTHING about a rookie's future accomplishments, well maybe Jerry could use you as a GM . . .