Manster68
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As one follows a team for several decades, it is always fun to synthesize (meaning to combine parts to form a whole) players from different eras.
It is easy for Cowboy fans to compare, contrast, and synthesize their players because of the high degree of success in the decades. Probably the most interesting position to do that for Dallas fans is the Outside Linebacker position.
Like many other teams, there are basically two types of outside linebackers. There are the ones that get a lot of publicity due to great play, and being flamboyant. Those players that come to MY mind are:
Chuck Howley
DD Lewis
Thomas Henderson
Anthony D-ickerson (to a small extent)
Vinson Smith (to a small extent)
Ken Norton
Demarcus Ware
However, there are also the types that you rarely hear from, but are in the starting lineups for a long time due to solid, consistant, performance of their duties. They are an essential element that teams need to reach the next level. Dallas has had a few of these players in MY mind.
Dave Edwards - I could be wrong here because my memory of him playing was when I was under the age of 10. That same statement can be said for Chuck Howley above obviously. When I look at the highlight films though, I do not see him making a vast amount of plays (big plays). It always seemed to be Jordan and Howley getting the accolades. Yet Edwards was in the starting lineup for ELEVEN years (1965-1975).
Mike Hegman – This 7th round member of the 1975 Dirty Dozen didn’t officially crack the starting lineup until 1980 (six seasons later). DD Lewis and Hollywood Henderson had something to do with that. That did not mean you didn’t see him on the field in the late 70s subbing for either one of them. He is best known for his heist of Terry Bradshaw in Super Bowl XIII, and became one of seventeen Cowboys to have scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Once Hegman became a starter in 1980, as Henderson got into his personal trouble, he did not relinquish that spot until the 1987 season. This 13-year veteran from Tennessee State gave Dallas solid consistent play at his position with minimal recognition.
Dixon Edwards – Just as Mike Hegman was part of the famed 1975 draft, Dixon Edwards was part of the famed 1991 draft. This speedy Michigan State Spartan, when selected in the 2nd round, got Jimmy Johnson and a few assistants so excited, they were pumping fists in the war room. Even though Dixon never got the accolades that Ken Norton was getting, it did not mean he wasn’t making plays. His rookie season, he scored a touchdown against the Bengals when the Boomer Esaison pass got deflected by Jim Jeffcoat. In the 1993 win over Philly (the game where Emmitt ran for 237 yards), Dixon made a devastating sack and forced fumble on the Eagle quarterback. In the 1993 NFC Championship game against the 49ers, Dixon hit Ricky Watters so hard he went back 5-7 yards before he and Ken Norton took him down. It was a statement play that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Dixon Edwards tenure with Dallas was only five years – he signed with the Vikings before the 1996 season. I though, in the greatest five-year stretch in Cowboy history, will never forget his play. Dixon Edwards was the prototypical 2nd round draft pick – and he was worth every penny.
The only other linebacker that somewhat fits into this mold is Al Singleton. Singleton was brought over from Tampa Bay to provide much needed veteran leadership to a team with very little talent when Parcells took over. Unfortunately, age and injuries have limited Singleton’s production.
It is easy for Cowboy fans to compare, contrast, and synthesize their players because of the high degree of success in the decades. Probably the most interesting position to do that for Dallas fans is the Outside Linebacker position.
Like many other teams, there are basically two types of outside linebackers. There are the ones that get a lot of publicity due to great play, and being flamboyant. Those players that come to MY mind are:
Chuck Howley
DD Lewis
Thomas Henderson
Anthony D-ickerson (to a small extent)
Vinson Smith (to a small extent)
Ken Norton
Demarcus Ware
However, there are also the types that you rarely hear from, but are in the starting lineups for a long time due to solid, consistant, performance of their duties. They are an essential element that teams need to reach the next level. Dallas has had a few of these players in MY mind.
Dave Edwards - I could be wrong here because my memory of him playing was when I was under the age of 10. That same statement can be said for Chuck Howley above obviously. When I look at the highlight films though, I do not see him making a vast amount of plays (big plays). It always seemed to be Jordan and Howley getting the accolades. Yet Edwards was in the starting lineup for ELEVEN years (1965-1975).
Mike Hegman – This 7th round member of the 1975 Dirty Dozen didn’t officially crack the starting lineup until 1980 (six seasons later). DD Lewis and Hollywood Henderson had something to do with that. That did not mean you didn’t see him on the field in the late 70s subbing for either one of them. He is best known for his heist of Terry Bradshaw in Super Bowl XIII, and became one of seventeen Cowboys to have scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Once Hegman became a starter in 1980, as Henderson got into his personal trouble, he did not relinquish that spot until the 1987 season. This 13-year veteran from Tennessee State gave Dallas solid consistent play at his position with minimal recognition.
Dixon Edwards – Just as Mike Hegman was part of the famed 1975 draft, Dixon Edwards was part of the famed 1991 draft. This speedy Michigan State Spartan, when selected in the 2nd round, got Jimmy Johnson and a few assistants so excited, they were pumping fists in the war room. Even though Dixon never got the accolades that Ken Norton was getting, it did not mean he wasn’t making plays. His rookie season, he scored a touchdown against the Bengals when the Boomer Esaison pass got deflected by Jim Jeffcoat. In the 1993 win over Philly (the game where Emmitt ran for 237 yards), Dixon made a devastating sack and forced fumble on the Eagle quarterback. In the 1993 NFC Championship game against the 49ers, Dixon hit Ricky Watters so hard he went back 5-7 yards before he and Ken Norton took him down. It was a statement play that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Dixon Edwards tenure with Dallas was only five years – he signed with the Vikings before the 1996 season. I though, in the greatest five-year stretch in Cowboy history, will never forget his play. Dixon Edwards was the prototypical 2nd round draft pick – and he was worth every penny.
The only other linebacker that somewhat fits into this mold is Al Singleton. Singleton was brought over from Tampa Bay to provide much needed veteran leadership to a team with very little talent when Parcells took over. Unfortunately, age and injuries have limited Singleton’s production.
