CFZ These Former Cowboys are the closest to HOF induction

[StarChamber_33]

The fact that Gil Brandt got there before Jimmy is baffling to me.

When it comes to the thought process of Jerruh W. Jones nothing should surprise you..

 

[1972COWBOY]

To Tall Jones. Plus he was in Married With Children and revealed to Peggy Bundy THE TRUTH !!

 

[conner01]

Zac over Howley! Ridiculous!

It’s not really Zac over Howley
Zac is about to come up for eligibility
Howley has been eligible for a very long time

 

[john van brocklin]

Is his time up for being on the veterans committe selection list like Drew Pearson?

That's what we are all hoping for!!!!!

 

[atlantacowboy]

Chuck Howley would like a word with you.

The world has forgotten about Howley. Nobody in media today remembers him, and their aren't enough players of his era still voting on the veteran committee. Guys like Zach Thomas will enjoy a recency bias.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I’m not saying Howley isn’t worthy. The thread is about who is closest to being in…fair or not.

Its kinda sad so few cowboys have any shot, but thats pretty indicative of the "socks to jocks" era.

A few current cowboys have much better chances than Howley too.

 

[BigD_95]

We all know Jason Witten will be selected for the HOF but he’s not eligible until 2025 at the earliest. I would say there are three former Cowboys who are closest to getting in. Here are the guys who as of now have the best chance of HOF induction.

• DeMarcus Ware- Was a semi-finalist in 2022 but didn’t make it his first yr of eligibility. Had138.5 sacks ranking him 9th all time on the NFL’s sack list. His 117 sacks with the Cowboys are a team record. Only Reggie White reached 100 sacks faster than Ware (96 games to 113). Ware had seven straight seasons with at least 10 sacks and led the league in sacks twice, with 20 in 2008 and 15.5 in 2010. Ware was a nine-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro and was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team. (Btw…in addition to Jimmy, when is D-Ware going in the ROH?)

• Zach Thomas only played one year in Big D. But he had a great career in Mia where he finished his career w/more tackles than Junior Seau and Brian Urlacher. More sacks than Mike Singletary, Derrick Brooks and Dick Butkus. More 1st Team All Pro selections than Kevin Greene & Andre Tippett. Thomas like Ware made the 2000s All Decade team. Zach Thomas should be in the HOF. In fact, HOF LB Brian Urlacher stated yesterday that it’s past time for Zach Thomas’ induction. He’s been very close several times.

• Darren Woodson- it’s crazy that Woody isn’t already in. He’s the Cowboys all time leading tackler and has better stats than recent HOF safeties like John Lynch for example. He’s already in the ROH, and when he played was a 4 time First Team All Pro. He has 3 SB rings and played in 16 playoff games a s a Cowboy. He’s got a decent shot to make it in the next few years.

These aren’t the only former Cowboys who are HOF worthy. But these guys are the ones who currently have the best shot at making it soon.

I cant believe Woodson isnt in already - this is insanity !

 

[quickccc]

There are Cowboys players that should be in the Hall of Fame but that is a different thread.

With respect to the most recent candidates, everyone in the league knows Ware should be a first ballot. That's especially true when he topped off his career with a Super Bowl ring. It's the icing on the cake, nobody can cite a lack of playoff relevance as a reason to pass him over.

Woodsen has three rings He played in 16 postseason games, starting 13. Actually, his last name doesn't hurt either. Normally, five Pro Bowls and three 1st team All Pro puts him right on the edge, the three SB rings should have put him over the top.

As far as Zach Thomas.....not a Cowboy, we borrowed him for a few years.

Another close guy? How many years before Witten is eligible?

Nate Newton should be considered, three SB rings as a starter, 6 time Pro Bowl, 2 time All Pro, part of that dominant offensive line that set the tone for the entire team.

Harvey Martin was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 ... and still nowhere close to a mention in either NFL Hall of Fame ... much less Cowboys Ring of Honor .

So sad ...... .

 

[john van brocklin]

The world has forgotten about Howley. Nobody in media today remembers him, and their aren't enough players of his era still voting on the veteran committee. Guys like Zach Thomas will enjoy a recency bias.

Very sad that players like him have been forgotten.
I could not believe it took Mel Renfro so long to get selected.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Very sad that players like him have been forgotten.
I could not believe it took Mel Renfro so long to get selected.

Or Drew Pearson ! The guy is on the 70's all-decade team next to Lynn Swan but can't get in for 37 years?

There is an anti-Dallas bias in the national sports media which is composed mostly of guys from the East coast who grew up hating Dallas.

 

[john van brocklin]

Or Drew Pearson ! The guy is on the 70's all-decade team next to Lynn Swan but can't get in for 37 years?

There is an anti-Dallas bias in the national sports media which is composed mostly of guys from the East coast who grew up hating Dallas.

Unfortunately!

 

[atlantacowboy]

Harvey Martin was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 ... and still nowhere close to a mention in either NFL Hall of Fame ... much less Cowboys Ring of Honor .

So sad ...... .

He was also a super bowl MVP. Harvey is the victim of the anti-Dallas bias among national media who vote on these things. Our borderline guys don't get in........but Mark Gastineau was a shoe in!

 

[john van brocklin]

He was also a super bowl MVP. Harvey is the victim of the anti-Dallas bias among national media who vote on these things. Our borderline guys don't get in........but Mark Gastineau was a shoe in!

Stop it!
You're getting me upset!

 

[quickccc]

He was also a super bowl MVP. Harvey is the victim of the anti-Dallas bias among national media who vote on these things. Our borderline guys don't get in........but Mark Gastineau was a shoe in!

From my understanding Gastineau is Not in the NFL Hall of Fame despite being long known as the one of the quickest, most productive sack masters of his time,
en route to Defensive Player of the Year ,... as was Harvey.

Ditto for Raiders CB Lester " the Molester " Hayes .. Defensive Player of the Year in 1980 .. one of the premier shut-down CBs of all time, ..

BTW, i did not realize Gastineau was battling so many various, very serious health issues .. my prayers for him. .

 

[tyke1doe]

I didn't think Darren Woodson would make the HoF nor should he.
He was good, but as I recall, he was more a "quiet" player during his career. He didn't stand out like Steve Atwater and John Lynch.
However, I think him joining the ranks of NFL television commentator immensely helps his chances of getting into the HoF.
The press loves (former) NFL players who understand them.

 

[OmerV]

Chuck Howley would like a word with you.

Zac over Howley! Ridiculous!

I agree completely Howley is deserving, but the reality is if he hasn't got in by now there is no reason to think it is imminent. The premise of this thread was who was likely to get in soon, and like it or not Thomas is more likely to get in soon

 

[Tussinman]

I didn't think Darren Woodson would make the HoF nor should he.
He was good, but as I recall, he was more a "quiet" player during his career. He didn't stand out like Steve Atwater and John Lynch.
However, I think him joining the ranks of NFL television commentator immensely helps his chances of getting into the HoF.
The press loves (former) NFL players who understand them.

Yeah safety is arguably the hardest position to get in. The average stats of the last 4 modern safeties to get in (Lynch, Reed, Troy, Dawkins) is like 9 pro bowls and first/2nd team all-pro 6x.

Love Woodson but i'm not surprised he's not in given the uphill battle for safeties and interior offensive lineman when it comes to Canton.

Ironically most of the people who say Woodson is snubbed would also say Eric Weddle isn't a hall of famer but there both pretty much equal in terms of accolades......

 

[john van brocklin]

I agree completely Howley is deserving, but the reality is if he hasn't got in by now there is no reason to think it is imminent. The premise of this thread was who was likely to get in soon, and like it or not Thomas is more likely to get in soon

I know, I know, just want to plug Howley any chance I get.

 

[plasticman]

Harvey Martin was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 ... and still nowhere close to a mention in either NFL Hall of Fame ... much less Cowboys Ring of Honor .

So sad ...... .

Absolutely. His resume is proof of the bias against Cowboys players.

Only a handful of players had had a 20 sack season.

Only a handful of players have ever been DPOY.

Only a handful of players have been a Super Bowl MVP..

How many have ever done all three?

Just one.

 

[eromeopolk]

Zach Thomas is Miami was pretty elite. 11 years of at least 99 tackles right around 150 tackles in 6 straight seasons. He had just an okay year his last year with Dallas but kinda forgettable.

Ware was a pretty elite pass rusher and should be in for sure.

Chucky Howley, Too Tall Jones, and Harvey Martin not being in is still baffling. Martin was DPOY, Super Bowl MVP, ROTY, one of the best pass rushers in the game pre-LT.

Howley was a 5 time all pro, Super Bowl MVP(granted in a loss) he probably has better credentials than many other great LBs in that era.

Too Tall was more memorable for his size and being so consistent for almost 15 years even with one year where he decided to be a boxer.

If Zach Thomas got in, It would be ironic that the 2 men Jerry Dumbo GM Jones ran out of Dallas (Jimmy Johnson and Bob Ackles) selected two Hall of Fame defensive players that could have been Dallas Cowboys....Jason Taylor would have replaced Charles Haley and Zach Thomas would have replaced the lost of Ken Norton Jr.

Jerry's Arlington Jonesboys personnel moves are just comical when you look back historically. Just think how many Super Bowls would the Dallas Cowboys had with Jimmy, Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, Randy Moss, Shaun Rogers etc..