Who was around in 1990

[marchetta]

Irvin was drafted by Landry. But yes, Johnson has an eye for talent.

Yeah, but Jimmy was still human. Don't forget Jimmy had Blair Thomas (RB Penn St.) rated higher than Emmitt. He went top 5 to the Jets, if I remember correctly, and was a COMPLETE bust. So, we "lucked" out a bit on that one.

 

[BAT]

Dallas coveted RB in the Draft on Offense, as it was the highest positional need, consequently Blair Thomas was rated the highest RB, if he would have been there with the pick, he'd have been a Cowboy over Emmitt Smith.

You are wrong on this one. Cowboys had Emmitt ranked 4th overall, and even admitted to it publicly. The first 3 guys on their overall draft board were defensive players because it was the D that missing in Big D in the early JJ years. Guys like Seau, Tez and possibly Francis/Agnew were the only players ranked higher than Emmitt on the Dallas draft board. If trader Jimmy really did not like Emmitt, he would have accepted a 2nd rounder to switch firsts with Atlanta.

It was the media (and other teams) that had Blair Thomas rated higher than Emmitt, not Dallas.

 

[BAT]

I have never heard that "ever" and I kept up with it. I have read that he "loved" Junior Seau. And Jimmy wasn't even an Emmitt guy. Joe Brodsky was the one that got on the table for him. Jimmy was all about defense.

It was Yaworsky (scout) that stood on the table for Emmitt, and it was Jimmy that said "do it" even though the room (scouts & coaches) was divided on the pick. Brodsky (RB coach) said that Emmitt would take your breadth away (and Flagler may take your breadth away, but you would get it back). Yaworsky said that Emmitt was great, while Flagler was just good.

 

[BAT]

In all fairness, Jimmy Johnson coveted James Francis, a LB out of Baylor. Johnson spent a good deal of time during the first round on the phone with Kansas City, trying to swing a trade for the #13 spot, with the intent of drafting Francis. The Bengals screwed that plan by taking Francis at #12. Even after that, Johnson tried to acquire Francis from Cincinnati via trade, but the Bengals wanted nothing to do with it. Then and only then did he set his sights on Emmitt, and worked the trade with the Vikings, giving up his 1st rounder (#21), and 3rd rounder (#81).

Of course, had Johnson understood the rules governing the supplemental draft, (he didn't know drafting Steve Walsh would cost him what would be the #1 overall pick in the 1990 draft), there's a good chance he wouldn't have drafted Emmitt after all. Had he not drafted Steve Walsh, he would have most likely taken either Cortez Kennedy or RB Blair Thomas at the #1 spot. Don't get me wrong, Jimmy Johnson is one of the smartest football coaches I've ever seen,. This was one time, however, when ignorance on his part benefited the Cowboys.

I understand the OP's point of trading a 3rd-wounder, but I don't see this as the same type of situation at all. There were TWELVE running backs taken in the first two rounds of the 1990 draft, including some guys taken after Smith who turned out to be pretty good (Rodney Hampton was probably the best of the rest, but Reggie Cobb and Dexter Carter also ended up doing well in their careers). Had Dallas not traded up with Pittsburgh, they still would have had a good lot of RBs to choose from at #21. That wasn't the case this year with Demarcus Lawrence. There was nobody that Dallas valued as a capable weak side DE after Lawrence. In my opinion, that made the idea of trading that 3rd wounder somewhat understandable.

There was no outrage that I recall when Jimmy Johnson did it to take Emmitt. Had there been, however, I believe it would have been justified, simply because there were still some very good RBs available after Emmitt was gone.

Cowboys had 2 first rounders in that draft (their pick - which went towards Walsh in supplemental and Minny's pick - from Herschel trade). Cowboys would have used that first pick on either Tez or Seau and their second could still have been used on Emmitt. There is no way Jimmy would have used the first overall to take Blair Thomas.

 

[BAT]

I like Jimmy but he took over after the 83 season the Hurricans with Schnellenberger won the National Championship in 83. Schnellenberger took over that program that had not done anything since 1966 and built them up. So Jimmy did not walk into a poor team it was already a national championship team. While Jimmy did great in Dallas there were picks like the overall #1 for Maryland and he never lived up to that pick, he was a good player but as an overall #1 his numbers were never that good. I do think Jimmy did a lot of great things not trying to claim otherwise but the Walker Trade was the biggest deal that helped Dallas out.

Shnellenberger may have won Miami's first national championship but it was Jimmy who forged Hurricane's football identity. It was Jimmy, not Scnellenberger, who began that period of Miami Hurricane dominance. The speed, swagger and culture was all Jimmy, which still continues to an extent to this day, propogated by former players, fans & alumni. The U would not be the U without Jimmy Johnson, his players (even those that did not play for him) still revere him.

Cowboys had planned to take Rocket Ismail #1 overall, like many teams would, but Ismail ended up signing with the Canadian League (Argonauts). That year's draft did not have any clear #2 or even #3. It was a very lean draft. The only guy who was clearly more deserving than Maryland was futue HOFer Aeneus Williams, who was taken in the third (if I recall correctly).

 

[joseephuss]

You are wrong on this one. Cowboys had Emmitt ranked 4th overall, and even admitted to it publicly. The first 3 guys on their overall draft board were defensive players because it was the D that missing in Big D in the early JJ years. .

Jerry and Jimmy had only been in Dallas for one season before that 1990 draft. After a 1-15 season in 1989 there was a lot missing on both sides of the ball.

 

[joseephuss]

Cowboys had planned to take Rocket Ismail #1 overall, like many teams would, but Ismail ended up signing with the Canadian League (Argonauts). That year's draft did not have any clear #2 or even #3. It was a very lean draft. The only guy who was clearly more deserving than Maryland was futue HOFer Aeneus Williams, who was taken in the third (if I recall correctly).

What if Dallas drafted Herman Moore with their #1 pick and then later in the first passed on Alvin Harper in 1991? How would that have changed their fortunes? Moore was clearly the better receiver, but Harper had a few crucial big plays during the Cowboys journeys to Superbowl wins.

 

[BAT]

Jerry and Jimmy had only been in Dallas for one season before that 1990 draft. After a 1-15 season in 1989 there was a lot missing on both sides of the ball.

In 1990 the Offense already had Aikman, Irvin, Novacek, Moose, K Mart, Step, Gogan, Tuinei, Gesek, Newton & a newly traded for RB in Flagler (not to mention in 1989 they had both Herschel & Walsh). Offense was much further along than the D, which only had Norton & Jeffcoat (and a still very under weight Tony Tolbert).

 

[OhSnap]

Who remembers having to wait on a commercial to see the score? Back in the old days if you forgot the score you just had to tuff it out and if you went to the bathroom and someone scored you wouldn't know unless you caught the replay. We can all thank Fox sports for delivering us from the dark ages.

 

[itsaboat]

Who remembers having to wait on a commercial to see the score? Back in the old days if you forgot the score you just had to tuff it out and if you went to the bathroom and someone scored you wouldn't know unless you caught the replay. We can all thank Fox sports for delivering us from the dark ages.

The first down marker overlay was the revolutionary moment for broadcasts

 

[Tobal]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/10859/the-scout-who-fought-for-emmitt Jimmy wanted James Francis and so did I. Smith fell to 17 because of his 40. The draft wasn't as important then because teams could develop players. Free Agency and the salary cap have made the draft the only way to build a team for long term success.

 

[Bleu Star]

I was extremly happy. You must not remember what Emmitt did ** Florida and WHY Jimmy Johnson wanted him.

I remember that moment and I was ecstatic as well. At that moment, I had a burning confidence that we had just drafted the cornerstone of a turnaround. Those were the days...

 

[joseephuss]

In 1990 the Offense already had Aikman, Irvin, Novacek, Moose, K Mart, Step, Gogan, Tuinei, Gesek, Newton & a newly traded for RB in Flagler (not to mention in 1989 they had both Herschel & Walsh). Offense was much further along than the D, which only had Norton & Jeffcoat (and a still very under weight Tony Tolbert).

You can't count Herschel. He was barely a part of the 1989 squad and obviously wasn't part of the future 1990 team.

No one was counting on Flagler. He was 26 years old in 1990 and had accumulated less than 150 yards rushing in the 3 seasons he had played before joining Dallas. If Dallas was truly relying on him at that time to be some sort of force for the offense, then they were equally counting on Daniel Stubbs to be an equivalent force for the defense. Stubbs came to Dallas as part of that deal. He was actually the main component of of that trade. Flagler was the throw in of that trade along with a 3rd and 11th round pick in exchange for the Cowboys 2nd and 3rd rounder.

In 1989 Dallas produced 204 points. That remains their second lowest output in franchise history. The offense was bad and was not ahead of the defense. Before that 1990 draft they were still trying to get everything together. They couldn't focus solely on either side of the ball because both sides needed help.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Micro-alter the "Jimmy" stories all you want. With another coach we are lucky to win one Superbowl (probably dont go back to back)let alone 3 in 4... That should have been 4 straight.

 

[joseephuss]

Micro-alter the "Jimmy" stories all you want. With another coach we are lucky to win one Superbowl (probably dont go back to back)let alone 3 in 4... That should have been 4 straight.

There is no guarantee they would have won 4 straight if Jimmy stuck around. Emmitt's bad hamstring may have still prevented Dallas from winning in 1994. And if Dallas does win in 1994 what happens next? Does Jimmy stay with the team or move on? Despite any issues with Jerry, Jimmy was not one to stick around any one spot for a long time. Are the Cowboys still motivated enough to keep playing at that high of a level in 1995? Does Michael Irvin start the truly hard partying in 1995 instead of 1996? Too many variables.

 

[BAT]

You can't count Herschel. He was barely a part of the 1989 squad and obviously wasn't part of the future 1990 team.

No one was counting on Flagler. He was 26 years old in 1990 and had accumulated less than 150 yards rushing in the 3 seasons he had played before joining Dallas. If Dallas was truly relying on him at that time to be some sort of force for the offense, then they were equally counting on Daniel Stubbs to be an equivalent force for the defense. Stubbs came to Dallas as part of that deal. He was actually the main component of of that trade. Flagler was the throw in of that trade along with a 3rd and 11th round pick in exchange for the Cowboys 2nd and 3rd rounder.

In 1989 Dallas produced 204 points. That remains their second lowest output in franchise history. The offense was bad and was not ahead of the defense. Before that 1990 draft they were still trying to get everything together. They couldn't focus solely on either side of the ball because both sides needed help.

Either you have forgotten what was going on at the time or just ignorant, there was absolutely more talent on offense than on D. Even if do not count the ONLY pro bowler on the team, Walker, the Cowboys went offense 4 straight times with their first round picks between 88 to 90 drafts. Using stats (points scored) is a ridiculous diversion from the point, the O had more talent than the D, and it was not even close.

And people using what ifs to discredit what actually did happen are sadly delusional. I have heard the same kind of arguments in the Emmitt-Barry debate, about how Sanders COULD have been the greatest ever IF so certain things occurred. The fact remains that Jimmy has built winners everywhere he has been, that he did not win a championship in his 3 years with the Dolphins should in no way minimize his historical accomplishments. If Belichick, some say the greatest or one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, is a Jimmy believer (asks Jimmy's advice more than he has Parcell's since going to Pats), how does anyone support the naysaying fans who fabricate alternate histories?

 

[LifeLongfan]

Big Jimmy fan but Irvin was already on the team The team had the #1 pick to draft Aikman but he still drafted Walsh in the supplemental draft So he wasn't fully behind Aikman Also he traded up to get defensive help Not to draft Emmitt The player that he wanted were gone and Emmitt fell to us

 

[joseephuss]

Either you have forgotten what was going on at the time or just ignorant, there was absolutely more talent on offense than on D. Even if do not count the ONLY pro bowler on the team, Walker, the Cowboys went offense 4 straight times with their first round picks between 88 to 90 drafts. Using stats (points scored) is a ridiculous diversion from the point, the O had more talent than the D, and it was not even close.

And people using what ifs to discredit what actually did happen are sadly delusional. I have heard the same kind of arguments in the Emmitt-Barry debate, about how Sanders COULD have been the greatest ever IF so certain things occurred. The fact remains that Jimmy has built winners everywhere he has been, that he did not win a championship in his 3 years with the Dolphins should in no way minimize his historical accomplishments. If Belichick, some say the greatest or one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, is a Jimmy believer (asks Jimmy's advice more than he has Parcell's since going to Pats), how does anyone support the naysaying fans who fabricate alternate histories?

Why would I count Walker for the 1990 draft? He was gone and that left open a spot at running back. It didn't matter if he played in 1989 or not. He wasn't part of the team going into the 1990 draft and the 1990 draft is what we were discussing. You talked about the early JJ years as if there had been several before the 1990 draft, which would influence how they would draft that year. There wasn't. There was only one season and one season is not enough to develop a trend.

How is stating that they only scored 204 points in 1989 a diversion? It is a statement on just how poor the offense was at that time. The only time the franchise scored fewer points over a season was their inaugural year of 1960. And even then Dallas only played 12 games that year and averaged more points per game. The 1989 offense was truly anemic. And the defense was bad, too. There was no legitimate reason to think Dallas was leaning either defense or offense heading into that 1990 draft. They needed help on both sides of the ball and kept their options open. You have nothing to back up that they were definitely leaning toward drafting defense with their first round pick in 1990.

 

[cml750]

Sorry but the comparison begins and ends on who the coach was. Jason Garrett is no Jimmy Johnson or Tom Landry for that matter. Comparing him to either is an insult. Besides, there was no doubt Jimmy was running things back then and Jerry is running things now just like he has for our sustained futility post Jimmy.

 

[w8lifter]

With the draft over and a thousand different opinions on the DLaw trade. Just wondering how many folks were around in 1990.

I ask because of the Emmitt Smith trade. A team just coming off a 1 win season, a thousand more holes than this current team and yet they give up a "walk in starter" 3rd round pick for what some believed was a slow average RB.

Did the Dallas media and fans threaten to burn the city down? or was there not much coverage because of lack on internet

I was still rooting for the Cowboys back then. It was tough, but Im not a band wagon jumper like most fans.

The Emmitt pick was the beginning of our return to glory.

I lived in Central Pa amongst arrogant Squealers, E-Girls and Foreskins fans all laughing at me for sticking with the Cowboys back then.

It was WELL worth the agony I endured once the Cowboys came back to glory in '92.

I damn sure made them all remember how they tortured me once the Boyz started winning again.

Oh how I wish I could relive those few years of football ecstasy. Thank you Emmitt Smith.