CORRECTIONS, GUYS: Going into 1992. Steve Walsh was a supplemental draft pick in 1989. Jimmy had him in Miami and he was more NFL ready than Aikman, but had a below average arm. Later, Jimmy said he drafted him to trade him away later for multiple picks, which he eventually did to New Orleans for a 1 and a 3 in 1991 and a number 2 in 1992.
Into 1992, there was no doubt, the pieces on offense were there, young uber-talents with a smart accurate QB in Aikman, a super WR in #88 who could always get open and was Mr. Clutch; a superior running game with Emmitt, the Moose, a shifty TE in Novacek, a deluxe 2nd receiver in Alvin Harper who was a 1991 1st round pick who made big plays for big yardage when opposing defenses concentrated too much on Emmitt and Irvin. Then, there was a mean and tough 2nd year OT ready to start and dominate, which he did, ERIK WILLIAMS.
Now to the defense that Jimmy vowed to improve: he drafted and started 1st round picks CB Kevin Smith after several weeks into the season, a speedy CB with 4.3 speed; MLB Robert Jones, the 2nd 1st rounder. With the 2nd pick in the second round, he drafted an Ariz St LB who ran a 4.37 and never missed a tackle and converted him into a strong safety, Darren Woodson, who became the Cowboys impact 3rd safety on the in 1992, boosting the secondary's effectiveness. Jimmy only gave Woodson to learn the 3rd safety's duties. He did not give him any starter plans/duties. Midway through the season, Jimmy said he regretted not giving starter plans duties to Darren, as he realized he was his best safety and super smart, did not blow any assignments, did not blow any tackles attempted and did not miss any tackles in the open field. All of this plus Charles Haley coming over as a starter. Jimmy had the greatest set of back-up DLmen in history that year: veteran DE Jim Jeffcoat, 1st year DL Air Force pilot Chad Hennings, who had led the nation in sacks his senior year, Jimmy Jones a Univ of Miami DT Jimmy loved who was great in short bursts, and an obscure DL and basketball player from Emporia State named Leon Lett, who later became All-Pro.
This 1992 defense was now stacked!! Solid run stuffing DT's, both high 1st rounders, Russell Maryland and Tony Casillas, the latter obtained in a trade; DE: 6'6" LDE Tony Tolbert and RDE Haley who was an impact payer, instant pressure on opposing QB's. OLB Ken Norton, Jr became a star that year. Boy was that team stacked and loaded. Never in NFL history would there be such a great talented team.
The Buffalo Bills ran into a juggernaut in the Super Bowl in Jan 1993 and were blown to smithereens!!! The greatest joy as a Cowboy fan ever, even better than Tom Landry's 1st Super Bowl win in Jan, 1972. Talent wise, the 92 team was their best in history.