Your Top 5 Loved and Hated Cowboys?

[Bullflop]

C'mon, the blame it all wrong on Jerry is a tad old by now. And Barry had a higher percentage of winning, both in the Collegiate and Professional ranks. Fact...

Sorry but no apologies will be forthcoming from me for the past records of Jerry the GM, although he's won added respect in my eyes lately by allowing Will McClay to essentially serve as GM without his title being made official. I have no issues with his ownership, other than his failure to delegate his GM title to McClay, who actually deserves it, imho.

Barry Switzer got his winning record for the Dallas Cowboys largely due to the efforts that were afforded him by Jimmy Johnson. Also due to Troy Aikman making up for the lack of leadership during his tenure and assuming the role as the "bad guy" who dutifully tended to the very necessary disciplinary chores in his stead. Unfortunately, according to Troy himself, it led to his retirement earlier than it might have otherwise occurred.

 

[xwalker]

I'll define "loved" as loved to see play. I didn't really have an emotional attachment to any Cowboy beyond that.

1. Tony Dorsett - the reason this former Commanders can is now a Cowboys fan.
2. Deion Sanders - Mercenary? Yes! But he was the most exciting Cowboy to watch after the first one on my list.
3. Emmitt Smith - He was the Cowboys offense for much of the 90s.
4. Tony Romo - After years of futility at quarterback, he brought the excitement back to the position - good and bad.
5. Ezekiel Elliott - Ever since I saw him rum over Alabama, I wanted him on the Cowboys team. I can't believe we got him. I'm still pinching myself.

The guys I hate are a short list. Again, I don't have an emotional attachment to them. So I'll define "hated" as guys I never thought should have been in a Cowboys uniform.

1. T.O. - I warned against us signing him, and he accomplished exactly what I feared. Despite the stats, I think he defined the culture here, made us adopt a pass-oriented offense, was forced on Parcells, and stunted the growth of the franchise.
2. Greg Hardy - nuff said.
3. Demetrius Underwood - we should never have signed him. He needed mental help rather than playing football.
4. Bobby Carpenter - Parcells' favor to a former player. He was a wasted pick.
5. Joey Galloway - Wasted two No. 1s on him, which we could have used and promptly got hurt the first game of the season, after which he was persona non grata for the rest of his career with Dallas.

Hardy was good on the field and had no residual effect on the lockerroom. They paid him per game with zero lasting salary cap impact.

 

[AsthmaField]

Honestly, all the guys that would be on my hated list are players who either sucked (Quincy Carter) or were just passing through (Pacman Jones).

I love so many that it is difficult to narrow it down. However:

Ezekiel Elliott is definitely one of my favs. The guy is a straight up beast. He has everything that I love in a player: A love of contact (no fear). Instinctive. Tough. Absolutely loves football and is competitive as they come. Smart and just takes the heart out of the opponents.

Love him.

Dak Prescott also fills the bill. Perfect QB from the neck up.
Tony Romo.
Bill bates.
Zack Martin.
Travis Frederick.
Charles Haley (I'm a defensive guy).
Randy White. His attitude was exactly what you want for a DL.
Emmitt Smith.
Darren Woodson.

Ahhh! Too many!

 

[Trouty]

Honestly, all the guys that would be on my hated list are players who either sucked (Quincy Carter) or were just passing through (Pacman Jones).

I love so many that it is difficult to narrow it down. However:

Ezekiel Elliott is definitely one of my favs. The guy is a straight up beast. He has everything that I love in a player: A love of contact (no fear). Instinctive. Tough. Absolutely loves football and is competitive as they come. Smart and just takes the heart out of the opponents.

Love him.

Dak Prescott also fills the bill. Perfect QB from the neck up.
Tony Romo.
Bill bates.
Zack Martin.
Travis Frederick.
Charles Haley (I'm a defensive guy).
Randy White. His attitude was exactly what you want for a DL.
Emmitt Smith.
Darren Woodson.

Ahhh! Too many!

You're a defensive guy, Asthma? Odd, I find you mostly offensive

Jk! Good stuff, as always, brother

 

[Shinaoi]

Hard to say, but the whole Roy Williams 11 situation is my least favorite in recent memory. I blame front office for that though more than the player himself.

Tony is my favorite. He was so entertaining.

 

[Biggems]

Hated.....the list is long with all the duds at QB between Aikman and Romo......but let's see

1. Troy Hamhock
2. Dwayne Badwich
3. Bobby Crapenter
4. Joey Gallowaste
5. Babe Loafenberg

 

[Biggems]

My favorite 5 - very tough.....I will do favorite at each position

QB - Danny White
RB - Emmitt Smith
FB - Moose Johnston
WR - Kelvin Martin
TE - Jason Witten
OT - Erik Williams
OG - Larry Allen
C - Mark Stepnoski
K - Dan Bailey
P - Matt McBriar
DE - Jim Jeffcoat
DT - Randy White
LB - Sean Lee
CB - Everson Walls
S - Darren Woodson

 

[AsthmaField]

You're a defensive guy, Asthma? Odd, I find you mostly offensive

Jk! Good stuff, as always, brother

 

[CCBoy]

Sorry but no apologies will be forthcoming from me for the past records of Jerry the GM, although he's won added respect in my eyes lately by allowing Will McClay to essentially serve as GM without his title being made official. I have no issues with his ownership, other than his failure to delegate his GM title to McClay, who actually deserves it, imho.

Barry Switzer got his winning record for the Dallas Cowboys largely due to the efforts that were afforded him by Jimmy Johnson. Also due to Troy Aikman making up for the lack of leadership during his tenure and assuming the role as the "bad guy" who dutifully tended to the very necessary disciplinary chores in his stead. Unfortunately, according to Troy himself, it led to his retirement earlier than it might have otherwise occurred.

Yea, a two headed cow could have done the same...yea, right.

That was never looking beyond a prejudice for all that was accomplished...and a switch of anyone else getting credit for success.

Jerry only did the work before hand, on each and every change that occurred to the franchise...and including to establishing a dynasty, through building funds in the Dallas Cowboys to be able to do what was done, WHEN Jimmy was there as well.

Jimmy used whipping boys on his own team, to bully commitment and compliance. Jimmy brought in David Shula and played around enough with Steve Walsh, that Troy almost quit on the Cowboys...JIMMY. Jimmy didn't seek out Norv Turner, Jerry signed him as a last resort, and saved the building project in 1991 and formed the team that was successful in 1992. Jimmy for the offensive successes? Yea, and I'll take a slab of chicken fried steaks as well...

Turner and Dave Wannstedt kept the team running, by easing tempers and redirecting.

Yea, Jerry was slobbering all over himself then as well. All of society was directed awkwardly, but Jerry was directed and focused. He was effective and won with who he had.

No, Switzer won with who he had...as opposed to many who made excuses for not having.

By the way, what happened to the creator of the Cowboys, that went to Miami and was GM as well? Jimma'?

 

[Bullflop]

Yea, a two headed cow could have done the same...yea, right.

That was never looking beyond a prejudice for all that was accomplished...and a switch of anyone else getting credit for success.

Jerry only did the work before hand, on each and every change that occurred to the franchise...and including to establishing a dynasty, through building funds in the Dallas Cowboys to be able to do what was done, WHEN Jimmy was there as well.

Jimmy used whipping boys on his own team, to bully commitment and compliance. Jimmy brought in David Shula and played around enough with Steve Walsh, that Troy almost quit on the Cowboys...JIMMY. Jimmy didn't seek out Norv Turner, Jerry signed him as a last resort, and saved the building project in 1991 and formed the team that was successful in 1992. Jimmy for the offensive successes? Yea, and I'll take a slab of chicken fried steaks as well...

Turner and Dave Wannstedt kept the team running, by easing tempers and redirecting.

Yea, Jerry was slobbering all over himself then as well. All of society was directed awkwardly, but Jerry was directed and focused. He was effective and won with who he had.

No, Switzer won with who he had...as opposed to many who made excuses for not having.

By the way, what happened to the creator of the Cowboys, that went to Miami and was GM as well? Jimma'?

Nice post, CCBoy -- oddly enough, I found myself ageeing with much of it, tho not all. As far as Jimmy's dalliance in Miami, I'll let the Dolphins fans deal with that . . . Lord knows they've had enough such seasons to grin and bear about, in addition to those. Happy Father's Day, m'friend.

 

[MileyDancer]

LOUD NOISES!!

 

[CCBoy]

Nice post, CCBoy -- oddly enough, I found myself ageeing with much of it, tho not all. As far as Jimmy's dalliance in Miami, I'll let the Dolphins fans deal with that . . . Lord knows they've had enough such seasons to grin and bear about, in addition to those. Happy Father's Day, m'friend.

Happy Father's Day, also...

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Very few Cowboy players have engendered the word "hate" in my book, but the closest anyone has come has been these guys in short-order:

Mo Claiborne: Soft as baby thighs and a mental-midget.

Bobby Carpenter: A bucket of soft-serve ice cream would bring more physicality to the game than him.

 

[haleyrules]

My favorite 5 - very tough.....I will do favorite at each position

QB - Danny White
RB - Emmitt Smith
FB - Moose Johnston
WR - Kelvin Martin
TE - Jason Wittenn
OT - Erik Williams
OG - Larry Allen
C - Mark Stepnoski
K - Dan Bailey
P - Matt McBriar
DE - Jim Jeffcoat
DT - Randy White
LB - Sean Lee
CB - Everson Walls
S - Darren Woodson

Good list. Too hard to pick all the favourites...no room for Drew Pearson. I am a defensive guy...but Drew was soooo special.

 

[xwalker]

Hard to say, but the whole Roy Williams 11 situation is my least favorite in recent memory. I blame front office for that though more than the player himself.

Tony is my favorite. He was so entertaining.

Another one I blame on the coaches and front office is Jay Ratliff. He would never have become the entitled player that thought he "owned the place" if Jimmy or Parcells were the HC and/or if Jerry didn't allow him to come directly to Jerry bypassing Wade Phillips.

Most of the defensive players developed an out of control sense of entitlement with Wade as the HC. Newman in a physical altercation with the DB coach on the sideline. Scandrick publicly refusing to consider playing Safety. Mike Jenkins refusing to tackle RBs. Bradie James being allowed to remain on the field in the Nickel when he was slower than most OLinemen.

 

[Biggems]

Good list. Too hard to pick all the favourites...no room for Drew Pearson. I am a defensive guy...but Drew was soooo special.

Drew was special, as was Mike.....but I always liked KMart. I know he wasn't the best we ever had, but he played his tail off and made a lot of crucial catches for us. Also, to be honest, I remember Tony Hill more than Drew. He got hurt when I was a young kid and I don't remember seeing him play much. Most of my early WR memories are of Tony Hill and Butch Johnson. Also, I was too young to remember Roger. Danny was the first QB I remember, and he is a big reason why I love the number 11. I loved me some Aikman and Romo, but White is my guy. It was hard to choose between Newhouse and Moose.....I chose Moose cause he led the way for my favorite player ever to become the all-time leading rusher.

 

[haleyrules]

Drew was special, as was Mike.....but I always liked KMart. I know he wasn't the best we ever had, but he played his tail off and made a lot of crucial catches for us. Also, to be honest, I remember Tony Hill more than Drew. He got hurt when I was a young kid and I don't remember seeing him play much. Most of my early WR memories are of Tony Hill and Butch Johnson. Also, I was too young to remember Roger. Danny was the first QB I remember, and he is a big reason why I love the number 11. I loved me some Aikman and Romo, but White is my guy. It was hard to choose between Newhouse and Moose.....I chose Moose cause he led the way for my favorite player ever to become the all-time leading rusher.

OK. Danny was one of my favourite Cowboys too. BIG heart...great Cowboy. Hill and Johnson were outstanding.

 

[tyke1doe]

Hardy was good on the field and had no residual effect on the lockerroom. They paid him per game with zero lasting salary cap impact.

That's not what I heard. One of the reasons they got rid of him was his long-term impact on the lockerroom.

 

[blur2122]

As others have said, top 5 is nearly impossible....

Michael Irvin – emotional leader & still proud to be a Cowboy
Emmitt Smith – the greatest, what else needs to be said?
Deion Sanders – I've been watching football for a long time & I've never seen another CB like him
Sean Lee – looks like a CPA but plays like an MVP
Zeke – unbelievable talent w/infectious enthusiasm – the best is yet to come

Honorable mention:

Witten
Troy – the perfect QB for that team
Romo
Tony Dorsett
Herschel Walker
Bill Bates
Dak
Larry Brown - for being in the right place at the right time
TO - No one was better at shooting themselves in the foot, but then again not too many were better at scoring TDs
Dez - He caught it.

I can only think of a few dislikes.

Clay Shiver – Hands down worst OL I've ever seen. Would routinely be immediately knocked back into the QB. Made Doug Free look like Anthony Munoz.

Patrick Crayton – History might have been different if he didn't bizarrely slow down/quit that route against NYG

Ken Norton – Left back-to-back champs to play for rival 49ers. Traitor. Surprised more haven't mentioned him. Maybe 23 years is too long for me to hold a grudge.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Another one I blame on the coaches and front office is Jay Ratliff. He would never have become the entitled player that thought he "owned the place" if Jimmy or Parcells were the HC and/or if Jerry didn't allow him to come directly to Jerry bypassing Wade Phillips.

Most of the defensive players developed an out of control sense of entitlement with Wade as the HC. Newman in a physical altercation with the DB coach on the sideline. Scandrick publicly refusing to consider playing Safety. Mike Jenkins refusing to tackle RBs. Bradie James being allowed to remain on the field in the Nickel when he was slower than most OLinemen.

Wade was a weak coach but Jerry as GM has talked to players directly for all of the coaches. I have also never once heard Jerry countermand a coach's decision. I've never bought the argument that it was Jerry's fault when weak coaches lose the team beyond his decision to hire them in the first place.

Wade tried to be their friend and did not assert his authority. He gave a bunch of young men way too much autonomy. They walked all over him and then quit.

Ratliff walked all over Wade sure but he also did it to Jerry as evidenced by his outburst shortly before being cut. That is all on Ratliff.