If history could repeat itself...
by Dave Halprin on Jun 7, 2008 2:02 PM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys News
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OK, before we get to the point of the title of this post, let’s knock out a few other things. Of course people are talking about Tony Romo shooting an 84 at Torrey Pines, site of this year’s U.S. Open. This was all built on Tiger Woods proclaiming an amateur golfer with a 10-handicap couldn’t break 100 on a U.S. Open course. Well, Romo easily broke 100, but it doesn’t really make-or-break Tiger’s comment because Romo has a 2-3 handicap, almost a scratch golfer. Details aside, that was a great effort on Romo’s part. Read some articles here and here.
Now, to the point of the title of this post. I was thinking the other day - what if you could bring back any Cowboys player in our history and put him on this 2008 team. Who would you choose? The premise is if you could magically transport any player in their prime to this year’s team who would it be and why?
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1st thought
admittedly was two of the triplets – first Irvin, then Emmitt. After thinking Irvin i thought speed receiver and Hayes comes to mind of course though I think Irvin and TO would be a mighty fine duo.
however, i’ll go to the other side of the ball and start with Darren Woodson. Versatile defender who could stuff the run and cover wideouts, blitz, and was great on special teams. With our current CB crew, I’d pass over Deion and add Woody to solidify the defensive backfield with his skill but maybe more importantly with his leadership.
I would go with
Darren Woodson
"Out of need springs desire, and out of desire springs the energy and the will to win."
+2
He was the first person to come to my mind for this particular team right now. How freaking good would this D be?
by WestTxHornFan on Jun 7, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Based on this particular team
that’s who I came up with. Michael Irvin was second. Again, not “best athlete available”, but “area of greatest need”. Otherwise maybe Emmitt or Deion?
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
interesting question
i think about the players and the needs.
in terms of sheer talent and fun to watch, I would love to see Prime Time on the field again, but now we’re stacked at CB I wouldn’t pick him because he wouldn’t best fill a need. We’ve got him helping to train the Prime Time next generation anyway.
my tendency would be to go with a great WR, too, to line up opposite TO and give us the one offensive piece that we’re missing. We’ve had a lot of great WRs, and Irvin obviously comes to mind first, but I would go for one that was playing in the 70s when I first started watching the game, "Mr. Clutch" Drew Pearson.
Thinking of our biggest need on the other side of the ball, I might like to see Mel Renfro, who was also playing when I first became a boys fan. Although he played CB, he originally started as safety, and it would be nice to have him in Roy’s spot as a cover safety.
how bout Darren Woodson
that would solve any problems at safety and my second choice would be Alvin Harper as there weren’t too many #2 recievers better than him, although as Grizz stated Hayes wouldn’t be a bad choice either.
In Romo we Trust
Without a doubt...
The choice would be Larry Allen.
If Allen in his prime was back on this team we would have the best O-Line in the NFL, hands down.
That would be some serious beef up front and I doubt we would have trouble making at least 98% of the 3rd and 1 situations in 2008.
Then just imagine the running game dominating again, which of course opens up the world of play action. With weapons like Witten and T.O. the play action success would just be out of this world.
Larry Allen, greatest Guard in the history of the NFL.
Go Cowboys!
Larry Allen in his prime is the 1st thing I thought of also
It’s not a glamorous position, but I would love to see him out there blowing up LB’s to clear the way for Barber and Felix.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
Hell yeah
Our offensive line would be beyond ridiculous. Flo, Allen, Gurode, Davis, and Columbo? Good god. That’s a better line than any we ran out there in The Glory Years.
This was my first thought as well
Can you even comprehend this offensive line with Larry Allen added to the mix? Hands down the best OL in the NFL, maybe one of the best ever.
I miss the good old days of Allen absolutely destroying people. Hands down lock as first ballot HoF.
Man Bullet Bob would be interesting too though…
Very interesting
Defensively, I think I would go with Charles Haley. Imagine throwing him in with Ware, Ellis & Spencer. Take that with our current secondary and teams would be hard pressed to gain any yards.
Offensively, I go Irvin. No question. Imagine the quote, yards and touchdown that would come from that receiving corps. That doesnt even take into account his leadership on the field and in the locker room. The only thing that would concren me is if you put Irvin on this team in his prime, do you get his off the field issues in their prime as well. Same with Bullet Hayes.
My first thought is Darren Woodson.
But I like the idea of Irvin, too. Tough call, but that was a fun game.
Bob Lily or Randy White
Those two tore up offenses and added to this defense would wreak havoc!!! Like the Eagles did to us for several years in the decline of the Aikmen era.
Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters on D
Yea, I know, that is two, but these guys were a tremendous pair… and they both came to mind when I saw the question posed.
Sports Illustrated did an article on the pain in about ‘78, talking about such things as their marshal arts training.
On offense, I actually DIDN’T think of Larry Allen at first, but as soon as I saw the post, this became my primary choice. If you beef this O-line up, we truly are unstoppable.
Honorable mentions to Bob Lilly and Randy White (he’s a step above Zach IMHO).
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
you would take Terry Glenn '05 over ...
1. Michael Irvin
2. Drew Pearson
3. Bob Hayes
??
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
I think...
Right now, Terry Glenn from 2005 is the perfect compliment to T.O….
Cowboys fan since 1978.. I was 3 years old
I'll go with Irvin or Haley
As much as I love the idea of adding another punishing presence on defense, Irvin across from TO would make Moss and Welker look weak. There would be no stopping that offense.
The other thing I think we could use would be a pass-rushing DE. While I know that DEs in 3-4 sets don’t really rush the passer, quite frankly, I think Haley over Spears would be quite an upgrade in any facet of the game, and would make our pass rush much deadlier. Nothing wrong with Randy White or Darren Woodson though.
The Larry Allen suggestion is also quality. Basically you pick your pleasure, since this team has had all-pro caliber players pretty much everywhere.
I know why you won't like this, but.....
I would go with Troy on the offensive side of the ball. His leadership and clutch performances in the playoffs would make the difference on this team. I am not a Romo hater – but it is hard to argue that Troy would not make the difference.
I like Woodson on defense.
Long Live Teague - the defender of the STAR
Troy might be an upgrade
but not by enough to make him the choice. But Irvin over Crayton, Woodson over Williams or Allen over Flo would be….
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
Troy
Troy was also my first thought. Most of us (including me) THINK Romo is a Super Bowl quarterback. However, he hasn’t proved it and Troy was at his best in playoff games. Dude had ice water in his veins. I remember reading some absurd stat about Troy’s playoff or SB qb rating as being around the best ever. Quarterback is so much more important than any other position, so Troy is my pick. Honorable mention on the offense include Eric William pre-car accident – he was totally dominant, Irvin and Larry Allen.
On defense, the nod has to go to Deion in his prime. He was The Best Cornerback Ever, one of the very few corners that could accurately be called a shutdown corner. Plus the punt returns. Honorable mention on the defense goes to Woodson, Randy White & Bob Lilly (even though we play the 3-4). Side-note: if we could bring back White and Lilly, I recommend we hold the flex defense move in our back pocket until the Super Bowl.
Finally, the nostalgic answer is the guy with the best football name ever: Jethro Pugh.
by Cowboy Louie on Jun 8, 2008 8:02 AM CDT up reply actions
I totally disagree on the Troy idea
Aikman is one of the greatest pocket passers of all time, but…
Think about how many times Romo has been able to create something after avoiding the rush. Romo put up absolutely HUGE numbers last year despite occasional break-downs in the play of the O-line.
I would not take Troy over Aikman with this team… maybe Staubach, but as much as Staubach will always be my favorite Cowboy, I think Romo is in his league.
Yea, he’s that good. He’s only been starting for a year and a half, the playoff victories will come.
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
That's how I approached it
It’s not that Troy isn’t among the all-time greats to ever play the position. He is. But two problems. First QB isn’t a “problem area” on this current team. It’s a strength. Second, the O-line of very good, but it has flaws and those breakdowns might get Troy killed. Staubach from that perspective would be your better choice. But if you want to improve the current team, you have to look at where you have a problem area on current roster. I don’t think there’s any question that strong safety is number one, and then maybe another WR threat. That’s why I didn’t list Emmitt. Of course he’s better than anyone on the current roster, but I have to spend one Resurrection Pick, it would have to be strengthening a weaknesses, not marginally improving a strength.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
Why stop at one player ?..lol
Defense:
OLB- Charles Haley
DE- Ed Jones
SS- Darren Woodson
Offense:
LG- Larry Allen
RT- Erik Williams
FB- “Moose” Johnston
WR- Michael Irvin
Any one of these players would make a huge difference…I could only go with players i’ve actually watched, and only at positions that could use upgrading…....and there are plenty since ‘75 that can be placed on this team and become one of their best overall players…....Randy White was a dominant force that would end up playing DE or ILB on this team at the size he played at…..
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
Agree About Troy
While I understand he may not be as big of an upgrade as some of the other choices, his leadership and clutch play does and would put this team over the top.
Lots of hard choices
I’m thinking Allen or Haley, probably Haley.
Here’s why. Would Haley be an upgrade over Spears? Duh. But what I remember most about Haley is that I always knew he was pushing and leading the team. He added such a level of ferocity that I think everyone else fed on.
I think we have a ton of great players on this defense. Imagine if they were always angry…. :)
Not to mention
We already have a hard enough time trying to get Spencer on the field and keeping Greg Ellis from whining. OLB is one of our deepest and best positions. There is no way that Haley would be enough of an upgrade to merit selecting him over Woodson or Irvin/Hayes.
by Mandmeisterx on Jun 10, 2008 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions
This reminds me
There was an article on Deadspin recently by a former DFW reporter recounting his personal, terrifying experiences with Haley. That guy was a psycho. Just the type you like rushing the passer :)
Roger Staubach
What a back up/ Starter /leader I think he would fit nicely
Herschel Walker
Why? Run his stock up for two years or if hes already in his prime then get a massive trade out of him like in the 80’s so we can set up another dynasty. I cant believe no one thought of him thanks to him the cowboys have one of the greatest dynasties ever.
What the French?! Toast!
And the Vikings appear to still fall for those deals...
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
Larry Brown
Without a doubt, look how clutch he was in the Super Bowl, man if we could have him back on the field…
..... :) hahaha
TOO TALL JONES!!
He would still dominate today. Plug him in for Ellis and he would make that defense is dangerous again. Aside from his sacks he would bat down so many passes and create turnovers it would be ridiculous.
Harvey Martin
The man had over 20 sacks one year before the stat was a stat. Teaming him with D-Ware, you couldn’t really pick your poison, you’re dead!
Deion Sanders
Best DB ever.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Roger the Dodger
I would bring back the best player to ever wear the Cowboys uniform: Roger Staubach. There is a plethora of quarterbacks that would look good playing with this offensive unit, especially having T.O. as a target. T.O. makes Romo, not the other way around. (In time, you’ll see) However, Roger elevated the play of his team to a championship level almost every season. If Jackie Smith had caught the pass that hit him in the hands, Roger would have had three Super Bowls championships rather than two. Romo is 28 and is in his sixth season. Maybe he’ll get us that championship, and maybe he won’t. I’ll take one that has proven himself and done it repeatedly. Troy was great, but even he wasn’t as good as Roger.
Gotta upgrade the weakest unit/player
I’d bring back someone to upgrade our weakest unit. I’m not bring back a DE (Haley/Jones)—that’s a stocked position. Same with CB (sorry Deon), QB (how am I turning down Roger?), RB (bye childhoood hero Dorsett), TE and S. Leaves WR, OL, LB and NT. In the OL, got 4/5 pro-bowlish players, so upgrading the 5th isn’t crucial. Think I’ll bet on Ratliff/Johnson for the NT, so down to MLBs and WRs. For the WRs, question is possession or speed? I don’t trust TO’s hand’s on 3rd down, so I’d probably go possession with Irvin. But, the wavering makes me think that’s not our weakest link. Wouldn’t bringing back Lee Roy Jordon make the LB core our best unit?
Amazing how stacked this team is...
One person that has yet to be mentioned…and thinking a bit outside the lines here…
HOW ABOUT BRINGING BACK JIMMY JOHNSON???
The greatest motivator with this talent? We’d be shooting for that elusive 19-0
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
Just Thinking that Jay Novacek would help in the 2 tight end sets
Just Think of it jay and jason witten on the fiels at the same time both were complete tight ends that can block and catch the ball. Romo would have a heck of a safty net if needing to dump off the ball.
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