By: David Connors @DConBlitz
Overview
In this article, I reveal the next group of the greatest Dallas Cowboys of All-Time. For a recap of 101-81 click the links below:
And without further ado, here are the next 10 Greatest Cowboys of All-Time.
70. Dan Bailey, K
Player Number: 5
Tenure with Dallas: 2011-2017
Dan Bailey started his Dallas career missing a chip shot in 2011 against the San Francisco 49ers. Luckily, a game-winning opportunity arose and he nailed a 48-yarder and the rest is history. For years he and Ravens Kicker Justin Tucker seemed to trade off between the two for setting the NFL record for accuracy. Bailey has the highest field goal completion percentage beyond 50 yards in a single season in Dallas history and he is one of 3 rookies to make 6 field goals in a single season in NFL history. Dan Bailey may only be a kicker, nevertheless, he has scored the 3rd most point in Cowboys history.
69. Ken Norton, OLB
Player Number: 51
Tenure with Dallas: 1988-1993
Norton was a 2nd round pick in the 1988 NFL Draft in 1988 out of UCLA. Ken Norton was known for his trademark, punching of the Goal Post or the air when he made a big play as a tribute to his father Ken Norton (former boxing Heavyweight Champion of the World). He blossomed as a player in 1992 and put the NFL on notice in 1993 when he went to his first Pro-Bowl and was named an All-Pro. He was the leader of the number 1 defense for those two years. He used his knowledge of positioning and play recognition to make huge plays and help his teammates. This propelled into a successful career as a Defensive Coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks where he has mentored one of the best Linebacker duos of this decade (Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright). Norton will go down as 4th in franchise history in Solo Tackles.
68. Don Meredith, QB
Player Number: 17
Tenure with Dallas: 1960-1968
Don Meredith is considered the first Dallas Cowboy. He was signed before the team even had a nickname. He was admitted to the league too late to be part of the 1960 NFL Draft so Dallas signed the local prospect out of South Methodist University. Meredith may not have racked up the stats, but his grit and toughest made him a fan favorite. Meredith leads the Cowboys to many iconic games including the Ice Bowl against the Packers. Meredith was a 3-time Pro-Bowler and named an All-Pro in 1966.
67. Greg Ellis, DE
Player Number: 98
Tenure with Dallas: 1998-2008
Greg Ellis is an underrated player in Dallas history. He was selected in the 1st round of the 1998 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. The Cowboys were slated to take Randy Moss but pivoted away last minute. Although he was only a Pro-Bowler once, Ellis made a huge impact on the pass defense. He is officially 3rd in team history in sacks and also 7th in pass deflections. He used his long arms to swat balls down at the line. Greg Ellis was a two-way defensive player. He showed off his run-stuffing skills by being 2nd in franchise history in tackles for a loss. He may not have emerged to be perennial talent the way Moss did, but he was a solid contributor on defense for 10 straight years.
66. Andre Gurode, C/Defensive Assistant
Player Number: 65
Tenure in Dallas: 2002-2010, 2019-present
Andre Gurode is the first-ever rookie to start at Center opening day in Dallas history. After a solid rookie season, Parcells' staff tried moving him to Guard where he struggled. In 2006, he won the starting Center job back and became one of the most respected Centers in the league. He went to 5 straight Pro-Bowls from 2006-2010 and was named All-Pro twice. The Center position is expected to recognize blitz packages and be the leader and gel of the offensive line, and Gurode was just that. He was a major factor in Dallas having one of the most dominant offensive lines in that era. His leadership and ability to process have earned him a spot on the coaching staff as a Defensive Assistant.
65. La’Roi Glover, DT
Player Number: 97
Tenure with Dallas: 2002-2005
Oh, man! Glover was a monster through the middle of the field. Glover struggled to get his bearings in the NFL early in his career. He even played in Europe for the Barcelona Dragons before landing in New Orleans where he racked up the second-most sacks in a season for a Defensive Tackle and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year. Dallas scooped him up as a free agent. If he spent more of his career in Dallas, he would be much further up this list. Glover started all 64 games with Dallas. He was a Pro-Bowl presence all 4 years with 21.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles according to Pro-Football-Reference. He is the only player in Dallas history to make the Pro-Bowl his first four seasons in Dallas and is on the 2000’s All-Decade team. Glover used his quickness to the inside guards and slip the gap. Few interior linemen could handle him one-on-one. He was not near as effective as a 3-4 Nose Tackle when Dallas was transitioning but still won out with his talent.
64. Charlie Waters, S/CB
Player Number: 41
Tenure with Dallas: 1970-1981
Charlie Waters was a 3rd round draft pick from Clemson who almost did not make the team. He got beat out of training camp for the Free Safety position by undrafted free agent signing Cliff Harris. Fortunately, Waters did get the backup position and played a pivotal role in his rookie season when Cliff Harris had to miss 6 weeks due to military obligations. Waters finished that season with 5 interceptions and was a member of the 1970 NFL All-Rookie team. He was then moved to Cornerback where he struggled. In 1975, Waters was moved to Strong Safety in place of recently departed Cornell Green. Waters and Harris went on to create one of the best Safety duos of that era. Harris finished his career with 41 interceptions which are 3rd in franchise history. He also has the most interceptions in the playoffs in NFL history. He is one of the few players to have 4 block punts in two consecutive games.
63. Daryl “Moose” Johnston, FB
Player Number: 48
Tenure with Dallas: 1989-1999
Mooooooooooose!!! Moose Johnston is one of the great fullbacks to play in Dallas. He got his nickname from backup QB Babe Laufenberg who called him “moose” because of how much bigger he was than the other running backs. Johnston’s versatility made a key component to the dynasty team from the '90s. He was a plus blocker helping pave the way for his fellow running backs through opposing defenses. He was also an incredible receiver out of the backfield. He finished his career with more receptions than rushing attempts and 1,500 more yards through the air than on the ground. He was essentially a sneaky tight end in the backfield. He was a pioneer of the “Move Tight End” type. According to Jimmy Johnson, Johnston’s play was a primary factor in the Fullback becoming a position voted on to the Pro Bowl. He is also widely considered one of the best Special Teams players in Dallas history. His versatility cannot be emphasized more. He played an important role in the Cowboys winning 3 Super Bowls in 4 years.
62. Dak Prescott, QB
Player Number: 4
Tenure in Dallas: 2016-present
This one may be polarizing among fans, but What Dak Prescott was able to do his rookie season with the situation that played out was incredible. Tony Romo was coming off a season riddled with injury, and the team was unwatchable between the parade of backup QBs Dallas rolled out in his absence. Then, in the preseason of 2016, Romo takes another huge injury a few plays in that will leave him. Most Cowboys fans were struck with despair with the dread of another losing season seeming imminent. But then, when all hope seems lost, a day 3 rookie QB who up to this point was underwhelming coaches as practice, took the reins of the single biggest spotlight given to any single position on any single team and the NFL and found a way to lead that team into a playoff run. He also won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Since then, he has been the epitome of heroics and leadership as the QB of “America’s Team.” He’s been statically impressive as well. Through 4 seasons Dak has a 65.8% completion percentage and 97 touchdowns to only 36 picks. He also has run for 21 touchdowns and has a 97 passer rating throughout his young career. Dak’s ability to work out of structure has turned into some incredible plays. Dak took a major step up in the 2019 season. He racked up 4,902 passing yards which are the 2nd most in franchise history and only 1 yard away from the record. It was the 21st most passing yards by a QB in NFL history. With his contract year just passed, there are many arguments about “is he good?” “Should he get a long term contract,” but with that set-aside, he took over the most important position on the field and has led the Cowboys to two NFC Divisional Rounds in 4 years. Sure, it helped to have his offensive line and a top running back, but it still took his leadership behind the helm as well. Dak is a 2-time Pro-Bowler and is going into the 2020 season with the best weapons he has ever had.
61. Dexter Coakley, OLB
Player Number: 52
Tenure with Dallas: 1997-2004
Dexter Coakley was considered undersized and slid in the draft because many scouts were concerned about his durability, however, he started 127 out of 128 games during his time in Dallas. He used his speed and athleticism to be a dominant force at Weak Side Linebacker. He was a 3 time Pro Bowler and had 7 straight seasons with 100 or more tackles. This led to him breaking a long streak of Dallas letting great linebackers go after their rookie contract to avoid paying them. Coakley is 4th in tackles in Dallas history and tied for first for defensive touchdowns. Dexter was a 3-time Pro-Bowler for the Cowboys. Unfortunately, Coakley did not fit the 3-4 defense Dallas was transitioning to in 2004. It is designed for bigger linebackers and he was released as a cap casualty.