In about a month the Dallas Cowboys will gather in Oxnard, California. At stake? Who will comprise the final 53-man roster that opens the season in New York.
While that outcome won’t be settled for two months, what better time to come up with an all-time Ultimate 53-man Cowboys roster to field in a single game?
Sure, it’s only useful in the old Strat-O-Matic board games, or in video games that allow for building custom players. But it’s still fun.
Here’s mine, be sure to leave yours in the comments below.
Quarterback
- Roger Staubach
- Troy Aikman
- Tony Romo
The only problem is trying to figure out who starts between Staubach and Aikman. Staubach was almost automatic in the regular season. Aikman was close to unbeatable in the playoffs.
I grabbed Romo for QB3 because both Staubach and Aikman were concussion prone. If I’m bringing in my QB3 I want a man who thrives in chaos under pressure.
Running Back
- Emmitt Smith
- Tony Dorsett
- Marion Barber III
Yeah, good luck stopping these guys. The NFL’s all-time leading rusher (Smith), the only player to win a Heisman and a National Championship in his last year in college, then win a Super Bowl as a rookie (Dorsett), and a living bulldozer (Barber).
The big problem would be getting them enough touches. Those are called nice problems to have.
Fullback
- Daryl Johnston
- Robert Newhouse
You have to have the guy that plowed the way for much of Smith’s all-time best rushing yards. The Moose was also a threat to score in short-yardage situations in his own right.
Newhouse was not only a great blocking back, he also led the team in rushing in one of his seasons too.
Wide Receiver
- Drew Pearson
- Bob Hayes
- Michael Irvin
- Dez Bryant
- Miles Austin
- Tony Hill
These six would give defensive coordinators nightmares. Each of them made memorable catches during their time in Dallas.
For those wondering how Hill made the team there’s a simple explanation. He’s third all-time in receiving yards for the Cowboys.
Hill was overshadowed for most of his Cowboys career, but he made some huge plays for Dallas over the years.
Tight End
- Jason Witten
- Billy Joe DuPree
- Jay Novacek
It’s a shame Witten never even saw a Super Bowl in a Cowboys’ uniform. The team’s all-time leader in receptions and yards made some iconic plays during his time.
DuPree and Novacek were no slouches in that respect. They both have the rings on their fingers to show for it.
Center
- Mark Stepnoski
- John Fitzgerald
I know a lot of people are asking where Travis Frederick is. But his career was cut well short by his illness.
Both Stepnoski and Fitzgerald anchored lines that collected four of Dallas’ Super Bowl wins. I want that leadership in the middle of the line.
Guard
- Larry Allen
- Zack Martin
- Herb Scott
- Blaine Nye
How would you like to line up against Allen and Martin, have them pound on you for a few drives, and then get relived by Scott and Nye.
Better have plenty of ice baths up and running after the game. These four moved defensive lines like they weren’t even there.
Offensive Tackle
- Rayfield Wright
- Tyron Smith
- Mark Tuinei
- Ralph Neely
Most modern-day Cowboys’ fans will easily recognize Wright, Smith, and Tuinei. But if you get a chance, check out some of the games from the 1960s and 70s. Neely was something special.
Kicker
- Rafael Septien
Not too many kickers stayed on the roster for multiple years in Dallas. While Dan Bailey was rock-solid for a few years, Septien was a steady presence on special teams for a lot longer.
Punter
- Danny White
White was the better punter all-time. Plus he was a threat to run or pass at any time.
Better yet, he’s a nice emergency fourth quarterback in case Staubach and Aikman get knocked out and Romo breaks his collarbone again.
Defensive End
- Ed “Too Tall” Jones
- Charles Haley
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Jim Jeffcoat
- Larry Cole
Every opposing quarterback on the schedule would immediately retire rather than face this rotation. Can you blame them?
Defensive Tackle
- Bob Lilly
- Randy White
- Harvey Martin
- Leon Lett
- Russell Maryland
Try to run the ball up the middle against these guys. Go ahead, try. We dare you.
Linebacker
- Micah Parsons
- DeMarcus Ware
- D.D. Lewis
- Chuck Howley
- Lee Roy Jordan
- Dat Nguyen
The Cowboys historically have had a lot of great linebackers. Trying to weed out the best six was a task.
I’d go to war with this group. Especially with Parsons and Ware terrorizing the quarterback off the edge.
Defensive Back
- Mel Renfro
- Deion Sanders
- Trevon Diggs
- Everson Walls
- Cliff Harris
- Charlie Waters
- Terence Newman
- Roy Williams
How would you like to try to throw against this group? Or try to run a route against them and catch a pass, especially with the 1970s NFL pass defense rules?
I wouldn’t. I might not be to eager even playing under today’s rule interpretations.