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Selecting the ‘Ultimate 53’ Dallas Cowboys’ roster

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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

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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
The best Cowboys running back
Emmitt Smith eludes the tackle of Tyronne Stowe during the Dallas Cowboys’ 16-10 victory over the Phoenix Cardinals on Nov. 22, 1992 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Photo by Richard Paolinelli.

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
Cowboys Headlines - Dallas Cowboys Need Daryl Johnston Type Fullback
7 Sep 1997: Running back Daryl Johnston #48 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the football during the Cowboys 25-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

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

Cowboys Headlines -  15

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
rpaolinelli cowboys news ranking the top four receivers in cowboys history
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was injured during this tackle by two Oakland Raiders defenders. Dallas won the preseason game, 3-0, played at the Oakland Coliseum on Aug. 13, 2012. Photo by Richard Paolinelli.

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
Cowboys Blog - The Center of #53: Mark Stepnoski
Mark Stepnoski

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

Larry Allen

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

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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
Cowboys Blog - Too Tall Is Too Good, #72 Belongs To Ed Jones
ANAHEIM, CA – 1985: Defensive lineman Ed “Too Tall” Jones #72 of the Dallas Cowboys during a 1985 NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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

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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
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DeMarcus Ware

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
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Mel Renfro

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.

Richard Paolinelli

Staff Writer

Richard Paolinelli is a sports journalist and author. In addition to his work at InsideTheStar.com, he has a Substack -- Dispatches From A SciFi Scribe – where he discusses numerous topics, including sports in general. He started his newspaper career in 1991 with the Gallup (NM) Independent before going to the Modesto (CA) Bee, Gustine (CA) Press-Standard, and Turlock (CA) Journal -- where he won the 2001 Best Sports Story, in the annual California Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspapers Contest. He then moved to the Merced (CA) Sun-Star, Tracy (CA) Press, Patch and finished his career in 2011 with the San Francisco (CA) Examiner. He has written two Non-Fiction sports books, 11 novels, and has over 30 published short stories.

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