DMN: The five best Cowboys defensive linemen of all time, ranked

[Irving Cowboy]

The five best Cowboys defensive linemen of all time, ranked: Other than QB, is this the most talented position in Dallas' history?
By SportsDayDFW.com

Editor's note: SportsDay is beginning a series that attempts to figure out the best Dallas Cowboys players at each position. Today we examine defensive linemen.

The Dallas Cowboys' organization is one of great success and has an illustrious history. There have been some big names that have worn jerseys for America's Team.

Out of all of the defensive linemen in franchise history, who was the best? That's what our panel of writers and columnists tried to determine.

Voters each named their top eight linemen. A first-place vote counted for eight points, second place gets seven points, third place gets six points and so on.

Those who listed their top eight players include Brandon George, Kate Hairopoulos, David Moore, Jon Machota, Tim Cowlishaw, Rick Gosselin and Kevin Sherrington.

Here's how they broke it down:
1. Bob Lilly (7 first-place votes), 56 points
2. Randy White, 49 points
3. Harvey Martin, 42 points
4. Charles Haley, 33 points
5. Ed "Too Tall" Jones, 30 points

Others receiving votes
George Andrie (16 points), Leon Lett (12 points), Jethro Pugh (8 points), La'Roi Glover (4 points) and Jeremiah Ratliff (2 points).

The rundown
George: Half man, half monster, Randy White played in nine Pro Bowls and is in the Hall of Fame.
Hairopoulos: Amond Mr. Cowboy's notable firsts, Lilly played on first victorious Super Bowl team in Dallas.
Moore: Lilly was the first player inducted in the Ring of Honor. There's a reason he's known as Mr. Cowboy.
Machota: If anyone form this group is available, be at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 11. Rod Marinelli could use you.
Cowlishaw: Not a reach to list Lilly as the greatest Cowboy of them all.
Gosselin: Martin has an NFL record 23 sacks in one season (1977), but the Hall of Fame chooses not to notice.
Sherrington: Other than quarterback, this is the Cowboys' best all-time position.

 

[onlyonenow]

The five best Cowboys defensive linemen of all time, ranked: Other than QB, is this the most talented position in Dallas' history?
By SportsDayDFW.com

Editor's note: SportsDay is beginning a series that attempts to figure out the best Dallas Cowboys players at each position. Today we examine defensive linemen.

The Dallas Cowboys' organization is one of great success and has an illustrious history. There have been some big names that have worn jerseys for America's Team.

Out of all of the defensive linemen in franchise history, who was the best? That's what our panel of writers and columnists tried to determine.

Voters each named their top eight linemen. A first-place vote counted for eight points, second place gets seven points, third place gets six points and so on.

Those who listed their top eight players include Brandon George, Kate Hairopoulos, David Moore, Jon Machota, Tim Cowlishaw, Rick Gosselin and Kevin Sherrington.

Here's how they broke it down:
1. Bob Lilly (7 first-place votes), 56 points
2. Randy White, 49 points
3. Harvey Martin, 42 points
4. Charles Haley, 33 points
5. Ed "Too Tall" Jones, 30 points

Others receiving votes
George Andrie (16 points), Leon Lett (12 points), Jethro Pugh (8 points), La'Roi Glover (4 points) and Jeremiah Ratliff (2 points).

The rundown
George: Half man, half monster, Randy White played in nine Pro Bowls and is in the Hall of Fame.
Hairopoulos: Amond Mr. Cowboy's notable firsts, Lilly played on first victorious Super Bowl team in Dallas.
Moore: Lilly was the first player inducted in the Ring of Honor. There's a reason he's known as Mr. Cowboy.
Machota: If anyone form this group is available, be at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 11. Rod Marinelli could use you.
Cowlishaw: Not a reach to list Lilly as the greatest Cowboy of them all.
Gosselin: Martin has an NFL record 23 sacks in one season (1977), but the Hall of Fame chooses not to notice.
Sherrington: Other than quarterback, this is the Cowboys' best all-time position.

I think this is a group and ranking that really has little argument about it. I was lucky enough to watch all of the greats play and I agree mostly with this ranking. Because of his individual impact I agree with Haley being on it but I might put him 5th with Too Tall 4th since Too Tall did it for longer with us.

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Martin has an NFL record 23 sacks in one season (1977), but the Hall of Fame chooses not to notice.

This.

And Randy is my all-time favorite player.

 

[theoneandonly]

It is hard to argue anything on this list. I know Lilly drew a lot of attention from blockers but Jethro Pugh is one of the most under rated players in Cowboys history IMO.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

Which one of those asshats gave Ratliff a vote?

I mean, I liked him more than most, but come on.

 

[dbair1967]

Which one of those asshats gave Ratliff a vote?

I mean, I liked him more than most, but come on.

Glover was a quality player but he doesn't belong on the list either. He was better in New Orleans than he was here.

Totally agree with you on Ratliff.

 

[bbgun]

no love for Hayden? Olshansky?

 

[cmd34]

I'd vote for Jim Jeffcoat over Glover or Ratliff.

 

[Midswat]

Ratliff got a vote because he almost killed Jerry.

 

[English Cowboy]

Tony Tolbert, Larry Cole and Greg Ellis should also come before Ratliff and Glover.

Been lurking on this forum for a while and have finally decided to join and post. I'm from England and chose to support the Cowboys in '85 after they got whacked 44-0 at home by the Bears. All my school friends were jumping on the Bears bandwagon so I decided to be different and follow the 'Boys. The late 80's were good preparation for the current shitfest the Cowboys have become.

 

[cmd34]

Ratliff got a vote because he almost killed Jerry.

I take back my original statement.

 

[Iamtdg]

I take back my original statement.

 

[dbair1967]

Ratliff got a vote because he almost killed Jerry.

 

[theoneandonly]

Tony Tolbert, Larry Cole and Greg Ellis should also come before Ratliff and Glover.

Been lurking on this forum for a while and have finally decided to join and post. I'm from England and chose to support the Cowboys in '85 after they got whacked 44-0 at home by the Bears. All my school friends were jumping on the Bears bandwagon so I decided to be different and follow the 'Boys. The late 80's were good preparation for the current shitfest the Cowboys have become.

You are right about Tolbert, very under rated and played a fair amount of his career on one leg.

 

[Doomsday]

Been lurking on this forum for a while and have finally decided to join and post.

Welcome to the DCU.

 

[Doomsday]

I'd vote for Jim Jeffcoat over Glover or Ratliff.

Yeah how the hell does Jeffcoat not even rate one vote? Survived the Johnson purge of old Landry players with aplomb, and contributed admirably his whole career. In fact in the 1992 season he led the team in sacks despite Tolbert replacing him in the starting lineup, and the acquisition of Haley. Played in both SB 27 and 28, earning his two rings after a long career in Dallas playing 12 seasons and never missing a single game.

Jeffcoat missing even one vote completely invalidates this list. He's the official team sack leader, all time and was even nominated for the PFHoF in 2008!

 

[English Cowboy]

Welcome to the DCU.

Thanks. It was either this or BTB, but their sickly sweet over-optimism of the current state of the Cowboys put me off.

 

[dbair1967]

Yeah how the hell does Jeffcoat not even rate one vote? Survived the Johnson purge of old Landry players with aplomb, and contributed admirably his whole career. In fact in the 1992 season he led the team in sacks despite Tolbert replacing him in the starting lineup, and the acquisition of Haley. Played in both SB 27 and 28, earning his two rings after a long career in Dallas playing 12 seasons and never missing a single game.

Most people don't remember (or ever knew) that Haley had only 6 sacks in 1992 and only 4 in 1993. The 93 season he started suffering with the back problems that he had on and off for the rest of his career. Jeffcoat as you mention led the 92 team in sacks and was 2nd in 1993, despite not being a starter either year.

 

[Doomsday]

Jeffcoat as you mention led the 92 team in sacks and was 2nd in 1993, despite not being a starter either year.

Just makes this list silly, with no mention at all of Jeffcoat.

 

[Omegasupreme]

Glover was a quality player but he doesn't belong on the list either. He was better in New Orleans than he was here.

Glover was just a good player so he would do well anywhere. He was not great for the scheme and worse he really wasn't what they needed at the time. It's just one of many times, including this past draft, that the defense was lacking players X, Y, and Z and somehow, passing on those players, Jerry and Co enthusiastically picked players A, B, and C who we already had version of already.