DMN: Who's the best all-time Dallas Cowboys tight end?

[Irving Cowboy]

Who's the best all-time Dallas Cowboys tight end?
By SportsDayDFW.com

Editor's note: SportsDay continues its series attempting to figure out the best Dallas Cowboys players at each position. Today, we examine tight ends.

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

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

Voters each named their top three tight ends. A first-place vote counted for three points, second place gets two points and third place gets one point.

Voting in the poll were Brandon George, Kate Hairopoulos, David Moore, Jon Machota, Tim Cowlishaw, Rick Gosselin and Kevin Sherrington.

Here's how they broke it down:
1. Jason Witten, 21 points (all 7 first-place votes)
2. Jay Novacek, 13 points
3. Billy Joe DuPree, 8 points

The rundown
George: The only thing missing on Jason Witten's career resume is a Super Bowl title.
Moore: Witten is not only best in Cowboys history, but one of the best ever to play the position.
Machota: Tony Gonzalez is the only TE in NFL history with more receptions than Witten. What makes that stat even more outstanding: Witten has been able to do it with one team.
Cowlishaw: Witten setting marks with this franchise that will never be touched.
Gosselin: Dupree excelled in an era when the TE was primarily a blocker, Witten & Novacek when the TE was primarily a receiver.
Sherrington: Novacek most underrated weapon of Jimmy's era.

 

[TheZoneSucks]

No love for Ditka or Cosbie? Both were great in their day. Witten is the best of the bunch so far, no doubt.

 

[dbair1967]

None of them compare to Rob Awalt

 

[MrB]

No love for Ditka or Cosbie? Both were great in their day. Witten is the best of the bunch so far, no doubt.

I think the reason neither are on the list is because both had already had their best days before coming to Dallas. Their prime years were spent with other clubs.

 

[dbair1967]

I think the reason neither are on the list is because both had already had their best days before coming to Dallas. Their prime years were spent with other clubs.

Cosbie was drafted by the Cowboys and spent most of his career here.

Most don't remember but Jay Novacek was not drafted by Dallas, he was a plan B pickup from the Cards in 1990

 

[bbgun]

None of them compare to Rob Awalt

One of Jimmy's few mistakes, like Highsmith and Walsh.

 

[TheZoneSucks]

Cosbie was drafted by the Cowboys and spent most of his career here.

Most don't remember but Jay Novacek was not drafted by Dallas, he was a plan B pickup from the Cards in 1990

Arguably the single best plan B free agent acquisition of any team in the plan B short term era. Trades, drafting, free agency, Jimmy found good players everywhere he looked with only a few mistakes.

 

[TheZoneSucks]

I think the reason neither are on the list is because both had already had their best days before coming to Dallas. Their prime years were spent with other clubs.

Ditka spent 4 years with Dallas, scored a TD against the Dolphins in the Super Bowl (the only NFL head coach to have done so as a player), then learned coaching from Landry. Was an assistant coach with Dallas for further Super Bowls. I think he contributed enough to count for us.

 

[dbair1967]

One of Jimmy's few mistakes, like Highsmith and Walsh.

IIRC in 1989 he passed on his own guy Bubba McDowell for DL Rhondy Weston, who never played a down in a real game.

Trading 5 draft picks for the great Stan Smagala was also one.

 

[cmd34]

Jackie Smith?



Too soon?

 

[theoneandonly]

Jackie Smith?



Too soon?

I wish they had Jackie his whole career. I think they win SB5 with him, even with Morton at QB.

 

[bvhawkeye]

Cosbie should be tied for 3rd at least.
I had forgotten about Novachek when I read the article. He was a darn good one.

And quite possibly the best Plan B free agent ever signed by any team.