26. DON MEREDITH, QB (1960-68). Dandy Don
signed a personal service contract with
Cowboys owner Clint Murchison prior to the
NFL granting Dallas an expansion team. The
fun-loving Meredith played hard and partied
hard, much to the chagrin of Tom Landry. But
more important, he helped transition the
Cowboys from losers to winners.
27. DON PERKINS, RB (1961-68). Like
Meredith, he signed before
the
Cowboys' franchise was officially
approved. And like Meredith, he is
a member of the Cowboys' Ring of Honor.
Perkins was a six-time Pro Bowler and was the
first Cowboy to rush for 6,000 career yards.
28. CALVIN HILL, RB (1969-74). Yes, his
career in a Cowboys uniform was short-lived.
And yes, he was plagued by injuries. But when
healthy, Hill was productive. In just his
second start, he broke the Cowboys'
single-game rushing record with 138 yards.
He's now back with the club in a front-office
role.
29. CLIFF HARRIS, S (1970-79). The
undrafted Harris, out of tiny
Ouachita Baptist, won a starting job
his rookie season until leaving
to fulfill a military obligation. "Captain
Crash" returned and eventually finished with
six Pro Bowl selections.
30. CHARLIE WATERS, DB (1970-78,
1980-81). You knew if we mentioned
Harris, his running buddy Waters
wouldn't be far behind. Waters,
unlike Harris, actually was drafted, taken
with a third-round pick. He filled in when
Harris left for the military and eventually
became a full-time starter at cornerback in
1972, moving to safety three years later. His
41 career interceptions is third-highest in
Cowboys history.
31. DAN REEVES, RB (1965-72). Although
now known mostly for his coaching ability,
which he credits to working with Tom Landry,
Reeves went from college quarterback to
multi-purpose NFL back; in 1966, he produced
757 rushing yards, 557 receiving yards and an
NFL-high 16 touchdowns.
32. LEON LETT, DT (1991-present).
Probably would have ranked higher were it not
for his off-field troubles, which currently
have him suspended indefinitely. But when the
Big Cat plays, few defensive tackles have
been as dominating.
33. JETHRO PUGH, DT (1965-78). Led the
Cowboys in sacks each season from 1968-72,
but never went to the Pro Bowl, as he was
overshadowed by bigger Doomsday names such as
Bob Lilly and Mel Renfro.
34. JAY NOVACEK, TE (1990-96). A Plan B
signing by the Cowboys, who were coming off a
1-15 season. It was among Jimmy Johnson's
shrewdest moves. Novacek was a perfect fit
for Troy Aikman, eventually making five Pro
Bowls.
35. CORNELL GREEN, DB (1962-74). Who
would have thought this former college
basketball player would become an NFL star?
Green made 145 consecutive starts, switching
from corner to safety in the middle of his
career, and made four Pro Bowls.
36. BILL BATES, DB (1983-97). Others had
more talent, but no Cowboy had more heart
than Bates, who made his niche with reckless
special teams play.
37. DAVE EDWARDS, LB (1963-75).
Overshadowed by Chuck Howley, but don't
underestimate his importance. Once he was
switched from the weak side to the strong
side, Edwards thrived against opposing tight
ends. Bob Lilly says Edwards never made a
mistake.
38. MARK STEPNOSKI, C (1989-94, present).
Anchored a line that won back-to-back Super
Bowls before leaving via free agency. Few
would argue he's the best center in Cowboys
history.
39. DARYL JOHNSTON, FB (1989-present).
The Moose earned his keep as the lead blocker
for Emmitt Smith, earning two Pro Bowl
appearances. Despite nagging injuries, he
played in 149 straight games.
40. MARK TUINEI, OL (1983-97). His recent
drug-related death shouldn't detract from his
career, which consisted of two Pro Bowls and
a team-tying record 15 seasons.
41. RUSSELL MARYLAND, DT (1991-95). A
short, but very productive Cowboy
career, with a Pro Bowl appearance, prior to
his leaving via
free agency.
42. WALT GARRISON, RB (1966-74). A
true-to-life Cowboy who got his chance when
Don Perkins retired. Garrison stands No. 6 on
the team's all-time rushing list (3,886
yards).
43. BUTCH JOHNSON, WR (1976-83). His
six-shooter TD celebration fit the Cowboy
style, but Johnson should be known for more.
He was a home-run threat who made a
spectacular catch in Dallas' Super Bowl XII
win.
44. ERIK WILLIAMS, OT (1991-present).
Like Lett, would probably rank higher if not
for his off-field activities. His 1994 auto
accident slowed the momentum of what still is
a stellar career.
45. RALPH NEELY, OL (1965-77). The first
great Cowboys offensive lineman, Neely made
two Pro Bowls in his first five seasons.
46. TONY TOLBERT, DE (1989-97). Drafted
as an outside linebacker, but moved to
defensive end by the middle of his rookie
season, eventually becoming a key cog in the
Cowboys' success in the 1990s.
47. HERB SCOTT, G (1975-84). Three Pro
Bowls and quiet consistency.
Plus, he caught Roger Staubach's last
NFL pass.
48. BILLY JOE DUPREE, TE (1973-83). Tough
and consistent, never missing a game in his
11 years with the Cowboys. Three consecutive
Pro Bowl selections.
49. GEORGE ANDRIE, DE (1962-72).
Underappreciated Cowboy (in Bob
Lilly's shadow) who went to five Pro
Bowls in his first eight NFL
seasons.
50. ROBERT NEWHOUSE, RB (1972-83). A
versatile back who led the Cowboys in
rushing in 1975, then become a blocking back
for Tony
Dorsett two years later.
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