Top Ten Defensive Lineman in Cowboys history.

[Schmoopy1000]

an interesting read.

The 10 best defensive linemen in the history of the Dallas Cowboys

A look at some of the best defensive lineman in the history of the Dallas Cowboys franchise.

thelandryhat.com

The Top 10 defensive linemen in Cowboys history:​

10. Jethro Pugh​

It's unfortunate for Pugh that he played on the same defensive line as Bob Lilly and George Andrie, but his career output speaks for itself. One of many former Cowboys who lined up at defensive tackle and on the edge, Pugh posted 96.5 sacks in his career, per Pro Football Reference. However, the league didn't start counting sacks until 1982 and Pugh retired after the 1978 season. He deserves recognition as one of the best defensive lineman in Cowboys history.

9. Jim Jeffcoat​

Jeffcoat is one of the most underrated pass rushers in Cowboys history. He never made a Pro Bowl in 12 seasons with Dallas, but he racked up five double-digit sack seasons. Believe it or not, Jeffcoat trails only DeMarcus Ware for the most sacks in Cowboys history with 94.5. He left Dallas before the team's third Super Bowl win in the 1990s, but he was a two-time champ and tallied a combined 17 sacks in the title-winning seasons of 1992 and 1993.

8. Leon Lett​

Lett is one of a handful of players who are credited with the Cowboys' 1990s defense being as dominant as it was. He only made two Pro Bowls, but he was perhaps the top defensive tackle in the game for a multi-year stretch. Arguably the best seventh-round draft pick in team history, Lett's resume doesn't stack up with other members on this list, but he's one of the most iconic players to ever lace 'em up in Big D.

7. George Andrie​

Andrie was Bob Lilly's running mate at defensive tackle during the early stages of Tom Landry's coaching tenure. However, Andrie played all over the defensive line and was disruptive both against the run and getting after the quarterback. He posted six straight seasons with double-digit sacks. That included leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks in 1966. The Cowboys didn't win a Super Bowl until Andrie's second-to-last season in 1971, but he helped lay the foundation for the most successful stretch of football in franchise history.

6. Ed "Too Tall" Jones​

Is there a better nickname in the history of sports? Too Tall Jones is one of the longest-tenured Cowboys in team history. He played all 15 seasons in Dallas and his arrival was marked by 11 playoff appearances in his first 13 seasons. He won Super Bowl XII and would have posted over 100 sacks in his career if sacks were an official stat when he entered the league in 1974. Even still, his 57.5 career sacks are sixth-most in team history.

5. DeMarcus Ware​

A first-round pick out of Troy in 2005, Ware is the Cowboys' all-time sack leader with 117. He is unquestionably Dallas' best defensive player of the last 20 years. He twice led the NFL in sacks, thrice topped the league in tackles for loss and he was an All-Pro seven straight seasons spanning 2006-2012. Though he captured a Super Bowl with Denver to put a bow on his Hall of Fame career, Ware is one of the most dominant defensive forces in team history. It's a shame he never won a ring in Dallas.

4. Charles Haley​

The Cowboys traded for Chuck Haley before the 1992 season. It was a genius move by team owner Jerry Jones as it propelled Dallas' dynastic run. Haley moved to DE after the trade and tallied 34 sacks in four seasons, including double-digit sack seasons in 1994 and 1995. It's no surprise the Cowboys won a Super Bowl in Haley's first season in 1992. He won three rings in Dallas and would rank higher if the bulk of his career wasn't spent in San Francisco.

3. Harvey Martin​

Simply put, Martin is one of the most dominant pass rushers in NFL history. There's an argument to be made that Martin belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A four-time All-Pro, Martin put together one of the best seasons in Cowboys history in 1977. If sacks were an official stat, he would have the single-season record all too himself with 23 in just 14 games. He was named Defensive Player of the Year that season and later won co-Super Bowl MVP in Dallas' triumph over the Broncos.

2. Randy White​

A staple of the famed Doomsday Defense, Randy White played linebacker his first two seasons before making the switch to defensive tackle and d-end. In his first year at DT, White was named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII. That began a streak of nine consecutive All-Pro selections, which culminated in White winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 when he logged 16.5 sacks. He technically finished his career with 52.5 sacks, but the NFL didn't start counting sacks until 1982, eight years into his career.

1. Bob Lilly​

It's fitting that the player nicknamed "Mr. Cowboy" tops the ranking. Widely considered one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history, Lilly was the first-ever draft pick by the Cowboys. He made 11 Pro Bowls and was a nine-time All-Pro, including seven First-Team selections. He played a crucial role in Dallas' first Super Bowl win in team history, logging a famous 29-yard sack of Bob Griese.
Lilly's durability also earns him the No. 1 spot. He played 196 consecutive regular-season games and the Cowboys made two Super Bowls and four NFC title games during his time with the team.

How many people knew this about Harvey Martin? (marked in red)

 

[Schmoopy1000]

The 10 best defensive linemen in Cowboys history by sacks:​

Rank	Player	Years with team	Total sacks
1.	DeMarcus Ware	2005-2013	117.0
2.	Harvey Martin*	1973-1983	114.0
3.	Randy White*	1975-1988	111.0
4.	Ed "Too Tall" Jones*	1974-1989	106.0
5.	George Andrie*	1962-1972	98.5
6.	Jethro Pugh*	1965-1978	96.5
7.	Bob Lilly*	1961-1974	95.5
8.	Jim Jeffcoat	1983-1994	94.5
9.	Greg Ellis	1998-2008	77.0
10.	Larry Cole*	1968-1980	59.0

*Players with an asterisk next to their name played before, and, or during when sacks became an official stat in 1982

3 of the top 4 sack leaders played on the same D line. That is crazy!

 

[redskinsfan1963]

an interesting read.

The 10 best defensive linemen in the history of the Dallas Cowboys

A look at some of the best defensive lineman in the history of the Dallas Cowboys franchise.

thelandryhat.com

The Top 10 defensive linemen in Cowboys history:​

10. Jethro Pugh​

It's unfortunate for Pugh that he played on the same defensive line as Bob Lilly and George Andrie, but his career output speaks for itself. One of many former Cowboys who lined up at defensive tackle and on the edge, Pugh posted 96.5 sacks in his career, per Pro Football Reference. However, the league didn't start counting sacks until 1982 and Pugh retired after the 1978 season. He deserves recognition as one of the best defensive lineman in Cowboys history.

9. Jim Jeffcoat​

Jeffcoat is one of the most underrated pass rushers in Cowboys history. He never made a Pro Bowl in 12 seasons with Dallas, but he racked up five double-digit sack seasons. Believe it or not, Jeffcoat trails only DeMarcus Ware for the most sacks in Cowboys history with 94.5. He left Dallas before the team's third Super Bowl win in the 1990s, but he was a two-time champ and tallied a combined 17 sacks in the title-winning seasons of 1992 and 1993.

8. Leon Lett​

Lett is one of a handful of players who are credited with the Cowboys' 1990s defense being as dominant as it was. He only made two Pro Bowls, but he was perhaps the top defensive tackle in the game for a multi-year stretch. Arguably the best seventh-round draft pick in team history, Lett's resume doesn't stack up with other members on this list, but he's one of the most iconic players to ever lace 'em up in Big D.

7. George Andrie​

Andrie was Bob Lilly's running mate at defensive tackle during the early stages of Tom Landry's coaching tenure. However, Andrie played all over the defensive line and was disruptive both against the run and getting after the quarterback. He posted six straight seasons with double-digit sacks. That included leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks in 1966. The Cowboys didn't win a Super Bowl until Andrie's second-to-last season in 1971, but he helped lay the foundation for the most successful stretch of football in franchise history.

6. Ed "Too Tall" Jones​

Is there a better nickname in the history of sports? Too Tall Jones is one of the longest-tenured Cowboys in team history. He played all 15 seasons in Dallas and his arrival was marked by 11 playoff appearances in his first 13 seasons. He won Super Bowl XII and would have posted over 100 sacks in his career if sacks were an official stat when he entered the league in 1974. Even still, his 57.5 career sacks are sixth-most in team history.

5. DeMarcus Ware​

A first-round pick out of Troy in 2005, Ware is the Cowboys' all-time sack leader with 117. He is unquestionably Dallas' best defensive player of the last 20 years. He twice led the NFL in sacks, thrice topped the league in tackles for loss and he was an All-Pro seven straight seasons spanning 2006-2012. Though he captured a Super Bowl with Denver to put a bow on his Hall of Fame career, Ware is one of the most dominant defensive forces in team history. It's a shame he never won a ring in Dallas.

4. Charles Haley​

The Cowboys traded for Chuck Haley before the 1992 season. It was a genius move by team owner Jerry Jones as it propelled Dallas' dynastic run. Haley moved to DE after the trade and tallied 34 sacks in four seasons, including double-digit sack seasons in 1994 and 1995. It's no surprise the Cowboys won a Super Bowl in Haley's first season in 1992. He won three rings in Dallas and would rank higher if the bulk of his career wasn't spent in San Francisco.

3. Harvey Martin​

Simply put, Martin is one of the most dominant pass rushers in NFL history. There's an argument to be made that Martin belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A four-time All-Pro, Martin put together one of the best seasons in Cowboys history in 1977. If sacks were an official stat, he would have the single-season record all too himself with 23 in just 14 games. He was named Defensive Player of the Year that season and later won co-Super Bowl MVP in Dallas' triumph over the Broncos.

2. Randy White​

A staple of the famed Doomsday Defense, Randy White played linebacker his first two seasons before making the switch to defensive tackle and d-end. In his first year at DT, White was named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII. That began a streak of nine consecutive All-Pro selections, which culminated in White winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 when he logged 16.5 sacks. He technically finished his career with 52.5 sacks, but the NFL didn't start counting sacks until 1982, eight years into his career.

1. Bob Lilly​

It's fitting that the player nicknamed "Mr. Cowboy" tops the ranking. Widely considered one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history, Lilly was the first-ever draft pick by the Cowboys. He made 11 Pro Bowls and was a nine-time All-Pro, including seven First-Team selections. He played a crucial role in Dallas' first Super Bowl win in team history, logging a famous 29-yard sack of Bob Griese.
Lilly's durability also earns him the No. 1 spot. He played 196 consecutive regular-season games and the Cowboys made two Super Bowls and four NFC title games during his time with the team.

How many peop ever in the ring of honorle knew this about Harvey Martin? (marked in red)

I think too tall should be higher up,but it,s pretty spot on.was,nt lily the 1st ever in the ring of honor?

 

[Godstree]

Harvey was my hero growing up. I had a pic of him in my room.

 

[PDay8810]

Landry's flex defense was gap control. There was very little pin your ears.

i have an old black & white photo of Andrie, Lilly, Pugh, and Cole, it's pretty cool. That team would also run out Willie Towns as a sub. He was pretty good too.

 

[UK Cowboy]

Solid list. Only question is, do you consider Micah a DE or an LB? I think if he is a DE he is already top 10 easily

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Jethro was my first favourite Cowboy.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

Jethro was my first favourite Cowboy.

I,m surprised charles haley ain,t on there.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I,m surprised charles haley ain,t on there.

Great player but not long enough as a Poke? 5 years?

 

[redskinsfan1963]

Great player but not long enough as a Poke? 5 years?

about that.made a fumble by young to help win an NFC championship though.he killed here in college at jmu.

 

[Godstree]

Jethro was my first favourite Cowboy.

My dad loved that guy but Bob kinda stole the show

 

[PDay8810]

Solid list. Only question is, do you consider Micah a DE or an LB? I think if he is a DE he is already top 10 easily

i think Parsons first became pissed when Dallas declared hìm as a LB.

 

[UK Cowboy]

i think Parsons first became pissed when Dallas declared hìm as a LB.

Totally agree with you. And its yet another total blunder by Jerry and Stephen. They obviously thought that it would be great to pay Micah as a LB instead of a DE. Micah will only sign of he is the highest paid DEFENSIVE player period, so why piss him off over labels? Especially when they use him 80% of the time at DE anyway? Idiotic

 

[PDay8810]

Totally agree with you. And its yet another total blunder by Jerry and Stephen. They obviously thought that it would be great to pay Micah as a LB instead of a DE. Micah will only sign of he is the highest paid DEFENSIVE player period, so why piss him off over labels? Especially when they use him 80% of the time at DE anyway? Idiotic

it's just business.

lol

 

[Hank Kingsley]

My dad loved that guy but Bob kinda stole the show

I was a big Beverly Hillbillies fan at the time and there was a Jethro playing football.

 

[UK Cowboy]

it's just business.

lol

Yeah, just like it is with Dak and Lamb. If Jerry had kept his GM title but simply did what the Eagles and Niners did, go out and hire a sharp cap expert and actually listen to them about when to sign their top guys, he would keep the same players and save himself 100 million. He never wants to get put front and pay someone top dollar early in the negotiations, he just waits two years and pays top dollar with that number has gone up by $10 million a year. I think a lot of it is player evaluation. The Cowboys are torn in whether they should keep Dak or not even though he's been here nearly a decade. They might as well be two guys from the Hoop board making decisions at the Star, we can all disagree just like they can, and considerably cheaper

 

[PDay8810]

Yeah, just like it is with Dak and Lamb. If Jerry had kept his GM title but simply did what the Eagles and Niners did, go out and hire a sharp cap expert and actually listen to them about when to sign their top guys, he would keep the same players and save himself 100 million. He never wants to get put front and pay someone top dollar early in the negotiations, he just waits two years and pays top dollar with that number has gone up by $10 million a year. I think a lot of it is player evaluation. The Cowboys are torn in whether they should keep Dak or not even though he's been here nearly a decade. They might as well be two guys from the Hoop board making decisions at the Star, we can all disagree just like they can, and considerably cheaper

Yep. Jerry Jones tell we part.
Still hope he goes first to allow me to see one more championship.

 

[jarntt]

Great thread. Very hard to compare. I'll say they nailed the top 3 and from there you can argue as you see fit. For me personally no way I have Haley at #4 on an All Time Cowboys list

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

an interesting read.

The 10 best defensive linemen in the history of the Dallas Cowboys

A look at some of the best defensive lineman in the history of the Dallas Cowboys franchise.

thelandryhat.com

The Top 10 defensive linemen in Cowboys history:​

10. Jethro Pugh​

It's unfortunate for Pugh that he played on the same defensive line as Bob Lilly and George Andrie, but his career output speaks for itself. One of many former Cowboys who lined up at defensive tackle and on the edge, Pugh posted 96.5 sacks in his career, per Pro Football Reference. However, the league didn't start counting sacks until 1982 and Pugh retired after the 1978 season. He deserves recognition as one of the best defensive lineman in Cowboys history.

9. Jim Jeffcoat​

Jeffcoat is one of the most underrated pass rushers in Cowboys history. He never made a Pro Bowl in 12 seasons with Dallas, but he racked up five double-digit sack seasons. Believe it or not, Jeffcoat trails only DeMarcus Ware for the most sacks in Cowboys history with 94.5. He left Dallas before the team's third Super Bowl win in the 1990s, but he was a two-time champ and tallied a combined 17 sacks in the title-winning seasons of 1992 and 1993.

8. Leon Lett​

Lett is one of a handful of players who are credited with the Cowboys' 1990s defense being as dominant as it was. He only made two Pro Bowls, but he was perhaps the top defensive tackle in the game for a multi-year stretch. Arguably the best seventh-round draft pick in team history, Lett's resume doesn't stack up with other members on this list, but he's one of the most iconic players to ever lace 'em up in Big D.

7. George Andrie​

Andrie was Bob Lilly's running mate at defensive tackle during the early stages of Tom Landry's coaching tenure. However, Andrie played all over the defensive line and was disruptive both against the run and getting after the quarterback. He posted six straight seasons with double-digit sacks. That included leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks in 1966. The Cowboys didn't win a Super Bowl until Andrie's second-to-last season in 1971, but he helped lay the foundation for the most successful stretch of football in franchise history.

6. Ed "Too Tall" Jones​

Is there a better nickname in the history of sports? Too Tall Jones is one of the longest-tenured Cowboys in team history. He played all 15 seasons in Dallas and his arrival was marked by 11 playoff appearances in his first 13 seasons. He won Super Bowl XII and would have posted over 100 sacks in his career if sacks were an official stat when he entered the league in 1974. Even still, his 57.5 career sacks are sixth-most in team history.

5. DeMarcus Ware​

A first-round pick out of Troy in 2005, Ware is the Cowboys' all-time sack leader with 117. He is unquestionably Dallas' best defensive player of the last 20 years. He twice led the NFL in sacks, thrice topped the league in tackles for loss and he was an All-Pro seven straight seasons spanning 2006-2012. Though he captured a Super Bowl with Denver to put a bow on his Hall of Fame career, Ware is one of the most dominant defensive forces in team history. It's a shame he never won a ring in Dallas.

4. Charles Haley​

The Cowboys traded for Chuck Haley before the 1992 season. It was a genius move by team owner Jerry Jones as it propelled Dallas' dynastic run. Haley moved to DE after the trade and tallied 34 sacks in four seasons, including double-digit sack seasons in 1994 and 1995. It's no surprise the Cowboys won a Super Bowl in Haley's first season in 1992. He won three rings in Dallas and would rank higher if the bulk of his career wasn't spent in San Francisco.

3. Harvey Martin​

Simply put, Martin is one of the most dominant pass rushers in NFL history. There's an argument to be made that Martin belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A four-time All-Pro, Martin put together one of the best seasons in Cowboys history in 1977. If sacks were an official stat, he would have the single-season record all too himself with 23 in just 14 games. He was named Defensive Player of the Year that season and later won co-Super Bowl MVP in Dallas' triumph over the Broncos.

2. Randy White​

A staple of the famed Doomsday Defense, Randy White played linebacker his first two seasons before making the switch to defensive tackle and d-end. In his first year at DT, White was named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII. That began a streak of nine consecutive All-Pro selections, which culminated in White winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 when he logged 16.5 sacks. He technically finished his career with 52.5 sacks, but the NFL didn't start counting sacks until 1982, eight years into his career.

1. Bob Lilly​

It's fitting that the player nicknamed "Mr. Cowboy" tops the ranking. Widely considered one of the best defensive tackles in NFL history, Lilly was the first-ever draft pick by the Cowboys. He made 11 Pro Bowls and was a nine-time All-Pro, including seven First-Team selections. He played a crucial role in Dallas' first Super Bowl win in team history, logging a famous 29-yard sack of Bob Griese.
Lilly's durability also earns him the No. 1 spot. He played 196 consecutive regular-season games and the Cowboys made two Super Bowls and four NFC title games during his time with the team.

How many people knew this about Harvey Martin? (marked in red)

Bob lilly was a little before my time. I have no problem with this list. Nice to see Jeffcoat in this list. Jeffcoat was one of my favorite players . Underrated and never given much credit.

 

[UK Cowboy]

Bob lilly was a little before my time. I have no problem with this list. Nice to see Jeffcoat in this list. Jeffcoat was one of my favorite players . Underrated and never given much credit.

I would go Lilly slightly over Manster but you would get no argument from me on either