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About the series
Each week, staff writer Ray Buck takes a look at the history of the Cowboys - from a great game to a singular moment to a memorable player - in his online-exclusive offering, Old 'Boys Club.
Next Friday
"The catch" by "Bullet" Bob Hayes that turned Tom Landry’s head for the first time. Hint: The game was played in Oklahoma.
Each week, staff writer Ray Buck takes a look at the history of the Cowboys - from a great game to a singular moment to a memorable player - in his online-exclusive offering, Old 'Boys Club.
Next Friday
"The catch" by "Bullet" Bob Hayes that turned Tom Landry’s head for the first time. Hint: The game was played in Oklahoma.
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The NFL draft, a game show?
OK, let’s pretend. We’ll ask Mel Kiper to host it (after all, he’s got perfect game-show host hair).Each team — I mean, each contestant — receives a shopping cart and a fresh 60-second clock.Doors fly open. Carts roll. Aisles are jammed with players previously drafted by each of the NFL teams, but you’re eligible to take only your own.You find “Dallas Cowboys” — and are now free to grab as many previously drafted players (remember, Old ’Boys Club is a reflective series) as game clock and cart space allow.You have 60 seconds and an empty cart, so you want to get the “most bang for your buck” with each selection.Note: Lower picks take up less room. For example, choosing Roger Staubach will cost you less time and less cart space than.....say, plucking Troy Aikman off the shelves.Aikman was a No. 1 pick overall; Staubach, a 10th-rounder (129th overall).Ready? Set? Here are the past Cowboys picks I’m grabbing — and why: “First-round” aisle — Must hurry. Must stay focused. Must stuff all five Cowboys’ first-round Hall of Famers — Bob Lilly (’61), Randy White (’75), Tony Dorsett (’77), Michael Irvin (’88) and Aikman (’89) — into my cart. (Lilly is a real bargain in this group. Mr. Cowboy made 11 Pro Bowls as a 13th pick overall in the team’s first-ever NFL draft.)Next ... Emmitt Smith (’90) — the NFL all-time leading rusher and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer — was a 17th pick overall. Grand larceny.Next ... Ring of Honoree Lee Roy Jordan (’63) was dubbed by Tom Landry as the “best leader we ever had.” Grand larceny II.“Seventh-round” aisle — It takes me only a nanosecond to grab Rayfield Wright (’67) and “Bullet Bob” Hayes (’64). One is a Hall of Famer; the other should be.“10th-round” aisle — Can’t get Staubach (’64) into my cart fast enough. He’s arguably the “best bang for your buck” draft selection by the Cowboys — ever. It was well worth the five-year wait once Capt. Comeback joined the team in ’69.“11th-round” aisle — Jethro Pugh (’65). Slam ... dunk. All this guy ever did was bring to the Cowboys class, style and five straight years of team leadership in sacks.“Second-round” aisle — My cart is barely touching the floor when I get to Mel Renfro (’64) — a Hall of Famer who racked up 10 Pro Bowls in 14 Cowboys seasons.Since I’m here, I’m taking future Hall of Famer Larry Allen (’94) and Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler Darren Woodson (’92).Oh, what the heck ... Daryl “Moose” Johnston (’89). How can you go wrong with someone so Pro Bowl-worthy that the NFL created a separate entry (the “fullback” position) in the Pro Bowl selection process just for him?“Fifth-round” aisle — On my way back to Aisle 1, I take a wrong turn — oops, and am glad I did. I pick up Walt Garrison (’66) because who didn’t love this guy? And Ron Springs (’77) ... because we all do still.“Sixth-round” aisle — In goes George Andrie (’62), a five-time Pro Bowler who barely makes a dent in my cart. Super Saver.
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