Inside The Star
As we continue our review of the best Cowboys players by last name, we hit P through T. And we hit a decision sure to cause ire among the more recent faithful.
We’ll cut to the chase. Dak Prescott is not the best player on the P-named list.
Let’s give the Dak Pack a minute to compose themselves and then look at who is.
They can catch up with us at Q.
Prescott (2016-25) is going to set some franchise records this year. There is no argument there.
He’s a great regular season quarterback and there’s no argument there, either.
Defensive end Micah Parsons (2021-25) is going to set some franchise records too.
But what keeps both from the top of this list, for now, is their playoff record. Neither has gotten it done when it counts.
Which is why Drew Pearson (1973-83) takes the title, again, for now.
Pearson stepped up when it mattered. The Hail Mary game in Minnesota was just the prime example of Pearson’s ability to rise to the occasion.
Among the other honorable mentions are: running back Preston Pearson (1975-80), running back Don Perkins (1961-68), and defensive tackle Jethro Pugh (1965-78).
The Best: Drew Pearson
This should be the only allowed tie out of the 26 letters. Because there are only two players in Cowboys’ history with last names beginning with the letter Q.
Both only played for a single season in Dallas.
But, defensive Robert Quinn made the most of his single season with the Cowboys, with 11.5 sacks in 2019.
Quarterback Mike Quinn (1998), you ask? He never threw a pass and got to down the ball five times for -6 yards rushing that year.
The Best: Robert Quinn
I know the easy out here is to take quarterback Tony Romo (2004-16) and if he’d managed to even get to a Super Bowl, he might be in the top spot.
But he didn’t and there’s really one player that clearly deserves it more.
Defensive back Mel Renfo (1964-77). The man’s a Hall of Famer, and a Super Bowl champion. Just how do you overlook that?
Center Tom Rafferty (1976-89) would have given Romo a run for his money too.
A distant fourth was Dan Reeves, who played running back from 1965-72, and was a big part of Dallas’ offensive attack.
The Best: Mel Renfro.
Really? In this corner we have Roger Staubach (QB – 1969-79). In the other corner we have Emmitt Smith (RB – 1990-2002).
And we have to pick one to be the best of the S-players?
Honestly, there is no right answer, nor is there a wrong one.
But someone has to be the best. It’s just a matter of what criteria you choose.
Staubach led Dallas to four Super Bowls, winning two. If not for a dropped pass and some dubious officiating, he wins all four.
Smith won three championships in...
