It is difficult to single out one linebacker that has stood out for the Dallas Cowboys during their illustrious history. While the Dallas Cowboys have produced several Hall of Famers over the years, none of them earned that designation playing that position. Throughout their history, the Cowboys have been blessed with having not one great linebacker, but often a group of elite players at the position. It is the same familiar situation they currently find themselves in once again in 2019 with arguably the leagues best starting three in Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, and Leighton Vander Esch. The following list of Dallas Cowboys greatest linebackers includes Sean Lee and may one day include those other two young studs playing along side him. Who else makes the list of top 10 All-Time Dallas Cowboys greatest linebackers?
HONORABLE MENTION: Bob Breunig, Greg Ellis
10. BRADIE JAMES 2003-2011
Bradie James was one of the more productive defensive players of the Bill Parcells/Wade Phillips era. He led the Dallas Cowboys in tackles for 6 consecutive seasons. During that stretch he recorded more than 100 tackles in 5 straight seasons, and he is one of two Dallas Cowboys players to record more than 200 tackles in a single season.
9. DAT NGUYEN 1999-2005
Dat Nguyen was not the biggest or the fastest guy but he was a football player in every sense of the word. He blossomed under the tutelage of Bill Parcels earning All-Pro Honors in 2003. His career was unfortunately cut short due to chronic neck injuries preventing him from realizing his full potential.
8. DEXTER COAKLEY 1997-2004
Dexter Coakley burst unto the scene his rookie season. The 3rd round pick in 1997 was named to the NFL All-Rookie team that season. The speedy playmaker set a Dallas Cowboys club record by recording 7 straight seasons with 100 or more tackles en route to becoming the franchises 4th leading tackler all time. He also shares the Cowboys franchise record with 5 defensive touchdowns. Coakley earned Pro-Bowl recognition 3x’s during his stellar career.
7. EUGENE LOCKHART 1984-1990
Eugene Lockhart earned the nickname “Mean Eugene the hitting machine” by registering over 1000 tackles over his career. He was not the most decorated player, perhaps stemming from the fact he played on losing teams during his time with the Cowboys, but he did make the NFL All-Rookie team in 1984 and was a first team All-Pro in 1989. He was a rare bright spot on some of the worst teams in Dallas Cowboys history and he owns the club record for tackles in a single season with 222.
6. THOMAS “HOLLYWOOD” HENDERSON 1975-1979
Thomas Henderson a unique specimen. He possessed rare, elite athleticism and combined that with a flamboyant persona on and off the field worthy of his self proclaimed nickname. His best season was in 1978 when he was named to his first and only Pro-Bowl and he established himself as one of the best LB’s in the league but his struggles with drug addiction completely derailed his promising career. At the height of his playing career, Henderson was so dominant and electrifying, that he was the inspiration for NFL legend Lawrence Taylor choosing #56.. If only Hollywood Henderson was able to overcome his demons at an earlier age and extend his career, there is no doubt he would have challenged for top spot on this list.
5. SEAN LEE 2010-Present
Injuries have really held him back but when healthy, Sean Lee is one of the best linebackers I have ever seen. He is an extremely intelligent player and his work ethic is unmatched. He is a student of the game and he lives in the film room. His impact on the Cowboys defense is beyond measure as they often cannot function without him. With his sure tackling, excellent coverage skills, and the ability to read, react and make plays on the ball he could have had a Hall of Fame career if he could have only stayed healthy.
4. KEN NORTON JR. 1988-1993
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Ken Norton Jr. is the son of former boxing World Champion Ken Norton and like his father, he was a hard hitter. Norton Jr. was the unquestioned leader of the #1 ranked Dallas Cowboys defense that won back to back Super Bowls in 1993/1994. When he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in 1994, he became the first player to become Super Bowl champion in 3 consecutive seasons. Ken Norton Jr. was largely underrated player prior to winning the Super Bowl. He led the leagues #1 ranked defense which did not feature a single Pro-Bowl player during the 1992 regular season. Things changed after that first championship and Ken Norton Jr. went on to be selected to 3 Pro-Bowls and earned All-Pro honors twice afterwards.
3. LEE ROY JORDAN 1963-1976
Lee Roy Jordan was considered an undersized player but he more than made up for that with this tenacity and competitive spirit. He had a relentless work ethic that allowed him to overcome his size limitations and make plays all over the field. He recorded 32 Interceptions in his career and added 18 fumble recoveries. The 2nd leading tackler in team history, Jordan also made the Pro-Bowl 5x’s and was named All-Pro on 2 occasions. In 1973 he was voted the NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
2. CHUCK HOWLEY 1961-1973
Chuck Howley possessed elite speed and athleticism and had an uncanny knack for making plays on the ball. He recorded 25 career INT’s and added 18 fumble recoveries. In addition to being named to 6 Pro-Bowls and being a 6x All-Pro, Chuck Howley also owns the distinction of being the only player on a losing team to win the Super Bowl MVP Award. Surprisingly, Chuck Howley is not a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame although many consider him a worthy candidate.
1. DEMARCUS WARE 2005-2013
Admittedly, I am not without bias here as DeMarcus Ware was one of my favorite Dallas Cowboys players of All-Time, but I feel this ranking is more than justified. Aside from being one of the classiest individuals that have played for the silver and blue, #94 was blessed with rare physical abilities. He was the best pure pass rusher of his generation and in the history of the Dallas Cowboys organization. He is the franchise’s all time sack leader and all time leader in forced fumbles. He also ranks 8th all time in career sacks in NFL history. Ware’s unique ability to take over games was legendary and he brought that with him to Denver where he earned a much deserved Super Bowl championship. Ware was voted to the Pro-Bowl 9x’s during his career and he also received 7 All-Pro honors. DeMarcus Ware also led the league in sacks twice (tied for an NFL record) and came within half a sack of becoming the only player to register 20 sacks in two separate seasons. It is a travesty that he was never named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year during his career and I maintain that he was robbed in 2008 when James Harrison of the Steelers won the award over him.
Naming the Dallas Cowboys greatest linebackers in history is no easy task. There is sure to be some intense debate over which players belong on this list and where they should be ranked. In a few years, I hope that most fans will be in agreement that Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch will have earned spots in the top 5.
*Photo by Jerri Coli https://www.dreamstime.com/dallas-cowboys-outside-lb-demarcus-ware-image-taken-color-slide-demarcus-ware-dallas-cowboys-image118893498
**Photo by Jerri Coli https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-photography-ken-norton-jr-dallas-cowboys-lb-image-taken-color-slide-image74622357
Data and statistics obtained and verified form https://www.pro-football-reference.com/
I really enjoyed reading this, cheers.
What about Jerry Tubbs?