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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21460927/
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List 2 of 3
.. Cowboys of 1970s
.. Cowboys of 1990s
.. Dolphins of 1972
.. Eagles of 1948-49
.. Lions of 1950s
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Cowboys of 1970s
From 1966-1985, coach Tom Landry's Cowboys set
an NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons,
including 13 division titles, 18 playoffs, and 12 NFL
or NFC championship games. They won two Super
Bowls and lost three in the 1970s, when they battled
the Steelers for supremacy, losing to them 21-17 and
35-31 in Super Bowls X and XIII.
Relying on Roger Staubach's clutch quarterbacking
and Landry's Doomsday Defense, the Cowboys
proudly wore the banner and sometimes carried the
burden of being labeled "America's Team."
Photo: Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach
evades a New York Giants defender.
http://tinyurl.com/yvclgz
Coach: Tom Landry
Record: 105-39 during 1970s.
Titles: Two -- 1971, 1977
Key players: QB Roger Staubach, DT Bob Lilly,
T Rayfield Wright, CB Mel Renfro, LB Chuck Howley,
G John Niland, LB Lee Roy Jordan, RB Calvin Hill,
S Cliff Harris, WR Drew Pearson, DT Randy Wright,
RB Tony Dorsett, DE Harvey Martin, RB Walt Garri-
son, T Ralph Neely, DE Ed "Too Tall" Jones.
Area of excellence: Coach-quarterback combination,
defense. Throughout the decade, the Cowboys ranked
among the top five in both offensive and defensive
yardage in seven of 10 seasons, finishing first in both
in 1977.
Weakest aspect: Mike Clark, Tony Fritsch, Efren
Herrera, Mac Percival, and Rafael Septien kicked
during the 70s, none with great distinction.
Stat to know: During the 70s, the Cowboys never
ranked lower than sixth on offense or eighth on
defense.
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Cowboys of 1990s
The last dynasty before the advent of free agency,
new owner Jerry Jones assembled a dominant roster
led by quarterback Troy Aikman, running back
Emmitt Smith and receiver Michael Irvin.
Similar to the Miami teams of the 1970s, the Cow-
boys' efficient ball-control offense helped their
1992 defense finish first in the league without a
single player elected to the Pro Bowl.
The Cowboys played the 49ers in three straight
NFC title games, winning in 1992-93 and losing
in 1994.
Photo: Michael Irvin, left, Troy Aikman, center,
and Emmitt Smith won three Super Bowls with
the Cowboys in the 1990s.
http://tinyurl.com/yuk3wd
Coach: Jimmy Johnson 1989-93,
Barry Switzer 1994-97.
Record: 49-15 from 1992-95
Titles: Three --1992-93, 1995.
Key players: QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith,
WR Michael Irvin, TE Jay Novacek, LB Ken Norton,
C Mark Stepnoski, G Nate Newton, FB Daryl Johnston,
DE Charles Haley, S Darren Woodson, DT Leon Lett,
DT Russell Maryland, T Erik Williams.
Area of excellence: Overall superior talent, combin-
ation running and defense. Rival scouts conceded
individual matchups.
Weakest aspect: The three title teams featured three
different placekickers, Lin Elliott, Eddie Murray and
Chris Boniol and two punters, Mike Saxon and John
Jett.
Stat to know: Among the players who arrived in
Dallas as a result of the 1989 trade of RB Herschel
Walker to Minnesota were Emmitt Smith, Russell
Maryland, Kevin Smith and Darren Woodson.
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Dolphins of 1972
The only 17-0 team in NFL history, coach Don Shula's
Dolphins lay legitimate claim to the best of all time by
simply pointing at the impeccable record. A loss to
Dallas in Super Bowl VI propelled them to the perfect
1972 season and they followed it with a repeat Super
Bowl victory after a 12-2 season in 1973.
Shula relied on defense and the power running of Larry
Csonka and speed of Mercury Morris with occasional
play-action passes from Bob Griese to Paul Warfield.
The Dolphins seldom overwhelmed anybody, but never
beat themselves. The 1972 team outscored opponents
by more than 200 points, further validating their accom-
plishment.
Photo: Bob Griese waits for the snap against
the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII.
http://tinyurl.com/yuqgk6
Coach: Don Shula
Record: 17-0, 32-2 over 1972-73 seasons, including
playoffs.
Titles: Two -- 1972-73.
Key players: RB Larry Csonka, WR Paul Warfield,
QB Earl Morrall, QB Bob Griese, S Jake Scott, S Dick
Anderson, DT Manny Fernandez, C Jim Langer, G Larry
Little, LB Nick Buoniconti, DE Vern Den Herder,
DE Bill Stanfill, LB Doug Swift, RB Mercury Morris,
T Norm Evans, G Bob Kuechenberg.
Area of excellence: Running and defense. It was simple
football executed to perfection.
Weakest aspect: The only area in which the 1972 Dol-
phins did not beat opponents was in touchdowns by
returns. The Dolphins scored on two and opponents
scored on three.
Stat to know: In Super Bowl VII, the Dolphins threw
only 11 passes, completing eight. In Super Bowl VIII,
the Dolphins threw only seven passes, completing six.
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Eagles of 1948-49
The "duffel-bag dynasty" consisted of players who
had fought in World War II. In two seasons they out-
scored opponents 761-290. Each team outscored
opponents by more than 200 points, unprecedented
among back-to-back title teams.
The Eagles remain the only team to win back-to-back
titles by shutouts, beating the Chicago Cardinals 7-0
in a foot of snow and blanking the Los Angeles Rams
14-0 the following year. The team also lost the 1947
title to the Cardinals before beginning their two-year
dominance.
Coach: Earle (Greasy) Neale
Record: 20-3-1
Titles won: Two-1948-49.
Key players: RB Steve Van Buren, E Pete Pihos,
QB Tommy Thompson, C-LB Chuck Bednarik,
B Bosh Prichard, C-LB Alex Wojciechowicz, T Al
Wistert, T Vic Sears, FB-P Joe Muha, G Bucko Kilroy.
Area of excellence: Overall superior talent. Van Buren
led league in rushing both year and Thompson led league
in passing in 1948. Team led league in defense and in
points scored in 1949. They also led the league in punt-
ing and kicking.
Weakest aspect: Although the 1949 team led the league
in pass defense, it gave up 38 points to Bears in only
loss when Jim Keane caught eight passes for 127 yards.
Stat to know: Owner Alexis Thompson, strapped by
the high expenses of running a championship club, sold
Eagles before 1949 season to a team of 100 Philadel-
phians who paid $3,000 each.
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Lions of 1950s
Led by swashbuckling quarterback Bobby Layne, the
Lions battled the Cleveland Browns for supremacy
of the NFL in the early 1950s, beating the Browns
three times and losing to them once in title games.
Right before the 1957 season, coach Buddy Parker
abruptly quit. Later, Layne broke his leg. But the
Lions still prevailed under coach George Wilson
and backup quarterback Tobin Rote. Although the
Lions seldom led the league in any single category,
their superb balance and Layne's charismatic lead-
ership reigned.
Photo: Bobby Layne was a larger-than-life
quarterback with the Lions.
http://tinyurl.com/ypek52
Coaches: Buddy Parker 1951-56,
George Wilson 1957-64.
Record: 36-11-1 in 1952-53-54 and 1957.
Titles won: Three-1952-53, 1957.
Key players: QB Bobby Layne, DB Jack Christiansen,
RB Doak Walker, T Lou Creekmur, G Dick Stanfel,
NT Les Bingaman, E Cloyce Box, FB Leon Hart,
RB Bob Hoernschemeyer, LB Joe Schmidt, DB-P Yale
Lary, DB Jim David.
Area of excellence: Passing offense/quarterback; defense.
Quarterbacks Layne and Rote keyed offense; defense was
led by secondary consisting of Hall of Fame safeties
Christiansen and Lary, plus David, Don Doll and Bob
Smith-all of whom made at least one Pro Bowl.
Weakest aspect: Layne, who loved the night life as much
as he loved football, threw more interceptions than touch-
down passes in each championship season.
Stat to know: The Lions' defense always made more inter-
ceptions than Layne threw, grabbing 32 in 1952, 38 in
1953, and 25 in 1957.
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