Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Related what if is what if Denver retained Red Miller or hired someone else and Dan Reeves stays in Dallas a few more seasons? I’ve spoken with Cowboys fans who think the loss of Reeves began the Dallas gradual spiral of the 80s.

Hell, Reeves could have replaced Landry in another timeline.

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Fri Jul 04, 2025 7:47 pm

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 04, 2025 11:51 am Outside of 1980, Miller's drafts generally weren't great

That's on the kind side. They hit on just a few guys, and the misses were pretty big. That said, not sure it was Miller's fault. I don't know how their organization worked --- but you'd think he got final say ... but I don't know that for sure. Maybe you or others do.

Maybe that's an assumption. However, when Ralston was there, I think he got final say, so I assume that Miller did as well. Buchsbaum seemed to guess how Ralston was listening to Carroll Hardy, and Miiller wasn't.

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 04, 2025 9:44 pm Maybe that's an assumption. However, when Ralston was there, I think he got final say, so I assume that Miller did as well. Buchsbaum seemed to guess how Ralston was listening to Carroll Hardy, and Miiller wasn't.

Honestly, no idea how it worked. If Hardy was solid, it had to be because of pre-1977 drafts, but I don't know -- as you say -- how much input Hardy had at that point. Pre-Ralston one story am familiar with is Stan Jones finding Lyle Alzado and selling him to Saban.

As far as Ralston -- Phil Olsen says -- and it's not news -- that like Jimmy Johnson,Ralston's connections to college coaches helped him in making decisions also how recently he was in college ball. Same is true for Tommy Prothro --- in 1971. Neither of them good NFL coaches but both drafted decently.

Getting back to Reeves, I feel the Cowboys were never the same after Reeves and Ditka left. Landry may have even felt that Dan would replace him.

Reeves got Chris Chandler to play and stay healthy in 1998. He had been with the Oilers, but couldnt stay on the field. I was frustrated but happy for him taking Atlanta to the SB. I was even more happy that McNair could take the Titans to the SB.

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sat Jul 05, 2025 1:09 pm Getting back to Reeves, I feel the Cowboys were never the same after Reeves and Ditka left. Landry may have even felt that Dan would replace him.

Reeves got Chris Chandler to play and stay healthy in 1998. He had been with the Oilers, but couldnt stay on the field. I was frustrated but happy for him taking Atlanta to the SB. I was even more happy that McNair could take the Titans to the SB.

Chandler did good under Reeves. However, Chandler credits Jerry Rhome with making him a better QB. Rhome was the OC in Phoenix from 1990-93, and Chandler was also there at that point, so that's the first time that they worked together. Then, when Chandler got to Houston in 95, Rhome was there in 1995 and 96 as OC, so they got to work together more.

The 1980 Broncos lost running back Otis Armstrong to a career ending neck injury vs. the Oilers in Week 9. Armstrong saw only part time action during the first three weeks of the season but was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 4 at New England. He responded with an 80 yard rushing performance on 15 carries. Armstrong remained a productive starter posting 100 yard rushing performances in weeks 6 and 8. Prior to the injury he was the Broncos leading rusher with 470 yards.

Retro Rider wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 7:19 pm The 1980 Broncos lost running back Otis Armstrong to a career ending neck injury vs. the Oilers in Week 9. Armstrong saw only part time action during the first three weeks of the season but was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 4 at New England. He responded with an 80 yard rushing performance on 15 carries. Armstrong remained a productive starter posting 100 yard rushing performances in weeks 6 and 8. Prior to the injury he was the Broncos leading rusher with 470 yards.

McCutcheon was also a bust, he was supposed to be part of a rotation -- the Broncos liked RB by committee in that era ... and they gave a high pick to get Clutch and he was not able to get any yards ... sad to watch. But sure, if OA is healthy down the stretch he may have made a difference in the close games ... maybe get a win instead of a loss.