NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys: 15 Best players in team history

By Randy Gurzi

Troy Aikman #8, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys hands off to running back Emmitt Smith #22 during the National Football Conference West game against the San Francisco 49ers on 13 November 1994 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 21 - 14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Allsport/Getty Images)
Troy Aikman #8, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys hands off to running back Emmitt Smith #22 during the National Football Conference West game against the San Francisco 49ers on 13 November 1994 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 21 - 14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Allsport/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 16
Next
25 Oct 1992: Defensive lineman Charles Haley of the Dallas Cowboys moves down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Cowboys won the game, 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Ste
25 Oct 1992: Defensive lineman Charles Haley of the Dallas Cowboys moves down the field during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Cowboys won the game, 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Ste /

(1992-1996). Charles Haley. 12. player. 123. . Defensive End

Back in the early 1990s, the Cowboys were a team on the verge of greatness. Their offense was sensational and their defense was strong but was missing one thing — a dominant pass rusher. That final piece to their dynasty puzzle ended up being defensive end Charles Haley, who was a big risk but ended up paying off in a huge way.

Haley was originally drafted in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers who took him out of James Madison. He quickly proved to be a steal as he had 12 sacks as a rookie and continued to excel for them. However, his capricious personality proved to be too much for them and so they decided to trade him away.

More from Dallas Cowboys

Dallas took a gamble on Haley once the Niners were willing to move on, giving up a second and third-round pick in exchange for his services. His numbers in his first two seasons weren’t mind-blowing as he had six sacks in 1992 and four in 1993, but he provided plenty of quarterback pressure and caused offensive linemen to game plan around him. He was also a big presence in the postseason as they won Super Bowls in each of his first two years.

Haley really took off in 1994, registering 12.5 sacks and following that up with 10.5 in 1995, which was the season he helped them win their third Super Bowl of the decade. Haley finished his Dallas career with 172 tackles and 34 sacks. He retired following the 1996 season with the Cowboys but returned to the league in 1998 to play two final seasons with the 49ers.

Home/Dallas Cowboys