Here are my top 10 Dallas Cowboys of all time, in no particular order. My list has nothing to do with talent; it’s just about how I felt about these guys. Yes, it’s thick with guys from the sixties & seventies.
1. Don Meredith Dandy Don, Jeff & Hazel’s baby boy from Mount Vernon, Texas, was always the life of any huddle. I’m sure you have heard him when they had him miked for games, when he would grouse about how the referee was nit-picking, etc. He was just a lot of fun. And who has cared anything about Monday Night Footbal since Don left? I mean, come on! Of course, he never won “the big game,” but we all forgive him that, and we even forgive him his untimely interception against the Packers in the championship game, because that could happen to anyone.
2. George Andrie My brother and I used to send off to the Dallas Cowboys for their autographs, and sometimes we would go to where certain of the players were signing in order to build up goodwill for the team. We sent for George Andrie’s via the mail. He sent back a photo of himself, all 6-6 to 6-7 of him, as if he were rushing the passer, though without his helmet. Anyhow, the cool thing about it was how he signed: “Best personal regards, George Andrie.” As a kid of eight or nine, I found that an impressive and classy way to sign: “Best personal regards,” indeed; I often close my own letters that way today.
3. Walt Garrison Rugged Walt Garrison often required nine or more men to finally bring him down. That was the rodeo in him showing through; football was probably child’s play compared to the rodeo circuit. I remember he used to dip and do commercials for Skoal snuff; I was a Copenhagen man myself, and it makes me sick when I think about how much money I threw away on that potentially lethal junk. I can still hear the radio announcers way back then: “The give to Garrison . . .”; then you just knew Walt was about to carry a load of defenders on his back halfway down the field.
4. Tony Liscio I always admired this tough guy because he came to the team’s rescue, and out of retirement, to fill in for Ralph Neely, who had broken his leg in a dumb motorcycle accident. Tom Landry just called him on the phone, and Tony was there within two days. My kind of team player.
5. Bob Hayes No one could break up a game like Bob Hayes could, relying purely on speed, which could get him behind all defensive backs. He is one of those players who changed the game, making defensive guys have to respond to Don Meredith’s vertical strikes to him. It was such a beautiful thing to see him running in the open field, the way you might pull over on the side of the road to watch a beautiful horse galloping in some country setting.
6. Lance Alworth What can you say about “Bambi”? He gave 100% not just on every play, but for every instant of every play. If you don’t believe me, just look him up on Youtube back in his Arkansas days. I got to meet him, shake his hand and get his autographed photo when I was about nine. Who is my favorite football player of all time? An acrobat: Lance Alworth.
7. Dan Reeves Dan Reeves was fun to watch because he was so versatile. You never knew when he might toss a halfback pass (like the 50-yard touchdown pass to Lance Rentzel in the Ice Bowl), roll out as the holder and pass on a fake field goal. You had to keep a close watch on this guy with the slow southern drawl. Plus he was as steady a back as you could want to have on your offense.
8. Chuck Howley Please remind me again why this guy isn’t in the Hall of Fame. I remember those classic high-low tackles he & Lee Roy Jordan could stand up any guy with. Was Super Bowl MVP in a losing effort against the Colts.
9.John Niland Did you ever see the footage of John & Buck Buchanan, after an exhibition game? Buck had been vehemently cussing John, alleging John had held him throughout the game, just swearing up & down. John Niland, not backing down from the mountainous Buck, assured him that he doesn’t hold. “We hold,” John said, meaning the Cowboys as a team overall, “but <I>I</I> don’t hold.” Buck seemed to have taken him at his word. Great stuff from this rare bird Niland.
10. Lee Roy Jordan Just because Lee Roy was always there, always, at middle linebacker, backing the line, always. A real tough guy out of Alabama. Small for a middle linebacker, Lee Roy could really rock a ball carrier. And there he was <I>always,</I> from 1963-1976, in the middle. He was lauded with Pro Bowl honors five times!
I am a lecturer & online entrepreneur. I love reading, writing, travel (particularly in Paris, throughout England, Amsterdam), gardening (which mostly amounts to weeding, I’m afraid), karate, Ebay, Internet, Asian philosophies and religions, marketing, and much more.
A rare, never-before-seen collection of Lee`s private letters and writing, offering insight into the many facets of his life, including his poetry, life philosophies, and his thoughts on martial arts, love, fatherhood, friendship. A fascinating lo…
Chilton`s Hard-Cover Reference Manuals are perfect for enthusiasts of vintage and rare cars. These manuals contain repair and maintenance information for all major systems that may not be available elsewhere. Included are repair and overhaul procedures…
James Lee Burke, a rare winner of two Edgar Awards, and named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, is the author of twenty-eight previous novels and two collections of short stories, including such New York Times…
The grisly story surrounding David Berkowitz, aka Son of Sam, has only been committed to the silver screen on rare occasion. Where Spike Lee`s SUMMER OF SAM was about the climate of a few months in New York, 1977, this chilling motion picture explores …
Guitar maestro Jason Becker has worked with the best in the business, from Megadeth`s Marty Friedman to David Lee Roth. THE LEGENDARY GUITAR OF JASON BECKER celebrates the musician`s work with rare footage, performances, and Becker`s time as an instr…
The Mississippi Delta is the source of America`s deep and pervasive blues tradition. This program, comprised in part of rare private footage, presents the power of Delta blues legends Son House (five songs), John Lee Hooker (two songs), Johnny Shines (…
James Lee Burke, a rare winner of two Edgar Awards, and named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, is the author of twenty-eight previous novels and two collections of short stories, including such New York Times…
In Manhattan, Simon, a part-time hustler, becomes increasingly involved with a gorgeous client named Aiden as he tries to find his way in a city where love and honesty are as dangerous as they are rare. Original.
Tommy’s fabulous ’50s band gets their chance to shine on this collection of prime cuts from their 1950-53 Decca period. Check out these rare performances of I’ve Got a Crush on You; Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries; Lost in a Fog; If I Should Lose You; Cheek to Cheek; Indian Love Call; Goofus , and more! Performers: Al Lorraine – Trombone; Art Depew – Trumpet; Art Tancredi – Trumpet; Babe Fresk – Saxophone; Billy Cronk – Bass; Charlie Shavers – Trumpet; Danny Bank – Saxophone; Dave Pitman – Trombone; Ed Grady – Drums; Eddie Scalzi – Saxophone; Hugo Loewenstern – Saxophone; Johnny Amarosa – Trumpet; Louie Bellson – Drums; Mert Oliver – Bass; Mickey Mangano – Trumpet; Nick Dimaio – Trombone; Sam Donahue – Saxophone; Sam Herman – Guitar; Sam Hyster – Trombone; Sid Harris – Trombone; Tak Takvorian – Trombone; Teddy Lee – Saxophone; Tommy Dorsey – Trombone
Covering John Lee Hooker’s solo career from solo performances in 1960, to playing with the Muddy Waters Band in 1984, this fascinating insight into the legendary bluesman explains how his appeal has endured, and expanded, after five decades at the top.
Out of the ashes of The Gears (legendary L.A. punk band) in 1982, vocalist Axxel G. Reese and lifelong friend drummer Dave Drive started a new band called The D.I.s (Drill Instructors). Keeping the Punkabilly influence they forged on but soon they were to embark on a Roots sound as well. With numerous line-up changes that included Jimmy Reed (Levi Dexter and the Ripchords), Matt Lee (Ray Campi’s Rockabilly Rebels), Mike “Shakey Wilcox (The Rockats), Thadius T. Baker, Patrick ‘Frenchie” French (The Joneses), “Venice George” Chavlez , Ron Emory (TSOL) & Jonny Ray Bartel (The Red Devils & The Knitters) they forged on to 1992. Only one released recording ever came out, a five song 12” (Lock & Load) produced by Billy Zoom, but now a complete 22 track studio recording collection has been assembled. Some of it is absolutely brilliant and you will wonder why they were never signed or had hit records. This is a must have collection for any fan of L.A. Punk, Roots or Rock n’ Roll.
Considering the high quality of Horace Andy’s canon, to speak of any one period as his best is absurd, yet still the songs the singer cut for Bunny Lee in the mid-’70s are undeniably superb, and remain fan favorites. Many of these singles were re-recordin
Jamaican Recordings and sister label Kingston Sounds are leading reissue labels from England, featuring 180-gram vinyl pressings of vintage reggae, rocksteady and ska from the 1960′s-1980′s. Jamaican Recordings is an all “dub” label with legendary produ
A rare, never-before-seen collection of Lee’s private letters and writing, offering insight into the many facets of his life, including his poetry, life philosophies, and his thoughts on martial arts, love, fatherhood, friendship. A fascinating look at th
This tribute to kung fu’s greatest hero begins with rare footage of Lee and reflections by his close friends, including Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Then the action begins as an innocent man becomes unwittingly involved with the seediest street-fighters of the underworld. Bruce Lee mysteriously died during the filming of this movie.
In this rare live appearance, Peggy Lee teams up with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to perform some of her most famous songs including S’Wonderful, As Time Goes By, and Fever. The concert was taped in Atlantic City, August 1984.
A rare, never-before-seen collection of Lee`s private letters and writing, offering insight into the many facets of his life, including his poetry, life philosophies, and his thoughts on martial arts, love, fatherhood, friendship. A fascinating look at the man behind the myth.
Coins have been always been a part of our country’s history. Prominent people are featured on them. A change of government is sometimes accompanied by a change of currency. The look and feel of these coins reflects the advancements in technology as scientists find more complex metal combinations.
Coins’ being of historical value is one of the many factors why people collect them. Beauty and variety also contribute to the collector’s growing numbers.
To be a collector, you must be aware of how to ascertain the worth of your coins. Who knows, you might just be holding on to a very rare artifact, or one that would cost millions on an auction or bidding.
First step in being a coin collector is to look up literature. You need to be in the know of what coins are available out there, where to get them and how to get them. This is extremely valuable to one who’d see the coins as a form of investment.
You also need to determine four things before you take a coin to your collection. You need to identify them, have them authenticated and examine them for damage. This would be vital points to consider in collection coins.
To identify them, you need to look at your coins very thoroughly and note the shape, the colors, and the writings. You also need to verify which country issued that coin. If there is no denomination on the face of the coins, it’s just a token or probably a medal.
Authentic coins should be treasured and prized. They’re hard to find, especially if they are rare, limited issues. A lot of fakes and counterfeit coins are available in the market, so beware!
The value of your coin will depend upon its grade. Coin catalogs usually have their own, specific grading guidelines but here’s a general list of them.
* Mint State Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70) is an uncirculated coin. It should show no apparent damage and be in top shape. It is considered to be the best quality of coin possible.
* Uncirculated (MS-60) is another uncirculated coin having a few scratches on contact marks and that have lost some of its sheen.
* About Uncirculated (AU-50) is a coin which has evidence of light wear on most parts but still retains at least half of its original sheen.
* Extremely Fine (EF-40) is coin wherein the coin design is lightly worn off but the features can be still distinguished and are still quite sharp.
* Very Fine (VF-20) is another coin wherein some of fine details like hair or eyebrows are mostly worn off. There is evidence of modest wear on some points of the design but all major parts are still clearly etched.
* Very Good (VG-8) is a coin wherein even though the rim is still clearly visible, the design is almost worn off and only few details of it are clear.
* Good (G-4) are coins that are heavily worn but the design and the legend are still visible. Much of the details are gone.
* About Good (AG-3) are coins that are very heavily worn that some of the lettering and the original design are not discernible anymore.
Damaged coins come across frequently in the course of a collector’s quest. Most collectors steer off coins that have undergone cleaning or re-polishing. Corroded, scratched and drilled into coins are also a big turn off. Although it’s sometimes hard to find one, it’s better to find an untampered specimen.
The question on most beginners’ minds is this: How much do I get paid for a particular coin. The answer is: It varies everywhere. It depends on the qualities of the coin as well as the guide the buyer is using. For a general idea of pricing, here’s a quick list.
1. U.S. wheat cents (1958 and earlier) that were in circulation goes for a few cents to 3 dollars each.
2. 1943 “steel pennies are very uncommon and of high value 1943 cents set on a normal bronze planchet. They are tested to determine if it attracts magnets and if so, it is plated using copper. They are sold for 5 to 50 cents if circulated, and up to a dollar or two if not in circulation.
3. Silver dimes, quarter and half dollars from 1964 or earlier are composed of almost 90% silver. So their amount depends on their silver content.
4. Silver dollars from 1935 and up are collector favorites and can be usually be sold for more than their value in silver . The less common the date, the higher the pricing goes.
5. Susan B. Anthony dollars are worth about one dollar.
6. Bicentennial quarters, half and dollars are usually worth what’s on their face value.
7. Coins in commemoration of the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana are spotted to cost from $5 to $30.
8. A coin with two heads, tails or those that have different designs of two coins have no value to collectors because they are coins that have been change to introduce a novelty item.
There are also the kinds of coins that are made by mistake. These are called ‘mules’ and are often produced because of an error in pairing different dies. Expect rare coins like these to cost a little higher than most.
So with these things in mind, have fun in making your own collection grow. Who knows what part of history you’ll discover by finding rare specimens.
