Why Tony Romo is not a Top 10 UDFA of all-time

On Monday, Gil Brandt tweeted out his top ten undrafted free agents of all-time. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was not among them.

Few people involved in the NFL media can claim to know the Dallas Cowboys as well as Gil Brandt. As Vice President of player personnel for the Cowboys for nearly thirty years; his influence on the league has been unprecedented.

Working at the top level of the sport for so long, Brandt’s opinion is well respected. Being part of the Cowboys organization for such a significant amount of time, he’d be forgiven for showing bias to the team.

But that’s not so. Earlier this week Brandt tweeted out his top ten undrafted free agents of all-time. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was not among them.

Kurt Warner

The four-time Pro Bowler was invited to the Packers training camp but failed to make an impact up against Brett Favre. A successful spell in the Arena Football League lead to the Rams offering him his chance in the NFL.

Warner went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams also picking up the games MVP award. Spent his later years with the Giants and Cardinals.

All time second highest career completion percentage with 65.09%. Only Steve Young and Peyton Manning have a better career passing rating than Warner.

Night Train Lane

Richard Lane (nicknamed Night Train) began his football with the Rams but spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions. Playing in defense between 1952-1965 he’s a 7 time Pro Bowler enshrined to the NFL’s Hall of Fame in 1974.

Still holds the NFL record of most interceptions in a season with 14.

Emlen Tunnell

Emlen Tunnell carved out a  13 year playing career in the league, ten of those spend with the Giants. Before going on to work as a scout and assistant Head Coach for them.

9 time Pro Bowler with a duo of Championship wins, he was enshrined to the Hall of Fame in 1967.

Warren Moon

With no takers in the draft, quarterback Warren Moon plied his trade in the Canadian Football League for six years before finally making the leap to the NFL. Signing with the Oilers in 1984 he went on to become a 9 time Pro Bowler with many other accolades to boot.

Still the clear leader of many franchise records as well as twice being the leagues passing leader. Named in both the Pro Football and Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Willie Brown

Defensive back Willie Brown was with the Broncos for three years before being traded to the Raiders where he’s worked for the majority of his life since.

A 9 time Pro Bowler who was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1984, won Super Bowl XI with the Raiders in which he returned an interception for a touchdown.

Next: The Other Top Ten UDFA's of All-Time