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NFL Executive: Dallas Cowboys have rebuilt 1990’s teams

By Steven Mullenax

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) /
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The Dallas Cowboys won three Super Bowl championships in the 1990’s. Now, under head coach Jason Garrett, the Cowboys have followed their same formula.

Once the Dallas Cowboys started using their first round draft picks to take offensive linemen, it was clear the front office had a plan. Now, one NFL executive has connected the dots and believes Dallas followed the blueprint from their legendary teams of the 1990’s.

And that makes sense. After all, the Cowboys won three Super Bowl titles in four years starting in the early 1990’s. Led by the Triplets, quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin, that version of America’s Team was chock full of young, budding talent. Much like the current version of the Cowboys.

Jason Garrett was a member of two of those championship teams as a backup quarterback to Hall of Famer Aikman. In Garrett’s first full season as the Cowboys head coach, 2011, Dallas used their first round selection on USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith. Two years later, the Cowboys drafted center Travis Frederick 31st overall. The following year, Dallas used their first round selection on another offensive lineman, Notre Dame guard Zack Martin.

In 2016, the Cowboys front office added key offensive pieces in quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. With their arrival, Dallas appeared to have found their new version of the Triplets, along with veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant.

"“I feel like they’ve rebuilt the team like the 1990s teams with the dominant offensive line and an efficient quarterback,” an NFC pro personnel director told NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks. “I’m not saying [Dak Prescott] is Troy Aikman, but if you check their numbers and look at their games, they play the same way. They take care of the football over everything else, and when the team is built the right way, they’ll win.”"

Although Bryant’s role as an Irvin-clone is currently up in the air, Dallas certainly has many pieces that appear to be very similar to those ultra-successful 1990’s teams. With Prescott and Elliott playing the Aikman and Smith roles respectively, a comparable top-tier offensive line and a young, overachieving defense.

Next: The top 10 Dallas Cowboys to never win a Super Bowl

Unfortunately, this current version of the Dallas Cowboys has yet to have the playoff success it’s predecessor had. Despite finishing this past season with a disappointing 9-7 record, the Cowboys flashed Super Bowl potential in 2016 posting an incredible 13-3 run. If Dallas can remain healthy and keep their core players together long enough, this team has a chance to be special.

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