Fansided

10 NFL players who would dominate in any era

By Russell S. Baxter

Pro Football Hall of Fame and Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) breaking tackles in the Bears 45-10 victory over the Washington Redskins on 9/29/1985 at Soldier Field in Chicago Illinois. (Photo by James V. Biever/Getty Images)
Pro Football Hall of Fame and Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) breaking tackles in the Bears 45-10 victory over the Washington Redskins on 9/29/1985 at Soldier Field in Chicago Illinois. (Photo by James V. Biever/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCTOBER 8: Roger Staubach #12 of the Dallas Cowboys in actions against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game October 8, 1973 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Staubach played for the Cowboys from 1969-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCTOBER 8: Roger Staubach #12 of the Dallas Cowboys in actions against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game October 8, 1973 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Staubach played for the Cowboys from 1969-79. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

8. QB Roger Staubach

He is synonymous with the nickname “Captain Comeback” and he had his share. Perhaps his most memorable was his throw in the 1975 NFC Divisional Playoffs at Metropolitan Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings that propelled the Dallas Cowboys to the conference title game and a berth in Super Bowl X in 1975.

If there was a thing as an official “Hail Mary,” in the NFL, it was Roger Staubach’s 50-yard downfield touchdown strike to clutch wide receiver Drew Pearson down the right sidelines as Tom Landry’s team upended the Minnesota Vikings, 17-14 (via Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times).

Of course, three years earlier against the 49ers at San Francisco, Staubach rallied the club from a 28-13 deficit for a 30-28 win in the divisional round. The gritty field general displayed his prowess as a runner earlier his career and “Rodger the Dodger” became an even more dangerous passer as time wore on.

The 1963 Heisman Trophy winner from Navy came up big when it counted most. It’s interesting to note that his two biggest years in terms of touchdown passes came in 1978 and ‘79, the first two years of the league’s newest rules changes and the final two seasons of Staubach’s magnificent career.

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