Expert: Fred Goodwin - 2/8/2006

Question
I asked a question about DoomsdayI and Doomsday II members.  I can't get the answer to load.  Could you make it a public answer?  Maybe I could access it then.
Thank you

Answer

Vern:

You are correct that fans generally recognize two different generations of the famed "Doomsday Defense". However, there is no agreed-upon definition of exactly when those defenses existed or who their members were, which is why you may see different listings of players and time periods.

First, understand that the term "Doomsday Defense" was created by the media of the 60s, not the NFL or the Cowboys. And that term was just one of many during the 60s. Others were the LA Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" and the Vikings' "Purple People Eaters".

Because they were media creations, there is no official definition. But I think the original "Doomsday Defense" can generally be identified as the Cowboys defenses of the 1966-1971 seasons. "Doomsday II" had its heyday from approx. 1977 to 1982.

As I said, there is no generally agreed-upon set of 11 players who comprised either Doomsday or Doomsday II. But if you're asking for my opinion, I would submit these for your consideration:

"Doomsday"

DL:
Willie Townes / Larry Cole
Jethro Pugh
Bob Lilly
George Andrie

LBs:
Chuck Howley
Lee Roy Jordan
Dave Edwards

DBs:
Cornell Green
Mel Renfro
Mike Gaechter / Charlie Waters
Herb Adderly

"Doomsday II"

DL:
Harvey Martin
Larry Cole / John Dutton
Randy White
Ed Jones

LBs:
Mike Hegman / Thomas Henderson
Bob Bruenig
DD Lewis

DBs:
Bennie Barnes
Cliff Harris / Michael Downs
Charlie Waters
Everson Walls

Others may quibble with my listings, and that's fine -- as I said, its all a matter of opinion, and mine is no better than anyone else's.

I hope this answers yoru question.

Fred Goodwin
americas_team@hotmail.com