Another 💣 dropped from orbit. I love your channel. Your deep dives beyond the numbers are always insightful and enjoyable. During the 90's, the Irvin-Harper tandem (88 & 80) always gave me nostalgic goosebumps for the days of Pearson and Hill.
This was outstanding. I remember someone asking Drew Pearson who he thinks should be in the Cowboy's Ring Of Honor that isn't. He said Tony Hill. I most certainly agree (along with Ed Jones).
He was one of those guys who was always there. Caught long yardage passes, he didn’t really shine out like Pearson and wasn’t the showboat like Butch Johnson. Quiet focused and went to work on Sunday and did it with grace. I’m glad you highlighted his career. I didn’t know or realize he was that good. Pearson made so many clutch plays in big games it was hard to notice anyone else. But Hill held his own even with the great Pearson!
That was the legendary receiving corp - I loved each of those receivers. The fact that they has Dorsett in the backfield as well made me a Cowboys fan back then. I havent had a fav team since that team.
Amen, Harvey Martin #79, Robert Newhouse #44 and Preston Pearson #26 , Thomas Hollywood Henderson #56 , Darren Woodson, Everson Walls all should've been put in the Hall of Fame by now ,to much hate against my favorite beloved America Team players. These are greats Jethro Pugh is another one who deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Baise Media analysts, like ESPN analysts shows host, Stephen A Smith and Shannon Sharpe. Emanuel Acho, Chris Carter. All haters .
Thanks for posting and sharing with old time Dallas fans. This present ownership is an embarrassment to the memory/legacy. At least we have sweet memories
Wow you did it again! Great content and Happy Easter! So much to unpack here do we know stats on drops from back then wondering if that reduced Hill's receptions. Also how did he only make 3 pro bowls if I remember apart from Art Monk the early 80s wasn't jam packed with great wrs in the Nfc. Finally was he affected at all by the strike year. Thanks for all you do. The best, most positive Cowboy content on TH-cam.
The NFC was stacked in the 80s. Rice, Lofton, Carmichael, John Taylor, Monk, Clark, Mike quick, Dwight Clark. The pro bowl was only given to players who had good teams in the 80s. Dallas was really only good fir 3 years in that decade. Yes the strike year affected a lot of players career numbers. Also unfortunately there were no metric websites for dropped passes pre-modern era. So the only way to collect data on a player is if you were the media. Teams generally collected data. Thanks bro!
Tony hill was as good as any of the more popular choices at receiver. The thing I remember about him was clutch catches and hardly any drops. He is Comparable to alvin harper but better. Really was a number one. Should be in the ring of honor.
Yea haw! Finally something solid that this dude was just as good as Drew maybe better depending who you ask. Great stuff again. I totally agree with this assessment.
Great Era for Dallas. If a team tried to double Drew then Tony would get open deep. He was known as a "deep threat" at the time. Teams would adjust to cover him deep and that would free up the run game and the possession pass plays to Pearson. Golden Richard's was another option as well.
Excellent video, this was about the time I became a Cowboys fan. It was Hill, Pearson, Doug Cosbie and Billy Joe Dupree at tight end and Butch Johnson as the third wide receiver. Of course TD, Ron Springs and Robert Newhouse as their runners. Probably more I'm missing, those are just off the top of my head. I don't want to say Hill was underrated, because us Cowboys fans know how great he was, but with Dorsett, Pearson, Staubach and later on D. White on the team, I think Hill was overlooked by most fans around the NFL.
WOW!!!! This is outstanding and phenomenal my brother!!! Also awesome!!! As you mentioned, he provided us with so many great memories!!! His Wings Of Victory touchdown celebration was so uplifting. However, the most electrifying touchdown celebration ever, was provided by our own Butch Johnson. The California Quake. You really did your homework on the statistics. May GOD continue to enrichly bless you and your family my brother!!! Thanks for all you do for us Cowboys fans!!! As always keep up the great work my brother!!! And Happy Easter 🐰🐰!!!
Thanks for that amazing insight on *Hill The Thrill! All respect to all recievers that played for the cowboys,but besides Drew person & Irving, There's non like Hill. He deserves to be in the ring of fire & the Halll of Fame 👍
I have to admit, I knew Tony Hill was a good receiver, but after your breakdown of stats, he is a Great Cowboy Receiver, and unsung hero. I see him in a better light, My apologies Mr. Tony Hill. THE SARGE
Actually he led Dallas in receiving 8 straight years. I love the level of critical thinking you're applying in these videos! All this is why Tony "The Thrill" Hill remains a solid #4 WR on my All Time team. Here's another quick comparison of heavily overlapping players, 3 of whom are in the HoF: Career Yards/Game Tony Hill - 56.7 John Stallworth - 52.9 Drew Pearson - 50.1 Lynn Swann - 47.1
Great video and I completely agree. We longtime Cowboy fans know how great Tony was, but he never gets his deserved props when they mention great receivers of the 80's. Drew and Tony were a lethal combination.
Great job! Hill was definitely underrated. As I recall, it seems he was always "the other receiver." That mistake was made by many opponents over the years. Thank you for shining a spotlight on his career for all of us.
One of my all-time favorite Cowboys! What an underrated, dominant, explosive, reliable, spectacular money player. He abused his divisional foes. Also a very good punt returner and blocker. Tony Hill deserves to be in the Cowboys ROH and should be considered for the HOF. Same goes for Harvey Martin.
Another great video! Tony and Drew Pearson were the first great Dallas receiving duo, I would put them up there with any duo in that time period. Tony certainly lived up to his "Thrill" nickname! And he not only had solid, consistent stats, but he made big catches in big moments time and again. Thanks for posting and putting Tony in the spotlight where he belongs!
LOVED Tony Hill, thanks for this video! The only thing that bumps him down is that he didn't have a great playoff career, like the #88s did. Solid, but kind of disappointing. Also was injured quite a bit and missed many games, his stats would have bee even more impressive had he been more healthy. But he had plenty of memorable moments during the regular season, like when he caught the game winner from White on 4th down in 1980 at St Louis, the 200+ yard game against the Eagles on Monday night in 1979, and of course his game also on Monday night against the Redskins in the 1983 season opener. Let's not forget his 66 yard Immaculate Reception against the Dolphins in 1984- also on Monday night! I would put Hill's 1984-85 seasons per game against any receiver during that time, 5.1 receptions for 76 yards, or about 81 receptions for 1216 yards over 16 games. All told, I think Hill had the best 9 season (1978-86) stretch of any Cowboy in team history except Pearson.
Good points! I think what Hill so great was his consistency. The guy had 8 years straight of leading the franchise in yards. You can't get any more consistency than that. Thanks bro!
Great job as always. To add support to your video, if Tony had played for any other team he probably would have obtained HoF numbers. Playing for Landry was good and bad. Landry had a system and he spread the ball around. If Tony had played where he was the lone go-to guy, his numbers would have been great. Use 1979 as an example. He had 60 receptions, Drew had 55, Dorsett had 45, Billy Joe had 29, Preston Pearson had 26 and Ron Springs had 25. 6 others had a total of 47 receptions. To add to your point, just take one of these players out of the picture and give those receptions to Tony and he is easily a top receiver in the league, which is what he was anyway.
Once again the greatest time in pro football was 70s to 2000. These guys MADE football the empire it has become. And the CLASSiest and toughest players in all pro football history. Tony Hill made watching the Cowboys fun! Staubach, Billy Jo Dupree, Ron Springs, Drew Pearson, Dorsett, Newsome, Preston Pearson, Danny White, but that was only DALLAS, like you said-. I just want to see the Browns legitimately win a Super Bowl and set Lake Erie on fire for Cleveland Browns fans. Viva Modern day football Titans!
I wouldn't go that far. Hill didn't get significant playing time until 1978, and Pearson by the time was already a made man. But Tony Hill was certainly a great receiver. Very productive. Reminiscent of Bob Hayes and a precursor to Alvin Harper.
The four years before Tony Hill came on board, Drew Pearson averaged 53-900-4.5. The following four years with Tony Hill on the opposite side of the field, Drew Pearson's annual average dipped in 2 of 3 categories 48-800-4.8. Of course, those same Four Seasons Tony Hill stole the show with... 53-960-6.5 So one could argue although Drew Pearson's averages remained approximately consistent throughout his career Save the Last 2 years it was the addition of Tony Hill assisted in Pearson's production consistency. Arguably the best receiver tandem in the NFL those four years matched only by Stallworth and Swann. Although I must say the Los Angeles Rams had Harold Jackson and anybody else on the other side. What a great decade the seventies was for the NFL.
He wasn't the fasted WR in the league but he had this ability to get a defender confused about what he was doing and where he was going. When Dallas had him along with Drew Pearson and Doug Cosbie at TE I don't think there was another receiving corps in the league that was better. When he retired his absence was really felt.
I don’t even need to see these numbers. Tony Hill was the best and most impactful receiver on his team. Remember, there is only one football and it was shared between Hill, Pearson, Johnson and, to a lesser degree, the underrated Ron Springs and the great Preston Pearson. I witnessed all of Hill’s greatness. Kudos to this channel.
The receiving options Dallas had from 1978-1983 was insane. There were a ton of players catching balls for the Cowboys in that time period, which is what makes Hill even more impressive. Hill was the back breaker for that squad. Landry used regular sets, two tight end sets, three receiver and four receiver sets. He had tons of options including a two handed running game. A shame their defense had issues in every season other than 1978, otherwise they would have been almost unbeatable. Which is why I rate their 1978 teams as better than their 1977 team and rate their 1978 teams as close to, if not better, than their 1971 team. Hill is just a massive upgrade over Golden Richards and Preston Pearson as a 3rd down threat must have made that 1978 teams just maddening to defense against.
standing ovation from me LC!!! I love your analytical break downs, no one does it better than you. And for most of his career, he wasn't even the number 1 receiver and shared balls with the likes of Drew Pearson, Billy Joe Dupree, Butch Johnson and a host of running backs. I have no where near the head for numbers like you do, I just remember the dude made big time catches in big time post season games when you needed them. So sad when a number 2 receiver from forty years ago are better than any number one in the past twenty years. Great video!
Thanks for the compliment brother! I can't imagine what his career would have turned out to be if he was the focus more often like the other receivers in his era. Criminally underrated.
I watched the 1978 Cowboys playoff game against the Falcons. Danny White relieved an injured Staubach in the second half, and he targeted Hill more than he did Pearson. That game was a predictor of what White's relationship with Hill and Pearson would become. Pearson was Staubach's favorite target, but Hill was White's favorite target. Thanks for another great video!
Tony Hill was very underrated but one of my favorites. In any other team he would have been the #1, but in Dallas because of # 88 had to settle for second. With his skills and athletic ability in any other team he would have been a Hall of Famer at the end of his career. I remember in the 70s the games he had against the Trojans at the LA Coliseum. LC you never disappoint with your research and fresh takes. Thank you for the hard work of putting this presentation together. God bless you and Happy Resurrection Day. 🙏
Tony Hill was great. I loved Tony Hill. Unfortunately I recall that when Drew Pearson retired after he was injured in a car accident that unless he was replaced by an adequate wide receiver that the Cowboys were pretty much done. Add in the key injuries on the OL to Herb Scott and Pat Donovan, which led to a decline in Tony Dorsett’s numbers, I knew their run was over. Interestingly, similarly the run of the Cowboys in the 90s became fragile when Alvin Harper left, but was punctuated by Michael Irvin’s injury against Carolina in the playoff game that had the Panthers bring 7 players in the box to key on Emmitt Smith on every play, and then later when Jerry Jones, despite being known for acquiring every troublemaking off the field problematic player with a rap sheet, decided to pass on Randy Moss in the draft came to become either somewhat of a curse or a consistent pattern of Jerry Jones’ inability to ever learn how to create a championship team. He could never have done it without Jimmy, may have gotten there with Bill Parcells had he not uprooted the chemistry of Bill Parcells’ team when he brought in Terrell Owens, and has still not learned from three legendary coaches in the history of the Cowboys. He has not learned the value of bringing in reliable players or the importance of a strong running game with 3 strong run blocking interior OL and the ability to stop the run with the 3 interior defensive delta to stop the run, meaning either 2 strong DT plus a middle linebacker in a 4-3 or an exceptional nose tackle with two aggressively hungry and quick inside linebackers if playing in a 3-4. But maybe he will now heed advice from Jimmy and do what is right for the organization and for us fans that have suffered for so long that we have only to relive the memories of what used to be from the last century. Great video once again. I thank you, like always!
The impressive thing is that Dallas didn't focus on one receiver like so many other teams. Landry's offense "spread the wealth" otherwise you could double Thrill's numbers if not for DPearson, PPearson, BJDupree and all the rest. Brother, another great video. And I am not tired of saying it.
Tony Hill and Drew Pearson the awesome twosome!! A few years later, Alvin Harper and Michael Irvin, same numbers 80 and 88. Hill and Harper were just as equally as good as the 2 88's.
I definitely think Tony Hill was the best WR #2 Dallas ever had. Alvin Harper, to me, comes in at a close 2nd best and both wore #80. Both impacted games like no other.
Good stuff. Tony Hill and Alvin Harper are the most underrated super star receivers ever. I hate how team and league leaders try to pick and choose who should be worthy of what. I think the Cowboys organization is still upset on how their relationship ended, which I have never learned the details.
T. Hill was my second favorite (next to Dorsett) of my childhood. He got cut by Landry because he showed up for camp at 220lbs. FACT! Shame though. He was so great to watch. This contributed to the Cowboy's fall from greatness!
Tony was as underated as a receiver that the Cowboys could have had ill never forget that Monday night game when Dandy Don told Howard Cosell theres your world class receiver lol
Fans who grew up with the 90s vintage of great Cowboys teams think of Alvin Harper as a big play receiver but Tony "Thrill" Hill was the real deal Holyfield of big play receivers.
One of the most underrated players of all-time. I think he should be HOF....you can't compare stats as the game was much more physical back then and teams didn't duck and chuck and throw 50 times a game, no it was a brutal smashmouth game with play-action long shots. I miss those days...real men, real football!
Tony H. Was a faster Mike Irvin unfortunately like Dorsett Dallas only won 1 Bowl in his first 2 seasons winning Bowl12, Lossing Bowl13. Dallas would not reach the Bowl again during his career.
@LogicalCowboy: Tony Hill should be in the Hall of Fame. Period. Bob Hayes was a Cowboys legend. Golden Richards took Bob's place as the deep threat. Golden was very fast and talented, and made a number of clutch catches, but - due to a number of factors - was not very productive. Tony replaced Golden Richards, and was immediately very productive as the deep threat. As you pointed out, Tony was accomplishing things that had not been seen since Bob Hayes. Just as there was bias that kept Drew Pearson out of the HOF, there is bias against Tony Hill. The man performed the labor. Reward that labor! Elect him to the HOF.
Okay brother another great video. Let's break this down This is why Drew Pearson isn't in the Hall of Fame sooner. Because I would have sworn that Drew Pearson was the leader ahead of Bob Hayes and Tony Hill in stats before Irvin. Now there was a couple of things that changed one Danny White threw more than Staubach I believe. Now in my memory which our age is always questionable, I always thought Tony Hill and Alvin Harper were a lot alike. I thought Harper could jump higher and hill was a better receiver overall. But this shows me other than them wearing number 80 and being the number two receiver behind number 88's and their knack for catching the deep ball, they were far apart Harper was never a number one. I remember really liking Hill though and I forgot how much he got injured. Another thing if Irvin and Hill were two of the best receivers and cowboys history, it probably helped they had Staubach Danny White and Troy throwing to them. Another great video. On a side note, I appreciate you showing those stats cuz it reminded me that I still need to hate Harold Carmichael 😁
Tony Hill is right there with Irvin and TO as greatest Dallas WRs ever - all who were actually better than Drew Pearson - the standard for COwboy Receviers.
Logical Cowboy, you do exceptional work and study of Dallas Cowboys greats. You should be employed by the Cowboys organization as team historian; however, I suspect you're not, as Jerry Jones likes "yes" men around him and you don't seem the type.
HOW "GOOD" / "GREAT" WAS TONY HILL? The Cowboys "HAD SOMETHING" with WR's Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, and Butch Johnson! Not to mention the TE's, RB's (especially Tony Dorsett), plus Preston Pearson! TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE: Dallas "NEEDS" Tony Hill - or a WR like him - "NOW." Since the days of WR's Drew Pearson and Tony Hill, the Cowboys have fallen into a "TRAP." WHAT'S THE "TRAP?" Going back to WR Michael Irvin, through Dez Bryant, and now CeeDee Lamb, A.K.A., CeeDee G.O.A.T. (my nickname for him), - ALL NUMBER "88", I MIGHT ADD - Dallas has fallen for the "TRAP" of "RELYING" on 1 "DOMINANT" WR and getting "MINIMAL" contributions from the "OTHER" WR's, for the most part. Irvin, with "MINIMAL" contributions - on a game-in, game-out basis - from Alvin Harper (he showed up in those first couple of playoff games, especially against the 49ers, but otherwise) and Kevin Williams, etc. Bryant, with Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin (hamstrings basically gave out), Jesse Holley, and Dwayne Harris, etc. Lamb (they're "REPLYING" / "LEANING" on Lamb already way, way too much and the season just started), with COOP ("BRIEFLY" before they ran him out of here), Gallup (only "EFFECTIVE" for a short and limited amount of time), Noah Brown, Cedrick Wilson, Jr. (only "EFFECTIVE" for a short and limited amount of time), etc. Take away the production from the TE's and the "OTHER" WR's contributions really drops. That's why I have Dallas drafting a WR "EARLY" in the 2025 NFL DRAFT. Rounds 1 - 3 (I have them getting a RB early, too. I just don't know if a team can get "BANG FOR IT'S BUCK" spending a 1st. round pick on a RB anymore. So, I'll say 2nd. or 3rd. round), unless a WR or TWO on the current team really, really "TAKES OFF." The Cowboys sure can use the Drew Pearson, Tony Hill WR combination now! Not to mention, Butch Johnson! ALL THIS ASIDE: Tony "THRILL HILL" was a BAD, BAD MAN!!! I still remember, as a kid, the LONG BOMBS from Roger "THE DODGER" Staubach and Hill running down the field with both his arms up in the air, signaling the TOUCHDOWN often "BEFORE" he was even in the end zone!
Tony Hill was straight dope! Money!
Facts. Thanks for watching bro!
What a Thrill😉!! Outstanding as usual TLC!
Thanks bro!
Those Danny White yrs I wish we could have gotten 1 SB out of those. Those teams were really good. Tony Hill was really good too.
I agree! Thanks for watching bro!
Another 💣 dropped from orbit. I love your channel. Your deep dives beyond the numbers are always insightful and enjoyable. During the 90's, the Irvin-Harper tandem (88 & 80) always gave me nostalgic goosebumps for the days of Pearson and Hill.
Thanks bro!!
Thanks Tony
One of my favorites growing up
Great receiver!
Another great piece of analysis
Thanks bro!
Great research and nice job on the Video, I always loved the combo of Pearson and Hill.
Thanks bro!
Very detailed and informative…! Thanks for sharing this..! I grew up watching #80… Man those memories…
Appreciate you bro!
This was outstanding. I remember someone asking Drew Pearson who he thinks should be in the Cowboy's Ring Of Honor that isn't. He said Tony Hill. I most certainly agree (along with Ed Jones).
Thanks, bro for sharing that!! Very true!
Damn you’re good at breaking down players. You are a rock star. ⭐️ 👍
Thanks bro!
He was one of those guys who was always there. Caught long yardage passes, he didn’t really shine out like Pearson and wasn’t the showboat like Butch Johnson. Quiet focused and went to work on Sunday and did it with grace. I’m glad you highlighted his career. I didn’t know or realize he was that good. Pearson made so many clutch plays in big games it was hard to notice anyone else. But Hill held his own even with the great Pearson!
Couldn't have said it better! Thanks for watching bro!
For one year we had Pearson, Goldie Richards, Butch, and Hill all at the same time. Its hard to think of a better quad than that. Amazing.
Wow!
@@thelogicalcowboy That was 77. Not the smallest reason the Cowboys won SB XII.
Plus the great backs AND TE's. Loaded on offense. No QB does it alone. For some reason so called fans Don't get that now
@@rgtunderworldrgt7773 Spot on!
That was the legendary receiving corp - I loved each of those receivers. The fact that they has Dorsett in the backfield as well made me a Cowboys fan back then. I havent had a fav team since that team.
Tony "Thrill" Hill was absolutely amazing and dominant. Should be in the Ring of Honor 💥💥💥
Facts
Amen, Harvey Martin #79, Robert Newhouse #44 and Preston Pearson #26 , Thomas Hollywood Henderson #56 , Darren Woodson, Everson Walls all should've been put in the Hall of Fame by now ,to much hate against my favorite beloved America Team players. These are greats Jethro Pugh is
another one who deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Baise Media analysts, like ESPN analysts shows host, Stephen A Smith and Shannon Sharpe. Emanuel Acho, Chris Carter. All haters .
Thanks for posting and sharing with old time Dallas fans. This present ownership is an embarrassment to the memory/legacy. At least we have sweet memories
You're welcome bro!
@@thelogicalcowboy Been a Dallas fan since 1975 so I remember the glory years Tom Landry and of course Jimmy Johnson years
So true,thanks for the video
Thanks bro!
Great work bruh 👍👍👍
Appreciate you bro!
Nearly forgotten Cowboy great...❤❤❤
Sure is! Thanks for watching!
Wow you did it again! Great content and Happy Easter! So much to unpack here do we know stats on drops from back then wondering if that reduced Hill's receptions. Also how did he only make 3 pro bowls if I remember apart from Art Monk the early 80s wasn't jam packed with great wrs in the Nfc. Finally was he affected at all by the strike year. Thanks for all you do. The best, most positive Cowboy content on TH-cam.
The NFC was stacked in the 80s. Rice, Lofton, Carmichael, John Taylor, Monk, Clark, Mike quick, Dwight Clark. The pro bowl was only given to players who had good teams in the 80s. Dallas was really only good fir 3 years in that decade. Yes the strike year affected a lot of players career numbers. Also unfortunately there were no metric websites for dropped passes pre-modern era. So the only way to collect data on a player is if you were the media. Teams generally collected data. Thanks bro!
@@thelogicalcowboy Rice as a rookie in 1986 though
@edsapp6678
He came into the league in 85. But to your point, he really didn't do that much in his rookie season.
Tony hill was as good as any of the more popular choices at receiver. The thing I remember about him was clutch catches and hardly any drops. He is Comparable to alvin harper but better. Really was a number one. Should be in the ring of honor.
🔥 🔥
another underated option frank clarke good deep threat
Those teams were loaded at receiver. Tony Hill, Drew Pearson, and Butch Johnson.
Golden Richards and the tight ends weren’t bad either.
Yea haw! Finally something solid that this dude was just as good as Drew maybe better depending who you ask. Great stuff again. I totally agree with this assessment.
Thanks bro!
Tony Hill should be in the Hall of Fame.....
Great video. I think Tony was the reason Golden Richard’s got traded to the Bears.
I believe it was. I'm not sure either. Thanks for watching bro.
Great Era for Dallas. If a team tried to double Drew then Tony would get open deep. He was known as a "deep threat" at the time. Teams would adjust to cover him deep and that would free up the run game and the possession pass plays to Pearson. Golden Richard's was another option as well.
Good point!
Excellent video, this was about the time I became a Cowboys fan. It was Hill, Pearson, Doug Cosbie and Billy Joe Dupree at tight end and Butch Johnson as the third wide receiver. Of course TD, Ron Springs and Robert Newhouse as their runners. Probably more I'm missing, those are just off the top of my head. I don't want to say Hill was underrated, because us Cowboys fans know how great he was, but with Dorsett, Pearson, Staubach and later on D. White on the team, I think Hill was overlooked by most fans around the NFL.
Yeah those teams were stacked!! Thanks for watching!
Tony Hill is largely overshadowed by Michael Irvin, teammate Drew Pearson, and "Bullet" Bob Hayes when discussing great Cowboys receivers.
We had some great seasons didn't we?
@@thelogicalcowboyWe's sho did. Lol
Should be in the HALL.
Hill would have thrived in today's game. Great speed, quickness, route running and explosiveness.
The Perfect skill set for today!
WOW!!!! This is outstanding and phenomenal my brother!!! Also awesome!!! As you mentioned, he provided us with so many great memories!!! His Wings Of Victory touchdown celebration was so uplifting. However, the most electrifying touchdown celebration ever, was provided by our own Butch Johnson. The California Quake. You really did your homework on the statistics. May GOD continue to enrichly bless you and your family my brother!!! Thanks for all you do for us Cowboys fans!!! As always keep up the great work my brother!!! And Happy Easter 🐰🐰!!!
Bless you too bro!! 🙏. Thanks for the support. Yeah, Butch Johnson's celebrations were amazingly funny and entertaining!!
Thanks for that amazing insight on *Hill The Thrill!
All respect to all recievers that played for the cowboys,but besides Drew person & Irving, There's non like Hill. He deserves to be in the ring of fire & the Halll of Fame 👍
Thanks for watching bro!!!
Thanks for all the number crunching and stats that confirms what we saw on the field, he was a "Thrill"!
Appreciate you bro!
I have to admit, I knew Tony Hill was a good receiver, but after your breakdown of stats, he is a Great Cowboy Receiver, and unsung hero. I see him in a better light, My apologies Mr. Tony Hill.
THE SARGE
Appreciate you SARGE!
Actually he led Dallas in receiving 8 straight years. I love the level of critical thinking you're applying in these videos! All this is why Tony "The Thrill" Hill remains a solid #4 WR on my All Time team. Here's another quick comparison of heavily overlapping players, 3 of whom are in the HoF:
Career Yards/Game
Tony Hill - 56.7
John Stallworth - 52.9
Drew Pearson - 50.1
Lynn Swann - 47.1
8 years is crazy!! Thanks for that chart too! Hill was a monster!
He should be in the HOF
He will have an even harder time getting in than Drew - and there were few greater crimes in football history than the time for which Drew was denied
The ironic this is, is that their career numbers are virtually identical. Highly doubtful Hill gets in the HOF.
Great video and I completely agree. We longtime Cowboy fans know how great Tony was, but he never gets his deserved props when they mention great receivers of the 80's. Drew and Tony were a lethal combination.
Thanks bro!
Nice work dude. It's funny how so many great players get overlooked or forgotten in the NFL.
Thanks brother!
Dude was under the Radar .zHe earned Thrill Hill Pal
He sure did!
Great job! Hill was definitely underrated. As I recall, it seems he was always "the other receiver." That mistake was made by many opponents over the years. Thank you for shining a spotlight on his career for all of us.
Thanks bro!
One of my all-time favorite Cowboys! What an underrated, dominant, explosive, reliable, spectacular money player. He abused his divisional foes. Also a very good punt returner and blocker. Tony Hill deserves to be in the Cowboys ROH and should be considered for the HOF.
Same goes for Harvey Martin.
Very underrated!!
Another great video! Tony and Drew Pearson were the first great Dallas receiving duo, I would put them up there with any duo in that time period. Tony certainly lived up to his "Thrill" nickname! And he not only had solid, consistent stats, but he made big catches in big moments time and again. Thanks for posting and putting Tony in the spotlight where he belongs!
Very underrated receiver! Thanks for watching bro!
Always loved when raised his hands after scoring
Classic!
LOVED Tony Hill, thanks for this video! The only thing that bumps him down is that he didn't have a great playoff career, like the #88s did. Solid, but kind of disappointing. Also was injured quite a bit and missed many games, his stats would have bee even more impressive had he been more healthy. But he had plenty of memorable moments during the regular season, like when he caught the game winner from White on 4th down in 1980 at St Louis, the 200+ yard game against the Eagles on Monday night in 1979, and of course his game also on Monday night against the Redskins in the 1983 season opener. Let's not forget his 66 yard Immaculate Reception against the Dolphins in 1984- also on Monday night! I would put Hill's 1984-85 seasons per game against any receiver during that time, 5.1 receptions for 76 yards, or about 81 receptions for 1216 yards over 16 games. All told, I think Hill had the best 9 season (1978-86) stretch of any Cowboy in team history except Pearson.
Good points! I think what Hill so great was his consistency. The guy had 8 years straight of leading the franchise in yards. You can't get any more consistency than that. Thanks bro!
Great job as always. To add support to your video, if Tony had played for any other team he probably would have obtained HoF numbers. Playing for Landry was good and bad. Landry had a system and he spread the ball around. If Tony had played where he was the lone go-to guy, his numbers would have been great. Use 1979 as an example. He had 60 receptions, Drew had 55, Dorsett had 45, Billy Joe had 29, Preston Pearson had 26 and Ron Springs had 25. 6 others had a total of 47 receptions. To add to your point, just take one of these players out of the picture and give those receptions to Tony and he is easily a top receiver in the league, which is what he was anyway.
Great!!! Post! This was the basis of my argument! Thanks for watching!
Once again the greatest time in pro football was 70s to 2000. These guys MADE football the empire it has become. And the CLASSiest and toughest players in all pro football history. Tony Hill made watching the Cowboys fun! Staubach, Billy Jo Dupree, Ron Springs, Drew Pearson, Dorsett, Newsome, Preston Pearson, Danny White, but that was only DALLAS, like you said-. I just want to see the Browns legitimately win a Super Bowl and set Lake Erie on fire for Cleveland Browns fans. Viva Modern day football Titans!
Good post! Thanks for watching!
became WR1 in his second season. he should be in the hall. charlie waters, too.
And Too Tall!
Wow Pearson and Hill. Drew Pearson wouldn't be in the Hall if not for Tony Hill on the field. Great Video of nostalgia ❤
Thanks for watching bro!
I wouldn't go that far. Hill didn't get significant playing time until 1978, and Pearson by the time was already a made man.
But Tony Hill was certainly a great receiver. Very productive. Reminiscent of Bob Hayes and a precursor to Alvin Harper.
The four years before Tony Hill came on board, Drew Pearson averaged 53-900-4.5.
The following four years with Tony Hill on the opposite side of the field, Drew Pearson's annual average dipped in 2 of 3 categories
48-800-4.8.
Of course, those same Four Seasons Tony Hill stole the show with...
53-960-6.5
So one could argue although Drew Pearson's averages remained approximately consistent throughout his career Save the Last 2 years it was the addition of Tony Hill assisted in Pearson's production consistency.
Arguably the best receiver tandem in the NFL those four years matched only by Stallworth and Swann. Although I must say the Los Angeles Rams had Harold Jackson and anybody else on the other side. What a great decade the seventies was for the NFL.
@@humbledriver2536 Good stuff.
He wasn't the fasted WR in the league but he had this ability to get a defender confused about what he was doing and where he was going. When Dallas had him along with Drew Pearson and Doug Cosbie at TE I don't think there was another receiving corps in the league that was better. When he retired his absence was really felt.
Well said!!
I don’t even need to see these numbers. Tony Hill was the best and most impactful receiver on his team. Remember, there is only one football and it was shared between Hill, Pearson, Johnson and, to a lesser degree, the underrated Ron Springs and the great Preston Pearson. I witnessed all of Hill’s greatness. Kudos to this channel.
Thanks bro!! Good post!
The receiving options Dallas had from 1978-1983 was insane. There were a ton of players catching balls for the Cowboys in that time period, which is what makes Hill even more impressive. Hill was the back breaker for that squad. Landry used regular sets, two tight end sets, three receiver and four receiver sets. He had tons of options including a two handed running game. A shame their defense had issues in every season other than 1978, otherwise they would have been almost unbeatable. Which is why I rate their 1978 teams as better than their 1977 team and rate their 1978 teams as close to, if not better, than their 1971 team. Hill is just a massive upgrade over Golden Richards and Preston Pearson as a 3rd down threat must have made that 1978 teams just maddening to defense against.
Your post are always informative bro! I couldn't agree more!
standing ovation from me LC!!! I love your analytical break downs, no one does it better than you. And for most of his career, he wasn't even the number 1 receiver and shared balls with the likes of Drew Pearson, Billy Joe Dupree, Butch Johnson and a host of running backs. I have no where near the head for numbers like you do, I just remember the dude made big time catches in big time post season games when you needed them. So sad when a number 2 receiver from forty years ago are better than any number one in the past twenty years. Great video!
Thanks for the compliment brother! I can't imagine what his career would have turned out to be if he was the focus more often like the other receivers in his era. Criminally underrated.
Yes he SHOULD be in the HALL OF FAME.
He’s one of my all time favorite players, I modeled my recess career after him, they used to call me Thrill lol
Man these are hard to watch!!! Seeing how far the boys have fallen!!!!
😢
I watched the 1978 Cowboys playoff game against the Falcons. Danny White relieved an injured Staubach in the second half, and he targeted Hill more than he did Pearson.
That game was a predictor of what White's relationship with Hill and Pearson would become. Pearson was Staubach's favorite target, but Hill was White's favorite target.
Thanks for another great video!
Good point!!
In other words, he was great.
Basically! Lol. Thanks for watching!
Tony Hill was very underrated but one of my favorites. In any other team he would have been the #1, but in Dallas because of # 88 had to settle for second. With his skills and athletic ability in any other team he would have been a Hall of Famer at the end of his career. I remember in the 70s the games he had against the Trojans at the LA Coliseum. LC you never disappoint with your research and fresh takes. Thank you for the hard work of putting this presentation together. God bless you and Happy Resurrection Day. 🙏
Great post!! Happy resurrection day as well bro!
Loved watching Tony “Thrill” Hill as a teenager in Florida.
Thanks, bro for watching!
Thats the way the Cowboys played usually they ran the ball then throw it with Tony Dorsett and Emmit Smith in their running game then its a no brainer
Facts
Tony Hill was great. I loved Tony Hill. Unfortunately I recall that when Drew Pearson retired after he was injured in a car accident that unless he was replaced by an adequate wide receiver that the Cowboys were pretty much done. Add in the key injuries on the OL to Herb Scott and Pat Donovan, which led to a decline in Tony Dorsett’s numbers, I knew their run was over. Interestingly, similarly the run of the Cowboys in the 90s became fragile when Alvin Harper left, but was punctuated by Michael Irvin’s injury against Carolina in the playoff game that had the Panthers bring 7 players in the box to key on Emmitt Smith on every play, and then later when Jerry Jones, despite being known for acquiring every troublemaking off the field problematic player with a rap sheet, decided to pass on Randy Moss in the draft came to become either somewhat of a curse or a consistent pattern of Jerry Jones’ inability to ever learn how to create a championship team. He could never have done it without Jimmy, may have gotten there with Bill Parcells had he not uprooted the chemistry of Bill Parcells’ team when he brought in Terrell Owens, and has still not learned from three legendary coaches in the history of the Cowboys. He has not learned the value of bringing in reliable players or the importance of a strong running game with 3 strong run blocking interior OL and the ability to stop the run with the 3 interior defensive delta to stop the run, meaning either 2 strong DT plus a middle linebacker in a 4-3 or an exceptional nose tackle with two aggressively hungry and quick inside linebackers if playing in a 3-4. But maybe he will now heed advice from Jimmy and do what is right for the organization and for us fans that have suffered for so long that we have only to relive the memories of what used to be from the last century. Great video once again. I thank you, like always!
🔥 🔥
I remember when Tony Hill came on the scene.
The impressive thing is that Dallas didn't focus on one receiver like so many other teams. Landry's offense "spread the wealth" otherwise you could double Thrill's numbers if not for DPearson, PPearson, BJDupree and all the rest.
Brother, another great video. And I am not tired of saying it.
Good post!! Appreciate you bro! 🙏
Great content!!! I’m subscribing! Tony Hill was my favorite player when I was a kid!
Thanks for the sub!
Tony Hill and Drew Pearson the awesome twosome!! A few years later, Alvin Harper and Michael Irvin, same numbers 80 and 88. Hill and Harper were just as equally as good as the 2 88's.
Thanks for watching! Hill was so underrated!
I agree with you.Hill was &still is underrated.I was blessed to see him play at Texas Stadium.
Tony Hill from Long Beach, CA was one of my favorite Dallas Cowboys players. He should be in the ROH.
I definitely think Tony Hill was the best WR #2 Dallas ever had. Alvin Harper, to me, comes in at a close 2nd best and both wore #80. Both impacted games like no other.
Thrill Hill…
Thrill!!!! Thanks for watching bro
I always like the video
Thank you for this.
Appreciate you bro!
So underrated Thrill Hill !!!
Wasn’t a showboat either which is rare in wr
Sure is!
Good stuff. Tony Hill and Alvin Harper are the most underrated super star receivers ever. I hate how team and league leaders try to pick and choose who should be worthy of what. I think the Cowboys organization is still upset on how their relationship ended, which I have never learned the details.
Bruh, you had 88,,80,33, TE, and tom Landry wanted to run his offense everything was even a cross the board
Legendary cast!
T. Hill was my second favorite (next to Dorsett) of my childhood. He got cut by Landry because he showed up for camp at 220lbs. FACT! Shame though. He was so great to watch. This contributed to the Cowboy's fall from greatness!
Tony was as underated as a receiver that the Cowboys could have had ill never forget that Monday night game when Dandy Don told Howard Cosell theres your world class receiver lol
Yep!! Lol thanks bro!
Awesome breakdown love all your work Stanford guy not bad
Appreciate you bro! Thanks for watching!
Tony Hill was my favorite player as a kid. 👊
I hope you have a lot of videos featuring the great Cowboys of the past to serve up.....the next couple of years are going to be brutal for the team.
Fans who grew up with the 90s vintage of great Cowboys teams think of Alvin Harper as a big play receiver but Tony "Thrill" Hill was the real deal Holyfield of big play receivers.
Should be cowboys Ring of Honor and pro football Hall of Fame
One of the most underrated players of all-time. I think he should be HOF....you can't compare stats as the game was much more physical back then and teams didn't duck and chuck and throw 50 times a game, no it was a brutal smashmouth game with play-action long shots. I miss those days...real men, real football!
Tony Hill "The FORGOTTEN legend"!! 😥
Very underrated!!! Big play Receiver!!!
I agree
A talented athlete! I loved that era of the Cowboys. Unfortunately they never won the Big Game.
Tony H. Was a faster Mike Irvin unfortunately like Dorsett Dallas only won 1 Bowl in his first 2 seasons winning Bowl12, Lossing Bowl13. Dallas would not reach the Bowl again during his career.
Yeah unfortunately! Thanks bro!
Tony Hill was my favorite receiver when I was a kid. Hill was #1 and Butch Johnson was my #2.
He should be in the hall of fame!! No doubt about it....
@LogicalCowboy: Tony Hill should be in the Hall of Fame. Period.
Bob Hayes was a Cowboys legend. Golden Richards took Bob's place as the deep threat. Golden was very fast and talented, and made a number of clutch catches, but - due to a number of factors - was not very productive. Tony replaced Golden Richards, and was immediately very productive as the deep threat. As you pointed out, Tony was accomplishing things that had not been seen since Bob Hayes.
Just as there was bias that kept Drew Pearson out of the HOF, there is bias against Tony Hill.
The man performed the labor. Reward that labor! Elect him to the HOF.
Tony Hill was a great complement to Drew as Alvin Harper was to Michael Irvin.
Better compliment!! I love Harper tho!
Okay brother another great video. Let's break this down
This is why Drew Pearson isn't in the Hall of Fame sooner. Because I would have sworn that Drew Pearson was the leader ahead of Bob Hayes and Tony Hill in stats before Irvin. Now there was a couple of things that changed one Danny White threw more than Staubach I believe. Now in my memory which our age is always questionable, I always thought Tony Hill and Alvin Harper were a lot alike. I thought Harper could jump higher and hill was a better receiver overall. But this shows me other than them wearing number 80 and being the number two receiver behind number 88's and their knack for catching the deep ball, they were far apart Harper was never a number one. I remember really liking Hill though and I forgot how much he got injured. Another thing if Irvin and Hill were two of the best receivers and cowboys history, it probably helped they had Staubach Danny White and Troy throwing to them. Another great video. On a side note, I appreciate you showing those stats cuz it reminded me that I still need to hate Harold Carmichael 😁
Good read! Appreciate you, bro!
You could make an argument.... That he was better than Drew Pearson.
The cowboys also had a1,0000 yard back todays NFL rarely has that .
I agree
Tony Hill, Too Tall and Harvey Martin should be in the HOF.
When I see #80 for the Cowboys, I only think of two names, Tony Hill and Alvin Harper.
Tony Hill is right there with Irvin and TO as greatest Dallas WRs ever - all who were actually better than Drew Pearson - the standard for COwboy Receviers.
I'd be a halloffamer if Staubach was my quarterback just kidding number 80
As good as Irving was, I always thought Hill was way better.
Logical Cowboy, you do exceptional work and study of Dallas Cowboys greats. You should be employed by the Cowboys organization as team historian; however, I suspect you're not, as Jerry Jones likes "yes" men around him and you don't seem the type.
Thanks, bro!! You suspected well my brother. I'm humbled! I'm no yes man!
A complete embarrassment Dak should have at least 1 ring if he had a defense to back him up for Christ sakes
HOW "GOOD" / "GREAT" WAS TONY HILL?
The Cowboys "HAD SOMETHING" with WR's Drew Pearson, Tony Hill, and Butch Johnson!
Not to mention the TE's, RB's (especially Tony Dorsett), plus Preston Pearson!
TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE:
Dallas "NEEDS" Tony Hill - or a WR like him - "NOW."
Since the days of WR's Drew Pearson and Tony Hill, the Cowboys have fallen into a "TRAP."
WHAT'S THE "TRAP?"
Going back to WR Michael Irvin, through Dez Bryant, and now CeeDee Lamb, A.K.A., CeeDee G.O.A.T. (my nickname for him), - ALL NUMBER "88", I MIGHT ADD - Dallas has fallen for the "TRAP" of "RELYING" on 1 "DOMINANT" WR and getting "MINIMAL" contributions from the "OTHER" WR's, for the most part.
Irvin, with "MINIMAL" contributions - on a game-in, game-out basis - from Alvin Harper (he showed up in those first couple of playoff games, especially against the 49ers, but otherwise) and Kevin Williams, etc.
Bryant, with Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin (hamstrings basically gave out), Jesse Holley, and Dwayne Harris, etc.
Lamb (they're "REPLYING" / "LEANING" on Lamb already way, way too much and the season just started), with COOP ("BRIEFLY" before they ran him out of here), Gallup (only "EFFECTIVE" for a short and limited amount of time), Noah Brown, Cedrick Wilson, Jr. (only "EFFECTIVE" for a short and limited amount of time), etc.
Take away the production from the TE's and the "OTHER" WR's contributions really drops.
That's why I have Dallas drafting a WR "EARLY" in the 2025 NFL DRAFT.
Rounds 1 - 3 (I have them getting a RB early, too. I just don't know if a team can get "BANG FOR IT'S BUCK" spending a 1st. round pick on a RB anymore. So, I'll say 2nd. or 3rd. round), unless a WR or TWO on the current team really, really "TAKES OFF."
The Cowboys sure can use the Drew Pearson, Tony Hill WR combination now!
Not to mention, Butch Johnson!
ALL THIS ASIDE:
Tony "THRILL HILL" was a BAD, BAD MAN!!!
I still remember, as a kid, the LONG BOMBS from Roger "THE DODGER" Staubach and Hill running down the field with both his arms up in the air, signaling the TOUCHDOWN often "BEFORE" he was even in the end zone!