Cowboys' Zack Martin Has A Big Uniform (Jersey) to Fill

Okay Zack Martin, the bar is set at Rayfield Wright. Ready. Set. Hall of Fame?

Probably a smidge premature to be setting such lofty goals for the Cowboys’ first-round draft pick, but the offensive lineman from Notre Dame already has something in common with Wright:

No. 70.

To be fair, '81 first-round pick (bust?) Howard Richards also wore that uniform number. So maybe Martin, for now, should be more realistic and shoot for being the second-best No. 70 in franchise history.

A look at the Cowboys’ draft choices, their new jersey numbers and the footprints they have to follow:

Zack Martin, No. 70 – If he even flirts with Rayfield Wright’s Canton legacy he’ll be a shrewd, splendid choice.

Demarcus Lawrence, No. 90 – Instead of DeMarcus Ware’s impossible No. 94, he’ll attempt instead to fill Jay Ratliff’s jersey.

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Anthony Hitchens, No. 59 – Darrin Smith started at linebacker on a No. 1 defense and won two Super Bowl rings. Good luck.

Devin Street, No. 15 – Forgettable ‘80s receiver Cornell Burbage and future TV sports anchor Babe Laufenberg also wore the number, but since the ‘70s it’s belonged to kicker Toni Fritsch.

Ben Gardner, No. 71 – People forget just how dominant an offensive lineman Mark Tuinei was.

Will Smith, No. 40 – If he has half of Bill Bates’ tenacity he’ll at least make the roster.

Ahmad Dixon, No. 36 – Vince Albritton wore the number as an underwhelming 1980s safety, but it – by default – is owned by '70s backup running back Larry Brinson.

Ken Bishop, No. 66 – George Andrie was one of the lesser-known, most underrated members of the Cowboys’ original Doomsday Defense in the late '60s/early ‘70s.

Terrance Mitchell, No. 30 – Dan Reeves blocked, ran, caught – and threw – passes, won two Super Bowls as a player and coached (as an assistant and head coach) in seven more. Top that, 7th-rounder.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs. 

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