Cowboys Passing Game: Who Wants to Tango with Romo?
by Rafael Vela on May 12, 2009 10:21 AM CDT
84 comments
What links some of the signature catches in Dallas Cowboys history?
What do the Hail Mary pass in '75, the Aikman-to-Harper bomb in the '92 NFC title game, Preston Pearson's leaper in the right corner of the L.A. Coliseum again the Rams in '75 have in common?
They were all lousy passes, either overthrown or underthrown. They live on because a Cowboys receiver made an improbable catch.
I've been thinking about this topic a bit recently. Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman were all-timers, but they received great assistance from receivers who made their weaker throws nearly as automatic as their good ones. Think of Drew Pearson and a list of tough catches in traffic come to mind. Same with Preston Pearson, who could stretch for a tough catch. Michael Irvin's long career produced a litany of acrobatic grabs which required uncommon body control and concentration.
Perhaps no Cowboys receiver made more big grabs by percentage than Alvin Harper. He tends to fade with time, in relation to the Triplets, or Jay Novacek, but think of the '90s Cowboys playoff runs and more big plays had number 80 involved that most people suspect. I can see him taking a sure interception off Eric Davis' facemask to set up Dallas opening touchdonw of the second half at Candlestick. I can see him leaping high to grab a playoff touchdown against Green Bay, and landing on his head. Several others line jaw droppers immediately up behind these two.
I then think of the current crop of Cowboys wideouts and wonder where the big plays are? Where are the acrobatics? The velcro hands? The knack for making the improbable on a regular basis?
Think of the brief Romo era, all two and a half years of it. Can you recall a big drive sustained by a crazy catch? I can think of some lucky ones, of a Romo pass that bounced off Miles Austin's hands and into Patrick Crayton's to seal the Bengals win last year.
I can think of some "wow" inspiring Jason Witten catches, where he made tough snags while being drilled. When it comes to the wideouts, I have to think long and hard before anything comes to mind.
And that's a problem. Tony Romo makes his share of big mistakes, but he also makes a lot of Houdini-like escapes which lead to big plays. His bomb-on-the-run at the Meadowlands in '06, which landed perfectly in Witten's hands. His double spinner scramble at Pittsburgh last year, which led to his lone TD pass to T.O. along the back line.
Where, however, is the receiving corps' "wow"? T.O. made a lot of catches, but how many were extraordinary? Where's Miles Austin's portfolio? Sam Hurd's? Patrick Crayton's?
It takes two to tango. The quarterback has some wow, but Roy Williams will need to bring some of that circus mojo he displayed at Texas and sometimes at Detroit if this team wants to be great. So will his kiddie corps of colleagues. We need to see some sliders. Some one handers. Some of this:
Because without these plays, this offense could be good, but not great. Ask Eli Manning about this. He made an all-time great escape from a Patriots rush late in New York's Super Bowl win, but he would be a footnote in the Tom Brady Story if David Tyree had not made an equally improbable catch.
It takes two to tango, gents. Who wants to dance?
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Excellent
point, as usual, Raf.
Butch Johnson comes to mind for pulling in a few unlikely grabs in the clutch.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
SB XII catch
by Butch at 8:20 on this highlight clip. Stretches out for the grab, and holds on just long enough to score.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the rare circus catch
is one of the best things about football, imo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_cowboys Pretty much required reading for any Dallas fan.
by oneinsider on May 12, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Love this kind of thread
I can’t wait to read some of the recountings that are sure to come.
I also agree with the premise. It’s the improbable that seperates good teams from great. This team hasn’t been great yet.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 12, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
great point Raf
The QB who really benefited from having great WRs bail him out, time and time again was Terry Bradshaw. Growing up in western Pa in the 70s, I wish I had a dime every time I witnessed John Stallworth and Lynn Swann make an incredible catch of a horribly thrown pass by Bradshaw, I could be retired already.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on May 12, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's the *consistent* improbable
think of the Steelers last year. How small was their margin of victory every week.
But that’s the point. When you do it all the time, it’s not an accident. It means you’re good.
by Rafael Vela on May 12, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe "playmaker" isn't part of the prototype
Everybody know there’s a prototype receiver the Cowboys look for…….big, strong etc. Maybe they should throw “just makes plays” into the equation or forget having a prototype at all.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 12, 2009 10:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great article.
There haven’t been too many plays where the wide receivers have bailed Romo out.
As a matter of fact I think maybe the most acrobatic catch for a TD, might have been the one that Bennett snagged against Washington. (If my memory is correct.)
Love the article.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on May 12, 2009 10:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That was an outstanding catch
When I think of him, that’s the kind of play I think about. I can’t wait to see more of those this year.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 12, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I always thought...
…Terry Glenn made some very impressive catches along these lines.
by eliason on May 12, 2009 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That was great,
but he wasn’t here for the 13-3 season, and he wasn’t here last season. He was great when healthy, but those days are gone and he can not help next seaon. I would love to have the old TG back healthy and ready to go, but it isn’t going to happen.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 12, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, for that matter nobody Raf talked about is coming back either
I think he’s just pointing out something TG brought to the team.
by AustonianAggie on May 12, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know,
I hated what I was saying as I was writing it. I just don’t think that players that are gone are of any more consequence. I want to believe that the main point is about who in this bunch is going to make the spectacular play? Past performance has indicated that no one is going to.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 12, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It just seems lately
for every big catch there has been an equally boneheaded miss. T.O. can be linked to most of those, but the others were not doing anything to pick up the slack, ala Harper.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 12, 2009 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Remember Seattle of 2004? they were stuck in a 9-7 rut
and had kept losing to St Louis in the playoffs. They ditched their WRs who were a constant drop threat and made the SB the next year
by AustonianAggie on May 12, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well...
They really didn’t ditch that many receivers.
They still had basiclly the same group minus Koren Robinson.
Which is why they lost the superbowl. They had so many first downs dropped that game, it was sick.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on May 12, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that, and the refs being in the tank for the Steelers
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on May 13, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed 100%
Terry Glenn had some "wow"in him. T.O was more about being able to fly past through deffenses and yards after the catch. His hands sucked!.
Crayton has some good hands (and some really stupid drops!), Roy Williams better show us soemthing and the rest you cant tell….it’s still too soon in their careers.
by ManTab on May 12, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Favorite memory of Alvin Harper..
is him dunking over the goal post after catching that bomb in the super bowl. How’s that for wow. There was an incredible picture of him dunking on Sports Illustrated’s Point After back in February of 1993 while Irvin looked on with his helmut off. Wish I had a copy.
by Boundforbeach on May 12, 2009 11:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
wasn't that the stunt that hurt his back?
by bad knees on May 12, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Drew
Pearson hurt his back on a TD celebration. Don’t remember Alvin doing it, but sure could’ve happened.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate the Lynn Swan acrobatic catch while falling over backwards in our Superbowl loss
That play has come into my mind every time we have played the steelers. I’m glad we don’t play them a lot.
by bad knees on May 12, 2009 11:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that play is the first play ever that sticks in my memory
from actually seeing it live when I was 8.
…unfortunately lol
by scottmaui on May 12, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess we won't talkm about the Jackie Smith drop either.....
I know, I know, I rained on the parade but it just goes to show how guys can either step it up or let us down right?
by texstar on May 12, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
grrrrrrrr
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember TO making this behing the back grab
this past season. I remember how impressed Aikman was.
by ym on May 12, 2009 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Super
Austin seemed to be on verge of breaking through last year, and I have high hopes for him this year.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on May 12, 2009 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
uh... i was in the middle of typing when it posted... wtf?
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on May 12, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's my real post ... Super Bowl champs seem to come in all shapes and sizes
From solid running teams to teams that rely almost entirely on their defense… you don’t necessarily need an A-list receiving corps to win.
As for the Cowboys, I think we’ve got a whole bunch of quality #2 receivers, and I’m hoping at least one or two can step up. This includes Roy Williams… he needs to prove he’s a #1 each and every year. Last year he barely qualified as a quality #2.
As for the rest of our guys…
Austin seemed to be on verge of breaking through last year, and I have high hopes for him this year.
Stanbach is in a make – or – break year. Will he be able to translate all that talent and speed into a break-out year? I think it’s too early to write him off, and in fact he’s got the potential to have a Wes Welker type year for us.
Crayton was one reason this team had an amazing 13-3 season two years ago. It seemed Romo was finding him on critical 3rd down plays all the time. I don’t see him putting up many WOW catches, but he’s certainly a capable #2.
I see Hurd as above Stanbach on the current depth chart, but with a lower ceiling… and the one guy I think we might see released in favor of a rookie.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on May 12, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't need wow catches
I also remember Crayton during the 13-3 season. I would like to see the WRs hang on to the ones that hit them in the hands. He was a big (but not the only) reason the Boys didn’t advance
by birdness on May 12, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
crayton
what i remember most about crayton on 3rd down was the number of times he caught the ball short of the sticks, but always seemed to manage to make the first down. i would love for him to return to this role.
by billstickers on May 12, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of the many things I will not miss about the TO is his ability to turn the simple catch into a drop, and his inability to make any sort of circus catch.
by DannyWhite on May 12, 2009 12:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
Here is the Aikman to Harper throw and it looks like money to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbcZAJmwXHs
Maybe you’re talking about a different play in that game since this play wasn’t a bomb, just a 15 to 20 yard pass that Harper ran for an additional 40 yards.
For the Staubach throw if it was anywhere else it would have been intercepted IMO since Drew looked covered to me. For this type of play they seem to be pretty much a jump ball at the end of the game.
by christmasisdraftday on May 12, 2009 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Harper catch
I was thinking of was a sideline catch that Aikman said he thought was an interception. Amazing catch.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
Maybe that is what Raf was talking about.
by christmasisdraftday on May 12, 2009 1:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Clip
the catch is at 3:07, with a closeup afterward. Amazing.
Clip.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That IS the one
The slant is the one everyone remembers – but this one was all on Harper – pass underthrown and great coverage – but he just reached over and plucked it out of Davis’ hands.
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
by BoyfromOz on May 12, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And there is another at 5:37
High and behind – over 2 defenders – and away for a TD.
He really picked on the 49’ers
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
by BoyfromOz on May 12, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OskieOskie
That is a really good clip of past Cowboy receivers.
by christmasisdraftday on May 12, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just found it
on YouTube when I was looking for the Harper catch. Wish I could take credit for it, but I can’t.
I agree, it is a good collection.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is something about ...
watching the Boys score touchdowns against the redskins that cheers me up.
I hate the eagles, but beating the redskins is the best.
by christmasisdraftday on May 12, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Raf
What I keep thinking is the Paitriots three super bowl… Brady had no super star WR’s… and yet they colectively won thre SB. The year they did have Moss, they didn’t win.. Why can’t we win with decent WR’s this year..
by CDR on May 12, 2009 2:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Raf isn't saying your receivers have to be superstars
he’s saying your receivers have to make some great catches every now and then and even though the Pats receivers weren’t pro bowlers, they did make some great catches for Brady during their SB runs.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on May 12, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
New List of Best and Worst Owners...
SI just put out an article of best and worst NFL owners.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/05/08/nfl.owners/index.html
Of course, I’m biased, but I think it’s an absolute joke that Jerry is not at the top of the list of the best owners. He’s got a state of the art stadium, the highest valued team in the league, an incredible business acumen, a fan base second to none, and a damn good team to boot. The negative media bias never stops. It’s just a joke. SI’s ratings:
1. Rooney
2. Kraft
3. Tisch (Giants)
4. Lurie
5. Biscotti (Ravens)
On the other hand, Jerry’s not in the bottom five either. They are:
1. Al Davis
2. Ford
3. Snyder (ha ha ha)
4. Brown (Bungles)
5. DeBartolo York
by Boundforbeach on May 12, 2009 2:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You are
in for a long wait if you are waiting for the media to show any respect to Jerry Jones.
Poll the NFL players about what owner they want to play for, and Jerry will land near the top.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah... Jerry's like Rodney Dangerfield
But it gets me all riled up. Three Lombardi’s under his watch. As you note…every free agent wants to be in Big D. The networks jockey for position to carry our games. Aside from lack of recent playoff success, they got nothing. It’s ridiculous.
by Boundforbeach on May 12, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't want to start a food fight but................
It’s been a really long time since anything big has been accomplished. I take the success in the 90’s as a result of acquiring an amazing amount of talent and having really strong player leadership. Jerry has not been able to put anything close to that back together since he fell off the wall.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 12, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All the free agents want to come to Dallas because they know Jerry overpays them
How many years has it been since the Cowboys won a playoff game, forget about the Super Bowl? All the owners on the best list have teams that have won playoff games in the past decade, even some have won Super Bowls. That may be the factor keeping Jerry off the list. Now if Jerry would fire his general manager and get his team winning again, he’d be at the top of the list
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on May 13, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So
if SB success is the measuring stick, explain Lurie making the list.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 13, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The case for Lurie over Jerry Jones?
in the past decade, the eagles have been to multiple conference championship games and one super bowl, and the Eagles have beaten the cowboys at least once to prevent the Cowboys from making the playoffs. In that same time period, what has Jerry’s team accomplished? How many playoff appearances? Playoff victories? Super Bowl Appearances?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on May 13, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love those highlight reel grabs...
… but for now would settle for consistently hanging onto balls that hit the receivers right in the meat hooks!
by doomsdayreturns on May 12, 2009 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great point
I’ve wondered the same thing in the recent past. TO was great after the catch, but rarely made a catch that sent your jaw dropping to the floor.
You know what though? I have a pretty good feeling about Romo to Roy this year, and he’s certainly the type of receiver that can wow you with some crazy ass wonderful catches. If I had to take a guess at what Roy’s 09-2010 season numbers would look like, I’d say something like 1,150 yards and 10 TD’s. If he can do that, and sprinkle in some impressive catches in along the way, I’ll be one happy camper.
by sublimezg on May 12, 2009 4:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
wr
i agree that we do have some quality #2 receivers. my hope is that each week a different receiver will step up and have big game. that would be cool. not very likely but you never know. defenses couldn’t gear up for any one receiver.
by maxdout on May 12, 2009 4:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
nobody mentioned K. Johnson, I think him and TG were a couple of WRs
that were making the wow catches. RW reminds me of Key somehow by the way he catches the ball away from his body. TO was a beast but he would catch with hands to the body. its not spectacular, but good for quick slants.
by dcfanz on May 12, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep, Keyshawn
needs to get a little love on the hard catches.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 12, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another thought provoking post.
Thanks again, Raf. This made me think about something I hadn’t considered. I guess your students benefit from this on a daily basis but it is, unfortunately, a rarity in the articles the media rights. They are more interested in sensationalism and provoking anger than in helping us better understand the intricacies of the issues involving the team. Thanks again for the time you invest in doing this.
by swidge on May 12, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Highlight Reel Catches Are Nice
But I don’t know if they make the difference between a good offense and a great one.
by kindablue on May 12, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
it certainly was the difference
between being SB champions and SB losers for the GMen 2 years ago.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on May 12, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If not for Tyree the Giants are just an footnote
in the Brady era, could you imagine the hoopla over 19-0. As much as I hated the Giants winning that one and Pittsburgh winning last year. At least it wasn’t New England.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 12, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've got no problem with NE
They have figured out how to be consistently successful in the salary cap era, nobody else has. All the haters are just sour grapes as far as I’m concerned.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 12, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't care about their success.
I think it is the way they did it. They are successful, but very unsportsmanlike about it. Everyone says make the defense stop them, but there is a class to winning, just as there is a class to losing.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 12, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is unsportsmanlike?
I assume you’re referring to the filming the other sideline thing? Give me a break. That was the most over hyped bunch of sour grapes from jealous people I’ve ever seen. NE is very successful and it’s fashionable to hate a winner. If you don’t think every team in the NFL doesn’t look for that kind of edge every single week then I think you’re naive. And if that’s what you’re talking about, are you saying all the success they’ve had since the early 2000’s is attributable to that?
As far as I’m concerned, NE has done it the right way. They’ve drafted very well, made smart FA signings, managed the cap, and basically Belecheck couldn’t care less about the media. Contrast that with the Cowboys; mediocre drafts, overpaid their own FA’s, generally done OK with the cap since cap hell, and Jerry is obsessed with making headlines. The results (wins and losses) really speak for themselves.
by StillHateTheGiants on May 13, 2009 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not at all.
Fim gate is meaningless. No, it’s about the if you don’t want to get beat by 40 points then stop us attitude. It’s leaving your starters in for the whole game when you have a 20 point lead with under 5 min left. I’m not saying to quit trying, but this isn’t college where quality of wins affect bowl selection. Run the ball and take time off the clock. I expect teams to run it up in college. According to the bowl system if you are supposed to beat a team by 20 and only beat them by 7 you almost lost the game. However, if you were supposed to win by 7 and win by 40 you are rewarded in the standings. That isn’t true in the NFL, and the only people who care about the spread are in Vegas. If you win all your games in the regular season by 1 point you still go to the playoffs. Playing to embarass the other team is by definition unsportsmanlike.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 13, 2009 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It Might Have Been
It certainly helped them win, but saying the Giants definitely would not have won if that catch was made is speculation.
In any event, your reply had nothing to do with what I was talking about.
by kindablue on May 13, 2009 6:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe if that catch wasn't made the drive was over
and the clock would have essentially been run out. From my recollection, there was almost zero chance the Giants would have won if he had not made that catch. Does anyone else remember differently?
by StillHateTheGiants on May 13, 2009 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you there Still.
Also, if Ty Law hadn’t slathered his hands up with butter before the 4th quarter the game would have been over too. Either way Manning got lucky on multiple occasions during that game and preceding ones to get his ring. How about this one. If Roy Williams/Anthony Henry had been able to tackle a 12 year veteran (Toomer) and prevent a 50 yard TD pass 3 weeks earlier, would Manning have even been there to have Tyree catch that pass.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
by GunsUp on May 13, 2009 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ummmm
I think you’re thinking of Asante Samuels.
But either way, you’re correct on that pick that just drifted through his hands.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on May 13, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
that catch was the winner.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on May 13, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Way
That catch happened on a third down and five at the Giants 44 yard line with 1:28 left in the game. They still had two timeouts left at that point.
If Tyree doesn’t make that catch, they still have a chance on fourth down and five, which is very makeable.
If they don’t convert, they still have two timeouts to preserve the clock and get the ball back (probably deep in their own territory) with around half a minute to go. The odds would be long, but the game isn’t over. And there’s always the chance for a turnover or blocked punt; again, that’s not likely, but stranger things have happened in NFL history.
So, was Tyree’s catch big? Of course. Would the game definitely have ended had he not made it. Not by a long shot.
And you guys are so fixated on this one play, you’ve ignored the point it was making: Highlight reel catches, in the scheme of things, are not significant for a team’s performance, unless I can see some serious research to the contrary.
by kindablue on May 13, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's not speculation, it's the facts
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on May 13, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I See
So, it’s a fact the Giants couldn’t convert a fourth down and five near midfield and go on to score a touchdown? You have some special psychic powers that allow you to see alternative histories, and know their outcome?
Don’t be ridiculous.
by kindablue on May 13, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could you cite some objective evidence
of these facts?
by I_miss_Switzer on May 14, 2009 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harper is the forgotten man - but Raf is on the money
Perhaps no Cowboys receiver made more big grabs by percentage than Alvin Harper. He tends to fade with time
I have been making it through the offseason by looking at great games from yesteryear (e.g. the Top 10 DVD recently released). I was truly surprised at the number of big catches Harper made – he bailed Aikman out a few times in big games.
Another great catch often forgotten was the Hail Mary against the then undefeated and soon to be SB champion Redskins (unusually, I think at the end of the first half). It was that game that JimmyJ credits as the one that gave his young team the confidence that they could compete with anyone.
And his big catches help us beat the 49’ers twice in the Conference Championship games – and we know those were the true SuperBowls….
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
by BoyfromOz on May 12, 2009 10:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The redskins Hail Mary is at 7:40
on the clip above.
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
by BoyfromOz on May 12, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Compare that to what Romo has "received
Key drops from Fasano, Crayton. Poor route-running. Receivers just not being where they are suppossed to be.
I just hope they haven’t permantly messed up his psyche.
"Where's Woody? - We need another Darren Woodson
by BoyfromOz on May 12, 2009 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
btw you might be on to something, we tend to concentrate on receivers making a wow grab
but how many times they would either drop the ball or don’t run their routs correctly, I think I’ve read that TO was jumping Fasano’s rout to make a catch? can anyone confirm or deny it? Anyway with TO gone our WR coach need to do more with the group we have. I don’t remember the last time, at least last season, our receivers being complemented for the precise routs they are running.
by dcfanz on May 13, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great article
Harper a great #2 (what about T. Hill?)
Jerry Jones – Great owner – not so great GM.
Austin as a #2 – I think Hurd will have some playing time this year.
I’d rather not have the “unbelievable” catches – just be when and where you (the receiver should be) and make the catch.
I live and die with the Dallas Cowboys
by stxshooter on May 14, 2009 12:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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