CFZ The interesting similarities between Don Meredith and Dak Prescott

[Bobhaze]

I am no history major and I believe you know much much more about the history of the Cowboys that I do. I believe back then the playoffs basically started in the championship games and ended in the super bowl. Just making the playoffs was going further than Dak ever has. It was basically the equivalent of Dak losing to Mahomes every year in the championship game or the super bowl. I would love Dak if he did that. As it stands he throws up all over himself in the wild card round. Nice try on the comparison but not valid IMHO.

Plus as you say if Don made 40 million per year he would have played for as long as possible. Definitely no comparison there.

Not exactly true. The divisional round of the playoffs started in 1967, and in fact, Meredith‘s only playoff win was in the divisional round in ‘67. You are correct that in ‘66 the Cowboys played the packers in conference championship which was a first round game. But not true in ‘67 and ‘68.

 

[jgboys1]

Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL and already considered a top 5 quarterback of all time. I would love to see the post that said that. I mean you Dak haters just need to find a new team and stop making up stuff.

I’ve been a Cowboys fan since 1972 and I never wanted a player more off this team than Dak.
If that make me a hater, sorry than I’m a hater!

 

[LACowboysFan1]

I wonder if Super Bowl V would have had different outcome if Roger Staubach would have started in that game?

Don't know, yes Morton was terrible, 12 for 26, 1 td and 3 ints.

But Roger was very green then, he might not have done any better.

Interesting thought, though...

 

[jgboys1]

Don't know, yes Morton was terrible, 12 for 26, 1 td and 3 ints.

But Roger was very green then, he might not have done any better.

Interesting thought, though...

I know. I think that was Roger's rookie season with the Cowboys and I think Landry wanted to go with Morton because of his experience.

 

[baltcowboy]

I’ve been a Cowboys fan since 1972 and I never wanted a player more off this team than Dak.
If that make me a hater, sorry than I’m a hater!

You can hate all you want it’s your right. Just don’t make up lies. It’s childish.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

I know. I think that was Roger's rookie season with the Cowboys and I think Landry wanted to go with Morton because of his experience.

Roger was way too impatient in his first couple of years, bailed out of the pocket and tried to run too much. He might have had 5 ints if he'd played the Colts, lol...

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Don't know, yes Morton was terrible, 12 for 26, 1 td and 3 ints.

But Roger was very green then, he might not have done any better.

Interesting thought, though...

Morton was like Bledsoe type but Great cause we got Randy White for him!!!

 

[Bobhaze]

They are nothing alike on that fact alone. And BTW, I didn't say you said he was better than Meredith, I said certain folks on here say he's better than Aikman, who allegedly was a "bus driver" or "game manager".

Ok, you are correct that Dak did not lead them from expansion awful to success. But I was not specifically comparing them in that way. I made these exact comparisons that are factual:

• In their last season, both were 2nd team All Pro.
• In their last three seasons- Dak 2021-23 and Meredith 1966-68 - both led their team to 3 straight playoff seasons.
• In their last 3 seasons both were 1-3 in the playoffs.
• In their last 3 seasons, both had good regular season records followed by playoff disappointment. Dak the last 3 regular seasons is 32-14. Meredith’s last 3 reg seasons he was 27-9.

You don’t have to agree of course, but that looks like a lot of similarities to me.

 

[ChuckA1]

Don took a beating that last year. There were really no rules protecting the QB and I remember him struggling to stand up on more than one occasion. And then to hear a chorus of boos from the stands compounded the pain. It had nothing to do with him being "disinterested."

 

[Motorola]

In January of 1969, at the age of 31, Don Meredith, the Dallas Cowboys’ first “star” QB shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement. I was 10 years old at the time and remember being shocked that Meredith did that. But much like the current Cowboys QB, Meredith had become unpopular with fans for not getting it done in the playoffs and after numerous injuries he felt his time was up.

In fact, I find it very interesting how similar the situation is today in 2024 to what happened after the Cowboys 1968 early exit from the playoffs

Don Meredith had led those 60s Cowboys from expansion team awful to making the playoffs 3 straight years including two heartbreaking losses to GB in the conference championship games in 1966 at the Cotton Bowl and in the Ice Bowl at Lambeau in 1967. Meredith’s last playoff game in 1968 ended in an embarrassing 31-20 loss to the browns in the first round.

Despite having a very good regular season record as a starter, Meredith ended up 1-3 in the playoffs, his one playoff win being a first round win against the Browns in ‘67 at the Cotton Bowl. In 1968, the Cowboys were 12-2, division winners, had made the playoffs 3 straight years, and looked like they were primed to go to another conference championship game. Then disaster struck in the first round and Meredith became the most polarizing guy wearing a star on his helmet.

Sound familiar?

Look at the similarities between Dak and Don Meredith:

• In 2023, Dak was second team All Pro. In Meredith’s last season in ‘68, he was second team All Pro.
• Meredith led the Cowboys to three straight playoff appearances - 1966, ‘67 and ‘68. But they only won one playoff game in those 3 years. Dak has led the Cowboys to the playoffs 3 straight years, winning only one wild card game in the 2022 season.
• Dak has been an overall excellent QB in the regular season the last 3 seasons, going 32-14 (Cooper Rush was 4-1 in that period when Dak was hurt). Meredith was 26-9 his last 3 seasons as a starter, but again 1-3 in the playoffs.

I don’t think Dak will do what Meredith did at the end of the 1968 season and announce his retirement. There’s too much money on the table for him compared to DM’s day. But if I were in Dak’s shoes, I would want to be traded. Meredith realized that despite it certainly not being all on him that those late 60s Cowboys couldn’t get it done, he did realize that the target on his back would only get larger.

Once the fan base turns on a QB, it becomes extremely difficult for that QB to push the restart button every season. I am NOT one of those that think all we need is a new QB and things will be rosy again. Dak is not as bad as way too many here think. But I do believe like Don Meredith came to realize, sometimes your period as QB of the Cowboys runs out. If I was #4 I would be looking for a new address.

Don Meredith and his Cowboys teammates ---six years after the franchise was created --- played in back-to-back NFL Championship games.
Both of those NFL Titles were lost by Dallas in the final minutes.
Some HC decisions - and some of Meredith’s teammates making mistakes at crucial moments -

 

[Bobhaze]

Don took a beating that last year. There were really no rules protecting the QB and I remember him struggling to stand up on more than one occasion. And then to hear a chorus of boos from the stands compounded the pain. It had nothing to do with him being "disinterested."

I remember Meredith getting his nose broken one year from a shot he took to the face. He wore a “cage” facemask for a few games to protect his broken nose.

 

[eromeopolk]

In January of 1969, at the age of 31, Don Meredith, the Dallas Cowboys’ first “star” QB shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement. I was 10 years old at the time and remember being shocked that Meredith did that. But much like the current Cowboys QB, Meredith had become unpopular with fans for not getting it done in the playoffs and after numerous injuries he felt his time was up.

In fact, I find it very interesting how similar the situation is today in 2024 to what happened after the Cowboys 1968 early exit from the playoffs

Don Meredith had led those 60s Cowboys from expansion team awful to making the playoffs 3 straight years including two heartbreaking losses to GB in the conference championship games in 1966 at the Cotton Bowl and in the Ice Bowl at Lambeau in 1967. Meredith’s last playoff game in 1968 ended in an embarrassing 31-20 loss to the browns in the first round.

Despite having a very good regular season record as a starter, Meredith ended up 1-3 in the playoffs, his one playoff win being a first round win against the Browns in ‘67 at the Cotton Bowl. In 1968, the Cowboys were 12-2, division winners, had made the playoffs 3 straight years, and looked like they were primed to go to another conference championship game. Then disaster struck in the first round and Meredith became the most polarizing guy wearing a star on his helmet.

Sound familiar?

Look at the similarities between Dak and Don Meredith:

• In 2023, Dak was second team All Pro. In Meredith’s last season in ‘68, he was second team All Pro.
• Meredith led the Cowboys to three straight playoff appearances - 1966, ‘67 and ‘68. But they only won one playoff game in those 3 years. Dak has led the Cowboys to the playoffs 3 straight years, winning only one wild card game in the 2022 season.
• Dak has been an overall excellent QB in the regular season the last 3 seasons, going 32-14 (Cooper Rush was 4-1 in that period when Dak was hurt). Meredith was 26-9 his last 3 seasons as a starter, but again 1-3 in the playoffs.

I don’t think Dak will do what Meredith did at the end of the 1968 season and announce his retirement. There’s too much money on the table for him compared to DM’s day. But if I were in Dak’s shoes, I would want to be traded. Meredith realized that despite it certainly not being all on him that those late 60s Cowboys couldn’t get it done, he did realize that the target on his back would only get larger.

Once the fan base turns on a QB, it becomes extremely difficult for that QB to push the restart button every season. I am NOT one of those that think all we need is a new QB and things will be rosy again. Dak is not as bad as way too many here think. But I do believe like Don Meredith came to realize, sometimes your period as QB of the Cowboys runs out. If I was #4 I would be looking for a new address.

Totally disagree. Don Meredith went to championship games with a Head Coach, GM, and Owner that was not the same person named Jerry Jones.

Meredith went through what Troy went through but it took Meredith longer to get to winning and then playoff winning. Also Meredith like Aikman had a Dallas Cowboys no.1 pick that was getting playing time in Craig Morton (LANDRY BELIEVED IN COMPETITION AT QB). But the turnaround for Aikman was really 1 year. The 1990 team actually could have made the playoffs the last 2 games of the season. But, Aikman was injured and you cannot win nothing with Babe Laufenberg as your QB. So, unlike Aikman, Meredith took a lot of beatings during those losing years (1960-1965). Dak came in with a team wouldcould go 13-3 in 2016. Dak's only losing season was the season he missed the majority of the season injured. Meredith had real get your butt kicked, teeth punched out, kick in the walnuts losing seasons (1960-1965). Then once he got the team winning, he had no.1 pick Craig Morton subbing in and out 1965-68 due to play and injuries. Finally, the Cowboys not only brought Craig Morton to the 1969 training camp but a Navy Officer named Roger Staubach. So, Meredith saw the hand footballs in the air and the hand writing on the wall...Captain America, Roger Staubach. So because of his bankable personality, as media and advertising darling, it made the decision to retire easier and quicker.

Dak excuse for purgatory is Jerry Dumbo GM Jones (I feel Dak is a better leader than Romo and less big game mistake prone). Dak just cannot overcome a franchise quality QB with the teams Jerry Dumbo GM Jones assembles. First, Dak has had no real head coach that was not named Jerry Jones. Meredith excuse was toil and competition not worth the mental toll to be a back up and then exit out.

Trivia: Meredith also was a Dallas Cowboy before there was the Dallas Cowboys. So he was committed to what would be the Dallas Cowboys. I would not put Dak or Romo in the Ring of Honor along side what Meredith, Staubach, and Aikman did for the Dallas Cowboys and meant to the Dallas Cowboys. But Dak and Romo have Jerry Jones revisionist history telling.

 

[Captain-Crash]

guys should just come out and say he's better than Roger too. sheesh, the losing choker has been gifted very good teams, but they don't have super super stars at every position. wow, just wow.

 

[KJJ]

We went through a similar situation with Romo in 2012. Romo had his detractors and many considered him a choker. Although the season finale in 2012 against Washington wasn’t a playoff game it was an elimination game with the NFC East and a playoff birth on the line for both teams. Romo stunk!!! He was due to be extended for an huge amount of money and most Cowboys fans wanted to move on. I wish I could find the link to the 20+ page thread with fans not wanting to pay Romo. I was saying the same things in that thread about Romo I’ve been saying about Dak, that we can’t move on until we have a better option. The fanbase was really down on Romo. They were also down on Aikman the final couple of years of his career because we were no longer advancing in the playoffs and reaching the SB. Aikman even got booed. Danny White had his detractors and was called a choker. If the Cowboys aren’t getting to the SB most of the fanbase pins it entirely on the QB. This was a post from a similar thread about Romo.

lets have it and then post the record against losing teams....will tell you all you need to know. i dont care about his stats...quarterbacks are supposed to win...however you need to do that...he is either a winner or a loser...right now he is not a winner...bottom line...will he get over the hump...i dont know...

 

[jgboys1]

You can hate all you want it’s your right. Just don’t make up lies. It’s childish.

Ok. Maybe I went to far comparing Dak with Mahohmes but with Dak there is no middle ground. Some fans think he is all world and some think he should be as far away from the Cowboys as possible. No middle ground with Dak.

I think he is a good QB but he has something where his brain short circuits in big games.

 

[Motorola]

Don Meredith and his Cowboys teammates ---six years after the franchise was created --- played in back-to-back NFL Championship games.
Both of those NFL Titles were lost by Dallas in the final minutes.
Some HC decisions - and some of Meredith’s teammates making mistakes at crucial moments -

Broken noses (how many?), concussions (did they really know how to diagnose them - or care to keep count?), and bruised - broken ribs - "Dandy Don" was one the grittiest ever players to wear that franchise's uniform.
Yes - back in the day, only one playoff game victory put a team into the league championship - but after only a half-dozen seasons in the league, the Cowboys were that good to do it two years in a row.

Prescott - and this present day team got to dig deep and go strong in the playoffs.

 

[CowboyFrog]

In January of 1969, at the age of 31, Don Meredith, the Dallas Cowboys’ first “star” QB shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement. I was 10 years old at the time and remember being shocked that Meredith did that. But much like the current Cowboys QB, Meredith had become unpopular with fans for not getting it done in the playoffs and after numerous injuries he felt his time was up.

In fact, I find it very interesting how similar the situation is today in 2024 to what happened after the Cowboys 1968 early exit from the playoffs

Don Meredith had led those 60s Cowboys from expansion team awful to making the playoffs 3 straight years including two heartbreaking losses to GB in the conference championship games in 1966 at the Cotton Bowl and in the Ice Bowl at Lambeau in 1967. Meredith’s last playoff game in 1968 ended in an embarrassing 31-20 loss to the browns in the first round.

Despite having a very good regular season record as a starter, Meredith ended up 1-3 in the playoffs, his one playoff win being a first round win against the Browns in ‘67 at the Cotton Bowl. In 1968, the Cowboys were 12-2, division winners, had made the playoffs 3 straight years, and looked like they were primed to go to another conference championship game. Then disaster struck in the first round and Meredith became the most polarizing guy wearing a star on his helmet.

Sound familiar?

Look at the similarities between Dak and Don Meredith:

• In 2023, Dak was second team All Pro. In Meredith’s last season in ‘68, he was second team All Pro.
• Meredith led the Cowboys to three straight playoff appearances - 1966, ‘67 and ‘68. But they only won one playoff game in those 3 years. Dak has led the Cowboys to the playoffs 3 straight years, winning only one wild card game in the 2022 season.
• Dak has been an overall excellent QB in the regular season the last 3 seasons, going 32-14 (Cooper Rush was 4-1 in that period when Dak was hurt). Meredith was 26-9 his last 3 seasons as a starter, but again 1-3 in the playoffs.

I don’t think Dak will do what Meredith did at the end of the 1968 season and announce his retirement. There’s too much money on the table for him compared to DM’s day. But if I were in Dak’s shoes, I would want to be traded. Meredith realized that despite it certainly not being all on him that those late 60s Cowboys couldn’t get it done, he did realize that the target on his back would only get larger.

Once the fan base turns on a QB, it becomes extremely difficult for that QB to push the restart button every season. I am NOT one of those that think all we need is a new QB and things will be rosy again. Dak is not as bad as way too many here think. But I do believe like Don Meredith came to realize, sometimes your period as QB of the Cowboys runs out. If I was #4 I would be looking for a new address.

Great post! the culture here has become bigger than the players in my opinion..most have a short life shelf before it engulfes them and they need to move on..the only thing that can change that doesnt seem likley to change.

 

[1942willys]

I have never seen anyone on this forum say they'd take Dak over Mahomes.

BUT I think the real Dak bots think this but are too gutless to say it

 

[Blue&Silver]

Dandy Don was a much better actor. Much better

 

[PAPPYDOG]

BUT I think the real Dak bots think this but are too gutless to say it

Dak-Bots live for Dak..............The End.