Craig Morton vs Roger Staubach/Gary Hogeboom vs Danny White-How Did You Feel?

[klee34]

Since we are now at the offseason, I thought it would be fun to go back to a couple of relatively shortterm quarterback controversies from days past. I was a little bit young to appreciate the Craig Morton vs Staubach debate (it was really around the mid 70's when I was old enough to understand football). However, where there any of you, at the time, who favored Craig Morton remaining as quarterback over Staubach. Obviously, Roger is a legend and I think we can all agree he is the greatest or second greatest Cowboys quarterback of all-time. However, did any of you support Morton when that controversy began?

Let's also talk about the Danny White and Gary Hogeboom controversy. I was always a huge Danny White fan and remember thinking at the time that it was one of the few major mistakes Tom Landry made with the Cowboys. I know White got criticized a lot for losing the championship games, but Danny was a winner and tough as nails. I always thought the players turned on Danny to a degree when he took a pro-management stand and because Hogeboom was considered more like "one of the guys" Landry let the players influence him. White was never quite the same after that even when he returned as starter, though some people forget he was having a great season when he got his wrist broken toward the end of his career. If that hadn't have happened, he probably would have had another three or four solid years left. Even when the Cowboys drafted Aikman, I always thought instead of drafting Steve Walsh as well, they could have kept White around for another season or two as Aikman's backup and let Aikman learn from White, who went on to become a good coach in Arena football.

What was everyone's thought on the White-Hogeboom battle at the time? Was anyone in Hogeboom's corner?

 

[RS12]

Roger Staubach was one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game. Morton was an average pocket passer who was prone to mistakes. If Landry had started Staubach in the 70 season, the Cowboys have six Lombardi's now instead of five. No doubt in my mind they beat that over the hill Colts team in SB5.

 

[Dodger]

Obviously, Roger is a legend and I think we can all agree he is the greatest Cowboys quarterback of all-time.

I repaired that sentence...it needed it.

Was anyone in Hogeboom's corner?

Not me. I was a big fan of Danny White at the time, and I though, who the hell is this Hogenbomb guy?

 

[bbgun]

Incredibly, Danny lost his job after having one his best statistical years in 1983 (almost 4,000 yards passing, but 23 picks). That said, I was honestly excited about the change, especially after Hogeboom lit up the Rams and flashed his rocket arm in the '84 season opener. It was all downhill from there.

 

[Doomsday101]

In the battle between Morton and Roger I was pulling for Roger and White and Hogeboom I was always behind Danny.

 

[DWhite Fan]

Since we are now at the offseason, I thought it would be fun to go back to a couple of relatively shortterm quarterback controversies from days past. I was a little bit young to appreciate the Craig Morton vs Staubach debate (it was really around the mid 70's when I was old enough to understand football). However, where there any of you, at the time, who favored Craig Morton remaining as quarterback over Staubach. Obviously, Roger is a legend and I think we can all agree he is the greatest or second greatest Cowboys quarterback of all-time. However, did any of you support Morton when that controversy began?

Let's also talk about the Danny White and Gary Hogeboom controversy. I was always a huge Danny White fan and remember thinking at the time that it was one of the few major mistakes Tom Landry made with the Cowboys. I know White got criticized a lot for losing the championship games, but Danny was a winner and tough as nails. I always thought the players turned on Danny to a degree when he took a pro-management stand and because Hogeboom was considered more like "one of the guys" Landry let the players influence him. White was never quite the same after that even when he returned as starter, though some people forget he was having a great season when he got his wrist broken toward the end of his career. If that hadn't have happened, he probably would have had another three or four solid years left. Even when the Cowboys drafted Aikman, I always thought instead of drafting Steve Walsh as well, they could have kept White around for another season or two as Aikman's backup and let Aikman learn from White, who went on to become a good coach in Arena football.

What was everyone's thought on the White-Hogeboom battle at the time? Was anyone in Hogeboom's corner?

One of the few times I can truly say I was furious at Tom Landry. The move to Hogeboom assured that the 1984 season would be a waste, which it was. I do remember how well the team played once Danny returned to as starter. The Monday night finale in Miami was a heartbreaker for me. When Tony Hill caught a deflected pass for a TD that tied the score at 21, I really thought the game was ours. Unfortunately, there was too much time left for Marino and the Dolphins. I remeber Danny threw 4 td passes in the loss against the Commanders the week before. IF Dallas had won either of those games, they would have earned a wildcard spot

Like you, I was a little to young to remember Morton vs. Staubach. Roger was clearly the better of the two, but Morton was a good QB. He had an awsome year the Broncos went to SB XII. If Morton could have lead Dallas to a win in Super Bowl V, I wonder how things would have worked out between the two.
:starspin

 

[Doomsday101]

Incredibly, Danny lost his job after having one his best statistical years in 1983 (almost 4,000 yards passing, but 23 picks). That said, I was honestly excited about the change, especially after Hogeboom lit up the Rams and flashed his rocket arm in the '84 season opener. It was all downhill from there.

I recall in 86 when Carl Banks sacked Danny and broke his wrist after that Danny was never the same

 

[bbgun]

I recall in 86 when Carl Banks sacked Danny and broke his wrist after that Danny was never the same

That was the Pozderac game. Don't remind me.

 

[Doomsday101]

That was the Pozderac game. Don't remind me.

Dallas had a good record heading into the Giants game and after White broke his wrist we only won 1 out of the 8 remaining games with Pelluer under center. After that NY game Danny never got back to the level he had played before.

 

[DWhite Fan]

That was the Pozderac game. Don't remind me.

"Holding, #75 Offense" :bang2:

Didn't he have two of those calls on him in the second half of that game which wiped out major plays for the Cowboys? My memory is vague because I was so upset that Danny got hurt. I still say we were in the hurt for the SB that year if Danny had remained healthy.

 

[DWhite Fan]

Dallas had a good record heading into the Giants game and after White broke his wrist we only won 1 out of the 8 remaining games with Pelluer under center. After that NY game Danny never got back to the level he had played before.

I remember how sorry I felt for Danny the next year in the OT loss to the Vikings (40-38?) His wrist was never right after being broken. He had thrown the INT that lead to the Vikings win. I still can see Danny with tears in his eyes appologizing for the errant throw......

 

[bbgun]

I remember how sorry I felt for Danny the next year in the OT loss to the Vikings (40-38?) His wrist was never right after being broken. He had thrown the INT that lead to the Vikings win. I still can see Danny with tears in his eyes appologizing for the errant throw......

I remember it being a really ghastly interception (threw it right to the guy). I don't think Danny even started that game.

 

[Doomsday101]

I remember how sorry I felt for Danny the next year in the OT loss to the Vikings (40-38?) His wrist was never right after being broken. He had thrown the INT that lead to the Vikings win. I still can see Danny with tears in his eyes appologizing for the errant throw......

I agree especially when there were already many voices attacking Danny prior to him breaking his wrist. I had high hope going into that season that the Cowboys would shut people up. Danny took allot of abuse he did not deserve. He once said it was so bad that his wife and kids were being harassed by so called fans. I think if there was 1 man who took more than his fair share of abuse it was Danny White.

 

[rags747]

If I remember correctly Hogeboom lit up the Colts in the opening Monday night game...way over 300yds I believe.

 

[bbgun]

If I remember correctly Hogeboom lit up the Colts in the opening Monday night game...way over 300yds I believe.

LA Rams (in Anaheim).

 

[DaninMS]

Didn't he have two of those calls on him in the second half of that game which wiped out major plays for the Cowboys?

I believe so. I want to say it was for false starts but I can't be sure. I seem to remember a long screen to Timmy Newsome being wiped out because of him that put the ball deep in Giants territory. Man that was a tough game to loose. Especially with the way the season had started.

 

[Juke99]

I really couldn't stand Morton...he was the classic "choke" QB. Some QB's unfairly are tagged with that....but Morton earned it. So the choice of Staubach was an easy one.

I have to admit, after the many "just short" playoffs games with Danny White at the helm, Hogeboom's arm intrigued me.

 

[Doomsday101]

I really couldn't stand Morton...he was the classic "choke" QB. Some QB's unfairly are tagged with that....but Morton earned it. So the choice of Staubach was an easy one.

I have to admit, after the many "just short" playoffs games with Danny White at the helm, Hogeboom's arm intrigued me.

He had the arm just not the QB name, what kind of name is Hogeboom?

 

[Hostile]

I really couldn't stand Morton...he was the classic "choke" QB. Some QB's unfairly are tagged with that....but Morton earned it. So the choice of Staubach was an easy one.

I have to admit, after the many "just short" playoffs games with Danny White at the helm, Hogeboom's arm intrigued me.

^^^this^^^

Just about word for word.

I liked Danny, but felt he was jinxed. In retrospect I realize I was just too young to know enough about the game.

 

[bbgun]

I believe so. I want to say it was for false starts but I can't be sure. I seem to remember a long screen to Timmy Newsome being wiped out because of him that put the ball deep in Giants territory. Man that was a tough game to loose. Especially with the way the season had started.

Cowboys pay stiff penalty, 17-14
Errors, injuries hurt Dallas, help Giants
11/3/1986
By TIM COWLISHAW / The Dallas Morning News

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Danny White is gone. Fractured right wrist. Finished for the season with "slim' chances of returning for the playoffs.

The Cowboys, of course, have to earn a playoff invitation before worrying about White's availability, and their chances were reduced Sunday. Not erased by any means, but the final seven weeks now represent at least a struggle.

Sunday's 17-14 defeat in Giants Stadium was a particularly frustrating one for the Cowboys because they knew New York could not hurt them with the pass – Phil Simms threw for 67 yards – yet they could not prevent Joe Morris from rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Likewise, they knew they could move the ball against the Giants' defense – they totaled 408 yards – but could score only twice.

And, ultimately, it was frustrating because the chances to secure at least a tying field goal in the final two minutes were there and so were the plays – a 30-yard pass to Tony Dorsett to the Giants' six, a 30-yard pass to Timmy Newsome to the Giants' 11. Both were erased by penalties against the Cowboys' right tackle, Phil Pozderac, who found the crowd noise and George Martin too tough a parlay to handle.

"What do you say about the end?" coach Tom Landry said. "We had the plays to tie, but sometimes it doesn't work. We made the plays but the penalties hurt us."