Did Aikman Ever Use The Shotgun?

[Reverend Conehead]

Yeah but I don’t think it was used until Gailey got here.

He had some weirdo formation where Ernie Mills was in the backfield as some sort of quasi option QB.

I heard Aikman discuss that on a radio show several years after the fact. He didn’t use names but it was obvious. He said the coach approached him about using a “third down QB.” Troy told him if that’s the case just play him on first and second down also.

If memory serves me right, Johnson used the shotgun in his first season in Dallas, but they got away from it after that, and then Gailey brought it back.

 

[Flamma]

Found it... Ball is on the 25, and when his back foot hits it's on the 13. Normal shotgun, but then he takes a straight dropback (which you almost never see anymore) much deeper. He's dropping seven yards back even after catching the ball.

Another amazing laser beam from Troy, BTW.

Sadly, Tom Tupa hits Ernie Jones for a 72 yard TD following that Cowboys score.

 

[starfrombirth]

Not to split hairs but this is the 1998 season opener that Dallas won 38-10.

The playoff game was a 20-7 Dallas loss but they are up 21-0 here. Again not a big deal just pointing it out.

That's probably why he stopped playing in the shotgun. Can you say PTSD???

 

[fivetwos]

If memory serves me right, Johnson used the shotgun in his first season in Dallas, but they got away from it after that, and then Gailey brought it back.

That’s possible, but Troy missed a lot of games that year with a finger injury. Tough to recall. I also didn’t see all of those games back then.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

He was in the shot gun but not as much as Roger.

 

[big dog cowboy]

We only use it because it's what our qb likes

 

[nalam]

Found it... Ball is on the 25, and when his back foot hits it's on the 13. Normal shotgun, but then he takes a straight dropback (which you almost never see anymore) much deeper. He's dropping seven yards back even after catching the ball.

Another amazing laser beam from Troy, BTW.

Thanks , the arm anticipation and ball was gone before the receiver got free.Hall mark of great QBs,unlike some who holds the ball until visible separation .

 

[CT Dal Fan]

We only use it because it's what our qb likes, they did mention them running more from under center

Huh?

The shotgun has been in use in the NFL since 1960. It has nothing to do with what any QB "likes".

In fact Aikman not using the shotgun for seven years was a rarity. It's because the Cowboys used a precise, rhythm based passing game based on Aikman taking three, five, or seven step drops. Under Norv Turner all the receivers routes were based off this concept so using the shotgun would have messed up the timing.

 

[xwalker]

Yes

I’m sure it’s not the only one, but this is the Playoff game vs Cardinals

Is that full shotgun depth or more a pistol depth?
- i.e. 7 yards vs 4 yards

 

[Ironicalicon]

Aikman didn't like the shotgun. He wanted to take a direct snap from center so he could keep his eyes on defensive formations and potential blitzes instead of focusing on a ball being snapped from a shotgun formation.

Ah, there ya have it! Makes sense.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

That’s possible, but Troy missed a lot of games that year with a finger injury. Tough to recall. I also didn’t see all of those games back then.

Same here. I was living in northern California at the time (and puking at incessant 49er coverage). I think the only games I saw live were the one against the 49ers and maybe one other game. I went back after the fact and watched some of the games. It was cool to see the one and only game they won, the one against Washington. It made me smile to see Washington fans booing their team for losing to the worst team in the league.

 

[fivetwos]

Same here. I was living in northern California at the time (and puking at incessant 49er coverage). I think the only games I saw live were the one against the 49ers and maybe one other game. I went back after the fact and watched some of the games. It was cool to see the one and only game they won, the one against Washington. It made me smile to see Washington fans booing their team for losing to the worst team in the league.

Cowboys/Washington was always that way,

Back and forth in the 70s, but how good either team was thereafter had nothing to do with the outcome. Division games. Anything happens.

The game you mentioned.
Beat their undefeated team in Nov 91.
In 95 the SB team lost to their 4-12 team twice.
98 opener. Both CB out. Win in OT.
01 Wash was a heavy favorite and we dominated.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Is that full shotgun depth or more a pistol depth?
- i.e. 7 yards vs 4 yards

Listen man, it was the 90’s. A gun is a gun is a gun.(but 7 yards sounds like way back there. Do people actually run shotgun that deep?)

 

[CT Dal Fan]

By late 1990s standards Chan Gailey's offenses were fun to watch. Aikman had solid numbers too when he was healthy.

Jerry fired Gailey too fast.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Sadly, Tom Tupa hits Ernie Jones for a 72 yard TD following that Cowboys score.

Would have been Aikman's first NFL win since he was injured in the only victory of 1989 at Washington.

 

[gtb1943]

This team has an uncanny ability to not show up for home playoff games, no matter who the coach or players are.

Maybe God expects Jerry to hold up his end of the deal for SB30. Sometimes it truly feels as if that’s the case, although it could be attributed to the fact that Jerry and his kid aren’t qualified and/pr don’t have the correct plan to win in today’s NFL.

I have always said Jethro sold his soul to the devil to win a SB without Jimmy being there

and part of the price is that we would never win another SB as long as he was GM

 

[Whirlwin]

We only use it because it's what our qb likes, they did mention them running more from under center

Actually, Prescott was one of the better quarterbacks, taking the ball from under center, his play action was remarkable

 

[Whirlwin]

I remember, like yesterday, Prescott was one of the better quarterbacks at play action from under center,