Did Irvin run good routes? Too young to remember

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

I'm not calling Dez out hes my favorite Cowboy. Im just curious how Irvin ran routes because I was honestly too young to remember or even know what a route was. Anytime Dez touches the ball I immediately go from resting heart rate to target heart rate. I started REALLY paying attention and was old enough to understand during campos three 5-11 years, so Dez is undoubting the most exciting player I've been able to enjoy at my young age of 23. I know his route running is shaky, so thats why I'm wondering if Irvin got by off extreme talent or if he was a master in all phases of his position

 

[Risen Star]

This is like asking did Emmitt Smith have good vision.

Irvin didn't have freakish talent. He was a technician. Nobody ran better routes in his day.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Irvin was a masterful route runner. Few Cowboys had his tenacity in practice.

Also, Irvin probably lacked ideal speed for his position, especially after his ACL injury. He used his physicality and route running to atone for it.

 

[DTK]

Abolutely. That offense was a timing based offense that required the receiver to be at the right place at the right time. That's why he and Aikman worked so well together and why Aikman never had much success with guys that couldn't get off the line like K. Williams.

Irvin was a great route runner and did everything he could to protect his QB from an INT.

 

[JohnsKey19]

This is like asking did Emmitt Smith have good vision.

Irvin didn't have freakish talent. He was a technician. Nobody ran better routes in his day.

I wouldn't call Irvin the best route runner in his day. He was great at it and took great pride in perfecting his craft. But what's important is that Aikman trusted Irvin would always be where he needed to be. He never had to wonder if Irvin would fight across the DBs face when everyone in the stadium knew a slant route was coming.

 

[bbgun]

Absolutely. He'd be running routes all by himself at Valley Ranch at 6 AM.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Thanks for the answers. I'd really like Irvin to work with Dez in the off season with routes because once Dez runs crisp routes, top 5 NFL reciever.

 

[skinsscalper]

I wouldn't call Irvin the best route runner in his day. He was great at it and took great pride in perfecting his craft. But what's important is that Aikman trusted Irvin would always be where he needed to be. He never had to wonder if Irvin would fight across the DBs face when everyone in the stadium knew a slant route was coming.

Agreed with everything above.

The best route runner during that era (and the history of the league for that matter), was Jerry Rice.

 

[Mash]

Norv ran precise practices......It was said that Aikman went thru practices without a pass hitting the ground.

Irvin was part of that....

I was hoping Irvin would take Dez under his wing and show him how to run routes.....

Dez practices hard....but his grasp of route running and learning the playbook is his only weakness it seems.........he will get better.......I hope so anyways...because he has alot of talent.

 

[jobberone]

Irving stated he could run his routes blindfolded, put his hands up and the ball would hit his hands most of the time. Not sure I believe that but with him and Aikman its not too farfetched.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

One thing we must remember is that Dez is only 23, younger then me! I love Dez though, hes going to be GREAT once he runs routes crisp enough

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Love Irvin.

Love the Aikman to Irvin.




BUT Irvin was well known for pushing off. THAT was part of his success.


Did they start a "Cowboy Rule" based on that? O.P.I. ?

lol

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Wished I could remember where I read it but I remember seeing where Aikman would blind fold himself and throw passes to Irvin and Irvin would be in the exact right spot. Aikman knew where Irvin would be and he didn't even have to see him.

 

[Doomsday101]

Depends are you talking the rookie Irvin or what he developed into? Mike like most players who enter the NFL learn and develop. No doubt Irvin was a guy who put in the work to refine his game to become one of the all time great WR. It does not happen by itself these guys have to work for it.

 

[ilovejerry]

Absolutely. He'd be running routes all by himself at Valley Ranch at 6 AM.

and might I add do it naked!!!

 

[bbgun]

and might I add do it naked!!!

I omitted the part about partying with strippers and hoes until 5AM.

 

[Eddie]

Troy said Michael could run the routes with his eyes closed.

 

[ilovejerry]

I omitted the part about partying with strippers and hoes until 5AM.

Y that made him even better. Hey Look at LT he coked out all night in AC and had great games so. eh, what ever gets you pumped, D'OH pardon the pun

 

[Nexx]

with precision, im convinced troy and michael could have connected on the quick in route blind folded. whats funny about that route is that everyone knew it was coming on a 3rd and 4. but they couldnt stop it most of the time.

 

[THUMPER]

and might I add do it naked!!!

Is that you Skip Bayless?