How the end forms the perception

[rcaldw]

I'm reminded tonight, watching the opening game of the 1992 season, a Monday night affair where the Cowboys hosted the Commanders, how the end of a player's career leaves a lasting perception. People commonly think of Troy Aikman as an "immobile" quarterback. I PROMISE you that anyone watching this tape with me tonight would say that he was anything but immobile. He has run away from pressure several times, including about a 20 yard scramble and made some great throws on the run. In those early years he was quite mobile.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I remember watching a replay of Troy in the first half of the 1994 NFC championship game against the 49ers (the year of our 2nd SB win under Jimmy), and being awestruck with how incredible he played in that game.

Troy was an absolute surgeon, who simply dissected the 49er defense. His play was above the level of anything Tom Brady has done in his career to this point. It was amazing!!

It's a shame Troy got hurt at the start of the 3rd quarter in that game or he could have had the best game of any QB in playoff history. He was that good that day!

He is definitely an underrated QB when the all-time greats are discussed.

 

[lane]

I'm reminded tonight, watching the opening game of the 1992 season, a Monday night affair where the Cowboys hosted the Commanders, how the end of a player's career leaves a lasting perception. People commonly think of Troy Aikman as an "immobile" quarterback. I PROMISE you that anyone watching this tape with me tonight would say that he was anything but immobile. He has run away from pressure several times, including about a 20 yard scramble and made some great throws on the run. In those early years he was quite mobile.

isn't that the game where ike holt set the tone by blocking that punt in the endzone?

 

[rcaldw]

isn't that the game where ike holt set the tone by blocking that punt in the endzone?

Yes, and I had totally forgotten about that until I saw him do it! Great game, and funny how the Skins came in as the "champs" off their 91 Super Bowl win. Dallas dominated them in this game. Also featured a phenominal one handed catch by Harper along the sideline.

 

[lane]

it was a great game.

got an extra copy? :cunning:

 

[Juke99]

I didn't check the stats but Aikman ran for an average of over 6 yards per carry in his rookie season....

With regard to the 49er game; that was one of the most courageous performances I have ever seen by a QB....and it is also evidence that the criticism that Aikman was only as good at the team around him is pure garbage....He carried the team that day...if he was in an offense that threw the ball often, his career numbers would have been awesome.

 

[rcaldw]

I didn't check the stats but Aikman ran for an average of over 6 yards per carry in his rookie season....

With regard to the 49er game; that was one of the most courageous performances I have ever seen by a QB....and it is also evidence that the criticism that Aikman was only as good at the team around him is pure garbage....He carried the team that day...if he was in an offense that threw the ball often, his career numbers would have been awesome.

To follow up on this, and I don't intend this to be a knock on Bledsoe at all, but watching Aikman in his prime and watching Bledsoe right now is like apples and oranges. Aikman is clearly superior, and I'm not talking only about the results, I'm talking about the way the ball comes out, and the accuracy. He was as techincally sound a QB as you would ever want to see.

 

[AceofSpades]

Chris Carter said today on Sirius he considers Aikman better than Favre.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

To follow up on this, and I don't intend this to be a knock on Bledsoe at all, but watching Aikman in his prime and watching Bledsoe right now is like apples and oranges. Aikman is clearly superior, and I'm not talking only about the results, I'm talking about the way the ball comes out, and the accuracy. He was as techincally sound a QB as you would ever want to see.

And he didnt throw a very good deep ball. I remember getting very frustrated with him trying to hook up with Ismail.

Dont get me wrong I love Troy and when used correctly a la Turner he was great, but comparing Troy Aikmans 'best' game with Bledsoe on average isnt very fair.

 

[Rayman]

To follow up on this, and I don't intend this to be a knock on Bledsoe at all, but watching Aikman in his prime and watching Bledsoe right now is like apples and oranges. Aikman is clearly superior, and I'm not talking only about the results, I'm talking about the way the ball comes out, and the accuracy. He was as techincally sound a QB as you would ever want to see.

Maybe, but Aikman wasn't in his prime at age 33 either.

 

[rcaldw]

Maybe, but Aikman wasn't in his prime at age 33 either.

I'll take Aikman in his prime over Bledsoe in his prime in a heartbeat, and so would Bill Bellichek, ask Tom Brady.

 

[rcaldw]

Chris Carter said today on Sirius he considers Aikman better than Favre.

Thank goodness for someone who can look at what really matters in a QB. Not his stats line, and not his "charisma", but leading a team to wins with rock solid play. Aikman was quietly spectacular. He made tough throws look easy. And in terms of the comment about his "long ball" alot of that talk was myth that grew upon itself. I can show you throw after throw on tape that was completed long. In fact in the opening game of 1992 which I watched tonight, Aikman to Harper for a TD to end the 1st half. In terms of hitting Rocket, you must have forgotten the opening season game in Washington when Aikman hit Rocket on a bomb in overtime for a Cowboys win. I'm not saying he was the best deep passer ever, but he was above average on the bomb, and he was way above average on all the other throws.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

It's a shame Troy got hurt at the start of the 3rd quarter in that game or he could have had the best game of any QB in playoff history. He was that good that day!

He is definitely an underrated QB when the all-time greats are discussed.

People always like to point out the supporting cast with him...like any of the other greats had a bad team. Only Montana and Elway can be mentioned above Aikman in my oppinion.

On the supporting cast, you can have a Lamborghini, but it doesn't mean you actually can drive it well. No GREAT offense has ever been lead by a bad QB.

 

[RCowboyFan]

Thank goodness for someone who can look at what really matters in a QB. Not his stats line, and not his "charisma", but leading a team to wins with rock solid play. Aikman was quietly spectacular. He made tough throws look easy. And in terms of the comment about his "long ball" alot of that talk was myth that grew upon itself. I can show you throw after throw on tape that was completed long. In fact in the opening game of 1992 which I watched tonight, Aikman to Harper for a TD to end the 1st half. In terms of hitting Rocket, you must have forgotten the opening season game in Washington when Aikman hit Rocket on a bomb in overtime for a Cowboys win. I'm not saying he was the best deep passer ever, but he was above average on the bomb, and he was way above average on all the other throws.

Well, the thing about Aikman was, that he so damn accurate on normal throws, that his deep throws were kind of let down, when they weren't as accurate as his shorter or mid-range throws.

He often said the reason he was so accurate on those throws as because he watched WR's Waist or belt before he threw it. So thats why 70-80% of them hit right on the chest. But on deep throws, I dont think he had any target then a location to throw to. That stuff is just a feel as to where the Wr will be at that time rather than any percise read. Bledsoe seems to have that ability or feel most of the time, more than any other QB I have seen recently. And thats only the thing that impresses me about Bledsoe. Now rest of the package..... thats another story.

 

[RCowboyFan]

People always like to point out the supporting cast with him...like any of the other greats had a bad team. Only Montana and Elway can be mentioned above Aikman in my oppinion.

On the supporting cast, you can have a Lamborghini, but it doesn't mean you actually can drive it well. No GREAT offense has ever been lead by a bad QB.

Montana, had even better offensive cast overall than Aikman during his SB years. But Elway, was good by himself. But my critism of Elway is, if you see his playoff stats, he was pretty bad or mediocre, till his last season. Even first SB win, with TD in back, I think he was about average, but the second win, he was really good.

 

[thssanders]

Thank goodness for someone who can look at what really matters in a QB. Not his stats line, and not his "charisma", but leading a team to wins with rock solid play. Aikman was quietly spectacular. He made tough throws look easy. And in terms of the comment about his "long ball" alot of that talk was myth that grew upon itself. I can show you throw after throw on tape that was completed long. In fact in the opening game of 1992 which I watched tonight, Aikman to Harper for a TD to end the 1st half. In terms of hitting Rocket, you must have forgotten the opening season game in Washington when Aikman hit Rocket on a bomb in overtime for a Cowboys win. I'm not saying he was the best deep passer ever, but he was above average on the bomb, and he was way above average on all the other throws.

I'm not saying aikman wasn't a great deep ball passer, I actually think he was very good at it. But that bomb to rocket you are talking about really doesn't count. He was 10 yards behind everyone in the secondary. Any quarterback could have made that throw. However, he made so many great plays to get them back in the game. Weren't the boys down like 28 points in the 4th quarter before they started their comeback?

 

[Big Country]

Troy was always said to be at his best throwing the ball when he was throwing across his body... that was why Aikman to Irvin on the ten to fifteen yard comeback route, or the skinny post was most always, automatic... Plus the impeccable timing between the two.

He could throw a good long ball, but instead of the sixty yard rainbow, he could throw a twenty five yarder on a frozen rope. Normally the long bombs Aikman threw, were the ones Irvin went up and made a big play on.

 

[ravidubey]

Troy played against the toughest competition there was.

For much of their careers, Montana and Elway played against the sad sack Chargers, Chiefs, Seahawks, Aints, Rams, and Falcons. It's easy to pass and run up the score when the team you're playing against is sorry.

Montana was the best that I ever saw play because he took his game to a higher level in the playoffs. Elway struggled in the playoffs and is fortunate he had Terrell Davis playing with him. Elway was a gun-slinger, Montana was a surgeon, and Aikman was a bit of both.