Recommended Loss Forensics: Romo vs. the League's Top QB

[TwoDeep3]

The greatest play of Aikman's career? A slant to a wide open Harper, who then ran the other 65 yards. Did he have to avoid a rush? Throw a long pass into coverage for a game winning TD? No. He took a 3-step drop, and threw a 7 yard pass to an open WR, against a defense that was playing run. It was great play, at a very crucial time, but let's not Aikman did anything truly special on that play. I think he would tell you that he made a lot of plays better than that.

I would suggest a player at his first NFC Championship game, playing what the entire football world thought was the best team, in a game where the momentum turned with the Rice touchdown just a kick-off and a play before, with all the pressure of the entire season on his back, and his bread and butter receiver swapping places with Harper thinking the play would go that way and not telling Troy, and Troy having to trust Harper would get across the face of the corner and still catch the ball might suggest this wasn't as easy as you made it out.

Sure, it was a pass he threw a hundred times.

But one of the knocks on Romo, rightly or wrongly, is he tries to do too much in the most critical times. Not all of them. But there is not one game Romo has played that had as much on the line as that game, nor play with all the marbles on the table as that play.

Is that Romo's fault? Nope.

But some people on this board will eat the heroes of this team to acclaim Romo as greatness.

I prefer to keep the ones who won it all on their pedestals and allow Romo to go get his glory without sullying the name or a game of a great like Aikman, thank you.

 

[5Stars]

11 penalties for 84 yards. Crayton blows the go ahead score late in the game. Defense allows ridiculous td drive late in the first half....

Those penalties were all Romo's fault. And the drop by Crayton was because Romo hit him in stride. As for the defense, that is where I blame Romo! Why he could not stop that TD drive is beyond me.

 

[Picksix]

I would suggest a player at his first NFC Championship game, playing what the entire football world thought was the best team, in a game where the momentum turned with the Rice touchdown just a kick-off and a play before, with all the pressure of the entire season on his back, and his bread and butter receiver swapping places with Harper thinking the play would go that way and not telling Troy, and Troy having to trust Harper would get across the face of the corner and still catch the ball might suggest this wasn't as easy as you made it out.

Sure, it was a pass he threw a hundred times.

But one of the knocks on Romo, rightly or wrongly, is he tries to do too much in the most critical times. Not all of them. But there is not one game Romo has played that had as much on the line as that game, nor play with all the marbles on the table as that play.

Is that Romo's fault? Nope.

But some people on this board will eat the heroes of this team to acclaim Romo as greatness.

I prefer to keep the ones who won it all on their pedestals and allow Romo to go get his glory without sullying the name or a game of a great like Aikman, thank you.

Fair points, except for accusing me of trying to sully Aikman. It was great play, under very challenging circumstances. But the greatest of his career? Now, if you want to say it was the greatest call of Norv Turner's career, I'll give you that.

 

[KJJ]

The greatest play of Aikman's career? A slant to a wide open Harper, who then ran the other 65 yards. Did he have to avoid a rush? Throw a long pass into coverage for a game winning TD? No. He took a 3-step drop, and threw a 7 yard pass to an open WR, against a defense that was playing run. It was great play, at a very crucial time, but let's not Aikman did anything truly special on that play. I think he would tell you that he made a lot of plays better than that.

Yes that was without question the greatest play in Aikman's career due to the critical situation the Cowboys were in and the fact it was a championship game with a birth in the SB was on the line. I'm sure if you ask Aikman he'll tell you that was his greatest play. SF had just scored a TD to move within 3 points of the Cowboys with under 5 minutes to play. The momentum was on their side and their crowd was in a frenzy. The Cowboys were deep in their own end of a muddy field clinging to a 3 point lead in front of a hostile crowd one mistake could cost them the game. The ghost of "The Catch" was still hanging over the franchises head from 11 years earlier on that same field. This was one of the most tense moments in Cowboys history as they began that drive with just over 4 minutes to play.

It took guts to put the ball up on first down in that situation when you have an Emmitt Smith in the backfield. Not only did the Cowboys put the ball up with a championship on the line but they targeted their #2 receiver. How deep a pass is thrown doesn't matter what matters is putting the ball on target which Aikman did hitting Harper in stride allowing him to run 60+ yards practically sealing the victory for the Cowboys. That play took the wind completely out of the 49ers sails while deflating their crowd. Click on the link that play is ranked #2 of the top 25 plays in Cowboys history.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...o-2-Play/ce98689d-5141-4923-a8c9-b3aab8ef95e1

 

[5Stars]

Yes that was without question the greatest play in Aikman's career due to the critical situation the Cowboys were in and the fact it was a championship game with a birth in the SB was on the line. I'm sure if you ask him he'll tell you that was his greatest play. SF had just scored a TD to move within 3 points of the Cowboys with under 5 minutes to play. The momentum was on their side and their crowd was in a frenzy. The Cowboy were deep in their own end of a muddy field clinging to a 3 point lead in front of a hostile crowd. One mistake could cost the Cowboys the game. The ghost of "The Catch" was still hanging over the franchises head from 11 years earlier in that same stadium. This was one of the most tense moments in Cowboys history as they began that drive with just over 4 minutes to play.

It took guts to put the ball up on first down in that situation when you have an Emmitt Smith in the backfield. Not only did the Cowboys put the ball up with a championship on the line but they targeted their #2 receiver. How deep a pass is thrown doesn't matter what matters is putting the ball on target which Aikman did hitting Harper in stride allowing him to run 60+ yards practically sealing the victory for the Cowboys. That play took the wind completely out of the 49ers sails while deflating their crowd. Click on the link that play is ranked #2 of the top 25 plays in Cowboys history.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...o-2-Play/ce98689d-5141-4923-a8c9-b3aab8ef95e1

Did Aikman make that play all by his bad self, or was it a play that was called by the Offensive Coordinator?

Once you stop trolling about the QB being responsible for every loss or every win, maybe then you will learn the game or the concept of team! smh

 

[5Stars]

Fair points, except for accusing me of trying to sully Aikman. It was great play, under very challenging circumstances. But the greatest of his career? Now, if you want to say it was the greatest call of Norv Turner's career, I'll give you that.

lol Leave the coaches out of this. They are not part of the team. Just the QB is the one that wins or loses...according to some.

 

[KJJ]

In all fairness, it was 4th down. The INT was the same as an incomplete pass.

Had it occurred on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down, then there would have been significance.

In all fairness it was a desperation throw on 4th down but the Cowboys were only 23 yards out giving Romo a good chance of completing the pass.

 

[gimmesix]

I would suggest a player at his first NFC Championship game, playing what the entire football world thought was the best team, in a game where the momentum turned with the Rice touchdown just a kick-off and a play before, with all the pressure of the entire season on his back, and his bread and butter receiver swapping places with Harper thinking the play would go that way and not telling Troy, and Troy having to trust Harper would get across the face of the corner and still catch the ball might suggest this wasn't as easy as you made it out.

I also don't like to knock others' accomplishments in order to lift up Romo. His play should stand on its own without trying to bring down Aikman or even Russell Wilson, as some do.

But I do think the similarities between that play the Harper and Romo's throw to Crayton against the Giants is interesting. Romo gets bashed for that game even though it was Crayton who dropped a pass that hit him squarely with lots of room to run (there are other plays that could be mentioned too, but let's focus on that one). Aikman gets praised for the game against the 49ers because Harper did his job and actually caught a pass that hit him in the chest.

It's times like those when Romo is simply a victim of the game, among many others who have been as well.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Fair points, except for accusing me of trying to sully Aikman. It was great play, under very challenging circumstances. But the greatest of his career? Now, if you want to say it was the greatest call of Norv Turner's career, I'll give you that.

Norv called down to Jimmy and asked him what he wanted to do. Run out the clock or what.

Jimmy said, I want to score.

Now, look back at The Catch. Montana threw up a lob ball and it started a dynasty.

How is Aikman's pass any different?

I love what Romo brings to the table. But making any comparison between he and Aikman in any context where it entertains pro football is absurd.

As Jimmy once said. Aikman could have tossed up Marino numbers if he didn't sacrifice his game for the team concept.

It is this statement by his coach, who built the team and led them to two championships, and a third where Bozo the clown used his players and succeeded, that puts all this in its proper circumstance.

Romo plays in an era where passing is everything. He builds his stats on a team that is lead by a head coach who likes to pass. A team that hasn't up to this point had a running back who can carry the load. And perhaps never will even with the new OL because of the head coach and his questionable skill set.

Aikman had to play within a team concept of pass to get ahead and then nit was the Emmitt Smith show. No conducive to gaudy passing stats.

So while others kneel at the monument erected for Romo before his day is done. I prefer those teams that closed the deal.

And it is my fervent belief if Romo was standing on that field in Candlestick, there is a possibility he could not have orchestrated the same game plan and win.

Just what I believe, come Hell or high water.

 

[KJJ]

I can't put that one on Romo, although there's absolutely no reason why that Dallas team didn't beat the Giants that year and ultimately end up at least in the Super Bowl.

No one is putting it on Romo the defense didn't play well and neither did he.

 

[gimmesix]

In all fairness it was a desperation throw on 4th down but the Cowboys were only 23 yards out giving Romo a good chance of completing the pass.

If a receiver had been open, which wasn't the case.

 

[KJJ]

If a receiver had been open, which wasn't the case.

There were receivers open that he missed that day which is why he only completed 50% of his passes and his passer rating was only 64.7.

 

[KJJ]

11 penalties for 84 yards. Crayton blows the go ahead score late in the game. Defense allows ridiculous td drive late in the first half....

The Cowboys didn't play well as a team and neither did Romo. The Cowboys were slumping entering that game and so was Romo checkout his stats the final few games of the 07 season.

 

[Picksix]

Norv called down to Jimmy and asked him what he wanted to do. Run out the clock or what.

Jimmy said, I want to score.

Now, look back at The Catch. Montana threw up a lob ball and it started a dynasty.

How is Aikman's pass any different?

I love what Romo brings to the table. But making any comparison between he and Aikman in any context where it entertains pro football is absurd.

As Jimmy once said. Aikman could have tossed up Marino numbers if he didn't sacrifice his game for the team concept.

It is this statement by his coach, who built the team and led them to two championships, and a third where Bozo the clown used his players and succeeded, that puts all this in its proper circumstance.

Romo plays in an era where passing is everything. He builds his stats on a team that is lead by a head coach who likes to pass. A team that hasn't up to this point had a running back who can carry the load. And perhaps never will even with the new OL because of the head coach and his questionable skill set.

Aikman had to play within a team concept of pass to get ahead and then nit was the Emmitt Smith show. No conducive to gaudy passing stats.

So while others kneel at the monument erected for Romo before his day is done. I prefer those teams that closed the deal.

And it is my fervent belief if Romo was standing on that field in Candlestick, there is a possibility he could not have orchestrated the same game plan and win.

Just what I believe, come Hell or high water.

Well, it wasn't my intention to compare Romo with Aikman, because you're right, there really isn't a comparison. And I do agree with you that Romo tends to try to too much at times. As for being in that NFC Championship game scenario, I'd like to believe that Romo could play a game like Troy did, but it'd be a tough sell.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I also don't like to knock others' accomplishments in order to lift up Romo. His play should stand on its own without trying to bring down Aikman or even Russell Wilson, as some do.

But I do think the similarities between that play the Harper and Romo's throw to Crayton against the Giants is interesting. Romo gets bashed for that game even though it was Crayton who dropped a pass that hit him squarely with lots of room to run (there are other plays that could be mentioned too, but let's focus on that one). Aikman gets praised for the game against the 49ers because Harper did his job and actually caught a pass that hit him in the chest.

It's times like those when Romo is simply a victim of the game, among many others who have been as well.

That play with Crayton is not what lost that game. It is similar, but Crayton was running a much deeper route.

Romo was not at fault for that loss at all.

I think what ultimately cost the Cowboys that game was the decision to run Barber the entire second half and not use Jones at all.

Barber was gassed and that crippled the offense once the Giants knew they could rush Romo relentlessly without suffering against the run game.

This goes back to the play caller.

Who was that guy?

Oh yeah, the current head coach that you couldn't run off with Patton's 4th Mechanized division.

 

[percyhoward]

That's not true, and that's why we keep seeing these stats threads.

I can only speak for myself and the information I provide, but it's accurate. You may not like that it doesn't fit in with your perception, but there's no substitute for the direct knowledge that can only come from an unfiltered, objective analysis of the actual plays.

 

[5Stars]

There were receivers open that he missed that day which is why he only completed 50% of his passes and his passer rating was only 64.7.

Oh, now it's receivers that were open that he missed that day. Were you in the huddle? Did you know the plays that were called? Did you know the game plan?

You know nothing. Troll on dude...Romo sucks, and the rest of the team did an outstanding job.

 

[KJJ]

After Crayton dropped that pass it resulted in a punt that the Giants got a good return out of. The entire momentum of the game changed during that sequence but the Cowboys still had plenty of opportunities to pull the game out but couldn't.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Well, it wasn't my intention to compare Romo with Aikman, because you're right, there really isn't a comparison. And I do agree with you that Romo tends to try to too much at times. As for being in that NFC Championship game scenario, I'd like to believe that Romo could play a game like Troy did, but it'd be a tough sell.

I apologize for the temperament of my post appearing like it was taking a shot at you. Mea culpa.

Surely Romo with that defense would have been tough to beat. And frankly Troy did not have his best day in the SB against the Bills the second time around. Emmitt and that drive in the late third is what turned the tide for the team. And that is something Romo never has had. A Robin to his Batman.

And in Aikman's era, it would be a Larry and Curly to his Moe.

So in a sense Romo needs help, and at times has none at all.

But some like to point to stats and suggest that makes Romo king of the hill.

What I'd really love to see is the 1992 Cowboys versus the 2007 Cowboys.

And it is my belief Aikman walks away with that game in a lopsided win.

Again, apologies for being snarky. Have a good 4th.

 

[Vtwin]

Yes that was without question the greatest play in Aikman's career due to the critical situation the Cowboys were in and the fact it was a championship game with a birth in the SB was on the line. I'm sure if you ask Aikman he'll tell you that was his greatest play. SF had just scored a TD to move within 3 points of the Cowboys with under 5 minutes to play. The momentum was on their side and their crowd was in a frenzy. The Cowboys were deep in their own end of a muddy field clinging to a 3 point lead in front of a hostile crowd one mistake could cost them the game. The ghost of "The Catch" was still hanging over the franchises head from 11 years earlier on that same field. This was one of the most tense moments in Cowboys history as they began that drive with just over 4 minutes to play.

It took guts to put the ball up on first down in that situation when you have an Emmitt Smith in the backfield. Not only did the Cowboys put the ball up with a championship on the line but they targeted their #2 receiver. How deep a pass is thrown doesn't matter what matters is putting the ball on target which Aikman did hitting Harper in stride allowing him to run 60+ yards practically sealing the victory for the Cowboys. That play took the wind completely out of the 49ers sails while deflating their crowd. Click on the link that play is ranked #2 of the top 25 plays in Cowboys history.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...o-2-Play/ce98689d-5141-4923-a8c9-b3aab8ef95e1

Exactly. Second greatest play in COWBOYS history.
Coach makes a gutsy call. Irvin switches positions. Harper recognizes the coverage. Aikman reads it correctly. Harper runs a nice route. Aikman puts the ball where he needs to.
Any single one of those multiple factors plays out differently and the story has a different ending.
Team game.