Question For old timers and 90s Cowboy fans

[StarHead69]

People forget some other facts. In both Irvin and especially Drews NFL...the defense could still hit and intimidate recievers. Bryant has had it very easy in that regard. He never faced down a Jack Tatum or Mel Blount. If he thinks Norman is tough those other boys would not talk about...they would seriously try to injury. WR's in those days didn't trash talk defensive players.

Don't forget to add that Dez would be allowed to push guys around as well. I like Dez, but I would take Irvin if I had to choose, without hesitation.

 

[punchnjudy]

With time people forget how dominant the offense was here from 92-95. In a top-heavy league where overall scoring was lower than today, they still scored 30+ points with regularity in the playoffs, never scoring below 27 IIRC.

I'd have to look up the last time this team scored 30 points in a playoff game. They didn't even reach 27 in 2014.

It's fun to compare the different components (OL, RB, WR corps, QB) from today to back then, but I wouldn't switch out any of them and expect any improvement in the 92-95 teams.

 

[2much2soon]

One of my best memories of Irvin was against GB in the playoffs and I think it was John Jurkovic starting a pushing shoving thing with the offensive line at the end of a play. First guy in there was Irvin. He got everybody's attention when he stepped in the middle of things and backed down the GB players.
Early on I thought Dez looked like he was going to be that kind of leader, but he seemed to have tailed off in that regard.

 

[khiladi]

Irvin wasn't normally a threat to take it to the house, he was an incredibly clutch, route runner with decent but not burner speed, that could easily battle the DB in an era where the DBs had incredible advantage in hand play. He always moved he chains and would catch the darts of Aikman in the tightest windows..

Aikman and Irvin were one of the all-time great combos based on their timing and precision..

 

[dallasdave]

Irvin wasn't normally a threat to take it to the house, he was an incredibly clutch, route runner with decent but not burner speed, that could easily battle the DB in an era where the DBs had incredible advantage in hand play. He always moved he chains and would catch the darts of Aikman in the tightest windows..

Aikman and Irvin were one of the all-time great combos based on their timing and precision..

Well said indeed

 

[faninjersey]

Seen on here and heard on radio stations along with the Break and Talkin Cowboys people have been all over Dez. Here is my question has Dez lived up too the jersey number he wears 88. 88 means something to us Boys fans just like 33 12 22 8 and 82 will one day . As a boys fan from birth my 88 will always be Irvin has Dez lived up too the 88 club

Seen on here and heard on radio stations along with the Break and Talkin Cowboys people have been all over Dez. Here is my question has Dez lived up too the jersey number he wears 88. 88 means something to us Boys fans just like 33 12 22 8 and 82 will one day . As a boys fan from birth my 88 will always be Irvin has Dez lived up too the 88 club

My first 88 was Pearson. IMO, Dez has more talent than the others, but they proved to be more effective players throughout their careers. Pearson/Irvin were automatic on 3rd downs, personified the slant routes, and were fearless running over the middle. Injuries have held up Dez for the last two years, so hopefully good health helps him fulfill his talent. They also delivered in the biggest games in playoffs. Jury is still out, but not quite at their level yet.

 

[jaybird]

Jury is still out imo

Up to this point though, no

This

 

[BAT]

I will let Pearson and Irvin answer for me. An unqualified "yes". Both inducted him into the 88 club, membership is 3. Dez needs a championship or three, but already holds or shares several franchise receiving records.

Now is not the time for division or distraction, take a cue from the team, the focus is on the next opponent only. Everything else does not matter.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Lol, how can anyone say no?

They both came into the league at 22-years old. Compare their respective numbers through age 27.

The Dez hate this year is insane. Yet not a peep when he put up 41 TDs and averaged 1,300+ yards a season from 2012-2014.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Irvin is the GOAT.....not sure why this is even a conversation

 

[FLCowboyFan]

I'm going to leave the Dez topic alone but I will say that Irvin was a fighter. He worked very hard and would find ways to get open when we needed it most. That said the game was different so the production for players back then can't be fairly judged against today's players by looking at numbers.

 

[maxdallasfan]

The fact that Irvin could party like he did, and still show up on Sunday's..........Dez can't touch this.

 

[JakeCamp12]

the difference between Dez and Irvin are that Irvin was not the physical freak Dez is, and he knew that, so he really perfected his route running and techniques. No one could out muscle Irvin on a slant. Irvin also knew that if he was not in the exact spot the route called for, it would be an interception because Aikman was putting the ball exactly on the spot the play called for. Dez is just not the technical receiver that Irvin was.

 

[Chuck 54]

No, not even close.....yet.

He's more athletic than either Drew or Michael, but those guys knew how to get open and always came up huge in big games. Dez is a very good receiver, but I never saw a defense take either of the other two 88's out of the game. Irvin played with a lot of garbage at the other receiver spot, and even double teams couldn't stop him. He made plays against Deon, possibly the best shut down CB ever.

I like Dez, but even at his healthiest and best, he has never been as good as Drew or Michael despite playing in a more sophisticated and pass happy era.

 

[khiladi]

No, not even close.....yet.

He's more athletic than either Drew or Michael, but those guys knew how to get open and always came up huge in big games. Dez is a very good receiver, but I never saw a defense take either of the other two 88's out of the game. Irvin played with a lot of garbage at the other receiver spot, and even double teams couldn't stop him. He made plays against Deon, possibly the best shut down CB ever.

I like Dez, but even at his healthiest and best, he has never been as good as Drew or Michael despite playing in a more sophisticated and pass happy era.

We got robbed against Sf when Deion clearly PI'd Irvin right in front of the ref on what would have been the greatest comeback in playoff history ever.. Irvin had him beat bar none..

 

[BoysWin]

Seen on here and heard on radio stations along with the Break and Talkin Cowboys people have been all over Dez. Here is my question has Dez lived up too the jersey number he wears 88. 88 means something to us Boys fans just like 33 12 22 8 and 82 will one day . As a boys fan from birth my 88 will always be Irvin has Dez lived up too the 88 club

Drew Pearson was so much more clutch than any WR Dallas has ever had, and then there was Michael Irvin. Dez is a distant 3rd.

 

[1972COWBOY]

Not 88 but Alvin Harper was also there with Irvin and pretty darn good.

 

[Pokes12]

He hasnt caught up to Pearson yet, long ways to Irvin. Dez is probably the most gifted of the three but it takes more than athleticism.

Dez has time but he needs to be more consistent. Also, his route tree isn't exactly the best either.

ways is not a word, my friend. Neither is anyways.

 

[Pokes12]

No a long ways to go.

The original 88 Drew was the greatest clutch receiver I ever saw. It's a shame he is not in the HOF. Some of the greatest plays in NFL history were made by Drew.

Irvin was a leader and a big/strong wide receiver. He refused to be beat and was probably the hardest working Cowboy. He lived up to his playmaker name.

ways is not a word, my friend. Neither is anyways. It show you to be stupid and I am sure you do not want to be viewed that way.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Not yet but his career isn't over.