Shake_Tiller
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I could have titled this "Parallel Careers," or something of the sort, but as Ring of Honor considerations have been in the news, I thought the title I used appropriate. In any case, I want to remark on the uncanny parallel careers between two very good Cowboys DEs, the relatively forgotten George Andrie and the arguably more prominent Harvey Martin. At the top, this isn't in any way an attempt to denigrate or dismiss Martin's great achievements. It is merely to recall another great Cowboys player. First some stats (Andrie at top, Martin below. I apologize for my inability to properly format.
Y G Starts Sacks SPG FR Int. Pro Bowl 1st All-Pro 2nd All-Pro
11 141 136 97 0.688 13 1 5 1 3
11 158 130 114 0.722 6 2 4 1 3
Each player was a Cowboy for 11 years. Andrie had more starts. Martin played more games (NFL schedules expanded). But the totals are close in both instances. Andrie had (unofficially) 97 sacks, Martin (also unofficially) 114 sacks. Andrie averaged 0.688 sacks/game, Martin 0.722. Andrie created 14 turnovers, Martin 8. Andrie made 5 Pro Bowls, Martin 4. Each was a 1st Team All-Pro once. Each was a 2nd Team All-Pro 3 times.
Of course, Martin was 1977 NFL Defensive Player of the Year when he amassed 23 sacks and was a co-Super Bowl MVP. Andrie had a high of 18.5 sacks in 1966. Andrie was also a big-game standout. In the Ice Bowl, he returned a fumble for a TD. In Super Bowl V, his hit knocked Unitas from the game. In the 1971 NFC Championship, he intercepted a pass and returned it to the 49ers 2-yard-line, setting up the winning TD.
Andrie benefited from playing alongside a great DT (Lilly), Martin from playing alongside a great DT (White). Both were probably overshadowed a bit as a result.
Andrie did not endure Martin's unfortunate off-the-field woes. But Martin had turned his life around at the time of his death.
One could make a case for either or both to be considered as members of the Ring of Honor. While it's close, I think Cornell Green is a better choice than either. But that's a judgment call.
I certainly have no objection to Martin being named to the Ring of Honor. He was a great Cowboy. But I thought it worth shining a spotlight on another tremendous pass rusher whose name is rarely if ever mentioned in such conversations.
Y G Starts Sacks SPG FR Int. Pro Bowl 1st All-Pro 2nd All-Pro
11 141 136 97 0.688 13 1 5 1 3
11 158 130 114 0.722 6 2 4 1 3
Each player was a Cowboy for 11 years. Andrie had more starts. Martin played more games (NFL schedules expanded). But the totals are close in both instances. Andrie had (unofficially) 97 sacks, Martin (also unofficially) 114 sacks. Andrie averaged 0.688 sacks/game, Martin 0.722. Andrie created 14 turnovers, Martin 8. Andrie made 5 Pro Bowls, Martin 4. Each was a 1st Team All-Pro once. Each was a 2nd Team All-Pro 3 times.
Of course, Martin was 1977 NFL Defensive Player of the Year when he amassed 23 sacks and was a co-Super Bowl MVP. Andrie had a high of 18.5 sacks in 1966. Andrie was also a big-game standout. In the Ice Bowl, he returned a fumble for a TD. In Super Bowl V, his hit knocked Unitas from the game. In the 1971 NFC Championship, he intercepted a pass and returned it to the 49ers 2-yard-line, setting up the winning TD.
Andrie benefited from playing alongside a great DT (Lilly), Martin from playing alongside a great DT (White). Both were probably overshadowed a bit as a result.
Andrie did not endure Martin's unfortunate off-the-field woes. But Martin had turned his life around at the time of his death.
One could make a case for either or both to be considered as members of the Ring of Honor. While it's close, I think Cornell Green is a better choice than either. But that's a judgment call.
I certainly have no objection to Martin being named to the Ring of Honor. He was a great Cowboy. But I thought it worth shining a spotlight on another tremendous pass rusher whose name is rarely if ever mentioned in such conversations.
