The Hail Mary Game

What people do not remember or know is that things were very bleak in that game. Roger was being harassed by a ferocious pass rush. The Cowboys' center John Fitzgerald hurt his right hand and his shotgun snaps were off target. He was eventually was replaced by rookie enter Kyle Davis on THE DRIVE.

This was the Roger and Drew show. Virtually 86 yards in pass receptions by the original #88 on THE DRIVE, including an impossible 4th down pass for a first down to midfield on the sideline that appeared as if Drew went into the heavens to catch it. Rookie RB first rounder Charles Young, #30 was the RB on the field for this set of downs, which will live forever as the hallmark HAIL MARY game.
 
SFloridaCowboy said:
What people do not remember or know is that things were very bleak in that game. Roger was being harassed by a ferocious pass rush. The Cowboys' center John Fitzgerald hurt his right hand and his shotgun snaps were off target. He was eventually was replaced by rookie enter Kyle Davis on THE DRIVE.

This was the Roger and Drew show. Virtually 86 yards in pass receptions by the original #88 on THE DRIVE, including an impossible 4th down pass for a first down to midfield on the sideline that appeared as if Drew went into the heavens to catch it. Rookie RB first rounder Charles Young, #30 was the RB on the field for this set of downs, which will live forever as the hallmark HAIL MARY game.
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Doug Dennison did some real dirty work grinding out yards on that 72-yard drive that ended with him driving into the end zone for our first score.

Seems like ancient history seeing T-formations, split backs and QB’s getting the snot beat out of them.
 
SFloridaCowboy said:
What people do not remember or know is that things were very bleak in that game. Roger was being harassed by a ferocious pass rush. The Cowboys' center John Fitzgerald hurt his right hand and his shotgun snaps were off target. He was eventually was replaced by rookie enter Kyle Davis on THE DRIVE.

This was the Roger and Drew show. Virtually 86 yards in pass receptions by the original #88 on THE DRIVE, including an impossible 4th down pass for a first down to midfield on the sideline that appeared as if Drew went into the heavens to catch it. Rookie RB first rounder Charles Young, #30 was the RB on the field for this set of downs, which will live forever as the hallmark HAIL MARY game.
Click to expand...
That 4th and 17 conversion was outstanding. The field was muddy to the point you could barely run without slipping all over. Roger had 1.5 seconds to throw on just about every down. I don't think they completed a pass that long all game. I know these guys have their timing down. But I don't know how they managed to do it in those conditions. Perfect pass/catch right at the sideline 20+ yards up the field.
 
Such a great season, despite that SB loss to Pittsburgh. The greatest Cowboys draft ever (1975--dirty dozen), arguably, on that team. All you have to say is, "Hail Mary Game" and astute football fans know it.
 
The Cowboys were very fortunate that the attempted screen pass to Preston Pearson prior to the Hail Mary pass was dropped and incomplete, or the big play may never have happened.
 
john van brocklin said:
It's nice to see the Cowboys when they were special,
and not this current perennial losing squad.
:facepalm:
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John, that run of playoff appearances in the 70s to early 80s was incredible. But, I wonder how the modern fan base would judge those teams.

For years they fell short in the playoffs, NFC Championship game, and SB. But, they were perennial contenders and always in the mix. Much like the Ravens and 49ers currently.

Would we all appreciate being there year after year but coming up short? Those 3 years of 12-5 seasons get zero respect from the fan base. I wonder how the Landry 'Boys would be viewed. I guess of one of the 12-5 teams made the NFC Championship game or one SB it would be different.
 
slick325 said:
John, that run of playoff appearances in the 70s to early 80s was incredible. But, I wonder how the modern fan base would judge those teams.

For years they fell short in the playoffs, NFC Championship game, and SB. But, they were perennial contenders and always in the mix. Much like the Ravens and 49ers currently.

Would we all appreciate being there year after year but coming up short? Those 3 years of 12-5 seasons get zero respect from the fan base. I wonder how the Landry 'Boys would be viewed. I guess of one of the 12-5 teams made the NFC Championship game or one SB it would be different.
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Please don’t try to compare these two. It’s a different universe!
 
Creeper said:
I caught most of it last night. It reminded me of how good Ed "Too Tall" Jones was.
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Fantastic player. He had that one rush where he took a bad angle and Tarkenton slipped past him for a nice run, but that was the only play I saw where he was clearly beaten. This seems to happen multiple times a game to our current team, sadly. Too Tall set the edge against the run just about as good as anyone back then. It would be interesting to see how someone that tall and lanky (6'9", 270-275) would perform against today's tackles.
 
slick325 said:
John, that run of playoff appearances in the 70s to early 80s was incredible. But, I wonder how the modern fan base would judge those teams.

For years they fell short in the playoffs, NFC Championship game, and SB. But, they were perennial contenders and always in the mix. Much like the Ravens and 49ers currently.

Would we all appreciate being there year after year but coming up short? Those 3 years of 12-5 seasons get zero respect from the fan base. I wonder how the Landry 'Boys would be viewed. I guess of one of the 12-5 teams made the NFC Championship game or one SB it would be different.
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Mountain would say the Roger sucked. Lol
 
slick325 said:
Agreed 100%.

But, I wonder if fans are different now as well.
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Fans weren't as stupid back then. They new teams and players busted their butt's and teams with the better players and fewer injuries, usually won. The game was much more fun before social media with critics getting to hide behind a keyboard.

That was the first game that I remember watching....Landry was born and raised about 30 miles from my home. He was and still is a hero around here. I got to coach 4 games in the stadium na,ed after him. Good times...
 
Ranching said:
Fans weren't as stupid back then. They new teams and players busted their butt's and teams with the better players and fewer injuries, usually won. The game was much more fun before social media with critics getting to hide behind a keyboard.

That was the first game that I remember watching....Landry was born and raised about 30 miles from my home. He was and still is a hero around here. I got to coach 4 games in the stadium na,ed after him. Good times...
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I bet you lost all four games, huh? lol
 
It truly was a different game back then

You look at the shots that Roger took; today they would throw that player out of the game and suspend him for six

and look at the hits the WRs took. Same thing.

That type of football ground down everyone so much faster. Back then, once you hit thirty you were going down hill fast. Seeing anyone at the top of their game at say 33 or so just did not happen unless you were a punter or kicker

except for the exceptions like Tarkenton and Roger
 
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