This was one of those moments

[MWH1967]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3V3HH9WDDls#t=16

 

[DallasEast]

I just wish Gramatica ever once lifted weights in his life. If he had the strength to even nudge the Seattle player, Romo would of walked in as a hero.

First time I've ever seen anyone point some of the blame at Gramatica for not making a block.

Funny thing is Gramatica attempted to nudge him but the defender got by him quickly and he had virtually no time to react. Watch the replay everything happened so quickly I don't even believe Gramatica realized Romo was running with the ball.

Gramatica did everything correct on the play as soon as he saw the bobbled snap like a savvy veteran kicker he attempted to make a block which is more than I can say for Anthony Fasano who was looking directly at Babineaux right before the snap and was suppose to be blocking on that play. Fasano was in perfect position to make a block but he froze as the ball was snapped then did an ole move allowing Babineaux who hesitated to have a free run at the ball. Had Fansano made any attempt to block Babineaux Romo would have scored on that play.

You cannot make this stuff up.

A premise is introduced that Grammatica could have aided Romo's scramble by delaying Babineaux a few moments longer. It's an interesting premise. Babineaux does chase Romo from the OPPOSITE direction from where Romo scrambles. Babineaux must make up the the greatest distance to close on Romo and make the tackle. Logically, any significant obstacle helps prevent Babineaux's success.

Sounds reasonable. The premise gets laughed at though.

Of course, let's remember this whole turn of events is defined as a BOTCHED PLAY. Nothing that happened immediately after Romo mishandles the snap is planned. Even so, it is further emphasized that while Grammatica was "clueless" to Romo's scramble, Grammatica "correctly attempts to block" Babineaux--which is, not surprisingly, EXACTLY what the original premise is based upon.

It gets better. Now we attempt to further negate the original premise by substituting another, more "logical" one. The new premise suggests the focus should be on Fasano, who was lined up to block nearest Babineaux before the snap. Again, let's remember this was a BOTCHED PLAY. And just for the heck of it, let's also remember this is the sport of football.

The sequence of events from FASANO's perspective:

• The ball is snapped.
• BABINEAUX DOES NOT BLITZ. Does not attempt to blitz. He holds position and scans the offensive backfield.
• Fasano does not block anyone. Why should he? No one's attempting to blitz on his side.
• The crowd goes crazy.

Remember, this is still football. You're lined up to block during a field goal attempt. No one you're assigned to block blitzes when the ball is snapped. You hear the crowd react unexpectedly to a field goal kick that should have increased the lead over THEIR team.

If you are Fasano, what is your first impulse?

What do football coaches grill into players when a play breaks down, your assignment gets screwed, and you have no idea where the football is?

Answer: Look for the ball and pounce on it if it's on the ground.

Video:

​

What's Fasano's reaction?

Is the reaction unexpected?

Fasano's back is now facing Babineaux, who at that point FINALLY reacts to what he's seeing. Babineaux must still get from where he was positioned to Romo.

Who is the only other player, besides Romo and Babineaux, that's aware of the botched play?

Who "correctly attempts to block" Babineaux?

Who was ultimately the best obstacle between Romo and Babineaux given the circumstances of the play as it unfolded?

The answer to all three questions are apparent if you understand football and watch the actual sequence of events.

The original premise was entirely reasonable.

 

[Bullflop]

I do believe it was a pretty defining moment for Clint Longley when he sucker punched Roger Staubach in the locker room after a game, then got the crap beat out of him by Roger and was fired shortly thereafter. Ouch!

 

[rynochop]

Always loved the Aikman to Rocket, luckily wasnt called back for Emmitts false start

 

[Hoov]

Y

That was the game in Dallas in 1992. Emmitt Smith ran for 163 yards in that one. Jim McMahon was quarterbacking for the Eagles that day. Andre Waters missed the game with a broken leg he suffered against the Commanders earlier in October. When the playoffs came around, Waters was in the lineup, and said that he was going to take Smith's knees out.

Smith ran for 114 yards and a touchdown. 34-10 Dallas.

yes. That's right. Everyone in philly was saying it was a fluke and the Eagles would kill the Cowboys in the playoffs.

 

[CowboyGil]

It depends on how old you were as to how funny that story becomes. I'm guessing you were young then, but I'm picturing a grown man doing that which makes it really funny.

Ummmm, I was 24.

 

[xwalker]

Ummmm, I was 24.

Yep, that makes it much funnier than if you were 8.

 

[mrmojo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VqQjLDniRZo#t=9

No!!!!! Leon!!!! NO!!!!!!

It's ok Leon we got your back....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gUYVifM0vCQ#t=6

Its too bad Leon gets remembered for those 2 gaffs but he did have key plays in the Super Bowls that helped the Cowboys win. Heck of a player but never lived up to his full potential, another what might have been.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

I just wish Gramatica ever once lifted weights in his life. If he had the strength to even nudge the Seattle player, Romo would of walked in as a hero.

We needed the Buehler

 

[DC Cowboy]

Could Romo have made a 1st down in that Seattle game?

 

[Plankton]

Its too bad Leon gets remembered for those 2 gaffs but he did have key plays in the Super Bowls that helped the Cowboys win. Heck of a player but never lived up to his full potential, another what might have been.

Even though his statistics weren't great, he was in a position to be considered for NFL defensive player of the year in 1996. His performance for the time he played that season was dominant.

His suspension absolutely killed them against the Panthers in the playoffs (that and Irvin breaking his collarbone on the first Cowboy offensive play). They made Anthony Johnson look like Emmitt Smith in that game. It was so bad for them in the interior that they signed a completely washed up Ray Childress to provide snaps, and he contributed nothing.

 

[DallasEast]

You cannot make this stuff up.

A premise is introduced that Grammatica could have aided Romo's scramble by delaying Babineaux a few moments longer. It's an interesting premise. Babineaux does chase Romo from the OPPOSITE direction from where Romo scrambles. Babineaux must make up the the greatest distance to close on Romo and make the tackle. Logically, any significant obstacle helps prevent Babineaux's success.

Sounds reasonable. The premise gets laughed at though.

Of course, let's remember this whole turn of events is defined as a BOTCHED PLAY. Nothing that happened immediately after Romo mishandles the snap is planned. Even so, it is further emphasized that while Grammatica was "clueless" to Romo's scramble, Grammatica "correctly attempts to block" Babineaux--which is, not surprisingly, EXACTLY what the original premise is based upon.

It gets better. Now we attempt to further negate the original premise by substituting another, more "logical" one. The new premise suggests the focus should be on Fasano, who was lined up to block nearest Babineaux before the snap. Again, let's remember this was a BOTCHED PLAY. And just for the heck of it, let's also remember this is the sport of football.

The sequence of events from FASANO's perspective:

• The ball is snapped.
• BABINEAUX DOES NOT BLITZ. Does not attempt to blitz. He holds position and scans the offensive backfield.
• Fasano does not block anyone. Why should he? No one's attempting to blitz on his side.
• The crowd goes crazy.

Remember, this is still football. You're lined up to block during a field goal attempt. No one you're assigned to block blitzes when the ball is snapped. You hear the crowd react unexpectedly to a field goal kick that should have increased the lead over THEIR team.

If you are Fasano, what is your first impulse?

What do football coaches grill into players when a play breaks down, your assignment gets screwed, and you have no idea where the football is?

Answer: Look for the ball and pounce on it if it's on the ground.

Video:

​

What's Fasano's reaction?

Is the reaction unexpected?

Fasano's back is now facing Babineaux, who at that point FINALLY reacts to what he's seeing. Babineaux must still get from where he was positioned to Romo.

Who is the only other player, besides Romo and Babineaux, that's aware of the botched play?

Who "correctly attempts to block" Babineaux?

Who was ultimately the best obstacle between Romo and Babineaux given the circumstances of the play as it unfolded?

The answer to all three questions are apparent if you understand football and watch the actual sequence of events.

The original premise was entirely reasonable.

Just noticed something. Fasano did not do an "ole move." He saw Romo scrambling. He was an eligible receiver and ran out into the right flat to give Romo a receiving target just in case.

Football is a great sport if you understand it.

 

[scottsp]

The Catch
Not sure which was more gut-wrenching: the play itself or the ensuing Cowboy possession.

Tony D going 99.5 in the Metrodome
Dorsett being my favorite player, this one still makes me smile.

K-Mart's punt return in Philly, '91
Huge because no one was moving the ball against them; also, this play put us ahead in the 4th and complete swung momentum, finally helping to net Dallas' long-awaited playoff berth.

Aikman to Harper, 1st & 10
Jerry Rice scored making it a 4-pt game with much-too-much time left. The following play from scrimmage ripped out 9er hearts everywhere.

 

[ShiningStar]

I think it was against the 9ers and our kicker misses the kick and allen or a an olinemen turns around and nearly kills him.

Garrett beating Green Bay.

 

[KJJ]

We needed the Buehler

I doubt even someone his size could have gotten enough of Babineaux to slow him down. He was practically past Gramatica running full speed all that could be done at that point was try and get a piece of him which Gramatica did. An inexperienced kicker likely wouldn't have never had the presence of mind to attempt to make a block in that situation because everything happened so quick. Had Fasano not made a rookie mistake freezing on the edge block allowing Babineaux a free run at the ball Romo would have scored. Fasano never even made an attempt to block Babineaux even though he had his sights directly on him. Fasano allowed Babineaux to go by him before the snap was bobbled then he looked back and saw Romo running. Once he saw Romo running he ran out for a pass. That play was one of the reasons the Cowboys began to sour on Fasano who missed a number of blocks in his 2 seasons with the Cowboys.

 

[DBOY3141]

The Catch
Not sure which was more gut-wrenching: the play itself or the ensuing Cowboy possession.

Tony D going 99.5 in the Metrodome
Dorsett being my favorite player, this one still makes me smile.

K-Mart's punt return in Philly, '91
Huge because no one was moving the ball against them; also, this play put us ahead in the 4th and complete swung momentum, finally helping to net Dallas' long-awaited playoff berth.

Aikman to Harper, 1st & 10
Jerry Rice scored making it a 4-pt game with much-too-much time left. The following play from scrimmage ripped out 9er hearts everywhere.

TD was the man. Still remember that Monday night game like it was yesterday.

 

[DallasEast]

We needed the Buehler

I doubt even someone his size could have gotten enough of Babineaux to slow him down. He was practically past Gramatica running full speed all that could be done at that point was try and get a piece of him which Gramatica did. An inexperienced kicker likely wouldn't have never had the presence of mind to attempt to make a block in that situation because everything happened so quick. Had Fasano not made a rookie mistake freezing on the edge block allowing Babineaux a free run at the ball Romo would have scored. Fasano never even made an attempt to block Babineaux even though he had his sights directly on him. Fasano allowed Babineaux to go by him before the snap was bobbled then he looked back and saw Romo running. Once he saw Romo running he ran out for a pass. That play was one of the reasons the Cowboys began to sour on Fasano who missed a number of blocks in his 2 seasons with the Cowboys.

Here we go again.

 

[clang]

The Giants game when Emmitt played with 1 arm.

A game against the Niners where Erik Williams basically took over the game which I had never seen from an OLinman. He was flattening not only his guy, but was knocking down other defenders like bowling pins. They drove from one of the the field to the other for a TD and it was almost all runs on the entire drive. Emmitt had massive openings all day. EW ended up breaking the leg of one of their DLinemen.

I believe you might be thinking of the championship game against the Packers here. The Cowboys had a 99 yard drive in that game and Williams took out the knee of one of the Packer defensive lineman. Jurkevitch was his name I think.

 

[xwalker]

I believe you might be thinking of the championship game against the Packers here. The Cowboys had a 99 yard drive in that game and Williams took out the knee of one of the Packer defensive lineman. Jurkevitch was his name I think.

No, but I do remember the Jurkevitch game/play.

 

[chagus]

I just wish Gramatica ever once lifted weights in his life. If he had the strength to even nudge the Seattle player, Romo would of walked in as a hero.

If Gramatica would've just thrown himself in the defenders way instead of that weak excuse of a push. Bleh!