Video: Troy Aikman admits rival was greatest quarterback of all time

[JohnnyHopkins]

The title is very confusing to me...how was Montana a rival for Aikman?

Did they ever even play head to head?

Montana was the back up in 92 when Dallas began its run of dominating the 49ers. I'm not really sure how Montana could be a rival.

They played against each other twice if memory serves. I think Aikman's rookie and second year in the league (89 and 90). Dallas lost of course.

 

[Nav22]

I didn't say any of that. But QBs took a ton more hits in those days. It wasn't a penalty to hit them back then. That took a toll on those guys.
That's all I'm saying.

Sure did. I grew up watching Aikman get blasted, sniff some smelling salt, then re-enter the game for more punishment.

I just don't see how it's possible for that aspect alone to be the sole ENORMOUS gap in efficiency between the current generation and the old-timers.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Sure did. I grew up watching Aikman get blasted, sniff some smelling salt, then re-enter the game for more punishment.

I just don't see how it's possible for that aspect alone to be the sole ENORMOUS gap in efficiency between the current generation and the old-timers.

Then I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Nav22]

Rodgers is a fantastic QB and I think his game is of the old school style which means he could play in that era as Montana did but as for me Montana was the best I've ever seen and if Montana was playing in such an era now his numbers would rival that of Aaron Rodgers and if not better in imo athletically Rodgers is a superior QB than Montana was but their passing skills were/are virtually the same.

Montana wasn't half the athlete Rodgers is and didn't have nearly as strong an arm. And I strongly doubt he was half as accurate a passer while scrambling outside the pocket. Rodgers can do things that are almost unfair.

 

[BigStar]

They have better stats, and seem better, because the receivers can't be touched and some of those QB's wear dresses, and can't be touched.
all subjective though.

They are bigger and stronger too though dude. There is no way around that. Montana's passes relate to UDFA/late picks in this gen, (absent Romo/Warner exceptions) but was a HOF QB bc of accuracy. It was humble of Troy to admit that for overall greatness, etc. but his arm relates much more to this gen. then Montana's. Most would relate Montana to Brady (who else?Roth maybe in terms of extending the play) and he didn't have that arm strength. There is no doubting everything is swayed to the O to the point where I feel Aikman-Irvin could have rolled over teams even if "these" rules were in place. Montana's not dancing against these defenders...did they even lift back then?

 

[Nav22]

Then I don't know what to tell you.

Haha. So if Aikman was protected by the refs and if they emphasized illegal contact, he'd be capable of putting up the video game numbers Rodgers puts up nowadays? Right.

 

[ringmaster]

I didn't say any of that. But QBs took a ton more hits in those days. It wasn't a penalty to hit them back then. That took a toll on those guys.
That's all I'm saying.

Different times and different eras and yes WRs, and TEs are bigger and stronger in today's game and are very good due to the modern day advances in physiology. Calvin Johnson is the record holder for most receiving yards in a season and if the rules of today was in effect for Jerry Rice in the 80s then that record would've belonged to Rice hands down.

I'm not saying that you don't know this because you do just saying the era are very different.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I was gonna say how is he a rival. Young was his rival.

 

[KJJ]

Aaron Rodgers, and that's not recency bias. Nobody's ever done it better.

QBs are simply better now than they were in previous eras. Just like kickers, punters, receivers and tight ends.

The rules have helped make QB's better which is why you see the passing numbers you see today compared to QB's from years ago. Rodgers is a great QB but until he wins more playoff games and championships he hasn't done it better than Montana or several other great QB's. It's not just about the arm and physical ability or Jeff George would be in the conversation. You have to have a lot of skins on the wall and no one has more skins on the wall than Joe Montana. No QB has played better in SB's than Montana and no QB was more clutch and better in big games than Montana.

 

[joseephuss]

Kickers and punters are WAY better nowadays and that's not even debatable. Not sure why it's so sacrilegious to suggest that QBs have gotten better too. They're bigger, stronger, more athletic and FAR more efficient than they used to be.

Aaron Rodgers isn't really any bigger or stronger than many QBs that have come before him. QBs are better now, but I don't think they are "way" better. I think it is the result of learning more about the passing game at a younger age along with all the changes in rules and emphasis on the rules. Many of today's QBs get exposed to the passing game much earlier than their predecessors. Pop Waner and high school football are much different games nowadays. In the past those levels rarely threw the ball.

 

[BARRYRAY]

One vote for Roger Staubach.You never thought you were out of the game no matter how far we were behind.And he has been a great citizen and father unlike a lot of others.

 

[ringmaster]

Montana wasn't half the athlete Rodgers is and didn't have nearly as strong an arm. And I strongly doubt he was half as accurate a passer while scrambling outside the pocket. Rodgers can do things that are almost unfair.

Apparently you didn't see in my post where I said that Rodgers was superior to Montana in athleticism and yes he does have a stronger arm than Montana ever had let's just agree to disagree when it comes to both of them as a passer.

With the rules now Montana would light up the league as a passer just my opinion.

 

[tyke1doe]

I respectfully disagree. I've watched Montana play and he's not on the same level as Rodgers, in my opinion. Rodgers is scary good and his numbers back that up. I get that the rules are different now, but I think that excuse is mostly a cop-out to protect the legends of yesteryear.

QBs are FAR, FAR more efficient than they used to be. You honestly think that's JUST because of an emphasis on illegal contact and not letting the QB get clobbered 2 seconds after a pass anymore?

Uh, yes. Efficiency ratings are influenced by completing passes, right? If your quarterback is throwing the ball to you, and you don't have to worry about being mugged by a defender, I'd say that helps your ability to catch the ball, and the quarterback's ability to complete passes. If you don't have to worry about a player targeting your legs, I'd say that helps your ability to step up in the pocket and complete a pass, wouldn't you?

It's very difficult to compare quarterbacks across generation because the game as changed and evolved and the situations one quarterback faced may be entirely different than what a future quarterback will face.

Oh, and the legends of yesteryear need no protection. Their legacy is secure. These are simply subjective arguments based on which quarterback a fan prefers. Me, I'm taking Montana.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Haha. So if Aikman was protected by the refs and if they emphasized illegal contact, he'd be capable of putting up the video game numbers Rodgers puts up nowadays? Right.

Aikman wasn't asked to be a gunslinger. We ran the ball better than any one else in those days, Cmon man argue with yourself.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I look at what skateboarders do now and back in the day. Bicyclists and motorcyclists as well. There was no way someone was going to take their bike and bounce up and down on the back tire. Or do flips. Or even attempt to do those ramps and double flips.

And that flying Superman thing they do would be suicide.

Same with skateboarders. I tell you no one was doing what they do now.

So who is better? The people now. They have built on what was in incremental ways until they are breathtaking in their artistry.

Same with guitarist. Shredding is commonplace now. Tapping is common place. But other than a few like Richie Blackmore, no one was doing some of the runs they do not on fret boards.

Are they better now? Yes.

Montana was a smart quarterback. Bradshaw had more physical talent. They were the tops back in the day when they called their own plays.

But it would be difficult for any of them to measure up to players now days.

Brady is a fantastic quarterback. Payton is as well.

But what Aaron Rodgers does may be the best I have ever seen. He has moves similar to Romo, and is a quick draw like Romo, but he is one of the most accurate passers I have seen, outside of Aikman. And his discerning defenses is as good as it gets.

If Rodgers had a defense like the 92 Cowboys, that team would be running off championships one after another.

This is my opinion. And frankly I think it will be New England and Green bay in the SB and GB will stomp a mudhole in their arse and walk it dry.

But no way does Montana stand up to Rodgers. If you never saw Montana, he had a weak arm. He outsmarted the other team. And it was the West Coast offense that threw short passes.

Just my opinion.

 

[ringmaster]

Aaron Rodgers isn't really any bigger or stronger than many QBs that have come before him. QBs are better now, but I don't think they are "way" better. I think it is the result of learning more about the passing game at a younger age along with all the changes in rules and emphasis on the rules. Many of today's QBs get exposed to the passing game much earlier than their predecessors. Pop Waner and high school football are much different games nowadays. In the past those levels rarely threw the ball.

Rodgers is a great QB and is definitely one of the top passers in the NFL and you're correct when you say that most of today's QBs are exposed earlier to the passing game due to the rules now so it is much easier to pass for 1 billion yards and 1,000 TDs if their predecessors had that luxury then we wouldn't be having this discussion about which era of QBs are better because it would even itself out.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Different times and different eras and yes WRs, and TEs are bigger and stronger in today's game and are very good due to the modern day advances in physiology. Calvin Johnson is the record holder for most receiving yards in a season and if the rules of today was in effect for Jerry Rice in the 80s then that record would've belonged to Rice hands down.

I'm not saying that you don't know this because you do just saying the era are very different.

I'm right there with you. The original conversation was about QBs.

 

[LucaBrasi]

Great qb, he grew up about 20 minutes from where I live - Monongahela, PA. They asked him to come back for a parade after the Niners 1st SB. He wanted to know how much he was getting paid for an appearance. What a jerk. Great, great qb though.

 

[Nav22]

Aikman wasn't asked to be a gunslinger. We ran the ball better than any one else in those days, Cmon man argue with yourself.

I asked if he'd be CAPABLE, not if he WOULD. I'm fully aware of what our offense looked like.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I asked if he'd be CAPABLE, not if he WOULD. I'm fully aware of what our offense looked like.

He was very capable when asked to be. He' got the rings to prove it.