Was Alvin Harper a Bust?

[zrinkill]

I wanted to question the Forum.

Do you consider Alvin Harper a Bust for the Dallas Cowboys?

Please give an explanation after answering the Poll.


#12 overall pick

Average per/year stats 31 receptions, 622 yards, 4.5 TD's

 

[speedkilz88]

Alvin gave us a deep threat opposite Irvin for four years (winning a couple of Super Bowls in the process) so it's hard to call him a bust. But he never became the player that you hope to get with a first round pick.

 

[DeaconBlues]

I wanted to question the Forum.

Do you consider Alvin Harper a Bust for the Dallas Cowboys?

Please give an explanation after answering the Poll.

What poll?

Anyway, no, he wasn't a bust. His role was as a deep threat, to take pressure off Irvin and Novacek. What he wasn't was a #1 receiver.

For other teams, Harper was a bust. But not in his role w/Dallas.

**Oh, now I see it. Wasn't there before**

 

[Clove]

He made plays, he stayed on the field, and was a part of the winning of multiple super bowls, so no.

 

[laythewood28]

Considering we were run heavy and the emergence of Jay Novacek, I don't see how he can be considered a bust. For being the third option and coming up big in key games he played his role very well.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I voted yes because I understand a bust to be someone who did not at least meet expectations. In this case a first round pick.

While he certainly did bring some talent to the table, I don't think it was first round talent.

He provided something opposite of Irvin and was a field stretcher but aside from that, he is no HOFer by any stretch of the imagination, no pro bowls (I think) and played for 5 teams including the Memphis Maniax.

That doesn't say 1st round talent.

But that doesn't mean he didn't have some value. But he was a bust with respect to his draft status.

 

[arglebargle]

He wasn't as good as many seem to think. He had numerous games where he didn't catch much at all. Usually his threat was worse than the actuality.

I still wouldn't call him a bust. That term gets thrown around too frequaintly for all sorts of reasons. I save it for disastrous draft picks that deliver nothing. Harper may not have been great, but he did start and play.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Yes, but only because he was a 1st round pick. He was nothing without Irvin opposite him and the threat of Emmitt running.

When he left the Cowboys for Tampa, he completely vanished.

Also to note, he was a ****ing ****head. I met him at Fat Albert's in Arlington. He was a complete ***.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

I wanted to question the Forum.

Do you consider Alvin Harper a Bust for the Dallas Cowboys?

Please give an explanation after answering the Poll.


#12 overall pick

Average per/year stats 31 receptions, 622 yards, 4.5 TD's

I do not think he was a bust at all for the Cowboys and came in and right away did exactly what they were looking for him to do and he did it well.

 

[DavyBaby]

Many times players are drafted to for within a particular offensive scheme in relation to existing personnel.

In that context Harper was a good draft pick. He was NEVER projected to be a number #1 receiver when drafted.

Harper was drafted to complement Irvin (who WAS the #1). Harper was able to play an important role in the offense and made several big plays in crucial situations (e.g., rewatch the 1992 and 1993 NFC Championship games).

He was a good player for the Cowboys and I'm glad we drafted him. No regrets.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't think Harper was a bust I think he played a role on this team that the Cowboys needed. I do think Harper went to Tampa thinking he could take on the bigger role and found out differently.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Many times players are drafted to for within a particular offensive scheme in relation to existing personnel.

In that context Harper was a good draft pick. He was NEVER projected to be a number #1 receiver when drafted.

Harper was drafted to complement Irvin (who WAS the #1). Harper was able to play an important role in the offense and made several big plays in crucial situations (e.g., rewatch the 1992 and 1993 NFC Championship games).

He was a good player for the Cowboys and I'm glad we drafted him. No regrets.

IMO, if you spend a first round pick on a WR; (especially the 12th overall pick) you fully expect him to be a #1 capable WR.

 

[zrinkill]

In that context Harper was a good draft pick. He was NEVER projected to be a number #1 receiver when drafted.

Harper was drafted to complement Irvin (who WAS the #1).

Actually there was concern about Irvin's knee.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I don't think Harper was a bust I think he played a role on this team that the Cowboys needed. I do think Harper went to Tampa thinking he could take on the bigger role and found out differently.

He went to Tampa for money plain and simple.

 

[QT]

You know who was the #1 OVERALL pick in that draft. Russell Maryland.

This was the draft where Jerry was trying his hardest to get Rocket Ismail. We moved up to get the #1 overall pick to find out that Rocket was going to the CFL.

I wouldn't say Alvin was a bust. He did what he was suppose to do. He helped us with that play to beat San Fran in the NFC championship game. (The play that Michael switched sides with Harper b/c Mike thought he would be Troy's first look).

 

[Doomsday101]

He went to Tampa for money plain and simple.

I did not say other wise. I do think he felt and Tampa felt he could go in and carry the load at WR and found out he couldn't. Harper did a good job as a compliment to Irvin but did not have the overall skills to take on the lead role

 

[notherbob]

He fell far short of both hopes and expectations but was not a complete bust because he occasionally made a good play but he was only one or two drops away from being a bust.

Massive ego, mimimal performance.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

That was a run heavy team with an established HOF receiving target already in place,,, Harper did what what was asked of him and didn't disappoint so you can't call him a bust. Maybe that was a high pick for Jimmy to use on a player to fill that role but then again you can't argue with the results,,,

 

[Mash]

He was a 12 pick? if so....then he was very fortunate to play with such a talented team and never had to be the #1 here.......he had a role that alot of WR's could of filled IMHO

Put him on a bad Cowboy team and he would of certainly been a bust .....went to Tampa as a supposed #1 and failed....

But as it turned out ....he played his role well here and helped us win SB's.......

 

[LucaBrasi]

Made too many plays in the postseason to be considered a bust. Hell, the 70 yard slant in the NFC Title game is one of the most important plays in franchise history, for me at least.