Would you say that the Cowboys offense on paper is as good as the SB Champions of the 90s?

[Reverend Conehead]

No, not yet.

Aikman > Romo
Irvin > Dez
Emmitt > Ezekiel
Novacek < Witten
90s offensive line > Current offensive line

We need some skins in the playoffs before I say this offense is as good as the 90s version.

And importantly:
Johnson > Garrett
Wannstadt > Linnehan

 

[visionary]

No but difference isn't a lot. When I look at the most important position on the team at the QB spot Aikman was better than Romo. We have the potential to be as good but need to prove it first.

I hate it when fans are so negative
Would it hurt to admit this team is better than the 90s team ?

 

[percyhoward]

Avg rank over 4 seasons

1992-95 offense: 2nd
1992-95 defense: 3rd

2011-14 offense: 6th
2011-14 defense: 23rd

The offenses are closer than most realize, mainly because the defenses are farther apart than most remember.

You can't compare a great offense with a great team.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hate it when fans are so negative
Would it hurt to admit this team is better than the 90s team ?

Team wise it is not as good. Offensively I think Dallas has some very good weapons but defensively this current team is not close to what the 90's defense were. That group was one of the most underrated defense. triplets got the headlines but defense was a big part of those championships.

What kills me is people separate offense from defense but when it comes to winning it is a team game meaning all phases must function.

 

[jnday]

Comparing a 4-12 offense with one of the greatest teams ever. That is the subject of s great thread.

 

[Zekeats]

No, not yet.

Aikman > Romo
Irvin > Dez
Harper > Williams
Emmitt > Ezekiel
Novacek > Witten
90s offensive line > Current offensive line

We need some skins in the playoffs before I say this offense is as good as the 90s version.

Fixed it for ya. Yes, Novacek at that point in his career was a better TE than Witten at this point in his career and one could argue he was even better than Witten when both were in their prime.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Fixed it for ya. Yes, Novacek at that point in his career was a better TE than Witten at this point in his career and one could argue he was even better than Witten when both were in their prime.

No way. I followed the 90s Cowboys closely and Witten was better.

 

[tyke1doe]

Fixed it for ya. Yes, Novacek at that point in his career was a better TE than Witten at this point in his career and one could argue he was even better than Witten when both were in their prime.

Novacek was more athletic than Witten and better running after the catch. But I'd still give Witten the edge. He is more savvy and has a knack of getting open. And he's a better blocker.

 

[punchnjudy]

I'd have to see this offense put up a lot of points in the playoffs before comparing them to the 90's teams. From '92-'95, I believe the lowest point total in any playoff game was 27. In most of their games, they scored over 30 points. Since 2006, they've only surpassed that amount once (against Philly) in six games. More recently, they scored 24 against detroit and 21 against Green Bay. Those performances were solid but I wouldn't compare them to the 90's teams especially since I'm pretty sure overall scoring was a little bit lower back then.

 

[Zekeats]

Novacek was more athletic than Witten and better running after the catch. But I'd still give Witten the edge. He is more savvy and has a knack of getting open. And he's a better blocker.

Novacek wasn't too bad at getting open either and trust me he was a very, very good blocker himself. Very underrated. His career was cut short due to injury and the impact player he was should never be devalued. If I had to list skill position minus qb and their importance it would go enmitt Irvin novacek moose then the next wr wether it be Harper or k Williams

 

[tyke1doe]

Novacek wasn't too bad at getting open either and trust me he was a very, very good blocker himself. Very underrated. His career was cut short due to injury and the impact player he was should never be devalued. If I had to list skill position minus qb and their importance it would go enmitt Irvin novacek moose then the next wr wether it be Harper or k Williams

I'm not saying Novacek wasn't a good player. He was. I just don't think he was better than Witten, who didn't play with nearly the talent Novacek played with and who is headed to the Hall of Fame - a place Novacek won't see unless he pays admission like the rest of us.

 

[perrykemp]

I hate it when fans are so negative
Would it hurt to admit this team is better than the 90s team ?

Admit that last year's team coming off of a 4-12 season better than the 1990s prime Cowboys club that is considered by many to be one of the top 2-3 teams in NFL history?

 

[Zekeats]

I'm not saying Novacek wasn't a good player. He was. I just don't think he was better than Witten, who didn't play with nearly the talent Novacek played with and who is headed to the Hall of Fame - a place Novacek won't see unless he pays admission like the rest of us.

Yeah real classy. Dude many can say that the only reason why Witten is getting in the Hall is longevity. He was never anywhere near the threat a guy like Gronkowski is, or Shannon Sharpe was. Not saying I don't like Witten because I do, as should any true Cowboys fan. I hope and believe he will get in the HOF without any problem but let me ask you this. Was Witten ever a top 3 TE in the league for at least 3 seasons? If the answer is no, which it could be, than how could a guy who was never a top 3 player at his position for at least 3 years be in the elite company of the HOF?

 

[jnday]

Admit that last year's team coming off of a 4-12 season better than the 1990s prime Cowboys club that is considered by many to be one of the top 2-3 teams in NFL history?

It is beyond silly to think that the modern a Cowboys could even stay on the same field as the 90's teams.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Yeah real classy. Dude many can say that the only reason why Witten is getting in the Hall is longevity. He was never anywhere near the threat a guy like Gronkowski is, or Shannon Sharpe was. Not saying I don't like Witten because I do, as should any true Cowboys fan. I hope and believe he will get in the HOF without any problem but let me ask you this. Was Witten ever a top 3 TE in the league for at least 3 seasons? If the answer is no, which it could be, than how could a guy who was never a top 3 player at his position for at least 3 years be in the elite company of the HOF?

Top 3 in receptions or yards for a TE?

Here's a really good 4 year stretch. If he wasn't top 3, then those other 3 TE's were putting up extraordinary numbers.
2007: 96-1,145
2008: 81-952
2009: 94-1,030
2010: 94-1,002

 

[jobberone]

Offense close. Defense miles apart. One of the greatest teams ever vs an unproven presently mediocre team with potential.

I suspect if you asked Aikman who was better he'd say Romo and vice versa. Different QBs both great, BTW.

 

[ghst187]

we should hold these threads until this team wins something, anything.
the biggest ouch in comparing this team to those teams is that the coaching is so lopsided its hard to have these discussions..... Jimmy and his staff >+1000x Jason G and his staff

 

[tyke1doe]

Yeah real classy. Dude many can say that the only reason why Witten is getting in the Hall is longevity. He was never anywhere near the threat a guy like Gronkowski is, or Shannon Sharpe was. Not saying I don't like Witten because I do, as should any true Cowboys fan. I hope and believe he will get in the HOF without any problem but let me ask you this. Was Witten ever a top 3 TE in the league for at least 3 seasons? If the answer is no, which it could be, than how could a guy who was never a top 3 player at his position for at least 3 years be in the elite company of the HOF?

Why is "at least 3 years" some magical number?
But to answer your question, "Yes."
From 2007-2010, Witten was among the top three tight ends in receptions and yardage.
And Witten has the second most receptions by a tight end in NFL history.

1.Jerry Rice+ 1,549 1985-2004 3TM
2.Tony Gonzalez 1,325 1997-2013 2TM
3.Marvin Harrison 1,102 1996-2008 clt
4.Cris Carter+ 1,101 1987-2002 3TM
5.Tim Brown+ 1,094 1988-2004 2TM
6.Terrell Owens 1,078 1996-2010 5TM
7.Reggie Wayne 1,070 2001-2014 clt
8.Andre Johnson (34)1,053 2003-2015 2TM
9.Isaac Bruce 1,024 1994-2009 2TM
10.Jason Witten (33)1,020 2003-2015 dal
11.Larry Fitzgerald (32)1,018 2004-2015 crd
12.Anquan Boldin (35)1,009 2003-2015 3TM
13.Hines Ward 1,000 1998-2011 pit
14.Randy Moss 982 1998-2012 5TM
15.Steve Smith (36)961 2001-2015 2TM

Combined with his character, he'll get in. I used to think it would be by the skin of his teeth. But I think he's a Hall of Fame lock, ring or no ring.