For me, the play that always defined him as a player was at the 2:50 mark: his run against the Rams. He sees the defender, knows he could get around him, but just decides to put his head down and run right through him. How many players could pull off that run and not be completely paralyzed from the neck down, much less gain another 17 yards after contact. Unbelievable. I had the great opportunity to sit with him, drink some beer and watch some games for a few Sundays back in 1992-93 (my Dad owned a sports bar that he would frequent occasionally). He's a heck of a nice guy, and was still physically imposing back then. One of the greatest ever, for sure.
Please. The Redskins went to 4 Superbowls within a 10 year timespan and won three of them, each with a different QB. Think about that... every other great decadal team has been dependent on a great QB... Bradshaw, Montana, Aikman, Brady, etc. The Redskins are the only team that doesn't fit and the reason is because of the O-line. Bostic, Jacoby, Grimm, and May were there for all three wins. Add Lachey and McKenzie and Schlereth in for the last two wins and you have the best and deepest O-line ever assembled on one non-all-star team. Could any other line have taken Joe Theismann to 2 Superbowls? Doug Williams did some good things during his career and certainly stepped up big in his Superbowl, but his lifetime passing rating is 69.4, tied with Joey Harrington and right behind Steve Grogan and Vince Farragamo. Finally, could any other O-line in the history of the NFL have made Mark Rypien (Mark freaking Rypien!) NFC Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP? This wasn't a one shot deal like the Ravens D carrying Dilfer. This was a decade of deep playoff runs and the one constant was the O-line. The Dallas line was good, but the Hogs were transcendent. The right group of guys at the right time with the right coach. For those that know a little about O-line play, they were a beauty to watch. They were to O-line play what the Ruth-Gehrig Yankees were to baseball. Anyway, back on topic... Earl is better.
Yes, Dallas Cowboys from 92-96. Theisman handing off to Emmitt and throwing to the Playmaker and Novacek. Greatest O-Line of All-Time. That line combined for 30 Pro Bowls.
The Earl highlights brought tears to my eyes. He was my first sports hero. Only Hakeem means more to me in sports.
This is ridiculous, because you obviously know little about real football, but I'll go ahead and respond. The Cowboys won it all in 92, 93, and 95. I assume you're counting Larry Allen's Pro Bowls to get to that 30 number, but the first of his 10 was in 1995 (the last in 2005). Great player obviously, but after that first year, what did they win and how good was the line as a whole? (Not to mention that even counting Allen's 10, I get 25 where you get 30.) In their run, there were 5 different All-Pros from the Dallas line. During the Redskins run, there were 6. Also, I forgot that the Redskins O-line made Jay Shroeder an All-Pro QB. That's Jay Schroeder... and that is game, set, match. To review: 5 vs. 6 and Aikman vs. Theismann, Williams, Rypien... and Schroeder.
5+++++, for some reason people tend to forget about how good the Hogs or Redskins were in the 80s. If the Redskins managed to win one more Super Bowl, they very well could've been the team of 80s. The Hogs are like the only OL in NFL history to have their own nickname. You also forgot to mention one thing that really made them go . . . the running game. Those teams dominant pass blockers, but absolutely outstanding at run blocking, as well (not as great as the passing). 1st SB: Riggins (leading rusher) 2nd SB: George Rogers 3rd SB: Byner (older), Ervins, and Riggs (older) SB Lost (1983): 3rd (Rushing Yards), 1st (Attempts), 1st (Rushing Touchdowns), and 12th (in YPC) 2nd SB (1987): 7th (Rushing Yards), 9th (Attempts), 3rd (Rushing Touchdowns), and 5th (in YPC) 3rd SB (1991): 7th (Rushing Yards), 1st (Attempts), 1st (Rushing Touchdowns), and 18th (in YPC). http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1983.htm http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1987.htm http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1991.htm Sidenote, The Cowboys (92-96) monster OL is one of the best history, no doubt, but are the best ever. Very questionable, especially with the Hogs in the argument. You also have to look at the Rams from the late 70s to late 80s [Jackie Slater (80s, who played after 40), Rich Saul (70s-80s), Tom Mack (70s), Doug France(70s), Dennis Harrah (70-80s), and Kent Hill (80s); combined for 37 pro bowls]. You've also got the late 80s-late 90s 49ers, the Dolphins, Raiders, and Bills of the early 70s (several HOFs and multiple pro bowlers on each team), late 90s Vikings, and even the modern day Colts (who have allowed Peyton to be one of least touched/sacked QBs in the history of the game).
And they allowed Timmy Smith to run untouched in a Super Bowl for 204 yards. That's Timmy Smith as in rookie starting his first NFL game ever and never to be heard from again Timmy Smith.
Dallas Cowboys O-Line could made all those guys Texas Legends. Case closed and shut and locked up in Fort Knox.
It's actually getting better. I won $100 on a scratch off today. I'm headed to four pool parties tomorrow. This day is just getting better. Clyde Drexler! Eat 'Em Up!
