DMN Blog: '93 Cowboys vs. '07 Patriots
Hall of Fame scribe Rick "Goose" Gosselin wrote that this season's Patriots might stake their claim to the title as the best team in NFL history.
If the Patriots go 19-0, they'd certainly have a strong case. And, as Patrick Crayton would say, I did say if.
But, for the sake of argument, let's assume that the Pats win it all. Could they beat the best of the Cowboys' Super Bowl champs?
I'll take the 1993 Cowboys. You folks can argue all you want about that selection -- UPDATE: Matt Mosley debated '92 Cowboys vs. these Pats -- but that's what we're going with for this particular post. Follow the jump as I attempt to figure out -- without the aid of an XBox -- whether these Pats could beat those 'Boys.
OK, here's the plan. I'm gonna go through each position grouping and determine which team has the edge. We'll go with a three-point scale -- 1 for slight edge, 2 for significant edge and 3 for major advantage. At the end, I'll add it all up and declare a winner.
QUARTERBACKS
There was no doubt that Troy Aikman would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He's one of the best leaders and precision passers ever. Same for Tom Brady, who is in the midst of the best QB season in NFL history.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
RUNNING BACKS
I'll take the Emmitt-Moose tandem over any other tailback-fullback tandem in NFL history. Laurence Maroney has done squat for my fantasy team this season.
EDGE: Cowboys (3)
RECEIVERS
The Playmaker's a Hall of Famer, but he didn't have Randy Moss' gamebreaking ability. Alvin Harper vs. Donte' Stallworth is a deep-threat wash. Kevin Williams couldn't hold Wes Welker's jock with a wheelbarrow as a slot receiver. We'll include TEs in this group, so the greatness of Jay Novacek closes the gap.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Patriots have a good group, but I'm not sure any of New England's guys would crack a starting five that featured LT Mark Tuinei, LG Nate Newton, C Mark Stepnoski, RG Kevin Gogan and pre-wreck RT Erik Williams.
EDGE: Cowboys (2)
DEFENSIVE LINE
Massachusetts native Albert "Einstein" Breer raves about the trio of Ty Warren, Jarvis Green and Vince Wilfork. The Cowboys' front four featured should-be Hall of Famer Charles Haley and three very good players (DE Tony Tolbert and DTs Russell Maryland and Tony Casillas), plus Jim Jeffcoat, Jimmie Jones and Leon Lett rotating in. UPDATE: Doh! Forgot about Richard Seymour, the Pats' best DL. Deduct a point from Cowboys edge.
EDGE: Cowboys (1)
LINEBACKERS
Mike Vrabel is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Rosevelt Colvin is disruptive coming off the other edge. Tedy Bruschi is on the downside of his career, but he's still solid. Adalius Thomas hasn't made the anticipated impact after signing in free agency. Ken Norton was a Pro Bowler, and Dixon Edwards, Darrin Smith and Robert Jones were all pretty good.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
SECONDARY SS Rodney Harrison can take all the HGH in the world and he won't be as good as Darren Woodson. FS Thomas Everett was a Pro Bowler that year, something Eugene Wilson won't be able to say. Asante Samuel/Ellis Hobbs and Kevin Smith/Larry Brown are a wash at the corners.
EDGE: Cowboys (2)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ancient Eddie Murray was OK at kicker; Stephen Gostkowski has been excellent. Punter is a wash. Pats are better in the return game with Welker (11.6 punts) and Hobbs (28.2 kickoffs) over Williams (10.6, 22.2). Cowboys' coverage units, led by shark-dancin' Kenny Gant, were better.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
COACHING
If you think Jimmy didn't cheat a bit, you're crazy, so Spygate won't be considered. Jimmy won two Super Bowls and probably would have won a few more if Jerry didn't get so dadgum jealous. Bill Belichick has won three Super Bowls and probably will win a couple more. Jimmy had great hair, while Belichick looks like a bum in that ratty hoodie.
EDGE: Cowboys (1), based on the cool factor.
FINAL: Cowboys win, 9-4.
HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!!
Posted by Tim MacMahon at 4:43 PM (E-mail this entry) Permalink | Comments (27)
If the Patriots go 19-0, they'd certainly have a strong case. And, as Patrick Crayton would say, I did say if.
But, for the sake of argument, let's assume that the Pats win it all. Could they beat the best of the Cowboys' Super Bowl champs?
I'll take the 1993 Cowboys. You folks can argue all you want about that selection -- UPDATE: Matt Mosley debated '92 Cowboys vs. these Pats -- but that's what we're going with for this particular post. Follow the jump as I attempt to figure out -- without the aid of an XBox -- whether these Pats could beat those 'Boys.
OK, here's the plan. I'm gonna go through each position grouping and determine which team has the edge. We'll go with a three-point scale -- 1 for slight edge, 2 for significant edge and 3 for major advantage. At the end, I'll add it all up and declare a winner.
QUARTERBACKS
There was no doubt that Troy Aikman would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He's one of the best leaders and precision passers ever. Same for Tom Brady, who is in the midst of the best QB season in NFL history.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
RUNNING BACKS
I'll take the Emmitt-Moose tandem over any other tailback-fullback tandem in NFL history. Laurence Maroney has done squat for my fantasy team this season.
EDGE: Cowboys (3)
RECEIVERS
The Playmaker's a Hall of Famer, but he didn't have Randy Moss' gamebreaking ability. Alvin Harper vs. Donte' Stallworth is a deep-threat wash. Kevin Williams couldn't hold Wes Welker's jock with a wheelbarrow as a slot receiver. We'll include TEs in this group, so the greatness of Jay Novacek closes the gap.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Patriots have a good group, but I'm not sure any of New England's guys would crack a starting five that featured LT Mark Tuinei, LG Nate Newton, C Mark Stepnoski, RG Kevin Gogan and pre-wreck RT Erik Williams.
EDGE: Cowboys (2)
DEFENSIVE LINE
Massachusetts native Albert "Einstein" Breer raves about the trio of Ty Warren, Jarvis Green and Vince Wilfork. The Cowboys' front four featured should-be Hall of Famer Charles Haley and three very good players (DE Tony Tolbert and DTs Russell Maryland and Tony Casillas), plus Jim Jeffcoat, Jimmie Jones and Leon Lett rotating in. UPDATE: Doh! Forgot about Richard Seymour, the Pats' best DL. Deduct a point from Cowboys edge.
EDGE: Cowboys (1)
LINEBACKERS
Mike Vrabel is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Rosevelt Colvin is disruptive coming off the other edge. Tedy Bruschi is on the downside of his career, but he's still solid. Adalius Thomas hasn't made the anticipated impact after signing in free agency. Ken Norton was a Pro Bowler, and Dixon Edwards, Darrin Smith and Robert Jones were all pretty good.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
SECONDARY SS Rodney Harrison can take all the HGH in the world and he won't be as good as Darren Woodson. FS Thomas Everett was a Pro Bowler that year, something Eugene Wilson won't be able to say. Asante Samuel/Ellis Hobbs and Kevin Smith/Larry Brown are a wash at the corners.
EDGE: Cowboys (2)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ancient Eddie Murray was OK at kicker; Stephen Gostkowski has been excellent. Punter is a wash. Pats are better in the return game with Welker (11.6 punts) and Hobbs (28.2 kickoffs) over Williams (10.6, 22.2). Cowboys' coverage units, led by shark-dancin' Kenny Gant, were better.
EDGE: Patriots (1)
COACHING
If you think Jimmy didn't cheat a bit, you're crazy, so Spygate won't be considered. Jimmy won two Super Bowls and probably would have won a few more if Jerry didn't get so dadgum jealous. Bill Belichick has won three Super Bowls and probably will win a couple more. Jimmy had great hair, while Belichick looks like a bum in that ratty hoodie.
EDGE: Cowboys (1), based on the cool factor.
FINAL: Cowboys win, 9-4.
HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!!
Posted by Tim MacMahon at 4:43 PM (E-mail this entry) Permalink | Comments (27)
posted by The Gryphon at 7:44 AM
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