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Get Dallas Cowboys news on your cellThe Original 81 one-ups himself
4:26 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007 | Permalink
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February 2008
Categories
Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
Sports Blogs |
 JOHN F. RHODES / DMN T.O. offered a humble assessment of his recent performances. "I'm just playing out of my mind right now," he said. What's the old saying? It ain't bragging if it's true. Well, there's no arguing that the Original 81 is indeed playing out of his mind. He was outstanding against the Vikings. He had his best game in a Cowboys uniform against the Eagles. He proved with a couple big plays that the Giants were NFC East pretenders. He bested his Philly performance in yesterday's win over the Redskins. T.O.'s eight-catch, 173-yard, four-TD performance is on the short list of the best games by a WR in franchise history. Follow the jump for the weekly T.O. throw-by-throw breakdown: 10-yard gain: Lined up wide left on first-and-10 and ran a curl, catching the ball at the sticks in front of CB Shawn Springs. S Reed Doughty and Springs drove T.O. back several yards, and Springs slammed him to the turf. T.O. pushed Springs after getting up but didn't get flagged. Not sure if it was wise for Washington to give T.O. more reason to be motivated. Interception: Lined up wide right on first-and-10 and ran deep route. C Andre Gurode's snap sailed over Tony Romo's head, and Romo ended up throwing a jump ball off his back foot. Springs batted the ball up in the air, and LB London Fletcher got the rebound. 2-yard gain: Lined up wide right on second-and-3 and ran smoke route, which is basically standing still and catching a quick pass in what is essentially a running play. Springs made the tackle inches short of the sticks. 5-yard gain: This was schoolyard football after Gurode sent another shotgun snap into the stratosphere. T.O. lined up wide left on third-and-4. He stopped in his tracks after he saw the snap, made eye contact with Romo and took off for the sideline. 23-yard gain: Lined up in left slot on third-and-15 and beat Springs on corner route. Springs had man coverage because Redskins blitzed. Romo had to throw off his back foot while getting hit, but he threw a perfect pass to set up first-and-goal. 4-yard TD: Lined up wide left on second-and-goal and ran a fade-stop. Springs was looking for the lob pass in the corner of the end zone. Romo threw a rope to T.O.'s back shoulder for the touchdown. Incomplete: Lined up wide right on third-and-3 and ran curl route. Lobbied unsuccessfully for interference call against Springs, who had an arm wrapped around T.O.'s waist before the ball arrived. 31-yard TD: Lined up in left slot on third-and-19 and ran seam route. Got wide open in the middle of Washington's Cover 2 defense. Easy touchdown. 46-yard TD: Motioned to right slot on second-and-13 and ran seam route to get wide open in the middle of the Cover 2 zone again. Made a nice double-move, taking a couple steps to make MLB London Fletcher (responsible for covering the deep middle) think he was running a crossing route. Punctuated the play with a dunk over the crossbar that he expects to get fined for. 52-yard TD: Lined up wide right on second-and-10 and ran streak route up sideline, catching ball in soft spot of zone between Springs and FS Pierson Prioleau. Broke a bad tackle attempt by Prioleau at the 25 and pranced into the end zone. Incomplete: Lined up wide left on first-and-10 and ran curl route. Low throw by Romo. |
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Comments
Posted by chris graham @ 4:54 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
hall of famer,as a cowboy,no doubt.
Posted by JB @ 5:06 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Man, I hope our Cowboys play the Patriots again, win, and run the score WAAAY up. If the Cowboys get the chance, I'd invest in a popcorn factory this time.
Posted by lasertex @ 5:10 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
If TO can jump high enough to spike the goalposts then outjumping defenders for a catch should be a no brainer..huh TO?
Posted by Roland @ 5:28 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Love that pic - shades of Alvin Harper... used to love it when he dunked the crossbar as well
Posted by Paulov @ 5:39 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
I am trying to galvanize support from LOCAL Cowboys Fans to boycott Mr. Aikman and the businesses who employ him as a spokesperson. Sunday, Mr.(I Refuse to use his first name) Aikman stepped over the line of objectivity in his hateful biased commentary of the Dallas Cowboys. Let him promote businesses outside of the Metroplex, and let us proud people NOT continue to pad his wallet in this area.
Posted by Ozzie @ 6:00 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
I think it will be easier for him to get in the HOF if he is not wearing a Cowboys uniform when he decides to retire!
Posted by Scotty K @ 7:01 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
HAHAHA...yea, I hope your cowboys play the pats again as well. NFC +15.5 point spread for the SB already, might tell ya something jokester. Have you even watched down of a pats game lately? Pretty damn scary if you ask me or pretty much anyone else in the world
Posted by Louis in Grapevive @ 7:14 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Paulov,,,grow up dude! 'Troy" can say whatever he wishes. We have freedom of speech. You can always turn down the sound and listen to Brad and Babe, or buy your Fords somewhere other than Troy Aikman Ford. My God man, your skin is far too thin!
Posted by Exlund @ 7:18 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Roland. Good luck in your efforts to boycott. I couldn't believe how much Troy was stroking the Redskins, every other play, from start to finish of that game. He also neglected to compliment the Cowboys when it was warranted. I used to think "oh, he's just being objective" when I heard Aikman doing games, and I had respect for him for doing so, but this last broadcast was way over the top...especially considering Randel-el basically called him out (of the closet) earlier this week (google it).
Posted by exlund @ 7:20 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
sorry that last comment from me was directed at Paulov not Roland...
Posted by TonyT @ 7:29 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Always fun to see the same guy post the same thing in 3-4 different threads in one day. Nice job, Paulov. Let us know how your Aikman boycott goes. I'm sure it'll be successful. If not, just re-post 8 times after Thanksgiving Day game!
Posted by Paulov @ 7:32 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
The underling point is that Mr. Aikman has clearly demonstrated a willingness to go out of his way to be offensive when covering the Cowboys(stating that a Redskin RB was his favorite player during the game was NOT necessary given the history of the rivalry and his constant praise for Campbell)and as a fellow poster put it it is a "slap in the face" to those of us who love the Cowboys. Objective commentary is one thing, but Aikman obviously has an axe to grind with the Cowboys and the City Of Dallas.
Posted by Switzer xXx @ 8:11 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Troy won three world championships with the Cowboys. He went to the pro-bowl numerous times with the Cowboys. He made a hall of fame career with the Cowboys. He lives in the Dallas area. When he's not calling a game he's been spotted in Jerry Jones' luxury box during games. Obviously, he does not hate the Cowboys. Probably deep down he roots for his old team to do well, for all of the reasons above.
Because of all that, he has to be very careful when giving out praise to the Cowboys as a comentator. If he shows any kind of bias to the cowboys at all what are all the non-cowboy fans going to say? It wouldn't be long until he would not be taken seriously and lose his position with Fox. So, give him a break. I'm happy to see a guy that gave the team I cheer for 3 super bowl wins on TV when I get a chance. Would you rather have someone like Buddy Ryan calling a nice fair game and bringing up all the times his teams humiliated Dallas during the dead spots?
I'll bet theres no other fans in the entire league that sit around and whine about a guy that gave them, and only them, a hall of fame career and 3 super bowl championships. Its mind boggling that you people can be so damned spoiled that you can't give anyone the benefit of the doubt thats done more for this franchise than anyone.
Posted by Paulov @ 8:22 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
If he has be "very careful"when giving praise to the team HE played for then he should not be allowed to cover Cowboys games.
Posted by TSmith aka rose colored glasses @ 8:38 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Do you guys remember when my man T.O was dropping some balls and you all were falling all over yourselves trying to run him out of town? Well I guess it is a certain other Pro bowlers turn now. And your all still wrong.
Posted by Mark @ 9:05 PM Mon, Nov 19, 2007
Switzer, if nothing else, you make sense. Well said.
Posted by Chris/Denton @ 6:14 AM Tue, Nov 20, 2007
Switzer, live in the past much or just like reading what you write? Hell, at least use Jimmy Johnson as your moniker.
Aikman has been "given the benefit of the doubt" all year long up UNTIL this game but it's time he was called out for his over the top commentary. Sometimes people don't realize they are acting like an a$$hole until they get punched in the nose and it's time his was bloodied a bit. That said, I'll never forget what he did for the Cowboys and how sad I was when he was forced to retire from the game because if we DID NOT like him, his comments wouldn't hurt so much.
All anyone is saying is that he should call the game evenly with no bias one way or the other and he hasn't been doing that. Of course it wouldn't bother me much if he let out a "yeeehawww" when Romo throws a TD pass. =)
Posted by mattyinnj @ 7:06 AM Tue, Nov 20, 2007
I agree with Paulov in regard to Aikman's anti-Cowboy bias. I separate his playing days from his current job and will always appreciate him for the way he played during his career. That being said, his CURRENT career is one that is supposed to be one of objectivity. It is painfully obvious to anyone who listens to him announce Cowboy games (and living outside of dallas I wish I had the chance to listen to an alternative) that he intentionally minimizes Cowboy positives, focuses on Cowboy penalties and mistakes, and generally comes off as a biased commentator. Whatever the reason is it is infuriating.
Where's my boy Moose when you need him??
Posted by Rodney in Nashville @ 2:00 PM Tue, Nov 20, 2007
WHO CARES WHAT TROY AIKMAN SAYS!!!
God, grow up people! Just listen to yourselves. You sound like a bunch of little girls. Too bad you can't put this much energy into something worthwhile. Something that would be worth boycotting.
Great photo, by the way.
Posted by Rodney in Nashville @ 2:01 PM Tue, Nov 20, 2007
And by the way, Moose is alot worse then those others that you speak of...
Posted by TSmith @ 8:43 PM Tue, Nov 20, 2007
Aikman might oversteer in his trying to be impartial but he isn't Theisman by a long shot. Theisman had I hate the Cowboys tatooed on his forehead.