SPORTSDAY

Posted by Derek @ 12:53 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

No way he breaks those numbers! T.O. is a stud, will probably be at the top of his game for 3 more years, but his production will inevitably decline.

He'll still be a first-ballot HOFer, and will go down as one of the best WRs of all time. But Rice's records will stay intact - by a substantial margin.

Posted by Racer-X @ 12:58 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

I think physically he can manage it. The question is how he handles the transition to WR2 or possibly WR3 as he declines.

WR Roy Williams wants out of Detroit when his contract is up after the 08 season and wants to come closer to home (texas). I would love to have him and TO lining up like Harrison and Wayne have done for so many years. With those two, its not impossible to imagine Manning like numbers for Dallas' offense for awhile.

Posted by Dave @ 1:02 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Noway is that happening, Randy Moss has a better chance of reaching Rice.

Posted by Jeff @ 1:10 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

T.O. is not Jerry Rice and Jerry Rice is not T.O. When it all comes down to it, these are 2 great players who have completely different resumes. Rice played in the "throw it forever" offense under Walsh, etc. T.O. was straddled with Tuna fish for several years of his career in which he could have put up those huge numbers. As far as first ballot HOF, don't count on it. He wore a star on his uniform for a chunk of his career so he is probably out of luck.

Posted by Dan @ 1:20 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

I think that if TO plays for as long as Jerry did he has a good chance of breaking the records but not smashing them. If TO plays till he is 42 he has 8 seasons to get 9,931 yards or 1,241 yard average per season which would be managable for TO. Also 79 TDs in 8 seasons is less than 10 a season, which should be easy if he plays long enough. He already has 14 this season with 4 games left, I think TO might get 18 TDs for this season. Therefore better tell Jerry Rice to move over as the number 1 reciever of all time.

Posted by matt @ 1:21 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

If you take TO's numbers from this year and factor in a 10%-15% decline in production per year going forward then he hits the TD record in 2012 at the ripe old age of 39. He would own the yardage record in 2015 at the age of 42.

Posted by Brandon D. Daniels @ 1:24 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

I think it may be possible, but if T.O. were to retire at 42 like Rice - that gives him 8 more seasons. His numbers would have to look like this (not including that he could do for the rest of the year):

AVG YDS PER YEAR - 1241 YDS
AVE TDS PER YEAR - 10 TDS

Posted by Chris/Denton @ 1:26 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

T.O. doesn't have to put up "Rice" like numbers to be considered one of the games all time best receivers and I think he knows that. I like his attitude on the subject.

Racer-X, I don't see the Cowboys making a play for R. Williams with the way the Cowboys younger receivers are playing but do think they'll use a high draft pick on one. I sure wouldn't mind if Jerry and Co. made an effort to get Michael Turner though! Him and Barber behind that O-line? Ouch.

Posted by Saint Jimmy @ 1:53 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

I don't see why TO couldn't break Jerry's TD record. I think the yardage is a bit out of reach. But you never know. Maybe TO plays into his 40's and smashes all of Jerry's records. I think that would be absolutely lovely to see. Not only would it be a little payback for all the trouble Jerry has given Cowboys fans over the years. But it would be major egg on the media's face for saying Jerry is the greatest player in NFL history and not giving Emmitt Smith enough credit.

Posted by herson @ 1:57 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

im sorry but we should get williams since it looks like crayton is leaving and with glenn declining. Since NE looks like it'll get mcfadden then we should try to get michael "the burner" turner.

Posted by 666 @ 1:59 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

YOU KNOW, I FOR ONE COULD CARE LESS

I Know T.O. cares, and more power to him,
but the thing that excites me as a cowboy
fan is that T.O. keeps himself in such great
shape that Romo and T.O. can rewrite the cowboy
record books over the next 3, 4 years and bring
several super bowls back to Dallas.

You guys think this year is great offensively. Wait until next year(with or without Garrett) when the boys have another top receiver on the other side and a running back who is a playmaker to team with MB3.

I think Jerry realizes this team is just another top receiver, a top running back, and another top cornerback away from being not just as good as but BETTER than those damn Patriots. He will get it done in free agency and the draft.

Posted by DCJ @ 2:18 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

If he can stay healthy he could do it in 8 easily.
7 years with an average of 1440 yds and 12 TDs no doubt about it. He will get the TD mark way before the yards...
Question is will he have a stud QB around to keep feeding him the ball?

Posted by Derek @ 2:19 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Crayton leaving? News to me... And I'm probably not the only one.

He's young and talented, but not very big, and doesn't have "big money" speed. I definitely want him on the team for years to come, and don't really see him as bolting for free agency at the first chance. Jerry will pay him what he's worth, and I bet he'd be happy. He is from DeSoto, too...

The 'Boys are poised to have a significant amount of cap space over the next two offseasons... I'd definitely like a run at Turner, and if that doesn't work, draft a RB with one of the first 3 picks, and keep an eye on (the other) Roy Williams after '08...

Posted by John in Cincinnati @ 2:25 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

197 minus 128 equals 69, not 79.

Posted by brad @ 2:35 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Funny, my comment exactly. Thank goodness they're Journalists and not math teachers!

Posted by Tim MacMahon @ 2:39 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Fixed! Maff never wuz my best subject. Thanks, John in Cincy.

Posted by Greybrd @ 3:29 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

I doubt he's be able to maintain the level of production required to get there. Impossible no, but unlikely.

As well as Owens takes care of himself, you can't stop time. By all accounts, nobody took better care of themselves than Rice, but his numbers most of those last 8 years were nothing like they were most of his career. Some of that came from splitting time with Owens than Brown, but not all. Also, the older you get the harder you have to work to keep that level of fitness.

If you project his stats for the remainder of this season based on his production so far, he would end this year with 896 catches for 13,380 yards and 133 TDs in 174 games. That would give him 5.1 catches for 76.9 yards and .76 TDs per game for his career. Project those averages over a 16 game schedule for 8 years(128 games) and he would finish his career tied with Rice 1,549 catches and surpass him in yards and TDs with 23,223 and 230.

However, he's missed an average of one game per year during his career, not including the year that Philly benched him. Assuming this trend continued, he would play in an additional 120 games, not 128. Then, his career numbers would project to 1,508 catches for 22,608 yards and 224 TDs. He would still surpass Rice for career TDs, but fall short in catches and yardage.

That's all based on him maintaining the level of production that he's enjoyed throughout his career and again, that's unlikely. I don't think it's out of the question that he could surpass Rice for career TDs, but it would still be quite a feat to average 10 TDs a year for 8 years in your mid-30s/early 40s.

Posted by Blue Zone @ 4:44 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

T.O. has 12,964 yards and 128 TD catches in his career, so he needs 9,931 yards and 69 TDs to break Rice's records. Can he do it?

If you divide that by 2, thats 4966 yds and 35 tds.

With the Cowboys leading Detroit 245 to 0 at halftime, Wade will probably rest Romo and TO for the second half.

So the answers no.

drum sounds: Chish-Ba-don!

Posted by TSmith @ 7:24 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

post season numbers count right. Jerrys inflated numbers are an attribute of a team that played well into the post season quite a few times. T.O. could post huge numbers before the cowboys are finished this year. This team could have a run of several years with its depth and quality.

Posted by Big Mike @ 7:25 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Herson, how does it look like NE will get McFadden? I assume you are refering to New England Patriots and in case you haven't noticed they are kind of having a decent season. McFadden will be a top 3 pick coming out so where does NE stand a chance?

Posted by TSmith @ 7:30 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Blue Zone bahhahhahahahaha! That was the funniest post ive read in a while.

Posted by TSmith @ 7:33 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

NE has someone elses draft pick cant remember whose but i do remember they stink to a top 3 beat.

Posted by Eric @ 7:53 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

Patriots have the 49'rs pick, but the Patriots also have quite a few free agents at the end of the year (Moss is one of them).

Posted by davej @ 8:03 PM Fri, Dec 07, 2007

I think T.O. can do it physically - break at least Rice's TD record - but I don't know about him emotionally. I know he has been a model citizen this year, but can he maintain that for 7 -10 YEARS?

Posted by BigTexKahuna @ 12:14 AM Sat, Dec 08, 2007

Yes, davej, Terrell has reached maturity this year. He is finally behaving like an adult male... responsible, disciplined, accountable, and... somewhat humble... not to mention: COMPASSIONATE...

Rice walked away at 42. Given the only "devastating" injury Terrell has had, courtesy of our very own, Roy "Senior Horse Collar" Williams (and we all know how long THAT ouchie kept TO out of the game)... Roy Willie, the man with a Defensive Penalty named after him... Terrell could play beyond the ancient age of 42... as long as he remains healthy.

So... let's say he doesn't get blasted, thus having to lay low for extended time. The way he keeps himself in shape, his work ethic and all that stuff... Terrell could run routes 'til he's 50 for Blanda's sake! AND... he would continue to do so as the #3 or #4, or whatever with that dazzling smile on his face... BUT, all this Bull Sh*t aside, courtesy of yours truly, this hinges upon Terrell's desire to attain all of those hallowed, Jerry Puff-Rice records, and THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is what this is all about anyway...

MELE KALIKIMAKA, y'all... and I mean it!

Posted by Old Hap @ 6:29 AM Sat, Dec 08, 2007

I agree with Racer X re: getting the other Roy Williams to join TO. TG's injury prone and Patrick ain't in that league yet. RW's unhappy in Detroit, so I would have no problemo at all with giving up a 1st for a 26 yr old PROVEN wideout.

Posted by lasertexx @ 12:53 PM Sat, Dec 08, 2007

Dec 7th, "A Day that will Live In Infamy"
Happy B Day TO!!

Posted by Charles - ATL @ 9:50 PM Sat, Dec 08, 2007

Roy Wms of Detroit isn't exactly the most healthy WR himself ya know. I wouldn't turn my back on a good oppty (and deal) to get him though. But it seems JJ is focused mainly to get a difference maker at RB. That would not be an indictment against Julius J. I'd say you keep the kid for a reasonable offer (no other team will pay him big bucks), let him continue to be an occasional change-up (3rd RB while giving him some KR opptys...think he did it at ND), draft the elite RB if you can get one (main switch-up with Barber), and get rid of Tyson T.

Posted by chi-town cowboy @ 10:23 PM Sat, Dec 08, 2007

anyone interested in getting randy moss opposite t.o...just a thought...after all these years of watching other teams pass the ball all over the field it warms my heart to know that the ROMONATOR gives us the ability to attack defenses at will...we will slay the pats in SB42!!!!

Posted by TSmith @ 11:36 PM Sat, Dec 08, 2007

T.O. and Randy, Bill forbid. That would be a very explosive pair. There is no team that could defend the field with Crayton and Witten added to that combo. Romo is just the guy to spread it out to them all and keep them all very happy. But, right now we are just window shopping. Not likely going to happen.