Cow-Bias sweeps North Texas
Before I begin my Super Bowl analysis later today, I wanted to comment on the epidemic that is swarming us here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: allegations of Cow-Bias.
Seems everyone here is counting the days until Troy Aikman and Rayfield Wright become the latest Cowboys to be snubbed by the Hall of Fame voters. Michael Irvin is also on the ballot but consensus is that his recent trouble with the law will keep him out more than any negative perceptions of his team.
An article Sunday in the Dallas Morning News discussed the phenomenon, quoting a number of the voters. Sure enough, a few admit that there is an anti-Cowboy contingent and others vehemently deny it.
I know personally of one voter who openly detests the Cowboys because of an infamous playoff game (that's all the hint I'm going to give you, but I'm sure many of you can figure it out), and he's almost always an automatic no vote. You only need seven to keep a player out of the Hall.
There is also this: The NFL's All-Decade team of the 1970s includes only four players who aren't in the Hall of Fame. One is kicker Garo Yepremian (at a position in which only one man -- Jan Stenerud -- has been enshrined). Another is punter Ray Guy, at a position where no one has been enshrined solely for punting. The other two are former Cowboys Drew Pearson at wide receiver and Cliff Harris at safety.
Aikman will be a litmus test. He has won more Super Bowls (three) than anyone except Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Along with Steve Young, he was the best quarterback of the 1990s, and Young played several seasons as a backup and only one won Super Bowl (though he had gaudier numbers in his best years) and waltzed into the Hall last year. He was a good leader and diplomatic with the press. If he doesn't get in, maybe there is something to this Cow-Bias.
Wright will be more difficult, because he represents a different era. He was a great blocker, and largely has been overlooked due to the fact that right tackles don't get the publicity that left tackles do. The momentum seems to favor the other senior candidate, John Madden, but Wright is a worthy candidate as well and has a chance to get in.
I detailed my choices last month, and I'm going to add Wright to the group of Aikman, Reggie White, Derrick Thomas and Harry Carson.
My prediction, however, is that White, Thurman Thomas and Madden join Aikman in the Class of 2006.
DJ
Before I begin my Super Bowl analysis later today, I wanted to comment on the epidemic that is swarming us here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: allegations of Cow-Bias.
Seems everyone here is counting the days until Troy Aikman and Rayfield Wright become the latest Cowboys to be snubbed by the Hall of Fame voters. Michael Irvin is also on the ballot but consensus is that his recent trouble with the law will keep him out more than any negative perceptions of his team.
An article Sunday in the Dallas Morning News discussed the phenomenon, quoting a number of the voters. Sure enough, a few admit that there is an anti-Cowboy contingent and others vehemently deny it.
I know personally of one voter who openly detests the Cowboys because of an infamous playoff game (that's all the hint I'm going to give you, but I'm sure many of you can figure it out), and he's almost always an automatic no vote. You only need seven to keep a player out of the Hall.
There is also this: The NFL's All-Decade team of the 1970s includes only four players who aren't in the Hall of Fame. One is kicker Garo Yepremian (at a position in which only one man -- Jan Stenerud -- has been enshrined). Another is punter Ray Guy, at a position where no one has been enshrined solely for punting. The other two are former Cowboys Drew Pearson at wide receiver and Cliff Harris at safety.
Aikman will be a litmus test. He has won more Super Bowls (three) than anyone except Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Along with Steve Young, he was the best quarterback of the 1990s, and Young played several seasons as a backup and only one won Super Bowl (though he had gaudier numbers in his best years) and waltzed into the Hall last year. He was a good leader and diplomatic with the press. If he doesn't get in, maybe there is something to this Cow-Bias.
Wright will be more difficult, because he represents a different era. He was a great blocker, and largely has been overlooked due to the fact that right tackles don't get the publicity that left tackles do. The momentum seems to favor the other senior candidate, John Madden, but Wright is a worthy candidate as well and has a chance to get in.
I detailed my choices last month, and I'm going to add Wright to the group of Aikman, Reggie White, Derrick Thomas and Harry Carson.
My prediction, however, is that White, Thurman Thomas and Madden join Aikman in the Class of 2006.
DJ
posted by Dave Jackson | 8:12 AM
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