90's Vs Now: Comparing The Triplets
By Roy White | @rdubthree
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- Go ahead. Tell your friends how this version of the Cowboys reminds you of the 90's. You won't be off your rocker -- this version is built on a ball-control offense, centered around a bruising offensive line and a trio of weapons that, at any moment, can swing the game in the Cowboys favor.
But just how do those individual pieces compare to the Triplets in the 90s? I went back to find out. Below are the statistics for each player, based on their performance through the same number of games in their career.
The RB - (numbers in parenthesis reflect games played versus possible games)
Emmitt - 1990 to WK 7, 1993 - (52 of 54) - 1,052 carries, 4,525 yards, 44 TDs, 4.3 y/c...142 rec, 893 yards, 2 TDs, 6.3 avg...21 total fumbles.
Demarco - 2011 to WK 7, 2014 - (44 of 55) - 729 carries, 3,594 yards, 22 TDs, 4.9 y/c...136 rec, 943 yards, 1 TD, 6.9 avg...8 fumbles, 6 lost.
BREAKDOWN : I was surprised by the numbers I saw when I put these two side by side. Through week 7 of their 4th season in the NFL, Demarco Murray has been DECIDEDLY better statistically when both players were healthy; he has a healthy yards per carry advantage over Emmitt (4.9 to 4.3), he's a better weapon in the passing game (6.9 y/c to 6.3), and he's been more protective of the football (Emmitt fumbled on 2% of his carries, Demarco fumbles on 1%). Just about the only knock on Demarco is the fact that it takes him, on average, 33 carries to get into the endzone. For Emmitt, it only took 24.
ADVANTAGE : Murray. If we could go back in time, and watch nothing but Emmitt's first 3 1/2 years versus Demarco's, most people would still say that Emmitt was the more consistent weapon. However, if I could put either back behind the 90s line or the today's and try to win a football game -- and you're gonna call me crazy -- I'm taking Demarco.
The WR
Irvin - 1988 to WK 7, 1992 - (55 of 71) - 207 receptions, 3,696 yards, 24 TDs...3.8 rec, 67.2 yards / game...TD every 8.6 catches...4 fumbles.
Dez - 2010 to WK 7, 2014 - (66 of 71) - 338 receptions, 4,694 yards, 44 TDs...5.1 rec, 71.1 yards / game...TD every 7.7 catches...13 fumbles.
BREAKDOWN : Michael gets the advantage when it comes to stretching a defense - his 17.9 yards per reception easily dwarfs Dez's 13.9. Those numbers could look a lot closer were it not for Dez's TD inside the 8 yard line (19), with SEVENTEEN of those coming inside the 5. Dez already has as many 90 receptions seasons in his five years as Michael did in his twelve. With both players at age 26 in this stage of their career, Dez has already amassed two 1,000 yd seasons and is on pace for his 3rd. Irvin was coming off what wound up being his best season -- a 1,523 yard, 8 TD campaign. Sounds like a normal season with this current version of Dez, with twice as many touchdowns.
ADVANTAGE : Dez. Do we really even want to argue this one? Dez Bryant is the most talented receiver to ever play for the Cowboys. Period. When his career is over, not only will there be no doubt about his place as the team's best all time #88, he'll be in the same conversation as Jason Witten for the greatest Cowboy of all time.
The QB - numbers in parenthesis reflect games played versus possible games (excluded are Romo's first two years on the bench)
Aikman - 1989 to WK 7, 1997 - (119 of 135) - 74-46 record...2,141 / 3,426 (62.5%) for 24,320 yards....121 TDs, 101 INTs......only two seasons above 90 passer rating...185 sacks...13 4th quarter comebacks, 17 game-winning drives....7.1 yards / attempt...28 attempts per passing TD; 34 attempts per INT.
Romo - 2006 to WK 7, 2014 - (116 of 135) - 2587 / 3,989 (64.9%) for 31,354 yards...222 TDs, 107 INTs...225 sacks...22 4th quarter comebacks, 26 game-winning drives....7.9 yards / attempt....18 attempts per passing TD; 37 attempts per INT.
BREAKDOWN : I know it was a different league back then, but the numbers are fairly staggering. There's not a single measure (other than playoff victories or Super Bowls) that says Aikman is a better quarterback than Romo. Want more? Aikman managed to have just 2 seasons with a 90+ passer rating in his 12 NFL seasons. All nine of Romo's seasons have been above a 90 passer rating, including five above 95.
ADVANTAGE : Romo. It's easy to be blinded by the bling. If it weren't for his lack of success in big games, there would be no question in Cowboys' fans minds who the better player at the QB position is. If he wins a Super Bowl this year, he might just be able to put the argument to bed.
Obviously, statistics don't tell the whole story. As prolific as the Cowboys current weapons have been, there's no denying that, up to this point, they have lacked the necessary intangibles to have even marginal success in the playoffs. But remember this -- those Cowboys teams of the 90s were also built on the strength of their defense, and an owner who took full advantage of free agency prior to the induction of the salary cap.
If you were to put this current trio back with the rest of the group from the 90s, they would've had the same type of success. Get ready, because if the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, I won't be the only one jumping on the current Triplets bandwagon.
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