1. Troy Aikman: Super Bowl XXVII MVP. Was a Pro Bowler.
Finished in the top five in the NFL in yards (3445), TDs (23), completions (302) and rating (89.4). He completed 64% of his passes.
Aikman made his mark in playoffs. He threw for 200 yards and two 1st half TDs in round two against
Against the 49ers he was 24-34 for 322 yards and two 4th quarter TDs. Both Touchdown drives were in response to San Fran cutting the lead to a one score game, including the game clincher.
In the Super Bowl versus Buffalo Aikman was 23-30 and 273 yards. His four TD passes were tied for the 2nd most in history. His 23 yarder to Jay Novaceck tied the score at 7. His 18 and 19 yard TDs to Michael Irvin in the 2nd quarter blew the game wide open.
Aikman led to Cowboys to 13-3 campaign and offense that scored the second most points in the NFL (409). They won their first Super Bowl in 15 years.
2. Steve Young: NFL MVP. Consensus All-NFL. Pro Bowler. Offensive Player of the Year.
Led the NFL with 25 touchdown passes, 107.0 passer rating, 66.7 completion percentage, and 8.6 yards per attempt.
He finished second in the league with 3465 yards passing. Young added 537 rushing yards 4 TDs on the ground.
Had career game in a 34-31 loss to
In the playoffs, he helped the Niners build a 17-3 halftime lead on
with two TD passes. He finished with 227 yards passing and 73 rushing.
The 49ers had the best record in the NFL at 14-2 (14-1 with Young in the lineup). They won the NFC West and lost to
3. Emmitt Smith: Was All-NFL and a Pro Bowler.
Led the NFL with 1713 yards and 19 total touchdowns (18 rushing). He was second in the league with 2048 yards from scrimmage and 373 carries.
Smith recorded 59 receptions and 335 yards receiving.
In the playoffs Smith put up three 100 yard games. In the Divisional Round against the Eagles he put 25-114 and a TD.
In the NFC Championship win over the 49ers he gave the Cowboys a 10-7 2nd quarter lead with a five yard TD run. He finished the day with 114 yards on the ground 59 yards through the air and another touchdown.
In the Super Bowl route of Buffalo Smith contributed 108 yards and TD.
In 1992 won the competitive NFC East (three of last four teams remaining in the playoffs). They embarrassed the Bills 52-17 to win the Super Bowl.
Good list, though I'd put Young ahead of Aikman, despite the Super Bowl for the latter. Amazing too that there was a photo of a Cowboy in a blue uniform on the cover of that mag.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what year was it that Cortez Kennedy was so good? I'm not saying he should be on this list necessarily, I just remember him being talked about all the time around then. Maybe it was '93 or '94?
good call on cortez kennedy... he was D POY in 92.. however the seahawks were awful hence the #2 pick the next year (rick Mirer)... i did consider him as well as St. Sharpe who had an fantastic year.
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