Bruised and Abused - Settling the Bet
Sep 25th, 2008 by shooterb
With a Monday Night shootout to remember in Week 2, it seems that the historic rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles has officially been renewed.
Unfortunately, with great rivalry…comes great responsibility. Or some bullspit like that.
It just so happened that I took up fellow blogger Morisato on a wager over that infamous Monday Night game. Instead of betting cash or a six-pack, we bet blog posts. Well, I lost…and this is post is my payment.
But before I start, let me just say that Morisato could have made this painful. I could be writing an insincere blog about Terrell Owens and how great I think he is. But instead, he took it easy on me…and chose a topic that wouldn’t make me sick to my stomach.
So this post is about the Top 10 Cowboys & Eagles Injuries from the last couple of decades. Or at least my opinion of which injuries had the greatest impact on these 2 franchises. If you need a reminder that football can be an absolutely brutal career to pursue, here it is:
10) Rodney Peete, QB - Philadelphia
Injury: Season-ending knee injury (1996)
Impact: A playoff-caliber team was still intact after the Randall Cunningham era, and Rodney Peete moved into the starting role. He was knocked out in Week 5 against, you guessed it, the Cowboys. The team still limped into the playoffs, but the Eagles were shut out in the first round with Ty Detmer taking the snaps.
9) Bobby Taylor, CB - Philadelphia
Injury: Season-ending knee injury (1997)
Impact: Just one year after a playoff appearance, cornerback Bobby Taylor missed half of the 1997 season…and the entire defense never recovered. Philly finished with only 6 wins.
8) Daryl Johnston, FB - Dallas
Injury: Career-threatening neck injury
Impact: The injury was serious enough to force Moose into retirement at the age of 33. Emmitt Smith would see a slow and steady decline in his numbers after his departure. Not coincidentally, it also marked the beginning of a Dallas playoff drought.
7) Larry Allen, Tackle/Guard - Dallas
Injury: Nagging ankle and shoulder problems (2002)
Impact: With the powerful lineman absent for all of the 2002 season, Emmitt Smith failed to reach 1000 yards for the first time since his rookie season (1990). Dallas quarterbacks were sacked an astounding 53 times.
6) Terrell Owens, WR – Philadelphia
Injury: Broken ankle in 2004, while still with the Philadelphia Eagles
Impact: Oddly enough, the Eagles managed to reach the Super Bowl without their leading receiver. He would return for the big show against the Patriots, though the Eagles would fall just short of an NFL title. On paper, the injury had little effect on the team…but the controversy surrounding his return in the Super Bowl game ultimately led to his departure from Philly. For what it’s worth, he played one hell of a game in Super Bowl XXXIX (aptly named after Andy Reid’s shirt size).
5) Jay Novacek, TE - Dallas
Injury: Recurring back problems
Impact: The last game Novacek ever played was the Super Bowl win against the Steelers. Back issues forced him into retirement, ending a brilliant career for one of the premiere tight ends in the game. Quite simply, his absence turned a great team into a good team.
4) Santa Claus - North Pole
Injury: Pelted with snowballs in 1968
Impact: So it wasn’t recent, but Eagles’ fans will never live this one down. When little boys and girls wake up on Christmas morning in Philly, this is the reason they find a lump of colon coal in their stocking.
3) Donovan McNabb, QB - Philadelphia
Injury: Torn knee ligament (2006)
Impact: The Eagles went on without McNabb to make the playoffs, but his injury had an effect on 2 separate seasons. The offense shifted to a more conservative passing attack, which wasn’t enough to get by the Saints in the playoffs. However, the big impact occurred the following year…as McNabb struggled to find his form. It wasn’t until the last 3 games that the offense started clicking, and by that time it was too late for a playoff run.
2) Troy Aikman, QB - Dallas
Injury: Concussion, concussion, concussion, and more concussions (last boot to the head in 2000)
Impact: In each of the last 4 years of Aikman’s career, his production declined along with his health. The drop-off was due in part to his health, but also the departure of so many other stars from the dynasty years. Between 2000-2005, Dallas only reached the playoffs once…which resulted in a wild-card round loss to the Panthers.
1) Michael Irvin, WR - Dallas
Injury: Damage to spinal cord during a game against the Eagles at Veteran’s Stadium in 1999
Impact: Irvin never played again, and was forced into retirement at the age of 33. After 1999, Dallas was left without a 1000-yard receiver until the arrival of Terry Glenn.
Yeah, you got off pretty easy. Come week 17 maybe I’ll have to make the wager; I am not as forgiving as Morisato.
Anyway, pretty good list. The Michael Irvin injury is one I’ll never forget. As a kid that Trio basically defined football for me and to see that happen was awful. Also, the way the fans reacted has left a sour taste in mouth ever since (kids are impressionable). One day, though, I’ll get over it and visit the Linc or wherever they’re playing just to watch the ‘Boys hand it to them.
I didn’t think I’d love a post that ran down injuries like that. I enjoyed it. Nothing like career-ending injuries to end an incredible week.
Great Post Shooter, It was enjoyable. So, same bet, Week 17?
Rusirious, I had to put Irvin at the top of that list. Absolutely brutal injury, no way for an NFL player to end his career. Irvin, Novacek, Moose, & Aikman probably had a few more good years left if injuries wouldn’t have plagued the Cowboys like they did.
Glad you enjoyed, Dan.
Morisato, sounds like a deal. Hopefully you’ll have to write one next time.
I don’t feel sorry for Rodney Peete, he got to hang out at the house with Holly Robinson.
Michael Irvin’s rap sheet vs ……….I’m not sure you could make that bet for the final game. I don’t think the entire Eagles team could match the arrest record of “The Crack Maker”