JKelly wrote:
There will always be extreme examples of QBs playing poorly and their teams using other methods to win. But as the position which touches the ball on every offensive play, the QB has a major influence on the the outcome of most games. Wins should always matter more to the QB position than others, I don't think it's a coincidence the elite QBs usually played on quality teams, it's a real connection. The Dallas Cowboys were loaded with talented during the mid 60s to late 60s, but it took Roger Staubach to lift them to the next level. The supporting cast theory is overblown in my opinion, that's why we very rarely see the Trent Dilfers of the world winning Super Bowls.
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I read thru the posts concerning Roger Staubach lifting the Cowboys to the next level. I would have to disagree. It wasn't only Roger. I firmly believe to 1971 Super Bowl was won due to Calvin Hill & Duane Thomas and a fairly deep in talent defense. If Meredith had Hill & Thomas he may have won at least one of those playoffs games against the Packers. Staubach's play was good for the standards at the time but not great. The 1977 Super Bowl Staubach obviously was a bigger factor but so was their WR/TE corp which may have been the best the Cowboys ever had, a rookie Dorsett, great pass rush and the young players from the 1975 draft.
As for the remarks concerning the teams they played to get to Super Bowls they are just well......... silly. A team can only play who they play on their schedule or bracket if talking about playoffs. They can't control if a star player is hurt or not...........Obviously the Cowboys aren't liked by everyone, no team is but you have to at least be objective when formulating an opinion. Just saying they suck and pointing out every deficency their opponents had doesn't change their accomplishments. They simply beat whomever they had to play.[/quote]
In SB 5, the Cowboys were dominating the line of scrimmage, so it was just more convenient to run the ball more. 1971 was Staubach's breakout year, so if that game had required more passing, I have no doubt the Cowboys would have been just fine. I just don't believe Don Meredith was capable of leading all those comebacks Staubach did in the regular and postseason during the 70s, and that's a big reason Staubach is an easy HOF selection, while Meredith was just a good QB. Roger in his prime likely helps Dallas win SB4, along with more success in the 60s as well.
Another good example of an elite QB making a difference with a strong supporting cast is Fran Tarkenton. Journeyman Gary Cuozzo was something like 16-4 in 1970-71, but the Vikings were first round playoff losers both years. Minnesota realized Cuozzo was limited, so they brought back Tarkenton. I'm always going to believe the final outcome of team sports will be related to the most important position on the field.
