The wrong read

Sporting News, The, Oct 21, 1996 by Paul Attner

But, much like Griese, Starr, Bradshaw and, before them, the Browns' elegant Graham, Aikman hasn't needed to be this kind of against-the-odds savior. Their teams have been so dominant, they just haven't trailed late in many games. "Troy has done his work in the second period, so the fourth isn't necessary," Wiggin says. Aikman's successful fourth-quarter rallies to victory from a tie or deficit stand at nine. Nor has he needed to run around like Staubach or Tarkenton, scrambling to survive and relying on guile as much as skill to win.

Here's an example of what Wiggin means. Against the Eagles in a vital Monday night game September 30, the Cowboys found themselves trailing 10 0 midway through the first quarter. But Aikman directed the Cowboys to 20 straight points, including a touchdown pass to tight end Eric Bjornson and a 96-yard drive, to give them a 20-10 halftime lead. Dallas eventually won, 23-19.

Yet, should this lack of pizazz hurt his standing? "Would I take him in a two-minute drill against anyone? You bet I would," says Larry Peccatiello, the Bengals' veteran defensive coordinator. "He has nerves of steel. He is tough, competitive, accurate, all the things a defense fears in a quarterback during those moments. Just because he hasn't had the opportunities doesn't mean he should be considered in a lesser light than the guys who have."

Darrell Green, one of the best cornerbacks in history, laughs when I ask him who he fears most in a two-minute drill: Aikman, Marino, Elway or Montana. "There isn't much difference in any of them," he says. "What makes Troy so tough is that he does everything so well within their system. Dan will force things more because he has so much faith in his arm. He ad-libs more. But Aikman runs things like a clock, on time, bang, bang, bang. Montana was so impressive because he would have six options and he knew immediately that if No. 6 wasn't open, `2' was. He couldn't outthrow these other guys but I would give credit to his success to him and to Bill Walsh, who built the system. But right now, I'd give Troy the edge among guys who are playing, just by a little."

Here's a thought to chew on: The only way Aikman's pizazz factor can grow would be if the Cowboys' offense drops permanently in talent. If Smith can't contribute as much or if the line turns over, then his burden will increase, especially in the fourth quarter.

"If Troy was with, say, Cincinnati, he is good enough to make them into an effective playoff team because he would do whatever it takes in the fourth quarter to help them win," says Staubach, who has become friends with Aikman. "I am not saying he would take them to the Super Bowl, but he would make them substantially better, and that is the mark of a really great quarterback."

At least, it seems reasonable to agree with former Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann's assessment "that all of us have overlooked Troy's value because of the presence of Emmitt, Michael, that line, and everything else. Maybe this season is the start of a more accurate way to judge him. If the Cowboys slip, hell have to shoulder more of the burden. Then, I am convinced he will make the plays he needs to for his team to win. What else is a quarterback supposed to do?"