With Jason Witten giving us great play from the TE position the last 2 seasons, it's easy to look back on the Jay Novacek era (90-96.) In my opinion Novacek was the last important cog put into place during the 90 season. When he got here Aikman's career began it's great upswing. When he left, it was sadly the beginning of the end. Remember the 96 season? Remember how the offense could move the ball at will between the 20s? But once they got into the redzone they were usually stuffed...*COUGH Bjornson drop COUGH* In my humble opinion that was all because #84 wasn't there anymore to keep some of those extra linebackers and safety's honest. The man was pure greatness, and the way he and Aikman were in sync gave us one of the greatest QB/TE connections in NFL history. Just read up on how they'll both go into detail about a great many of the passes that Aikman tossed to Jay, were done so without the QB even seeing him. Instead, Aikman claims that he just "knew" where he'd be. Amazing! Jay Novacek deserves to be in the ROH one day, and I hope he'll get in!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dallascowboysradio)</div><div class='quotemain'>With Jason Witten giving us great play from the TE position the last 2 seasons, it's easy to look back on the Jay Novacek era (90-96.) In my opinion Novacek was the last important cog put into place during the 90 season. When he got here Aikman's career began it's great upswing. When he left, it was sadly the beginning of the end. Remember the 96 season? Remember how the offense could move the ball at will between the 20s? But once they got into the redzone they were usually stuffed...*COUGH Bjornson drop COUGH* In my humble opinion that was all because #84 wasn't there anymore to keep some of those extra linebackers and safety's honest. The man was pure greatness, and the way he and Aikman were in sync gave us one of the greatest QB/TE connections in NFL history. Just read up on how they'll both go into detail about a great many of the passes that Aikman tossed to Jay, were done so without the QB even seeing him. Instead, Aikman claims that he just "knew" where he'd be. Amazing! Jay Novacek deserves to be in the ROH one day, and I hope he'll get in!</div> It was easy for Novacek to be underrated then and now. He ended up with some decent statistics, but unless you watched a lot of his games, it would be impossible to know really what a value he was during that era. For a pass-catching TE that was really an oversized WR, he knew how to get the most out of his blocking too. I attribute much of the Cowboys success to his ability to find the hole on 3rd and 7.
I personally think Jay Novacek is the most underrated TE EVER to play the game of football. He was a solid for years and if I remember correct he was a decent blocker as well. That's one thing that is very important at the TE, that doesn't show up on the stat card and that's blocking.
The only time Novacek ever got his due was when Madden was calling a game. He could never say enough good things about ol' Jay...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>I personally think Jay Novacek is the most underrated TE EVER to play the game of football. He was a solid for years and if I remember correct he was a decent blocker as well. That's one thing that is very important at the TE, that doesn't show up on the stat card and that's blocking.</div> He made some great blocks, but it was usually due to his lankyness rather than his strength. Never the less the man got the job done.
Jay was a wide reciever that played tight end. Even when the other team knew he was going to get the ball in the clutch they just couldnt stop him. Like Emmit he just got it done. Thats greatness.
