Home Sports Talk

How the myth of Terry Bradshaw was created....

124»

Comments

  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Looking at all the evidence, it boils down to the following two facts:


    1. Terry Bradshaw played mediocre to poor when he was not surrounded by elite teammates on offense and Defense.

    2. When those same elite teammates had backup scrub QB's running their team, they did even better than when Bradshaw was running their team!

    None of the factual evidence leads to any sort of claim that Bradshaw was the main reason they won. >>



    How many of those backup scrubs played in and won a Super Bowl? >>




    None of them played in the Super Bowl...they are backup scrubs. Hence the word, backups.

    However, there were 45 players on each Super Bowl team, each with a share of the victory(whether their contribution was in the regular season to get them there, the playoffs, or the bowl itself).

    What we do know is that there were several elite players, and the best All-Time defense that carried that great team to the Super bowls, and that those players were so good that it didn't matter if their QB's name was Bradshaw, Gilliam, or Kruczek, as they won at the same rate with each of them.

    Do we know if the backups would have won the SB? Don't know. They may not have. They may have won more. There are a lot of things we do know....the backups won with that team, the team itself was led by the defense first and foremost, and they took a QB who spent five years in the NFL with a track record of a mediocre QB, and carried him to four super Bowls.

    Thanks 44 teammates image >>



    Well, you're claiming Bradshaw's backups performed better than him. Yet, despite your statistics, Coach Noll felt differently and stuck with Bradshaw in games that decided the championship. If the difference of performance was *that* obvious, are you saying that Noll's judgement was wrong, even with the benefit of hindsight?
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Looking at all the evidence, it boils down to the following two facts:


    1. Terry Bradshaw played mediocre to poor when he was not surrounded by elite teammates on offense and Defense.

    2. When those same elite teammates had backup scrub QB's running their team, they did even better than when Bradshaw was running their team!

    None of the factual evidence leads to any sort of claim that Bradshaw was the main reason they won. >>



    How many of those backup scrubs played in and won a Super Bowl? >>




    None of them played in the Super Bowl...they are backup scrubs. Hence the word, backups.

    However, there were 45 players on each Super Bowl team, each with a share of the victory(whether their contribution was in the regular season to get them there, the playoffs, or the bowl itself).

    What we do know is that there were several elite players, and the best All-Time defense that carried that great team to the Super bowls, and that those players were so good that it didn't matter if their QB's name was Bradshaw, Gilliam, or Kruczek, as they won at the same rate with each of them.

    Do we know if the backups would have won the SB? Don't know. They may not have. They may have won more. There are a lot of things we do know....the backups won with that team, the team itself was led by the defense first and foremost, and they took a QB who spent five years in the NFL with a track record of a mediocre QB, and carried him to four super Bowls.

    Thanks 44 teammates image >>



    Well, you're claiming Bradshaw's backups performed better than him. Yet, despite your statistics, Coach Noll felt differently and stuck with Bradshaw in games that decided the championship. If the difference of performance was *that* obvious, are you saying that Noll's judgement was wrong, even with the benefit of hindsight? >>




    Stown, I think it is obvious that Bradshaw was leap years better than his backups. NOWHERE did I say that the backups were better. In fact, look at the first few posts in this thread. That was clarified from the get go.

    The whole point of the thread(and the point about the backups), is to show just how good that the Steelers of those years were...and their greatness had little to do with Terry Bradshaw(the defense greatness had NOTHING to do with Bradshaw). In fact, they were so great, that when backup scrubs came in, they won just as easily as they did with Bradshaw...which is one of the strong pieces of evidence to show that those teams weren't winning because of Bradshaw, but because of the elite teammates.

    All of the other pieces of evidence, the effect of Franco Harris on the offense, the effect of Swann/Stallworth on Bradshaw's passing performance, etc... all point that Bradshaw should not be given all this credit because those TEAMS won.

    Ironic though, that you bring up the coach and attempt to say that I marginalize him. In fact, when you are giving Bradshaw this extra credit over other QB's who did not have his enviable situation, it is YOU who are marginalizing Noll(and staff)...because you are giving Bradshaw the credit.

    I didn't even bring up the aspect of the coaching staff that played a part in it. That is just one of the other parts to show just how stupid it is to give an individual player so much credit for a TEAM accomplishment.
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Stown, I think it is obvious that Bradshaw was leap years better than his backups. NOWHERE did I say that the backups were better. In fact, look at the first few posts in this thread. That was clarified from the get go. >>



    I was responding to your "Looking at all the evidence, it boils down to the following two facts:" comment. By making that definitive statement, you're saying to disregard everything else and focus on the two main points. Probably should have worded it differently but I now understand where you're coming from.

    edited to add: though, Bradshaw's two SB MVP trophies indicate he *did* have major influence but that's another story image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭
    Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer.


  • << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    >>



    A 10 year old can catch balls. You have to be born with an arm like Bradshaw had. At age 14, he could throw a football 60 yards.

    One of those years he won the super bowl mvp, he was the league mvp and ap player of the year. The next year he was voted SI sportsman of the year. So I would assume that's a pretty good reason they didn't finish 0-16.
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    >>



    A 10 year old can catch balls. You have to be born with an arm like Bradshaw had. At age 14, he could throw a football 60 yards.

    One of those years he won the super bowl mvp, he was the league mvp and ap player of the year. So I would assume that's a pretty good reason they didn't finish 0-16. >>




    Really? Care to put that to the test? I will give you two 10 year old receivers, and I will pick the defensive backs...and lets see if you can complete the passes to them image We will have 35 attempts. For each 25 yard completion, I will give you $1,000. For each incomplete pass, you will give me $500.

    Do a Yahoo search to help make your decision, then let me know when you want to try it image
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer. >>



    Don't get me wrong, generally speaking, Terry does gets more credit than he deserves for the mid to late 70s PIT dynasty. He deserves some credit but you're right, he couldn't have won anything without a great team (fueled by roids but again, another story image ).
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer. >>



    Don't get me wrong, generally speaking, Terry does gets more credit than he deserves for the mid to late 70s PIT dynasty. He deserves some credit but you're right, he couldn't have won anything without a great team (fueled by roids but again, another story image ). >>




    Stown, I like looking at it from a positive perspective...its not that I am trying to take anything away from Bradshaw, but rather recognizing the contributions of Greene, Ham, Harris, Swann, etc.. image

    Yeah, I didn't touch the roids with the team. That is another story...but roid use in football doesn't really elicit any ire from the general public.
  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,898 ✭✭✭✭✭
    After wasting the last few minutes perusing through this armchair expert vs. keyboard warrior extravaganza, I feel compelled to ask something.

    Who freaking cares?


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>After wasting the last few minutes perusing through this armchair expert vs. keyboard warrior extravaganza, I feel compelled to ask something.

    Who freaking cares? >>



    Telephoto, want to feel worse? This thread was started four years ago! image

    Who cares? Anybody that wants mind numbing sports argument entertainment to have a release from the daily grind. image
  • 1985fan1985fan Posts: 1,952 ✭✭


    << <i>After wasting the last few minutes perusing through this armchair expert vs. keyboard warrior extravaganza, I feel compelled to ask something.

    Who freaking cares? >>



    You, obviously, for spending a few minutes perusing it.



  • << <i>

    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer. >>



    Don't get me wrong, generally speaking, Terry does gets more credit than he deserves for the mid to late 70s PIT dynasty. He deserves some credit but you're right, he couldn't have won anything without a great team (fueled by roids but again, another story image ). >>



    Steroids are rampant in todays game. But unlike in baseball, fans don't seem to care. However the roids Bradshaw used were therapeutic corticosteroids, which is different than anabolic steroids used to reduce inflammation, and not banned from the NFL.
  • Mike Kruczek image


  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer. >>



    Don't get me wrong, generally speaking, Terry does gets more credit than he deserves for the mid to late 70s PIT dynasty. He deserves some credit but you're right, he couldn't have won anything without a great team (fueled by roids but again, another story image ). >>



    Steroids are rampant in todays game. But unlike in baseball, fans don't seem to care. However the roids Bradshaw used were therapeutic corticosteroids, which is different than anabolic steroids used to reduce inflammation, and not banned from the NFL. >>




    I think Stown was referring to the Steelers team with the steroids.
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer. >>



    Don't get me wrong, generally speaking, Terry does gets more credit than he deserves for the mid to late 70s PIT dynasty. He deserves some credit but you're right, he couldn't have won anything without a great team (fueled by roids but again, another story image ). >>




    Funny thing, I was watching The Longest Yard again the other day, and I caught something I never remembered. There was a scene where Caretaker was telling Burt Reynolds the stuff he could get for the football team, and Steroids were one of the things he said image Movie came out in 1974.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,694 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>Ok. Cool.

    Bradshaw did have two MVP's and played well there. However, since it is not possible for a team that goes 0-16 to win a Super Bowl, again, those MVP's are only possible from having elite teammates to get there.

    Not to mention the fact that the two guys catching those balls are what made it possible image

    I will always give Bradshaw the credit for being tough and having a tremendous arm, as those are two of his attributes that merits him being a HOFer. >>



    Don't get me wrong, generally speaking, Terry does gets more credit than he deserves for the mid to late 70s PIT dynasty. He deserves some credit but you're right, he couldn't have won anything without a great team (fueled by roids but again, another story image ). >>




    Funny thing, I was watching The Longest Yard again the other day, and I caught something I never remembered. There was a scene where Caretaker was telling Burt Reynolds the stuff he could get for the football team, and Steroids were one of the things he said image Movie came out in 1974. >>



    The Steelers of this era were known for using PEDs, so that is not as bizarre a reference as it seems, LOL..


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,847 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bradshaw and Franco were both overrated.

    MJ
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • One thing you Bradshaw bashers are over looking is that Terry is a blue collar, uneducated, hard working guy who a lot of us football fans can relate to. He's not the prima donna, wall street type. He's not GQ. He's not Harvard educated. He's just a normal joe who a lot of fans can relate to. Heck, he even beat up Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit, so that's got to count for something too.

    Terry is everything we think about when we think about ourselves. Not too much talent (went to a small college), but worked his a$$ off to make something good of himself.

    BTW, he still wants Skin2 to come over and polish his two Super Bowl MVP trophies. image

    Oops I forgot image The Steeler defense caused him to get those MVP's.
  • Skin2Skin2 Posts: 1,259 ✭✭✭


    << <i>One thing you Bradshaw bashers are over looking is that Terry is a blue collar, uneducated, hard working guy who a lot of us football fans can relate to. He's not the prima donna, wall street type. He's not GQ. He's not Harvard educated. He's just a normal joe who a lot of fans can relate to. Heck, he even beat up Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit, so that's got to count for something too.

    Terry is everything we think about when we think about ourselves. Not too much talent (went to a small college), but worked his a$$ off to make something good of himself.

    BTW, he still wants Skin2 to come over and polish his two Super Bowl MVP trophies. image

    >>




    Edmund, for once, we agree. I liked him when he was a player, and even more so in his broadcast career. He had an admirable career path.

    I don't think it was Smokey and the Bandit. You are probably thinking of Hooper when they had that big barroom brawl...then had beers together afterwards, lol.

    But you are right, he was very likeable, and he was one tough dude as a player.

    I'm not going to polish his trophies though. Wouldn't mind buying one of them though image
Sign In or Register to comment.