Jerry Rice on Moss and Brady - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

dante828 · 12-27-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hurricane

Lets not forget Jerry was scoring those touchdowns against replacement players and out of shape corners who didn't know when the strike was going to end. I don't want to take anything away from Jerry for being one of the few smart players to stay in game shape, but there is a reason the 22 touchdowns came in the strike year.

Great point, and it should be noted more often, of course people are usually too classy to bring that point up and don't want to downplay the accomplishment....you know, like the way Rice is downplaying Moss's race for the record because it spans 16 games rather then 12.

I hate knocking Rice because I have a lot of respect for him, but he really shouldn't keep bringing up that caveat.

Patriot Missile · 12-27-2007, 10:08 AM

What Rice did was more amazing considering the 12 games but it doesn't mean squat on paper or the record books. He seems a little too fresh out of retirement to be campaigning his greatness.

I think Marino has held his tongue alot better considering all the rules that have been instilled by Polian and the competition committee to help Manning prosper. Brady and Manning will go down in the record books ahead of him and even though I'm a homer to Brady I think what Marino did with the brand of physical football played was more impressive.

***maverick4*** · 12-27-2007, 10:10 AM

Too many people here are giving Jerry Rice crap for saying he did it in 12 games. It's true, and it's a good point.

To me, it's just like saying (if it happens) that the Pats' accomplishment in 2007 was more impressive than the Dolphins in 72 because they played more games without losing.

BradyManny · 12-27-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick4

Too many people here are giving Jerry Rice crap for saying he did it in 12 games. It's true, and it's a good point.

To me, it's just like saying (if it happens) that the Pats' accomplishment in 2007 was more impressive than the Dolphins in 72 because they played more games without losing.

It's not for two reasons - 1) the aforementioned caveats about the strike season, and the level of play on the field he was up against 2) he had a 20 season career in which he played 16 game seasons, he failed to break his own record in these seasons, so he can't fault Moss for doing it

Xzibit23 · 12-27-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodgey

This is exactly what I think every time I hear the 12 game argument. I think every achievemnet in the strike shortened year carries an *** . I also am a long time fan of Rice and his accomplishments.

It should carry an **, and its like this in all sports. When the NBA had the strike shortened season in '99, players were in terrible shape and I must have seen some of the ugliest basketball ever in that season. It was the same with the NFL in '87, players were going through training camp during the season, and Rice, to his credit, took full advantage. Its not a coincidence that those numbers happened in a strike shortened season, there's a big reason for that.

PatsDparty · 12-27-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyManny2344

Your argument is severely flawed b/c Brady would have never played in a 20 game season. Jerry Rice played in 20 regular seasons, he just happened to set the record during a strike season. Tough break for him.

If all 20 of Rice's seasons were 12 games, then yes, Moss record would and should have an asterik next to it. Would it have made a difference if Rice did it in 12 games and then got injured for the final 6? Would he make the same claims? No, absolutely not. You can't have all these "ifs and buts" when talking about records particularly when we're talking about the same era of the game. This isn't a different era of the game, seasons were 16 games, strike meant he only played 12.

I don't think my argument is flawed. I'm not saying Moss's record isn't valid, but the season was shortened that year. It's more impressive, that's all. If the NFL decided to add an extra game to a schedule for one season honor an event, and brady's record was broken, there would be people here pointing to those extra games. That was my point.

Cramden · 12-27-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hurricane

Lets not forget Jerry was scoring those touchdowns against replacement players and out of shape corners who didn't know when the strike was going to end. I don't want to take anything away from Jerry for being one of the few smart players to stay in game shape, but there is a reason the 22 touchdowns came in the strike year.

Does anyone have stats for who came in 2nd and 3rd in TD receptions that year? I'm guessing if this were a valid point shouldn't all offensive stats for that year be exaggerated? I wonder too if there were a bunch on RBs who had career years during that season?

ClevTrev · 12-27-2007, 11:08 AM

I have no hesitation in stating that Rice is the greatest WR to have played the game. Regardless of the number of games in which the record was accomplished or the types of players in the league that season, it is a record that should be recorded without an asterisk. If Moss ties or breaks it, then that will become the new record.

There is no need for Rice to explain his greatness, he should just allow his record to stand for itself. If he's classy enough to recognize Moss' season, then he doesn't need to put qualifiers on it. To do so puts him in the Mercury Morris category.

BradyManny · 12-27-2007, 11:12 AM

http://www.databasefootball.com/leag...yr=1987&lg=nfl

***BelichickFan*** · 12-27-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hurricane

Lets not forget Jerry was scoring those touchdowns against replacement players and out of shape corners who didn't know when the strike was going to end.

So Rice played against replacement players ? Wasn't he on strike with his players too ? I don't remember but it seems strange.