Yes, it has been awhile, but I am "Back and Posting" here in our "shining blogger community on the hill". Forgive me for the reference to our new Mass. Governor Deval L. Patrick. As he is embarking on a new campaign, I figured I would start anew with some rants and musings to start the new year.
Part of the reason for my long absence was mainly due to work commitments (I usually post at work, and we were very busy through the Summer months and actually right through the holidays due to the fact that one of our tunnels collapsed last July). In the interest of making up for lost time, I figured I would take advantage of some Winter down time (hopefully my employer is not reading this), and do some reminiscing of Superbowls gone by, in the spirit of this week's anticipated "Superbowl Hype".
Today we will take a look at Superbowl V between the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys. The game was not the most asthetically pleasing contest in the annals of league championship play (11 turnovers between the two teams), but it really was a significant part of NFL history due to the fact that it was the first Superbowl in the post NFL/AFL merger era. The contest was also significant in that it was the first Superbowl decided by a fieldgoal. These days when one thinks of game winning fieldgoals in the Superbowl the name Adam Vinateiri comes to mind, but for fans of the old Baltimore Colts the name Jim O'Brien sparks the same type of fond memories and nostalgia.
Super Bowl V was significant from Baltimore's perspective in that it marked the twilight of the career of Hall of Fame Quaterback John Unitas. Unitas had gained the starting job back after Earl Morral's dissapointing performance in Superbowl III Vs. the NY Jets, but Morral saw significant time during the 1970 season because of injuries (Unitas missed two games), and inconsistent play on the part of Unitas (14 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 65.1 passer rating.). 1970 can pehaps be considered the worst year statistically speaking of Unitas' storied career, although he did throw for 2,213 yards. Despite the fact that Morral put up better numbers (9 touchdowns, 4 INTS), Baltimore coach Don McCafferty gave the starting nod to Unitas for Superbowl V. Unitas would play two more seasons beofe finishing his career with the San Diego Chargers.
The Baltimore Colts attacked opponents mainly through the air in 1970, as they were led by recievers Eddie Hinton, Roy Jefferson, and future hal of fame tight end John Mackey. The three combined for 119 receptions, 1,1917 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 1970. Norm Bulaich rushed for 426 yards out of the backfield, and caught 11 passes for 123 yards.
On defense the Colts were led by DT Bubba Smith, but also had two outstanding LBs in "Mad Dog" Mike Curtis and future hall of famer Ted Hendricks. Safeties Jerry Logan and Rick Volk anchored the secondary.
The Dallas Cowboys entered Superbowl V with their own questions at the Quarterback position although theirs was mainly of their own making, due to the fact that coach Tom Landry could not decide between the young Roger Staubach, and the veteran Craig Morton. In the days leading up to the Superbowl Landry named Morton as his starter because he felt more confident that Morton would better execute the game plan(Landry called all of Morton's plays during the game, while Staubauch was known for his ability to "improvise"). Morton had the better numbers in 1970 (1,1819 yards, 15 TDs, 7INTs, compared with 542 yards,2TDs, 8INTs for Staubach), although Staubach would go on to the more distinguished career.
This "QB Controversy" was a point of contention throughout the entire 1970 season, (at times Landry would change Morton and Staubach in and out numerous times in the course of one possession)and almost caused division in the lockerroom. Despite a hall of fame coaching career, such indescisivness was a staple of the early part of Landry's tenure withthe Cowboys.
The Cowboys were led on offense in 1970 by "Bullet" Bob Hayes (34 receptions for 889 yards, 10 TD's), and Lance Rentzel (28 receptions. 556 yards, 5 TDs), although they also had a strong running attack in rookie RB Duane Thomas (151 carries, 803 yards, 5 TDs), and FB Walt Garrison (507 yards, 3TDs).
Like Baltimore, Dallas' strength was on the defensive side of the ball with their famed "Doomsday Defense", which only allowed 1 touchdown in their final six games prior to the Superbowl. The Cowboy defensive attack was led by future hall of fame DT Bob Lilly. In addtion to Lilly there were LBs Lee Roy Jordan, Dave Edwards, and Chuck Howley. Howley was a dual threat who excelled at run and pass coverage. In the secondary the Cowboys had future hall of famer CBs in Mel Renfro and Herb Adderley (7INTs between the two in 1970). At the safety position Charlie Watters (5INts), and Cliff Harris (2INts) led the charge.
As stated previously the game itself was not very memorable and provided little drama until the very end. Dallas jumped out to an early 6-0 lead with two Mike Clark fieldgoals, although the Cowboys could have had a bigger lead. On Dallas' third possession of the game QB Craig Morton completed a 47 yard pass to Bob Hayes to the Baltimore 12 yard line, with a Colt roughing the passer call adding 6 yards to the reception (half the distance to the goal). On 1st down LB Ted Hendricks deflected Morton's pass, and on the ensuing play Duane Thomas was tackled for a one yard loss. On third down Morton pushed the Cowboys back 15 yards with an intentional grounding penalty, which put the ball on the Baltimore 22 yard line, and thus leading to Mike clark's second fieldgoal.
At the start of the second quarter Baltimore tied the score on a 75 yard Unitas to John Mackey TD reception which was tipped into tipped into Mackey's hands by Dallas Safety Mel Renfro (O'Brien missed the extra point). Later in the second quarter Dallas took at 13-6 lead when Morton threw a 7 yard pass to Thomas, which was set up by an interception by Renfro. Unitas was hit as he threw and was forced from the game with a rib injury.
The opportunistic Colt defense helped Baltimore tie and win the game in the final quarter. First Morton threw a pass that was intercepted by S Rick Volk, and returened to the Dallas 3-yard line. Two plays later Tom Nowatzke ran the ball in for a touchdown, and O'Brien provided the extra point, to pull the "Old NFL' representitive even at 13-13.
Then with less that two minutes to play on 2nd and 35, Morton's pass went right through the hands of (future Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons coach) Dan Reeves, was intercepted by Mike Curtis, and returened 13 yards to the Dallas 28 yardline. Two plays later with 30 seconds left in the contest, O'Brien's 32 yard fieldgoal sailed through the uprights, giving Baltimore the victory. Dallas would get one last possession but of course could do nothing with it. The final seconds are brilliantly captured by NFL Films, as Bob Lilly is seen throwing his helmet in frustration as he walked off the field, as the Colts celebrate the victory around him.
During his post-game comments (which can be found in Sports Illustrated's "NFL Book"), the understated O'Brien said of his heroics : "From the angle they showed on TV it did not look like a long kick, but it was tougher than it looked...I was always tought to keep my head down and listen for the crowd and that is what I did, except there were fans of both teams here today, so that made it a little tougher to do that."
In another "first" at that point in Superbowl history, the MVP was given to a player from the losing team (Dallas LB Chuck Howley).
posted by smialek316 at 11:39 AM
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