Joe Montana: Cool Under Pressure

[Ness]

I thought it was very good, and a lot more engaging in most aspects than I assumed it would be. I was actually surprised that Peacock was able to get certain NFL Films footage that had been previously unreleased or really under-utilized. A lot of the time on these docu-series with NFL Films involved you see the same recycled footage and soundbytes, but here it was that in addition to some content I hadn't seen before. Joe Montana is my favorite QB, and his departure from the 49ers is really unfortunate even if it essentially worked out for the franchise down the road. In regards to the Brady/Montana thing, obviously Brady has had the far more decorated career at this point. However, Joe did play in a very rough era, which I think counts for something. His 1989 postseason run is the best I've seen as he was just on fire for those 3 games. Also that same year is the Eagles game where Montana was getting beat up to the tune of 8 sacks on that nasty Veterans Stadium astroturf in the hot sun. Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Jerome Brown, and the rest of that defense just feasted. However, Montana went crazy in the 4th tossing 4 touchdowns. Brent Jones who was interviewed was right in regards to Brady probably never playing in a game like that, and then coming out on top. Joe was simply remarkable.

Something else the series talked about, and had me thinking about for a while after was Bill Walsh's decision to bench Joe in the 3rd quarter down 17 against the Vikings at home. They showed footage of Bill a few years before he passed essentially defending his decision to do so at that time. Joe of course completely disagreed. I do wonder if Bill panicked to a degree, because he interestingly decided that he had to bench Joe in that game, but a few years before in the 1983 championship game on the road against the Redskins, the 49ers were down 21-0 at that same point in the game. Joe wasn't benched of course, and proceeded to tie the game up 21-21 with 3 4th quarter TDs. I know it's not as simple as that, and there was no Steve Young in 1983 to fall back to, but still...I'm surprised after all Joe had done up to that point he pulled the trigger.

[Brian wolf]

Good observations Ness ...

In regards to the 87/88 playoff game, Walsh knew the team was flat and thought Young's running ability could offset the Viking pass rush, which was killing their offensive line. For me, thats the difference between Montana and Brady. Montana never had the offensive lines that Brady had. Yes, both QB's had quick releases but Montana had to use his mobility more because the Niner's lines were undersized, while Brady had blocking that was better for both the run and pass.

In hindsight, Walsh should have stayed with Montana but he knew that his team couldnt match the intensity of the Vikings and Anthony Carter was unstoppable. In 1988, Montana had health problems from dysentery/flu and Walsh needed Young to help the team but by playoff time against the Vikings, Joe would catch fire ...

[Ness]

Good observations Ness ...

In regards to the 87/88 playoff game, Walsh knew the team was flat and thought Young's running ability could offset the Viking pass rush, which was killing their offensive line. For me, thats the difference between Montana and Brady. Montana never had the offensive lines that Brady had. Yes, both QB's had quick releases but Montana had to use his mobility more because the Niner's lines were undersized, while Brady had blocking that was better for both the run and pass.

In hindsight, Walsh should have stayed with Montana but he knew that his team couldnt match the intensity of the Vikings and Anthony Carter was unstoppable. In 1988, Montana had health problems from dysentery/flu and Walsh needed Young to help the team but by playoff time against the Vikings, Joe would catch fire ...

I would have to watch the 1987 game again to be certain, but from what I remember it was just Anthony Carter having his finest day as a pro which really lost the game more than anything. Second would be the Vikings defense just slapping the 49ers offensive line around like rag dolls. 49ers got revenge the next two years against Minnesota, but it's still surprising that the 1987 squad got beat down like that at home. That definitely felt like it was the 49ers Super Bowl year again.

[Bryan]

Something else the series talked about, and had me thinking about for a while after was Bill Walsh's decision to bench Joe in the 3rd quarter down 17 against the Vikings at home. They showed footage of Bill a few years before he passed essentially defending his decision to do so at that time. Joe of course completely disagreed. I do wonder if Bill panicked to a degree, because he interestingly decided that he had to bench Joe in that game, but a few years before in the 1983 championship game on the road against the Redskins, the 49ers were down 21-0 at that same point in the game. Joe wasn't benched of course, and proceeded to tie the game up 21-21 with 3 4th quarter TDs. I know it's not as simple as that, and there was no Steve Young in 1983 to fall back to, but still...I'm surprised after all Joe had done up to that point he pulled the trigger.

A few things:

*There was thought that Joe Montana would retire after the back problems he had in 1986. He was hurt early in the year, came back towards the end of the year and wasn't very good, then got annihilated in the playoffs by the Giants. People thought the Jim Burt hit was the last play of Montana's career.

*Its glossed over now, but Montana was one of the first players to cross the picket line in 1987, and that lost him a lot of respect in the league and the media for a short period of time, but that was all forgotten after the 1988 Super Bowl win.

*The Niners had really fallen off since 1984. They had scored a combined 6 points in their last two postseasons, and the slow start against the Vikings in 1987 probably had Walsh in desperation mode. Walsh probably thought he would be fired after the 1987 playoff loss. I don't really blame Walsh for his decision...Montana had done nothing in the last two postseasons and was struggling in a third.

[Brian wolf]

I could be wrong Bryan but from what I read about Joe, he wasnt part of the player's association for personal reasons. He probably supported his teammates though and may have gotten criticized but he wasnt a fan of replacement players and felt either way, he needed to report for work.

Walsh and his gamble on Young was necessary but after Joe looked great in the 1988 postseason and Walsh got through that year so stressed out, he knew he needed to retire, though Young believes either Walsh lied to him about becoming the starter or Montana just surprised both of them and convinced Walsh that the team was better with him starting.

[Brian wolf]

Getting dominated by the Giants in the 1986/87 playoffs had to be frustrating for the team, Montana and Walsh but that game against the Giants in 1988, where Montana came off the bench and threw that perfect TD pass to Rice, was a huge win in the Meadowlands. Watching that game, I truly believe the Giants underestimated Joe's arm strength because the defensive backs collided with one another.
The Bears in the 1988/89 NFC Championship game underestimated his arm as well, with Montana playing his best ever game IMO. That loss to the Niners in 1988 helped knock the Giants out of the playoffs. In 1989, the Giants got upset in the playoffs against the Rams and didnt get to play the 49ers ...

[Brian wolf]

Best Montana Games IMO

1988/89 NFC Champ Game vs Bears ... Despite windy, frigid conditions
1989/90 SB vs Denver ... Dominated the AFC's best defense, Montana was looking off defenders constantly. A lost art amongst QBs.
1983/84 NFC Champ Game vs Redskins ... Overcomes 21 point deficit in 4th quarter despite loss
1984/85 SB vs Dolphins ... Too easy for Montana, as he runs and passes through Miami
1989 Reg Seas vs Eagles ... Despite sacks, kills Eagle secondary in 4th quarter
1981/82 NFC Champ vs Dallas ... overcomes six turnovers by the offense to win late
1988/89 SB vs Bengals ... Game winning TD pass

[Ness]

Something else the series talked about, and had me thinking about for a while after was Bill Walsh's decision to bench Joe in the 3rd quarter down 17 against the Vikings at home. They showed footage of Bill a few years before he passed essentially defending his decision to do so at that time. Joe of course completely disagreed. I do wonder if Bill panicked to a degree, because he interestingly decided that he had to bench Joe in that game, but a few years before in the 1983 championship game on the road against the Redskins, the 49ers were down 21-0 at that same point in the game. Joe wasn't benched of course, and proceeded to tie the game up 21-21 with 3 4th quarter TDs. I know it's not as simple as that, and there was no Steve Young in 1983 to fall back to, but still...I'm surprised after all Joe had done up to that point he pulled the trigger.

A few things:

*There was thought that Joe Montana would retire after the back problems he had in 1986. He was hurt early in the year, came back towards the end of the year and wasn't very good, then got annihilated in the playoffs by the Giants. People thought the Jim Burt hit was the last play of Montana's career.

*Its glossed over now, but Montana was one of the first players to cross the picket line in 1987, and that lost him a lot of respect in the league and the media for a short period of time, but that was all forgotten after the 1988 Super Bowl win.

*The Niners had really fallen off since 1984. They had scored a combined 6 points in their last two postseasons, and the slow start against the Vikings in 1987 probably had Walsh in desperation mode. Walsh probably thought he would be fired after the 1987 playoff loss. I don't really blame Walsh for his decision...Montana had done nothing in the last two postseasons and was struggling in a third.

The 1986 game I agree Joe Montana had a poor game even before he got knocked out. The 1985 game though I can't pin on Joe. The 49ers dropped nine passes that day, and the offense as an entire unit was just out muscled really, but those crucial drops are what I remember from that game more than anything. I think by the 5th or 6th drop (I believe Frank dropped an easy one) you can see Montana on replay getting frustrated. Not much you can do as a passer when receivers are dropping balls. Jerry Rice also had a fumble. Also didn't help that the pass protection was largely terrible the entire contest.

[Brian wolf]

Youre right Ness ... Got the 85 and 86 games mixed up.

In the 1986/87 playoff game, Joe was hot until Rice lost the ball on that perfect TD pass. The Giants played lights out after recovering that fumble in the endzone.

In the 85/86 game, the dropped passes hurt but the Niners were driving towards the end of the game but couldnt get the TD.

[Brian wolf]

One of the few complaints that anyone could have against Montana, was an issue I blame on Bill Walsh. Whether Walsh or even Montana, the 49ers were terrible utilizing timeouts. Had Walsh not wasted timeouts in the 1983/84 NFC Championship game, Montana might have led his team to a tie ballgame. Walsh and Montana would call timeouts just to avoid delay of game penalties, which might have cost them even more comeback wins but Montana usually orchestrated the offense so well that they won many blowout games, which is why his winning pct is so high, especially on the road.

Though Brady and Graham might have surpassed him, no QB won team games better on the road than Joe Montana. If I am not mistaken, the two longest road winning streaks from teams were lead by Joe. The winning streaks ended both times with Young at QB. From 1988-90, the 49ers won 18 consecutive road wins ... I will have to look up Montana, Brady and Graham's team road winning pcts.