Craig Morton
Dallas Cowboys
Craig Morton, 6-4, 215, is a tall good-looking Californian and, when
asked his weakness at quarterback, a scouting report indicated it might
be "lack of a wife." As one writer put it, "Morton lives in that
beautiful balloon." Women like him. He likes them. Under the
circumstances it would be difficult to be any other way.
It is felt that his nocturnal activities sometimes take away from his
devotion to duty. Smart but sometimes seems indecisive, which could be
lack of preparation. In two seasons as a starter he has run gamut from
great to bad and is difficult to classify.
A report calls him a "mystic," saying he's like a car in the Indy 500.
"You don't know whether he needs a tune-up or his engine is gone. If he
was a stock, you just wouldn't know when to sell."
Morton has good size, a good arm (when functioning properly) and
knowledge to operate, perhaps, football's most complicated offense.
Probably, it is unfair to judge him until the 1971 season due to
injuries. Served four year apprenticeship behind Don Meredith, taking
over when Meredith retired before the 1969 season.
Morton was doing very well in 1969 until he dislocated his index finger
on his right hand during pre-season. Missed one regular season game and
then returned to set the league on fire. Was hitting 73 per cent of his
passes but suffered a separation in his right shoulder in fourth game of
regular season. Played the rest of the season anyway, hitting 53.6 of
his passes but, he couldn't work properly during the week and the ball
would often get away from him. Because of his shoulder, Dallas also had
to abandon many percentage passes.
Underwent surgery on his right shoulder after the season and doctors
expressed surprise he could have played at all. Had trouble getting back
in throwing groove in 1970.
"He became careless," a report said. "He picked up some bad habits that
needs to work out. Early in the season he seemed to be trying to push or
guide the ball instead of throwing it like a pitcher, like he used to
do."
Has bad knees which bother him much of the season. Very evident he is
tough. . . Playing with separation, bad knees, etc. But also, despite
physical stature, seems prone to injury. Could be factor in his career.
Blessed with good offensive line, good receivers and outstanding running
attack speared by Calvin Hill, Walt Garrison and Duane Thomas. Appeared
to step in when Meredith retired and handle the Cowboys, the mental part
of game, as well as they've ever been handled.
When prepared, he calls an excellent game. He is not very mobile and has
trouble avoiding the rush. Probably needs to be more like Gabriel in
that he'll dump the ball rather than be trapped. Doesn't do this well as
yet, and this is important because traps seem to fire up a defensive
team.
One report says, "I wouldn't say he was a real winner because he might
be hot one day and lukewarm or cold the next. Rather have somebody who
was lukewarm every day and could depend on."
Another report says, "Too early to tell as yet. Probably he will get
more consistent or lose his job to Roger Staubach."
Staubach, who'll be in his third year in 1971, has a slow delivery but
is excellent athlete and totally dedicated. "With his dedication," said
and observer, "I'd hate to have him after my job."
So jury still out on Morton, though the coming season it should come in.
