Injuries Aside, Aikman At Best When Postseason Rolls Around For Cowboys

Troy Aikman isn’t sure when it will all end. He’s had so many concussions, separated shoulders and knee injuries he knows his career could end on any down.

Yet, if he survives the blitzes and hits he’s on target to go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time because he plays his best when the pressure is the greatest.

January playoff pressure means it’s Troy’s Time.

He isn’t on the level yet with Joe Montana or Terry Bradshaw in Super Bowl ring jewelry.

But he’s won more Super Bowls than Dan Marino and John Elway combined. He’s yet to lose in an NFL playoff game he has started (7-0). He’s been a Super Bowl MVP. The Pro Football Hall of Fame should be calling some day.

Aikman knows how quarterbacks are judged. He’s 7-0 in playoff games.

“Championship criteria is used to judge quarterbacks and great players,” Aikman says. “That’s why there is so much pressure in a game like (today) against San Francisco. I have to produce. Great players produce in championship games and Super Bowls. It’s what I get paid to do. I get paid to win Super Bowls.”

That sum will reach $4 million next year.

“(Owner) Jerry Jones doesn’t pay me to throw for 6,000 yards but not win Super Bowls,” Aikman added.

In playoff games, Aikman has 15 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. He threw two touchdown passes, including one for an NFL-record 94 yards to Alvin Harper, against the Packers last Sunday.

Aikman will be using a radio helmet in a championship game for the first time after giving it a good test in last Sunday’s 35-9 victory.