Reliving the best moments in NFL history

Posted Nov 8, 2011 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Nov 8, 2011 at 11:04 PM

When Joe Garner and Bob Costas team up for a multimedia project, you know it’s going to be good.

The two veteran broadcasters have collaborated on two wonderful books that included a DVD: “And the Crowd Goes Wild,” and “And The Fans Roared.” Both captured some of the greatest moments in sports, with vivid writing in the book and the actual broadcast calls on the DVDs.

Their third project together is equally ambitious, although perhaps a little more subjective. “100 Yards of Glory: The Greatest Moments in NFL History” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $35, hardback, 320 pages), is divided into 10 categories, while an original 10-part documentary DVD is included.

Let the debates begin.

The book ranks the greatest dynasties, NFL title games, AFL title games and Super Bowls. There are also chapters on fantastic finishes, great comebacks, improbable catches and great runs. Garner and Costas also rate the greatest quarterbacks and coaches. The front cover depicts David Tyree’s miraculous catch in Super Bowl XLII, which allowed the New York Giants to upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots.

The dynasties section contains a sidebar about teams that were awesome for one season, like the unbeaten 1972 Dolphins, the 1985 Chicago Bears and the 1976 Oakland Raiders (curiously, the 1984 49ers were left off the list, but again, there is only room for so many entries and this is a subjective work). Even though the Steelers of the mid- to late 1970s are a legitimate dynasty, I still believe the Miami Dolphins that went to three straight Super Bowls in the early 1970s deserved some mention (they never get it, though).

Bucs fans will enjoy the section on defensive greats, as the Bucs squad that won Super Bowl XXXVII is listed in that chapter. Two other teams that won Super Bowl games played in Tampa are also listed: the Baltimore Ravens (Super Bowl XXXV) and the Los Angeles Raiders (Super Bowl XVIII).

It’s hard to argue the list of the top 10 quarterbacks, although fans of Bart Starr certainly might have a beef (how does a quarterback lead his team to five NFL titles, including the first two Super Bowls, and not even get a sniff at the top 10?). Dan Marino fans? Sorry, the guys ahead of him all won NFL titles or Super Bowls, and Marino never did. Guys like Unitas, Bradshaw, Montana and Elway are an elite bunch.

The quarterbacks section has an awesome sidebar on Tom Matte, who was pressed into service for the Baltimore Colts when Johnny Unitas and his backup, Gary Cuozzo, were injured late in the 1965 season.

There is so much to read and enjoy (and watch, when you view the DVD), because the text is well written and the photography is sharp and vivid. Even the black-and-white photographs stand out.

Bucs fans will cringe when they get to the greatest comebacks. Tampa Bay is indeed in the list, but on the losing end of that 2003 “Monday Night Football” game against the Colts at Raymond James Stadium, when Indianapolis erased a 35-14 deficit in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime, then won 38-35 in OT. That section also includes Dennis Green’s famous “The Bears are who we thought they were” soundbite after Arizona lost 24-23 to Chicago.

The two sections of the book I really enjoyed were the fantastic finishes and greatest coaches chapters. Roll these off your tongue for immortal game-enders: the Immaculate Reception, the Ice Bowl, The Catch, the Music City Miracle, the Drive, the San Diego-Miami playoff in 1982 and the Snowplow Game. The 1968 Heidi Game is included in a sidebar, but I would have given consideration to the 1971 Christmas Day, double-overtime playoff game won by Miami against Kansas City.

As for coaches, here are Garner and Costas’ top five: Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh, Chuck Noll, Don Shula and Bill Belichick. Tom Landry weighs in at No. 6. Former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy is ranked 10th overall.

The book is relatively error-free, although there was a glitch here and there. For example, a caption showing Pete Rozelle handing the first Super Bowl trophy to Lombardi notes that the Packers “trounced the Kansas City Chiefs 35-21.” The score was 35-10.

But the overall production and feel of the book and DVD carries the day. Another solid effort from Garner and Costas, and a great coffee table book for pro football fans.