#8 Alvin Harper
Alvin Harper's career was much maligned due to the lack of overeall productivity for a player drafted in the 1st round. While it's true that he didn't produce the regular season numbers typically expected, his legacy as a postseason playmaker cannot be denied.
Alvin Harper holds the NFL record for postseason receptions average yards (ten reception minimum). He had a total of 24 playoff receptions for 655 yards, an average of 27.3 yards a catch.No other NFL player with 20 or more playoff receptions can even come close, 2nd ranked Willie Gault has 23.7, 3rd place Harold jackson had 22.8.
On two occasions he had over a hundred yards receiving without catching more than 3 passes. In 1993 he caught a total of 5 passes in three playoff games....for 203 yards, a 40.6 average.
And yet, his yardage wasn't the most important aspect of his receptions, it was the timing.
Alvin harper produced some of the biggest and most critical plays in Cowboy playoff history.
The Cowboys' very first playoff game under Jimmy johnson was without the services of Troy Aikman, out with an injury. His replacement, Steve Beuerlein, threw only 18 passes, completing only 9. However, he averaged 20 yards a completion thanks to the dual efforts of his starting wide receivers. Harper and Irvin combined for only 7 receptions, but they netted 171 yards, Combined with Emmitt's 26 carries for 105 yards, it was enough to keep the Cowboy offense relevant while the defense won the game.
In the 1992 Conference Championship game agaisnt the 49ers, the Cowboys opened up the 2nd half with a 10-10 ties that was broken by a spectacular leaping 38 yard TD catch by Alvin Harper. However, the 49ers were within 4 points with 4:22 left in the game. The Cowboys had the ball but everyone knew that if steve Young was given a chance he would find a way to win with the help of Jerry Rice and Co. On first down Aikman threw a simple ten yard pass to Alvin Harper, who turned it into a 70 yard gain to the 49er 9 yard line.
The following year Alvin Harper once again provided a big play in the Conference Championship game when it counted. With Troy Aikman knocked out of the 2hd half with a concusssion, the 49ers began staging a comeback. However, the Cowboys victory was sealed when Harper caught a 42 yard TD pass from backup Bernie Kosar.
In the Super Bowl that year Harper caught three passes, for 25, 16, and 35 yards. All three receptions were part of a Cowboy scoring drive.
In the 1995 divisional round against the Packers Harper helped to break the game open with a 94 yard TD reception late in the 1st quarter.
In the 1992 Super Bowl 27, Harpers only reception was a 45 yard TD in the 4th quarter.
In the 1994 divisonal round of the playoffs, also against the Packers, Harper opened up the scoring in the 1st quarter with a 25 yard TD reception. The Cowboys won that game 27-17.
Almost all of Alvin Harpers receptions in the Cowboy playoff games from 1991 to 1994 were momentum swinging back breakers for Cowboy opponents. He never accomplished much after he left before the 1995 season but his contributions of big plays in the postseason is a matter of record.
