True or False

[KensPen]

Emmitt Smith is an above average back who was graced with 10 foot holes to run thru and doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath with the elite NFL running backs.

[Whitacre D_WI]

1. False.

Emmitt Smith very much deserves to be mentioned with the elites, even if it's just to say that he wasn't up to their level.

Smith was a GREAT back. Top-10 all time. Even at his best, he never stacked up to Payton, Brown, or Sanders; but the cat could run nonetheless.

There is an argument to be made as to who was the best running back ever. It begins and ends with Payton, Brown, and Sanders. The next argument is for fourth place, as those three are head and shoulders above the pack.

[KensPen]

3. He Had skills.....

but he played on a tremendous team and ran through gaping holes....

The cowboys weren't a running team, and opposing defenses could not stack the line against him. Even if they did he had a monster offensive line that was making huge holes....

Payton, Brown and Sanders earned the yards they got...

Hell there are a few more I'd put on top of Emmitt.

The Juice for one....

[Whitacre D_WI]

6. Yes, OJ was better than Emmitt.

He could cut and slash better than any other... oh, God, I can't believe I just said that. Eh, well.

OJ was also a better back than Smith (though not to the level of Payton, Sanders, or Brown).

[gonefishing]

2. FALSE

EOM

[LARED]

4. False

Seasons among the league's top 10
Rushes: 1990-8, 1991-1, 1992-2, 1993-6, 1994-1, 1995-1, 1996-5, 1998-7t, 1999-3
Rushing yards: 1990-10, 1991-1, 1992-1, 1993-1, 1994-3, 1995-1, 1996-8, 1998-5, 1999-4
Rushing TDs: 1990-5t, 1991-2, 1992-1, 1993-3t, 1994-1, 1995-1, 1996-5, 1998-4, 1999-4, 2000-10t
Yards from scrimmage: 1991-3, 1992-2, 1993-1, 1994-3, 1995-1, 1996-9, 1998-10
Rush/Receive TDs: 1990-9t, 1991-3, 1992-1, 1993-6t, 1994-1, 1995-1, 1996-3t, 1998-5t, 1999-3t

[KensPen]

5. Watch The games....

stop looking at stats.
Sanders was getting hit at the line or before every time he carried the ball.
Sweetness was the teams only offensive weapon.

Emmitt was a fast man who got lucky in the draft.

[trotsky]

7. True.

"Above average" still is pretty good, but he benefited not only from an outstanding line but very threatening QB, WRs, and TE that softened defenses a lot for him.

Besides, I can't stand him. Any player who has an anti-showboating rule named after him (the "Emmitt Rule" - players cannot take off their helmets while on the field) is not worthy of respect.

Only fitting that I think he has negative yardage during his stint with the Cardinals. Would love to see him knocked down below Payton.

[KensPen]

9. and all his touchdown footballs...

were numbered and locked away,
I am sure to be sold on ebay at a later date.

[trotsky]

11. Dang, that always bothered me too.

Randy Moss, the supposed ego boy of the NFL now, usually hands his touchdown footballs to a kid in the stands. Once he gave it to a handicapped child who got to watch the game on the sidelines.

But Emmitt, no, he's got them put away in his trophy case.

[Drifter]

8. He is a great RB ...

but at the height of his success he was behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. I think most any RB would have had this success behind such a line.

In comparison Barry Sanders spend most of his time behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL.

How is Emmitt doing this year ? Apparently not that great since you rarely hear about him.

Cheers
Drifter

[LanternWaste]

10. Trying to be objective here....

Trying to be objective here....


Both. He *did* have a powerful O-line in the early nineties. That and the fact that Aikman had great recievers which kept opposing defenses always guessing...

On the other hand, during his prime, he was able to turn on a dime, break free of tackles in an almost inhuman way and *find* holes that weren't obvious to anyone else. Also, the guy had some damned powerful legs.