Emmitt Smith able to hide gray, but not able to hide mediocrity

Dave on 02 10, 2009

I am writing about this topic because a point has to be made, and the truth has to be uncovered. We spend all this time proclaiming his greatness and give him the title of the best running back of the modern age. We proclaim him for the records he holds and the championships he has won. What we don’t do is give the proper praise to the real source behind all of these accomplishments. Like any great athlete there are certain things you can’t take away. Now that is not the point of this article, my point is to simply state the facts that are often left out of this discussion. We are all products of a system, and some systems are better designed for certain products. The very fortunate will find themselves in perfect system, and no matter what the quality of the product is success will follow. In this case we are talking about a perfect system, formulated to give all these aforementioned achievements to the average product that is Emmitt Smith.

To make this very clear, no one has been as fortunate to fall into such a convenient scenario like Emmitt Smith. First take a look at his physical tools and tell me one thing that was above average. I might be willing to give away balance, but for a running back that is not saying too much. I might be willing to say vision, but then I think about the fact that during his tenure in Dallas there was not one time where he did not have at least three pro bowl quality offensive linemen blocking for him. Can we please give more credit to the names like Allen, Stepnoski, Tuinei, Newton, Adams, Williams, and Donaldson. Between these seven men that Emmitt had the privilege to run behind they have racked up 40 pro bowl appearances. To continue this point, in 2002, the first year Emmitt did not have the assurance of pro bowl caliber lineman blocking for him was ironically the first year (other than his rookie season) he was not able to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark. To continue the point further, in his most productive years from 1992-1995, there was only two blockers that started over the period of time for the Cowboys that did not have at least one pro bowl appearance. His 4.2 yards per carry put him behind other backs such as Faulk, Dickerson, Dorsett, Sanders, Simpson, Brown, Tomlinson and Payton, all of which averaged better than 4.2 ypc for their career. I would like to think that the greatest would make the most out of every touch he received, especially when surrounded by the amount of talent this guy had the privilege of playing with. Leading me into my next point, we have not even begun to talk about the skill position players that Emmitt had the opportunity to play with.

Players like Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman, Hall of Fame WR Michael Irvin, Pro Bowl FB Daryl Johnston, and Pro Bowl TE Jay Novacek all of which made big contributions to the success that Emmitt was able to achieve throughout his playing days. All that being said, if your still not convinced that he gets more recognition than he deserves then let me ask you this, do you honestly believe that the likes of a Barry Sanders or a Ladainain Tomlinson would not only be able to duplicate the success that Emmitt had? And if your one of the ignorant people that says no, take a look at the statistics and the personnel that these players were surrounded by and try and tell me otherwise.

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  • OnTheRoadToVictory
    AMEN.

    Emmitt most overrated professional athlete in my lifetime.
  • "In the history of the NFL, Emmitt Smith is the only man to ever win a Super Bowl, the Super Bowl MVP award, the NFL MVP award and the rushing title"...in the same year. You are still an incredible idiot.
  • You are an imbecile. Why, why, why do people insist on diminishing Emmitt's accomplishments because he played on a good team? And they all get it. Michael Irvin wasn't that good because he played with Troy and Emmitt, Troy wasn't that good because he played with Emmitt and Michael, none of them were that good because they played behind a great offensive line. Holy smokes. Is there any other team that gets less respect BECAUSE they were so great? Emmitt's vision and balance made that offensive line into Pro Bowlers. Barry Sanders had Pro Bowlers on his offensive line, too. Look it up. And he played for playoff teams. Tomlinson's teams have sucked? Why does the assumption that Tomlinson and Sanders would have produced on the Dallas team diminish Emmitt's accomplishments? The very fact of his lack of spectacular physical assets points to what made Emmitt great, what makes him the man to hold the record for most yards, what makes him a champion: his WILL. He was great in high school, an all-American in college, but in the pros when he turned out great he was actually mediocre and everybody else was just too dumb to see it? In the history of the NFL, Emmitt Smith is the only man to ever win a Super Bowl, the Super Bowl MVP award, the NFL MVP award and the rushing title AND IT'S BECAUSE HE WAS LUCKY??? Emmitt Smith always accomplished a lot, at every level. He was named Rookie of the Year, an eight time Pro Bowler, a four time All-Pro, and the NFL's 1990 All Decade team apparently by a bunch of morons who don't know football and who couldn't see that "Helen Keller" (the guy who said that line is another mental midget) could have set all those records on that team. Emmitt didn't play on fifteen Super Bowl winning teams. He played on three. Yet he was the FIRST player to post eleven (11) ELEVEN consecutive 1000 yard seasons and the FIRST to put up 11 in a career period. That same great team wasn't together eleven years. He also holds the records for most yards in the post season, most 100 yard games in the post season, and shares the record for most touchdowns in the post season. He is one of only five(5)FIVE players IN NFL HISTORY that accumulated over 10,000 yards on the ground and 400 career receptions. Yes, he could catch and did catch and he was an excellent blocker as well. He and Jerry Rice are the only two non-kickers to have scored over a thousand points. All this and he was MEDIOCRE? Anybody could have done it? Really? EMMITT SMITH IS PART OF WHAT MADE THAT COWBOYS TEAM IN THE EARLY NINETIES SO GREAT. WITHOUT HIM THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS GREAT.Why should I even have to explain that? Was Jerry Rice only great because he played with Montana and Young, two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game? For that matter did Magic Johnson actually suck because he played with two Hall of Famers in Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy? Lou Gehrig was actually a bum who just happened to play on a baseball team Babe Ruth and the Murderer's Row? You like Barry Sanders better? Fine. But calling a man's accomplishments mediocre -- who are you? If what Emmitt Smith accomplished in his career makes him mediocre what do yours make you? If your blog is any indication you're in big trouble. Stupid, stupid, stupid blog.
  • The Truth
    Agreed.....there are at least ten backs that would have been able to accomplish what Emmitt did during the Dallas dynasty of the early 90's, they would not be able to match his longevity, but there are many that would have had similar success

    Sanders
    Payton
    Faulk
    Dickerson
    Dorsett
    Sayers
    Tomlinson
    Simpson
    Brown
    Westbrook
    Peterson

    To name a few
  • Steve
    What are you stupid or just plain ignorant. While you said that the others made Emmitt great, I think its the opposite. I think Emmitt made the others great. I opened up the field for Irvin and Novacek. You apparrently seem to be bias on the matter. Sanders was flashier, but Emmitt was an all-around back. You seem to forget that part.
  • Moose Cock
    dave sucks!
  • Two words:

    Walter
    Payton.
  • AxeMurderer
    No one's disputing that Dallas had a great offensive line during their Super Bowl run. But you also just can't ignore the fact that NO ONE was touting how good they were BEFORE Emmitt arrived. So what came first -- the chicken or the egg?

    Half the running backs in league could have helped Dallas to win multiple Super Bowls...? Dude, you're out of your mind. You think the team would have accomplished ANYTHING with guys like Erric Pegram, Leonard Russell, Reggie Brooks, Ronald Moore, Gary Brown, Johnny Johnson, Rod Bernstein and Leroy Thompson (all in the top half of the league in rushing yards in 1993, Dallas' 2nd SB season).

    Sorry, but it's pretty apparent you have an axe to grind.
  • David
    I dont know how many times I have to state the fact that i think he was a GOOD RB, although I mentioned average in the article I was trying to make a point. And to the last person that posted: what I am trying to say is that there is a direct correlation to the people that blocked for Emmitt, and his performance on the field. And you call those two pedestrain players but somehow they combined for 8 pro bowls. I dont think thats a mistake.

    Say what you want, the Cowboys would have won multiple superbowls with half the starting RB's during that period. Find me another team that for 3 consecutive years had 8 of their eleven offensive starters in the pro bowl.

    Emmitt would not have achieved what he did had he not played for the Cowboys. On that point I agree you cant take anything away from him, but at the same time i cant proclaim his accomplishments nearly as much as everyone else does.
  • AxeMurderer
    So because Emmitt Smith failed to rush for 1000 yards in 2002 is your "proof" that he was really just an average back...?

    Hey, Einstein -- HE WAS 33 YEARS OLD! Show me the list of 33-year old running backs who rushed for more than 1000 yards.
  • David
    Hey Mike,

    I did consider the fact that maybe Emmitt's performance helped put his o-line into the pro bowl, but then I read the 5th line of the second paragraph that states, "To continue this point, in 2002, the first year Emmitt did not have the assurance of pro bowl caliber lineman blocking for him was ironically the first year (other than his rookie season) he was not able to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark." Now it might just be me, but that seems like to big of a coincidence to ignore. So call me a f***ing moron all you want, I still have plenty of evidence to back up my case. Emmitt was a good running back, no denying it, if he wasnt the Cowboys would not have kept him in that position. But if any of you even dares to try and tell me that he would have achieved these same accomplishments on a different team, you are retarded. Again, good back, but does not deserve the title of greatest.
  • Jeff Johnosn
    You know, I used to think that it was a great idea to let any Tom, Dick, or Harry write a sports article. That is, until I read this piece of trash. You ever see that movie "Napoleon Dynamite?" I would imagine that you, sir, are an awful lot like Uncle Rico - still bitter after many years that you were never placed in a "perfect system." What, you didn't play in college and you're jealous, because you think you're every bit as good as Emmitt, you just didnt' have the chance he did? Please.

    This article is garbage, and you're a dumbass.
  • Skonnie
    Emmit Smith was a great player he's obviously done more than anyone that has posted on this site will ever do in their life put together but he is #5 on my list not nearly the best ever...Gary Peyton, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith.....shit its a tie between emmitt and stabbing O.J. Simpson haha
  • Mike
    Come on David,

    “Guys did you miss the point of the article, he was an above average running back…….but if you try to say emmitt is the greatest you are either extremely naive or you dont know anything about football.”

    I think this statement fits you better than everyone else, It goes to show you any F…ing moron can write an article and get it posted on the internet.
    Secondly, maybe the pro-bowl o-line when to the pro-bowl because of emmitt, what a concept. Are you now going to say Jerry Rice was only as good as he was because of Montana and Young?
  • AxeMurderer
    What a ridiculous article - to call Emmitt Smith "average" is to truly demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of the game of football in general and the running back position in particular.

    Sure Emmitt played with other outstanding players...as did Dan Marino, Jerry Rice, etc. Are we to diminish their accomplishments because Marino had the Marks Brothers to play pitch-and-catch with, or because Rice had Joe Montana (and then Steve Young) as his QB? Name me ONE great player who didn't have other great teammates.

    Before Emmitt came to Dallas, the consensus among the "experts" was that Dallas could never win with an offensive line that featured such pedestrian players as Mark Tuinei and Nate Newton. Funny how a great running back can suddenly make a seemingly mediocre line so much better.

    Look, Emmitt wasn't the best of all time. That honor still goes to Jim Brown. I'd take Walter Payton ahead of him, too. But just because he might not be the best (or second-best) doesn't mean he's "average."
  • Guyoverthere
    Here's the thing.

    Was Emmitt a flashy RB? No

    Was he the best RB to play the game? Far from it

    However he has a hard nosed RB that stayed long enough into his career to earn a number of rushing titles.

    His numbers when you do look at them are very mediocre(outside of the leading rusher numbers) He wasnt a RB who was going to catch a screen pass and take it 80 yards to the house or take a hand off inside and dance around the D and make a negative play into a 50 yard gain. Emmitt was just a solid RB who was able to pick up the yards when needed and he had a nose for the endzone. He did stay acouple years late into his career in my opinion and having a HoF QB/FB/WR is going to greatly help a RB no matter what the circumstances. I think if Emmitt was on another team during his career he would not of even been close to being the recognized player the he is today, or even close to breaking the rushing record. Being on the Cowboys during the period really helped him but at the same time he still needed the skill to pick up those yards.

    I think the argument being said in the article is that any RB could of done it in his position. I don't know if it's true or not when a player retires alot of people look back on their career and start bringing out the "what ifs" and so on. Would another RB been as good as Emmitt? Probably if they had the same skill set or been even better because like I stated Emmitt was nothing overly special when it came to what an RB could do. Like I said though this thread is basing it's points off of "Would he been so great without the HoF around him"? In my opinion.. no he wouldnt have. However it's all history anyways and in the end even if he didnt deserve it, he has the rushing title and will be remember as a great RB. Maybe not the greatest or even in the top 10 RBs of all time, but just a great HoF RB who did what he had to do at the time.

    And I'm a Giants fan saying all this *gasp*
  • couchpotato
    helen keller could have set emmitt's records with that team.
  • Looks like a Cowboy's forum got a hold of the article. For viewing pleasure:

    http://www.cowboyspride.net/forum/showthread.ph...
  • Chuck
    WOW! So this article says in order to be considered a great RB and not have people write stories questioning your abilities, you should play for a team with a crappy o'line? You can't take away from what a warrior like Emmitt has done. No matter how hard you try. History is history, it can be debated and not changed. I watched both of these guys throughout their careers and both were awesome in their day. While Barry ran alot of East and West to go North and South. On average Emmitt was into the second layer of the defense before anyone touched him. All RB's have different styles, strengths and weaknesses. Apparently you've missed the mark on this one. Emmitt rocked the world in his time and so did Barry each in their own unique way. Must be a slow day in the newsroom.
  • james
    ok so same arguement for joe montana????? He was surounded by a load of pro bowlers. Jerry rice??He played on great teams. The one thing that cant be measured is heart, work ethic, and sheer determination. Ill never forget the play against the falcons where he ran through what seemed to be the whole defense or the game in ny vs the giants. 166 yards, most with a seperated shoulder and i think 60 something in overtime. say what you want about emmett but very few played the game with more heart. dedication. or determination!!!! Those are qualities that come from within a mans character and cant be neither coached or taught. A class act and a hell of a competitor.. Cowboys have had a few of these types of players in their history. Of course cowboy haters only see the bad. just human nature. Say what you want Dave but remember one thing, numbers never lie. I been hearin crap like yours for 30 years. youre a bitter football fan and you will never have the privilege of saying GOOOOOOO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • greg
    Emmitt Smith was the best running back in the history of the NFL. The most yards, the most durable, the most heart. He made the most out of the skills he had, he wasn't the fastest back, but he had great moves. He could carry defenders when he needed the yards on his small frame. They claimed Ladanian Tomlinson was going to catch him, but you see how that has gone. Only Emmitt has the yards and the heart to have done what he did, give him the credit. The excuses he had great players around him only gave him the opportunity, he had to stand up and take the rest!!! He is the greatest back ever!!!
  • MarkG
    Guys -- stop comparing Emmitt Smith to Barry Sanders. Emmitt had heart, was a great teammate, great person on and off the field -- and loved the game of football. Watch Smith carry his team time after time when they needed him most. Watch the game at the New York Giants when injured he put the game on his broken shoulder and won it. The cast around Smith didn't make him -- Emmitt Smith made everyone around him better. He was - and is, simply a winner and to be critical of what he gave to the National Football League and their fans is ignorant and simply pure jealousy.

    Barry Sanders quit. Ya, loved it all so much he quit on himself, his teammates -- and his fans.
  • RSN
    I'm taking Dave's side on this one. Emmit Smith has the stats, no doubt. But please imagine how well Barry Sanders or any other talented running back would have done in the same situation, surrounded by the same cast of perennial pro-bowlers. I'm not going to call him mediocre, but I am going to have to agree with the fact that he is overrated.

    (On a side note, does anyone else think he's the single worst analyst for pre/post game shows? He looks retarded when taking in any question directed at him, and then sounds slightly more retarded when answering them...)
  • Emmitt was an exceptional running back not just because of the system, but because of his A+ awareness, vision and strength. He had some of the best vision in the history of the NFL, and while he admits to not possessing all of the natural abilities that Barry Sanders, O.J. Simpson, and some of the other greats to play the position, he was a valuable part of that team and was one of the toughest backs in the history of the game. Read "Boys Will Be Boys" by Jeff Pearlman. Emmitt refused to be interviewed for the book without compensation (he's definitely an egotistical prima donna) but Pearlman's descriptions of Emmitt's abilities -- and the critical factor he and Michael Irvin played on those Cowboys teams -- are undeniable. Sure -- Emmitt didn't have breakaway speed, but he wasn't being asked to break long runs. His enduring legacy will be one of pride, work ethic, and greatness.
  • mike
    Emmitt has alway been a great running back. even in college he broken records as a freshman. Jimmy Johnson wanted him coming out of high school because he held the Florida high school rushing record. Jimmy Johnson was not able to get him to go play for the U. Jimmy Johnson knew if he had a change to draft him as a profootball player that he would grab a GREAT talented running back. I cannot disagree more with your column of Emmitt Smith.
  • nysoxfan
    EXCELLENT ARTICLE!
  • David
    Guys did you miss the point of the article, he was an above average running back.......but if you try to say emmitt is the greatest you are either extremely naive or you dont know anything about football. Longevity is impressive, yes. But you can take a number of backs and put them in the situation that Emmitt was fourtante enough to be in and they would have put up just as good if not better numbers. Think about the numbers Sanders would have finished with if he played for the Cowboys, he was only three thousand yards behind Emmitt and he played 5 less years. To continue the point further Sanders ran behind only two pro bowl quality lineman, Emmitt had seven that were in Dallas for years....Not to mention Sanders never played with a Hall of Fame QB, WR, or OL. And to Joe the idiot who made the first response, if you would have actually read the article lines four and five state "Like any great athlete there are certain things you can’t take away. Now that is not the point of this article, my point is to simply state the facts that are often left out of this discussion." Oh and by the way he did not play with just "a few good players." From 1993-1995, which were considered his best years, eight out of the eleven starters on offense made the Pro Bowl. I would call that more than just a few good players. And if longevity is the best that anyone can come up with on why he is one of the greatest RB's of all time, you are just proving my point further.
  • Doyle Maston
    This is the dumbest thing I've read in ages! You question what was remarkable about Emmitt Smith?
    Name me ONE....ONE other running back to gain 166 yds in a must win game with a SEPERATED SHOULDER???
    Heart, guts, determination unlike very few before him. It was Em's drive, determination, and shear talent that took him to the titles and the rushing crown. Yes he had a great team around him but to say that he was a product of the system is just ludicrous! This article is doing what it was intended to do.....stir up garbage!
  • Mark Ragland
    Dave:

    I totally disagree.

    This record will still be around for a number of years to come. Why? Because Emmitt was durable.

    Look at the RBs now. AP and LT are already suffering from various injuries. I don't they can catch Emmitt.

    If Emmitt's record is broken, it will be broken not by someone who is already playing, but by someone who we've never seen yet.
  • Joe
    so just ignore everything hes ever done because he played with a few good players? dumbest article i've ever read website is pointless
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