High-school-College-NFL combined yards... 31k and 300 tds! Absolutely amazing! The most combined yards and tds for a running back in the history of America football.
Did you watch the “Emmitt Zone” highlight videos? It’s a good series. The 90s were the best era in NFL history. It was the perfect crux of USFL, CFL, and WLAF talent being infused into the NFL. By 1995 however due to free agency the talent level had precipitously declined. Free Agency immediately ended the careers of many HOF/ Pro Bowl players. In high school I foresaw what free agency would do to the NFL. I fixed every problem with every team in the NFL largely with their own players. I still have them memorized to this very day. I know I could have handed them to any GM in the league and they would have been overjoyed.
Emmitt is the only RB in the entire history of football to be his state's all-time leading rusher in high school, his school's all-time leading rusher in college, and the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
In the 1992 playoffs, Dallas played against the Eagles, #5 rushing defense, the 49ers #4 and the Bills #2. Emmitt had a combined career total of 21,579 yds from scrimmage during the regular season. He added another 1928 combined yds in 17 playoff games. That's 23,507 total yds from a running back. In his first yr with the Cardinals, he played 10 games, 5 as a starter, due to injuries. His next and final year, at age 35, he started 15 games with 1014 yds from scrimmage. Regular season and playoffs combined, Emmitt Smith touched the ball 5,319 times and gained 23,507 total yds 185 TDs in 243 games, playoffs included. Now you can add in the blocks he made when he didn't have the ball. Emmitt Smith took a beating to get to where he stands today.
Great point! Especially with the defensive rankings. Smith needed his line more than barry did. Smith played against the eagles,Giants, and Redskins year in and year out. While Barry played in a weak conference his entire career. Barry didn't need a great offensive line because he didn't play against elite defenses.
Which is another point I like to make against the Cowboys were only good because they “stole” Charles Haley from.the 40 Whiners. First of all the Whiners had already replaced Charles Hal With a BETTER PLAYER in 1991 in Tim Harris. They got him for the EXACT SAME DEAL they got for Haley. They were also the ones that contacted Dallas about the trade. And how much did it hurt them getting rid of Haley? They improved from 4 to 3 on defense from 91-92. They improved by 4 wins and they improved by 10 sacks on defense the EXACT difference in sacks between Haley in1991 and Harris in 1992 as the starter 7-17. Yet then San Fran let’s Harris and Pierce Holt walk in 1993 and tries to play the victim in the trade. Maybe it was a mistake to trade him to Dallas but they actually got BETTER!! Haley was a key addition in 1992 but he wasn’t THE DIFFERENCE like everyone tries to pretend. San Fran didn’t even make the playoffs in 1991 so that isn’t even possible. Harris had as many sacks in 1992 as Haley had in 91,92 and 93 COMBINED!! Jim Jeffcoat had more sacks in 1992 than Haley had in 92 and 93 combined. Haley was a key addition but not the only one.
I don’t think most people realize how HORRIBLY San Fran cheated on the cap in 1994. They were at 55 million at the beginning of the year yet somehow magically trimmed 20.4 million off of their cap while also signing half of the 1993 NFC Pro Bowl roster and the starting middle linebacker and defensive captain of their eventual Super Bowl foe the Chargers. Gary Plummer was the first to sign in 1994. San Fran just cut their starting middle linebacker and only had $456.00 under the cap. They even said they were out of the running for Ken Norton and Deion Sanders. Yet somehow after that they were able to STEAL, Deion, Bart Oates, Charles Mann, Rickey Jackson, Toi Cook, Richard Dent and Ed McCaffrey not to mention Tim McDonald and re signing Tim Harris halfway through the season. They paid a bunch of HOF players the league minimum of $162,000 in 1994 even though they signed 1 million dollar contracts. They were able to defer the other $838,000 of their salaries to 1995 if they made the playoffs in January. It was the BIGGEST FRAUD IN NFL HISTORY!! It also destroyed the NFL. I wanted to see every team at their best WITH THEIR OWN PLAYERS!! When Dallas got knocked off the mountain top in the 80s It would have been great if they could have STOLEN half of the Pro Bowl roster WITHOUT COMPENSATION. It also would have meant they built NOTHING!! It would have been FRAUD!! And that’s what the 1994 40 Whiners were.
Emmit was a tough son of gun. Without his toughness he doesn't accomplish all the yardage and TD's and all the accolades that make up his HOF career. It's safe to say he was one of the toughest guys to ever play pro football
@@user-li4qf3pm1x look at the beginning of Smiths career at Dallas. That great O-line started looking a lot better once Emmit was under contract and settled in as Dallas RB1
@@user-li4qf3pm1xNate Newton, Mark Tuinei, and John Gesek were part of a 3-13 and 1-15 team before Emmitt was on the team. Mark Stepnoski was there for the 1-15 team. Those O Lineman were mostly in their 30s when Emmitt took the rushing titles. They were below average before Emmitt played. Emmitt put the defense on their heels and gave the line an easier time, because one guy couldn't tackle Emmitt. Michael Irvin was dogshit his first 3 seasons before Emmitt came to the team.
I love how you broke down all the arguments against Smith and shut them down. You didn't even mention the fact, that for those that argue the Emmitt Smith was a product of his offensive line, none of his backups ever excelled when they carried the ball during those prime years. Not Ricky Blake, Curvin Richards, Derrick Lassic, Sherman Williams. No one could produce anything close to what Emmitt Smith did and they ran behind the exact same offensive line he did.
That's not entirely accurate. I would find it difficult to say that Emmitt wasn't a great back. Further, he SHOULD have a higher YPA, all other things equal. But there have been many times where backups post numbers that are in the ballpark (say, '95 with Sherman Williams--similar YPR). But, even then, that would require additional analysis, as how often did he come in on 3rd downs? Or, establish some momentum by getting more than just a handful of carries? (something that Smith himself complained about early on and appears to have made a significant difference once he touched the ball more) And these dudes were friggin' scrubs. Give me a break. But it would be wholly disingenuous to discount just how great an o-line he ran behind. In '92/'93, Emmitt averaged something like 3.7 YPR BEFORE A DEFENDER EVEN TOUCHED HIM. Those o-lines EASILY compete, if not top the list, of best o-lines of all time. About the only competition for them would be, say, '74 or '76 Raiders. And that is EXTREMELY MEANINGFUL. If any of you truly believe that, say, Barry or Thurman or Jerome Bettis or Curtis Martin, etc. wouldn't absolutely FEAST with that o-line---you are biased or simply ignorant.
In Barry Sanders 1997 season where he broke 2,000 yards, started that season with just 53 yards on 35 carries. Barry's father was openly critical of the coaches play calling which did not allow Barry to utilize his skills to the fullest. What the Detroit Lions tried to do was use the Dallas Cowboys formation of running which mostly consisted out of the "i" formation. This formation which Emmitt florished in used Darryl [the Moose] Johnson leading the way just behind Aikman and just in front of Smith. What Barry's dad argued was that the i formation made it to where an extra defender or two could crowd the line of scrimmage. This gave Barry less room to run and was easily bottled up by the opposition. What Barry's dad argued was that they needed to abandon the i formation and go with a 3 to 4 wide receiver formation. This forced defenders to spread out to cover the receivers. This causes less defenders to crowd the line of scrimmage. Thus allowing Barry to have his break out season of 2053 yards. Emmitt on the other hand flourished in the i formation and was more of a ground and pound back. Whereas Barry was just a pretty runner.
Emmitt was the complete back you wanted in a system that allowed him to flourish under the right head coach and talent around him. People say Jim Brown was the greatest and yet the Browns only won one NFL championship in 1964 and got blown out against the Packers the next year's NFL championship. Walter Payton had only ONE 100 yard rushing game in the playoffs in his career. Barry Sanders had ONE touchdown in the playoffs and that was that infamous touchdown against the Cowboys and never made it to a Super Bowl. Emmitt on the other hand had 3 Super Bowls, was the first player to win a rushing TITLE AND A SUPER BOWL in the same season (Terrell Davis is the second one). Emmitt is the ONLY running back to win the rushing title, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP in the 1993 season. Nobody else has done that triple crown as a running back. Still holds the record for most career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and attempts. In today's system, no one is touching Emmitt's rushing yards record. Even after the glory days Emmitt Smith still held the record for 11 straight from 1991 to 2001 1,000 rushing seasons which no one is going to touch. For the post season he has the most consecutive games with a touchdown (9), most rushing yards in the post season, and has tied for most touchdowns with Thurman Thomas with 21. Also Emmitt along with 3 other players have over 21,000 combined yards which no other player than Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, and Walter Payton has. Emmitt may not have been the sexy choice like Barry or Walter or even Jim Brown, but he got it done when it mattered. Those Super Bowl rings prove that.
He was a blocker too. He did it it all. My boys weren’t around to watch him play. I did ,it was a blessing to watch him and The Dallas Cowboys play in the early nineties. Now we have Dak and he’s pissing me off🤔
Not the fastest or the strongest or most talented but the biggest heart!! He carried the whole team when they were struggling. Single handedly taking them to victory. E. Smith and Walter Payton. The epitome of what a great NFL running back should be.
The secret to Emmitt Smith’s running ability is his ability to read the defense. Particularly what lanes he will run. Notice, he runs mostly to the left and in the middle. He runs in it, around it and thru it. He was very very powerful. He had an abundance of energy. Even when he was injured, he would be called to get short yardage. Or, he would turn a 3rd down play into a 1st down than he would complete the necessary work to get into position to score a touchdown. He is my favorite player ever. Humble, not arrogant. A great work ethic. Most of all everyone liked him. And when he broke tackles there was nothing that could stop him. I sure do miss him…….#22 Cowboy Forever!
Emmitt not only had the consistency, stats and the achievements, but he was the difference maker in big games and it is doubtful those teams would have won three Super Bowls without him.
The only reason way he’s hated on is cause he’s Dallas Cowboys. Bottom line. He was a Work Horse. Averaging 32 snaps a game. That’s unheard of these days. And we’re talking about days when you could give a guy a concussion 😙
@@dakmycat3688 I see it the same way, the truth is Barry Sanders and Walter Payton, as great as they were, would not have been able to put that team on their shoulders the way Emmitt did. Emmitt had a toughness and heart that was matched only by Jim Brown in my opinion, and I would still take Emmitt over him. There is a lot more that goes into greatness than just stats and Emmitt had that unstoppable will to win, make big plays in big moments, and play through pain that separates him from all other backs.
You could have dropped the MIC after the showing the games we didn't win when he wasn't there. I remember the holdout when Haley was heard screaming "PAY EMMIT HIS DAMN MONEY SO WE CAN WIN SOME GAMES!!!!"
Emmitt Smith has just as good a claim to the greatest RB title "The Goat" of all time. Barry Sanders was faster, Earl Campbell was stronger,Tony Dorsett was a one of kind and Marcus Allen was a threat every time he touched the ball. But Emmitt Smith had a piece of those good traits but also included durability and of course three super bowl rings and a Gold Jacket. Thank you LC for this wonderful documentary and have a great weekend.
If a runner doesn't stay ahead of the game, defenses will catch up to stop him. Emmitt Smith stayed ahead of the game. Still, one could be a stranger to the game and still recognize Tony Dorsett as a unique anomaly.
If you look at the totality of his career, some of the biggest game, breaking moments and the consistency of him coming up late whether it was a key block on a pass, or a unforgettable breakaway run even though everyone used to say he couldn’t run fast, but he could get away from almost anyone but the naysayers always had that to say the most along with he had the best OLINE. He was a character guy and he played hurt and he did the Grunt Work when he had to. I am not trying to take away from some of the best running backs of any Era but Emmitt Smith is the greatest( complete)running back the league has ever seen. I really think all you have to do is look at the film… Thank you for the video. It is one of the best and most detailed I have seen in a while.
It is strange how the Olympic sprinters - other than Bob Hayes - never make the best runners and best receivers. A runner needs to both run fast and stop. A sprinter doesn't have to cut.
Emmitt was the best, period. Bottom line - when Emmitt was at his peak first 5 years, you KNEW he was going to impose his will in terms of victory . No other RB has been able to dominate in that way
Emmitt did alright for someone to small and/or too slow for a starting NFL running back. The one thing 'analysts' and the combine can't measure is heart.
This is why you make great videos and I just comment on them. If I’d made this video it would have lasted just long enough for me to say ‘Emmitt was the GOAT, end of discussion.’ Instead we get this masterpiece. Very well done.
Literally the first play in Emmitt’s highlights. Emmitt breaks six tackles including two IN THE BACKFIELD jukes back and forth a few times and scores. I’m not sure where his blocking was on that play. Let me know if I need to break down every play because I CAN!!
Here’s another destruction of the “Barry had no line” argument. In 1993 when Barry missed 5 games to injury BOTH of his backups had 100 yard games in his absence Eric Lynch rushed for exactly 200 yards in his two starts and Derrick Moore had 259 in three starts with a 100 yard game. Detroit went 3-2 in those games and made the playoffs. Eric Lynch gained 115 yards against Green Bay in the season finale in a victory. How does that happen if Detroit had a garbage line? They didn’t. PERIOD!! Barry often didn’t follow his blocking and always tried to break the big run. Exciting to watch but it doesn’t win you games or championships. Emmitt almost always gained positive yardage. Barry running style may have been more exciting. Emmitt’s was just more conducive to winning. That’s it. The 90s were the best era in NFL history. Barry, Emmitt and Thurman were my idols growing up. I played running back and tried to emulate them. We were blessed to watch them compete.
If anyone were to truly look at the way the Lions O-Line blocked, they made it so that Barry could cut from one side to the other effortlessly. His linemen were exceptionally strong and able to push opposing defensive lines entirely to one side of the line of scrimmage, allowing the cut back lanes for Barry to gain the yards and make the big plays that he did.
Yeah, much like the way Tom Landry told Cowboys lineman to hold their blocks because Tony Dorsett was a different kind of runner. Lions offensive lineman had to do the same for Barry.
Marino carried his team nearly single handedly to the Super Bowl, with no running game. Montana had a better team around him. Many of his touchdown passes were little short dump offs that his receivers ran for 60 yards after the catch. Had Montana been drafted by any other team, we would have never heard of him. Marino, on the other hand, had the physical skills unlike any other quarterback who ever played, and would have flourished wherever he went.
Marino didn’t singlehandedly do anything. He played in a pass first offense. His skill position players were much more talented than the ones Montana played with. Mark Clauton and Duper were Pro Bowlers so we’re three of his lineman including his HOF center. Montana played with a bunch of scrubs his first few years in the league. Dallas would have taken Montana because he was the best player on their board. But because they already had three good QBs they went with Pro Bowl TE Doug Cosbie instead. Montana was no s crub
NOT ONE of Emmitt’s lineman in the original iteration of the Cowboys line was taken before the third round. Mark Tuinei was a free agent defensive lineman in 1983 who backed up Randy White and wasn’t switched to the offensive line until his 4th year. Nate Newton was a free agent offensive lineman in 1983 who wasn’t good enough to make the hogs and spent two years in the USFL before making the Cowboys in 1986. Mark Stepnoski was a third round guard who was switched to center. Erik Williams was a third rounder in 1991 who didn’t start as a rookie. Kevin Gogan and John Gesek were both sixth rounders. NOT ONE made the Pro Bowl until EMMITTs third year. Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman made ZERO Pro Bowls and weren’t headed ANYWHERE until Emmitt’s second year. Tuinei didn’t make thePro Bowl until his12th year. Newton didn’t make the Pro Bowl until his tenth year in Pro Football. So let’s not PRETEND Emmitt came to a team of HOFERS because HE ABSOLUTELY DID NOT!! Emmitt WAS THE COWBOYS!! NorvTurner built THE ENTIRE OFFENSE AROUND HIM!! The ENTIRE OFFENSE IN DETROIT WAS BASED ON THE PASS FIRST!! That’s the ENTIRE CONCEPT of the run and shoot. Take teams out of their base defense and make them play the nickel and dime defense the ENTIRE GAME!! Do I have to show video?
Yes you are right I have had this argument since the 1990s I loved watching Barry sanders but I gushed over Emmett because of his style and discipline as a runner
Emmitt’s line was a product of HIS RUNNING STYLE!! He always followed his block and almost always gained post yards. Unfortunately Detroit’s offensive line was also a product of BARRYs running style. They notoriously had to hold their blocks longer than most lineman because they never knew when Barry was coming back the other way. Emmitt made his line look Good. Barry didn’t. It’s why he didn’t start until his senior year in high school because as his coach said he wouldn’t”stick it up in there”. He had an amazing running style. It made great plays and also made him the most negative yardage in NFL history. BARRYs running style may have been more exciting. Emmitt’s was just more conducive to winning!! THE END!!
Nah, you’ve got it completely backwards. Norv Turner built the ENTIRE OFFENSE around Emmitt Smith. Emmitt was THE ONLY PRO BOWLER ON THE ENTIRE COWBOYS ROSTER HIS ROOKIE YEAR!! The line didn’t become dominant until 1992 and that only lasted a few years. Irvin, Aikman RT al were t going ANYWHERE until Emmitt arrived. Emmitt was a TAR before any of them. Find out when Barry had his first Pro Bowl offensive lineman and get back to me when you know what you’re talking about.
@@joshuahendricks7701 Emmitt was mediocre in his rookie year. It wasn't until Aikman became the permanent starter that the cowboys became great . The o line opened up holes 5 yards wide for Emmitt just look at his highlights . Emmitt would go untouched until he got about 10 to 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. If Barry were on Dallas he would have had 2000 yards every year
Agreed! He had the best blend of everything needed to become the GOAT! Barry, a great, probably the greatest natural runner, didn't have the desire in the end and did disappear or was nutrilized in the playoffs where Emmitt excelled.
All of the great things Emmitt did were covered, but he also was the guy that the Cowboys could count on in the 4th quarter to simply put games away. It wasn't Aikman or Irvin in those close games when the Cowboys had a slim lead and they needed to run out the final minutes. Those are things that get forgotten because they don't show up in the stats. Every player, on both teams, knew 22 was getting the ball between the tackles the next 8 to 10 plays and there was nothing anyone could do except use up their time outs and hope for miracle. Imagine how many more games Romo's Cowboys would have won if he had been able to do that late in games instead of being forced to make plays to get first downs that sometimes led to turnovers.
Any way you want to cut it, it was Aikman, Irvin, Allen, Johnston, Newton, and sometimes even Deion Sanders out there making superior opportunities for Emmitt on each and every play that he ever made
@@christophertracy2807 It's hypocritical to penalize Smith for playing with a talented team, when we don't do the same for other players considered to be the greatest of all time. Montana and the 49ers were stacked, as were Rice with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and Jim Brown with three Hall of Fame linemen. Michael Jordan won three championships with arguably two of the top 15 basketball players in history, along with arguably the greatest coach ever. Bill Russell had four Hall of Famers helping him including a hall of fame coach. The list goes on, yet we only seem to find fault with Smith. It's truly hypocritical.
I totally agree. Emmitt is the all time leading rusher and got there by being the best. Barry suffered from a head coach who would replace him on 3rd and short on the goal line. How many yards did Barry get going sideways? I am a Cowboys fan and I think Emmitt is the GOAT at running back. Sweetness could run hard or fast, catch passes, block better than any, throw 50+ yards, kick 60+ yard punts. I think #34 was the greatest football player I ever watched.🤠
While I will readily admit to being a devoted LIFELONG Cowboy fan, I MUST say sir that the video that you took the time to produce, was a MASTER CLASS in presenting FACTS (which to quote President John Adams..."are stubborn things"!) The FACT is your well-reasoned and articulated argument, & succinct explanation about the subtle, but undeniable differences between being the BEST and being the GOAT brilliant & indeed spot-on! You put the argument to rest once and for all! I thank you for taking the time to do so & hope that the great 22 see's this video so his children and future generations of Cowboy fans can look back on him and his records most of which will probably NEVER be broken! Kudo's mate! DC4L
Articulate dismantling the arguments of the haters followed by the mic drop. Emmitt did everything asked of him. His entry into the Jimmy Johnson (JJ) system was the inflection point to the dynasty, to Smith's undoubted greatness, and the catalyst to ensure that the team was untouchable. The only thing that shortened Emmitt's career and decreased his numbers was the self inflicted wound of the owner's ego. JJ stays and Emmitt's records would be off the charts. Smith = 🐐RB
Agreed 100%. If Jimmy stays he NEVER cuts Jimmy Smith and the Cowboys don’t descend into an out of control undisciplined team. Erik Williams NEVER stays out drinking until 3 am and runs into a retaining wall at 75 mph. Jimmy’s one steadfast rule was I want you in bed by 12 am. I don’t care whose bed, but I want you in bed. That all disappeared after he left. Within a month Iof him leaving Alvin Harper buys the “White House” and the rest is history. Dallas also doesn’t turn the ball over three times and spot San Fran 21 points in the first 7 minutes and the games is in Dallas anyway because Dallas with a HEALTHY first ballot HOF Erik Williams runs San Fran out of the stadium in their house in the first game. Larry Allen starts at RG the whole season.
Another point I like to make to the “Emmitt sucks” fan club is this. John Riggins ran behind one of the best lines in qNFL history. They were eberything the Great Wall of Dallas was and he never appeared Emmitt’s numbers. No one questions Riggins HOF credentials. The Raiders had perhaps the best line in NFL history in 1971 with all FIVE starters going ho the HOF Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Jim Otto, Bill Brown and RonnMix. Yet their best back barely cracked the 1000 yard barrier. Emmitt was special plain and simple, Anyone who says different is a hater. I’ve actually had people tell me that Albert Bentley, and Darrin Nelson were just as good as Emmitt. What a JOKE!!! Neither of them could touch Emmitt’s jock strap. Neither ever cracked 1000 yards in the NFL. Darrin Nelson was a heisman winner And a first round pick. The Cowboys line was so great with THE SAME PLAYERS in 1989 that Nelson refused to report and was traded to the chargers. He played behind HOFer Gary Zimmerman in Minnesota but once again never gained 1000 yards. Heisman winner Paul Palmer came to Dallas and had only ONE good game in 1989. Remember Redskin Super Bowl MVP Timmy Smith? The one who still has the record for most rushing yards in a SB? He actually opened the season as the Cowboys starter in 1990 because of Emmitt’s holdout. Guess how many yards he got in the first game AS A STARTER? 6 yards on 6 carries. That was after spending all of camp with Dallas as the starter. He was promptly cut that next week. So it wasn’t about the line. Emmitt’s line got the accolades because he made them look good. He could make something out of nothing and squeeze through the tiniest of cracks. Barry would try to bounce it and lose yardage.
Added to this is seeing what happened to the Cowboys starting in 1996 and moving forward when the team chose to “preserve” Emmitt…when they brought in other veterans to play on 3rd downs and in short yardage and red zone opportunities…when they began to feature Troy Aikman and the passing game rather than relying on the run game to open up the pass as they had previously…the team struggled to produce, Emmitt’s numbers both in yards and scoring diminished, and they failed to accomplish much in the post-season. The redzone was once nicknamed the Emmitt zone, but after 1996, the cowboys would frequently sub Emmitt out in red zone situations in favor of Chris Warren or Sherman Williams and others. These backs were also utilized more regularly on obvious passing downs and 3rd downs…and Dallas began settling for more field goals and punts.
Emmitt proved his metal in the 1993 game against the Giants when he played with a separated shoulder and got the Cowboys in position for the game winning field goal. Emmitt has all the records. He is the best.
People always claim Emmitt only had a good offensive line and they attribute that to his greatness. Well he led the league in rushing 2 times before that line was assembled and if it was only the line how come the backup RB's didn't have gaudy numbers like Emmitt. Even when Emmitt missed the first 2 games because of his holdout the backup RB's couldn't produce a 100yd game and the team couldn't produce a win. Say what you want about his line, but the fact of the matter is he helped that offensive line with his vision more than the line helped him. Belichick said Emmitt's greatest trait was turning a bad block to a good block and good block to a great block. I'll take Emmitt over anyone because there was nothing he couldn't do on the football field at the highest level. Man was truly unstoppable. Even with a grade 3 separated shoulder he rushed for 160+ yards because the team needed him.
I just have to say this again. This is the best break down and argument with definitive proof, that Mr. Smith, number 22 is the goat !! It is simply the best video I’ve ever seen with all the important information lined up like the proverbial knockout punches of a heavyweight boxer…
@@thelogicalcowboy My story is similar to yours. My father was an flightline officer in the Air Force while we were stationed in Osaka airbase in Japan, he decided to become a military Chaplin and left the Air Force and took me and my mom to Dallas Texas. He enrolled in Dallas theological seminary and my journey, with my father and a lifelong love for the Cowboys began. My memories as a child of Tom Landry and the hat and Roger Starbuck, and mean Joe Greene and the day I felt broken as I watched Dwight Clark make that spectacular catch against the doomsday defense… I know it’s just a game, but there are so many good memories with my dad when I was young and they’re all interlaced with my youth so I can never be anything but a cowboy fan regardless of how bad they get, I will hold on forever to the memories hoping one day to see it all again in the big game… I hope that you make a detailed video of how really good the 90s Cowboys were I personally believe they may be the best team assembled in the history of the NFL…There talent was unmatched, and because of the draft picks that were accumulated due to the Herschel Walker trade, they were so heavily stacked that if it wasn’t for personal issues, and a ARMBAR by NEON DION they could’ve come back in that game… I do not see this from my own personal like for the Cowboys… it was just raw talent. They were so deep and so young. Norm Hitzges breaks it down in greatest team ever. Please make an epic video of how great the 90s cowboys were and break it down so they can be no argument because I truly believe they could’ve won four in a row maybe even five in a row. I am hooked. Please continue making great videos.
@@JOERANSTRAIGHT Thank you sir! I'm writing it up as we speak although it's going to take a while due to other content that im in the middle of. *Hopefully* , in a few weeks. Always a pleasure sir! 🙏
@Scottishmanguy What years did your dad go to DTS? Mine graduated in the 70s. We left Dallas in 1983. We lived on Swiss Avenue just before all the nice houses.
I’ve had many guys try and tell me that Emmitt was a product of his offensive line and that Barry was better. Sanders might have been more explosive and quicker but he couldn’t block or catch the ball like Emmitt. Smith was more durable also and had deceptive quickness and game speed. He rarely fumbled and could take on big defenders when he needed a yard or two. Emmitt is the best and greatest of all time. Period.
barry sanders actually had better run block olines than emmitt had and people talking about the negative runs barry had in his career but dont relize alot of those negaitive runs were at fault of barry people claim barry never had a oline yet played with 3 all pros on the line
My goodness. This is just great stuff. I’ve been fighting this fight for decades and couldn’t have laid it out better. In fact, you brought up points that I hadn’t even thought of (Smith’s production in the late 90s/early 00s versus Zeke’s production in his first 5 years or Smith’s production improving in the playoffs). Bravo on continuing to create great Cowboy content and educating football fans of the many accomplishments of the often overlooked. Great, great stuff. Keep up the great work.
Once again the best football video on TH-cam. Thanks for remaking it bro. Actually all ur videos are bad ass. Anyway wondering if u wanna do a T.o. video tying into the rivalry of cowboys 49ers and the disrespect of the cowboys star to him actually becoming a cowboy with full highlights of the star game and some of his cowboy highlights. B cool for real
Emmitt had an efficient running style. The shoulders at times seemed to be on a swivel and the stride leading up to first contact was perfectly timed. Tomlinson is the only other guy I watched and thought the styles were similar. Barry sanders was a great role model and great for the highlights but he also holds the record for negative yards rushing. He didn't have the stride and would not under any circumstances follow a FB.
That's a major point in this debate. Emmitt was a true running back! If my son wants to play running back when he gets older I'm sorry but Sanders will not be the guy that I point him to. It'll be Emmitt Smith.
@@thelogicalcowboy Then your probably familiar with the story of Walter Payton asking Emmitt to look out for his son after he passed away. Emmitt was a pro on and off the field and I'm not trashing Barry but they were different animals on the field.
Exactly!! I played running back in high school. NO ONE will ever coach you to do what Barry did. Run to where the play is designed to go. That’s why Barry only started one year in high school. His coach had him playing DB because he wouldn’t “stick it up in there” according to him. He had a unique running style that led to great plays and the most negative yardage in NFL history.
Emmit got to walk through giant gaps in the line, the Cowboys always had a passing game as well. Defenses would line up only to stop Barry and still fail while he was getting no blocks. I always discount how great Emmitt was because of this but Barry was better for sure.
Excellent Video! I, as a youngster, was a Barry Sanders fanboy and made those same arguments against Emmitt Smith but the more I grew to understand the game I started to appreciate his greatest. Even though I didn’t have all the facts to back it up, I knew there was more to Emmitt’s game than just a “great offensive line” and Aikman and Irvin. I like how you defined greatness and Emmitt Smith embodies that. Again, great video; I shared this video with friends and family whom I tried to get to appreciate Emmitt’s greatness. 💪🏽
@@antwandukes The facts were all laid out in front of you in this excellent video. All you did just now was state your opinion. I don't see how you, let alone anyone, can make this argument after watching this video. When it really mattered, in the playoffs, Emmitt showed up and Barry did not. Plus, Emmitt Smith never quit on his team like Barry Sanders did after the '98 season by retiring early because they wouldn't trade him or let him out of his contract. He just took his ball and went home. Emmitt Smith is the greatest, the way I've always known it. This video just broke it down and proved it.
Excellent, excellent video! And you didn't even have to mention that Emmitt is a 3X Super Bowl winner! I've been a Cowboys fan since the days of Dandy Don Meredith, and I've seen many of their very talented RBs, including Don Perkins, Dan Reeves, Duane Thomas, Walt Garrison, Tony Dorsett, Robert Newhouse, Darryl Johnston, Preston Pearson, Ezekiel Elliott, and now Tony Pollard, to name a few. But there is no doubt that Emmitt stands as the greatest of them all, not just for the Cowboys, but for the entire NFL. Plain and simple, the man is a winner!
In my opinion the value if Emmit Smith became so apparent after their first Superbowl wun. He missed the first 2 games the next season due to contract dispute. The Cowboys went 0-2, and quickly resigned Emmit. They went on to win the Superbowl again.
Dallas without Emmitt was a different team than Dallas with Emmitt. As great as all the players around him were, without Emmitt Dallas doesn’t win any Super Bowls. If all of Emmitts success is because of his line, why couldn’t any other running back be as successful? Emmitt was the MVP of the Cowboys…period.
I'll take Emmitt over any running back ever. There's no RB past,present or future that will ever do what he did. The man played an entire half of football with a dislocated shoulder and still ran for over a hundred yards. He's the epitome of the word G.O.A.T
Most running backs swing for fences which can make for great highlight reels but smith was the king of hitting singles and doubles. If you watch tape, you'll constantly notice that he maximizes yards on short gains. There are so many runs where it looks like he's going to get around 2 or 3 yards but he manages 5 or 6 yards because of his vision and strength.
Agree, I've made this same argument about Rice & Moss. Moss better, more physically gifted, while Rice is greater, set records that likely won't ever be touched.
I can't even begin to describe how great this video is. There aren't enough words, really. This video puts all the respect on Emmitt's name that a lot of people refuse to give him.
We can actually break down the film and see how many hits Emmitt took in the backfield. How many tackles he broke. Barry may have broken more ankles. Emmitt broke FAAAR MORE TACKLES!!
Greatest highlight reel of all time: Barry Sanders Greatest running back of all time: Emmitt Smith Most rushing yards from scrimmage all time: 18,355 Emmitt Smith Most yards lost from scrimmage all time: 1,114 Barry Sanders Emmitt Smith would've needed to play of 22 more seasons at his average to reach Sanders' loss yardage total.
@@thelogicalcowboy Also, in spite of people's tendency to believe Smith's success was largely due to his offensive line, Barry Sanders's played with only one fewer pro bowler along the line as Smith did. Every time this opinion is stated, it's disrespectful to Lion's greats such as Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover. And while Barry had a better YPC, Emmitt's Yards after contact is nearly a full yard higher than Barry's. That kind of flies in the face of the o-line argument, don't ya think? Additionally, Barry had only one fewer playoff appearance. Comparing playoff stats, whether by totals or average, Emmitt's line totally dominates (if anyone wants to bring up Barry vs the Cowboys in one game in the playoffs, mention his game against the Packers in the playoffs when he got a total yardage in the negatives...) Sorry for the rant. This is a subject that riles me up a bit...
Even though I consider Walter Payton to be the greatest of all time, I can’t argue with this. Emmitt Smith holds more records than any other running back. Also I don’t like how people always downplay Smith by saying he was only good because of the team, I’m glad you addressed that in the video because I always tell people when Smith first came to the cowboys they were not good at all and Smith is the one who molded them into the great team they became in the mid 90s. This was a great video.
Here’s the most telling stat as to the difference in running styles. In 1994 Emmitt rushed for 1484 yards and Barry rushed for 1883. Barry had 76 first downs rushing. Emmitt had 100. In 1995 Emmitt had 1773 yards Barry had 1500. Emmitt had 107 FDs Barry had 72. In 1996 Emmitt had 1207 yards rushing Barry had 1553. Emmitt had 76 FDs Barry had 81. In 1997 Emmitt had only 1074 yards with 52 FDs. Barry had 2053 and 86. In 1998 Emmitt had 1332 yards and 90 FDs. Barry had 1491 for 65. Emmitt had 1397 yards and 86 FDs despite missing more than two and a half games. So with 600 less yards he matched BARRYs first downs in a year. That’s the difference between winning and losing. Yardage doesn’t matter as much as first downs.
I love these stats. Emmitt was a moving the chains guy with almost never a negative run. Barry was a beautiful and talented runner and I love his humble attitude on this very subject. Emmitt not even the most beautiful COWBOY runner as Tony Dorsett and Duane Thomas were more fluid. But Emmitt was the TOTAL GOAT. He got it done in the BIG GAMES and his performance with the shoulder injury against the NYG is the most courageous in NFL history. DAL HAD to win that game. Revisionist history folks make it like the Cowboys were the only good team during that time but they faced some tough opponents.
They faced the toughest division in the history of the NFL!! The Redskins, Giants and Eagles were like the Pistons and Dallas became the Bulls. The NFC East won 7 of 10 Super Bowls from 1986-1995 and it should have been 8.
Dang that’s crazy. Barry had 1,613 more yards rushing than Emmitt from 94-98, but somehow had 45 less first downs and 31 less touchdowns. Kind of proves he was a boom or bust RB that wasn’t good in short yardage.
Yeah, I’d say it was more a product of the run and shoot that Barry was in. The offense would make chunk yardage but never control the clock or impose their will on anyone. It’s why that offense was so notoriously bad in the playoffs. You had to control the clock to win back in the day. Now it’s just uncontested yardage. I would have loved to see Barry play a few more years but Emmitt still would have ended up the all time leading rusher if we’re talking perfect world scenarios. When Parcells came to Dallas the first thing that popped in my mind was OJ Anderson and Emmitt was still a better back than OJ at that point.Emmitt NEVER EVER should have left Dallas. I GUARANTEE at least another thousand yards rushing in 2003 in Dallas with a healthy Larry Allen. The only thing that kept Emmitt from 15 straight thousand yard seasons was Jerry’s stupidity. People like to claim Emmitt was washed up when he came to Arizona. He ABSOLUTELY WAS NOT!! He would have been far more successful in Dallas and should have been there. Look at what happened to Edgerrin James when he came to Arizona. Look at his YPC. Was he “washed up”. NO!! Just more Emmitt hatred.
Emmitt scored so many tds from five yds in, whereas Barry often was replaced in those situations. Also Emmitt was a much better blocker who was more adept at picking up blitzes to protect the quarterback...
I LOOVED watching Barry play. He was the most elusive runner in NFL history. Emmitt was just a better running back. He had many runs that are almost carbon copies of Barry runs. He was a more complete back. Emmitt WAS the Cowboys offense. They built the entire offense around him. Teams loaded the box against him and that opened things for everyone else. Barry spent most of his career in the run and shoot and then the spread offense. He played most of his career against Nickel and Dime defenses. The entire concept of the run and shoot is to take defenders out of the box. Emmitt played against THE BEST DIVISION IN NFL HISTORY!! Against the best defenses in the league. Emmitt also took every snap in camp in the pre season, the regular season and playoffs. Barry had a 1000 yard receiver his rookie year. Emmitt did not. Barry also had a Pro Bowl offensive lineman before Emmitt. Lomas Brown is not in the HOF yet but will be. Barry also played in the number one offense in the league in 1995 and number 3 in 1997. Barry is top three of all time. But he didn’t take the pounding Walter and Emmitt did. Don’t forget Detroit Annihilated Dallas by a combined score of 72-16 in two games in 1991. Including knocking Dallas out of the playoffs. I would have loved to watch Barry play for another few years. But if we’re gonna play perfect world scenarios I can too. Emmitt still would have finished as the number one all time rusher and NEVER EVER should have left Dallas. He played for losers the last 5 years of his career. The 1990s Cowboys were the greatest team of all time. Only Jerry Jones stupidity and free agency ended that. Dallas lost 45 of their 53 man roster by 1997. Jimmy had drafted so well they didn’t need a draft for 4 years. If Jerry hadn’t foolishly cut Jimmy Smith over a petty grudge in 1994 Smith becomes the starter opposite Irvin in 1995 and Dallas gets BETTER on offense after Harper leaves with a legit HOFer on the other side of Irvin.
Wow! This is definitely one of the best posts I've read so far. I realized that Lomas Brown didn't make it into the hall of fame, my mistake. He was actually nominated a few months ago, but unfortunately didn't get in. I had assumed he would've made it, so I didn't do the proper research. I sincerely apologize for that oversight. Nevertheless, he is part of Detroit's ring of honor, which still in a lesser way supports my point. In fact, Barry had the same number of linemen across his line that was inducted into the Ring of Honor as Smith (Larry Allen) did. Once again, great post!!!
The NFC East or BEAST won 7 of 10 Super Bowls from 1986-1995 and it should have been 8 if San Fran wasn’t allowed to CHEAT on the 1994 Salary cap and sign half of the 1993 NFC Pro Bowl roster and defer 83.8% of their salaries to 1995 while the rest of the league couldn’t. Unfortunately free agency ruined that rivalry that we should have enjoyed for the rest of the decade. Dallas was a better team WITHOUT Deion. They won two Super Bowls without him and clearly weren’t as good in 1995 as they had been. They rode Emmitt into the ground in 1995 and it took him a couple years to recover. He was on his way to 2000 yards in 1995 before he hit the wall 11 games in. With Jimmy Smith on the other side of Irvin that only opens more holes for Emmitt. In high school I foresaw what free agency would do to the league. Especially my Cowboys. I fixed EVERY ISSUE with EVERY TEAM in the league using mostly their own players. I still have those rosters memorized. I could have handed them to any GM in the league in 1995 and they would have been ecstatic. I won’t apologize for Dallas being the best team in the league. I wanted to see every team at their best. San Fran was close but Dallas OWNED THEM in the 1990s. It would have taken them at least a couple more years to catch up to Dallas. San Fran fans always tries to pretend that Dallas dinged them when THEY contacted Dallas about Trading Haley. In reality they had already replaced him with a BETTER PLAYER in 1991 named Tim Harris. They just think that people won’t remember that Harris had a better season than any Haley ever had in his career in 1992 and it was the second time he had. Harris had as many sacks in 1992 as the starter as Haley had in 1991, 1992 and 1993 COMBINED!! Unfortunately San Fran let him and Pierce Holt walk in 1993 when they tried to STEAL Reqqie White. They should have kept both of them.
@@joshuahendricks7701 Your memory is exceptional! Please tell me you're a subscriber to my channel. I would love to hear your perspective on my other videos. Thanks for watching 🙏
When comparing Emmitt with Barry, the argument about the talent around them matters not because it made Emmitt less great, but because of the advantage it gave him compared to Barry and other players. Emmitt got to run behind guys like Larry Allen and Erik Williams. The best Barry had was probably Lomas Brown. As much as I love Emmitt, he definitely had an advantage compared to what Barry had. Defenses couldn't stack the line against the Cowboys the way they could against the Lions because Troy, Irvin, Harper, and Novachek would smoke the defense if they focused too hard on the run. In the end, all we really have is a bunch of hypotheticals. I think the best relative to era was probably Jim Brown. If I needed one yard, the back I am picking is probably Derrick Henry (which pains me as an Adrian Peterson fan). LaDanian, OJ (lol), Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Walter Payton, and Red Grange probably all have valid arguments too. What would Sanders have done if he had Emmitt's place? What would Peterson have done on OJ or Grange's teams? We'll never know, but it sure is fun to think about. If the GOAT is the best combination of talent and team around him? I think Emmitt is the winner.
so you missed the entire part where he shows Barry had 3 all pros on his O line with one of them being an HOFer? Also in the 90s the Lions ran alot more single back then the cowboys. more 3 and 4 wr sets... which would spread the defense out. The cowboys were nearly always in a I formation which would be easier to 'stack the box " Barry had better change of direction, better acceleration, agility and pure speed but he was a liability. He was replaced in short yardage and goalline situations for a "bigger back." short yardage/goal line every one in the stadium and watching at home knew the ball was going to # 22 and not a damn thing could be done about it. OH Barry had Hermon Moore as a WR who was a 3 time all pro and multi pro bowler. Its not that Barry played with 2nd string bums.
@@jaywebb0113 To be fare Lomas Brown is not in the hall of fame. The Logical Cowboy corrected this in one of his comments. He should be, 7× pro bowler and 6×all pro. He was up for it a few months ago but didn't get in. But he is in the Detroit's ring of honor. That's still an accomplishment. Smith has just one offensive linemen inducted into the ring honor (Larry Allen). So it turns out to the same argument. Barry and Smith both had a one all time linemen blocking for them for the majority of their careers.
In fact, defences did often play 8 man fronts VS the Cowboys power I, just didn’t work. That was not the case for Barry and the Lions as they played with 4 WR’s spread out. It was actually more advantageous for Barry as he excelled in space.
I loved the break down on this one. Especially the point about how Emmitt's absence affected the Cowboys. His holdout in '93 proved he was the GOAT, in my opinion. Emmitt misses the first two games and the Cowboys go 0-2. The first team to go 0-2 and then win a Superbowl. Numbers, longevity, talent, hard work, instinct, and the most complete set of intangibles of any player, ever. Emmitt is the GOAT.
I don't care what you say put him on the Lions team in those days and see what he would have done? Absolutely nothing this guy's not the goat 🐐 picking up garbage yards in the fourth quarter.
@@antwandukes This the second time I see you make the garbage yards argument. If you really pay attention, the Cowboys weren't blowing out so many teams in those years that there were garbage yards to be ran for. If you notice, the Lions actually did better in '99 without Sanders, than they did in '98 with him. Imagine that. If Smith was on the Lions, the Lions would have had more division titles and a larger playoff presence because Emmitt played better in the playoffs whereas Barry played worse. Just facts.
@@antwandukes Emmett would have gotten more yds with the Lions....weaker division and not having to share the football with Irvin, Harper, and Novacek. That one is simple.
Maybe your best video ever! So weary of hearing how “anyone” could have had Emmitt’s numbers behind that line. Your great research debunks all of that, thank you!
Ive always hated the fact that people say "oh his line was the greatest". They acted like it was the same line for 10 years. With that being said, nobody EVER uses that same argument for Rice. Why? He had 2 HOF qbs throwing him the ball? Its like they come up with an excuse to E Smith wasnt the greatest
Rice was gonna be Great no matter who his QB was. Rice went to Oakland at the age of 39-40 and put up two back 2 back 1,000 yard seasons with 9 & 7 TD's respectfully. Rice is the Goat
All your points are valid and right on. I have also have no idea why Emmitt gets discounted because of his offensive line-as if he had the exact same one throughout his long career. Moreover, only truly great backs can do so well for *so* long. Very few-if any-backs in NFL history would have done so well for so many years regardless of his offensive line. Brilliance? No. Absolutely consistent and tough as a bed of nails? YES! And as for YPC, quite simply NO ONE else ever ran 4,409 regular season attempts to find out! (Not to mention the ADDITIONAL 349 post season attempts for and an average an above 4.5.) Finally, sheer consistency of gain over a long time matters too. If not, John Riggins shouldn’t be in the HOF either, and apparently you never had the (dis) pleasure of him running the ball down your throat time and again with the game on the line as Dallas and most of Washington’s other opponents found out to their chagrin!
I wonder where Earl Campbell would be on the list if he hadn't been run into the ground? I think that Jim Brown is still probably the best RB of all time. I've seen a lot of film of him and he was pretty much unstoppable. Emmitt Smith is top three at least.
Campbell would be run into the ground regardless of where he played due to his running style. Power backs rarely last for extensive careers. Jim Brown played in an era that was still griped by Jim Crow - some owners like Jack Kent Cooke in Washington were still refusing to sign black players. That was as absurd then as it would sound today. Who is to say there were not black players who could have been equally as good as Brown on competing teams if given the chance? Walter Payton is still the greatest RB of all time. He did it in a modern era of football on teams that were never better than mediocre throughout most of his career. He was the offense and the entire league knew when they met the Bears and still couldn't stop him. The greatest aspect of Payton was his legendary heart. No one ever had a bigger heart. Watching him play made you want to strap on a helmet and throw a block for him. RIP Sweetness
For the record, I always thought Dan was better than Montana. Montana had a much better team by far. Had Dan played on those Niner teams, he would have been better. As for ES, I have him as best all time. His heart was the the best and that is why I choose him over all of them. This is a great video. 👍
Montana had Bill Walsh. Almost all of offensive schemes in the NFL are derived from the mind of the genius, Bill Walsh. SF did not miss a beat when they let Montana loose.
I had to come back to this after I saw a documentary on Barry sanders. This channel owner knows I’m a Dallas fan and Emmitt is legendary. But what I respect about Barry more than any athlete in ANY sport, is his humility. You never seen this man gloat, show off, or any of that stuff after a big play. Barry’s father was always at his side and he is there for his kids. This is a man that should be looked at as a role model. Not the arrogant, flashy, socially opinionated phonies. Barry has my respect for this reason. I encourage you to watch the documentary on Prime.
@@thelogicalcowboyit’s called “bye bye Barry”. I have it on Amazon. Not sure if it’s anywhere else. Might be an exclusive for them. But that’s the title.
This was such a great video, I really appreciate how you broke this down and exposed the myth. Emmitt was a great player and especially delivered when it mattered. The amount of blind Cowboy hate and anti Cowboy bias is real. I hear this argument with Emmitt and Troy Aikman, and it's simply ridiculous. Dallas players are held to a different standard by the haters, but when you show them facts, they still ignore it and scoff. And now these days with all the "shock jocks" on the major networks, it's gotten even worse. Kudos for your research and excellent comparisons. I am sending the haters to this video whenever I hear the Emmitt shade lol!
17 postseason games is like a 'season' in itself, against the cream of the crop. Who wouldn't take a guy that touched the ball 395 times, gained a combined 1924 yds with 21 TDs in a 'season' against the best teams available?
LC: Are you a lawyer by any chance? If so, I wouldn't want to face you in a court of law. Once again, you make another compelling case - one backed up by facts and numbers. Well done. This was excellent.
This is one of my favorite videos of all time. I have always argued on behalf of Emmitt Smiths greatness as a running back because of all of the lame excuses that people make against him. This video was a very good [no, awesome] video and very well put together case.
Emmitt was the best all round back EVER, he ran, caught passes and picked up blitzing linebackers and safeties, Barry NEVER did all that, Barry also quit when the going got tough plus Emmitt is the ALL TIME leading rusher, won 3 Super Bowls & 1 Super Bowl MVP, Barry can only dream about accomplishing all of that.
Barry is a great runner back best elusive running back not name gale sayers. He had tendency to run backwards+ look for the big run. Emmitt Smith had great RB physique & was durable. He played even better in Big games against top level defense. Emmitt wasn't the fastest, tallest but he had the best run after contact yardage feats ever to play. If Emmitt his TD feats were incredible. He led the league in yard TDs Barry most best rbs me rt did that. Great showcase
Emmitts durability is what sets him apart. Nobody and I mean NOBODY is going to break his record because nobody can stay healthy and consistent for that long. I’d rather have a Durable RB like smith than a flashy dude like Barkley who you will never get a full season out of. Also people don’t seem to realize how many times Barry sanders got tackled behind the line trying to do his dancing. Yes, it mostly worked, but it was a gamble with sanders. It was either a good run or a loss. Not good when you need a solid 3rd down run.
LC, you do us Cowboy fans proud. I think anyone searching for the honest truth on the GOAT Rb, would have a very hard time logically arguing against Emmitt after watching this. Beautiful work, again.
Emmit is king of the hill.The most yards at a position that is probably the most punishing position in the game. He's the king and it is unlikely anyone will surpass it. Smith was predominantly and inside runner, and strangely, they seem to have longer careers (see Riggins/Csonka). Sanders was just astonishing in what he could do. Truly remarkable. Smith's use of his stiff arm as a grabber and deflector was also remarkable as was his hesitation move. Who is the 'Best' runner is just too subjective a question. It depends on what the judger values. For me, I still think the best running back Dallas ever had was Duane Thomas. He could do almost all of it. He could bang and he could break away. But what I love about Duane Thomas was how effortless he made it all seem. He just floated. Bob Lilly thought he was next Jim Brown, and for Lilly, that meant the best.. .. or second best after Brown. My favorite running back was Garrison. I just loved how he would get under tacklers and throw them off and spin out of tackles. Calvin Hill was also a beast and his hurdle moves were amazing. The weird thing with Hill is I was always waiting for him to just blast through folks (cause he was so big) and he never quite did; but god he was good. And Dorsett... th speed and that durable inside chassy.. just great. I loved them all, but I forget Newhouse. Brave beyond brave. Dennison, Pearson, Laidlaw, Springs, Newsome, Paul Palmer, Warren. and Herschel- loved them all.
You left one major factor out Emmitt was hands down, by far the best blocker out of any of them, and on top of that he could catch the ball out of the backfield and he was one tough son of a bitch too!
Walter was just as good as Emmitt as a pass blocker. They had many blocks that were similar. The one Emmitt made in the SB is exactly like the one Payton made bs Minnesota on MNF. Emmitt even said that he tried to emulate Walter in that era. Emmitt’s last year he even threw a TD pass.
I'm so glad you put out this video. Emmitt "Catch 22" is my favorite player of all time. Just above Captian America/Roger The Dodger, The Manster, and The Playmaker. Emmitt is the only player Jersey that I have ever owned that I don't wear. It's the Navy blue Nike Authentic. I've argued countless times that Emmitt is the greatest. He was an all-purpose running back. He had moves, vision, smash, speed, elusiveness, balance, blocking, catching, toughness, and durability as well as longevity. Nobody had all of these things. Emmitt did season after season. He was and is the GOAT!!! #22
1. Longevity and Running Back is rarer. At Running Back Longevity is even more of a plus. 2. YPC-Smith never came out for a specialty back. Sanders came out on short yardage and GL situations. Payton came out often for Neil Anderson (another great back). Also with the longevity comes a lower YPC as yes, his talent level did drop, while still remaining consistent even in the year and qaurter playing behind the perenial worst line in football in AZ. 3. Running back's aren't judged soley by their running ability. They do Run, they block, they catch. Brown refused to do anything but run. Sanders came out in Short yardage and passing situations. There are a handful of backs that did it all at an elite level. Smith and Payton being the best ever all around. On a side note about the Lions record when Barry was out: Barry was a talented player. beautiful runner, but his style killed his team. He would give ground to gain ground, which lead to the most negative plays in NFL history. He would bust big plays because of this, but more often than not, turn a 1st and 10 or a 2nd and short to a 2nd or 3rd and long, putting the offense behind the 8ball. Some would argue about his line or O being bad. You mentioned the same people i've mentioned in many arguments, like Lomas and Glover. But also just about every line that played for the lions was either a top pick and or career starter. Meaning they were great players. Even if never reaching probowl or all pro status. Starting your entire career shows how great you are as a lineman.
There is zero doubt that Emmitt is the goat at running back. No other running back was so important to have made such a difference between winning Super Bowls from being ordinary than Emmitt Smith. His abilities to get those short yardage and goal line touchdown situations time after time alone sets him apart. But, his blocking abilities, especially during that first Super Bowl against Buffalo, constantly gave Aikman ample time to go to his 2nd or 3rd receiver, Jay Novacek, to keep those drives alive. Smith’s passes when there was no one open downfield was where he did his best running because he would always make the first guy miss, and would always get that all important first down.
No running back will ever have a better build and use it as well as Barry. He’s the goat, Emmitt is the most accomplished and both deserve those honors. I’d be interested to see where LT is in your top 10.
LT is high in my top 10, bro! A legendary player!! I can't pinpoint where because I haven't had the chance to sit down and think about it until now. Maybe tied 5th with another classic running back outside of Smith, Sanders, Payton, and Brown or something like 6? I definitely wouldn't rank him above 7. 🤔 Yeah, I was a huge fan of LT. He reminded me of Emmitt Smith in a lot of ways. Thanks for watching bro!
@@thelogicalcowboy that’s pretty much where he is to me. Top 2 with AP in the last 20 years for sure. Not sure which one I’d rank higher. I wish Ezekiel Elliot would have continued his first few years trajectory (I’m a cowboys fan). It looked like he was going to be close to smiths level.
High-school-College-NFL combined yards... 31k and 300 tds! Absolutely amazing! The most combined yards and tds for a running back in the history of America football.
❤
They claimed it was cuz the line smh
That's why he's both in the college and pro football hall of fame.
@@redmustangredmustang
And Highschool Florida hall of fame.
Did you watch the “Emmitt Zone” highlight videos? It’s a good series. The 90s were the best era in NFL history. It was the perfect crux of USFL, CFL, and WLAF talent being infused into the NFL. By 1995 however due to free agency the talent level had precipitously declined. Free Agency immediately ended the careers of many HOF/ Pro Bowl players. In high school I foresaw what free agency would do to the NFL. I fixed every problem with every team in the NFL largely with their own players. I still have them memorized to this very day. I know I could have handed them to any GM in the league and they would have been overjoyed.
Emmitt is the only RB in the entire history of football to be his state's all-time leading rusher in high school, his school's all-time leading rusher in college, and the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
In the 1992 playoffs, Dallas played against the Eagles, #5 rushing defense, the 49ers #4 and the Bills #2.
Emmitt had a combined career total of 21,579 yds from scrimmage during the regular season.
He added another 1928 combined yds in 17 playoff games.
That's 23,507 total yds from a running back.
In his first yr with the Cardinals, he played 10 games, 5 as a starter, due to injuries.
His next and final year, at age 35, he started 15 games with 1014 yds from scrimmage.
Regular season and playoffs combined, Emmitt Smith touched the ball 5,319 times and gained 23,507 total yds 185 TDs in 243 games, playoffs included.
Now you can add in the blocks he made when he didn't have the ball.
Emmitt Smith took a beating to get to where he stands today.
Great point! Especially with the defensive rankings. Smith needed his line more than barry did. Smith played against the eagles,Giants, and Redskins year in and year out. While Barry played in a weak conference his entire career. Barry didn't need a great offensive line because he didn't play against elite defenses.
@@thelogicalcowboy The biggest argument against Sanders can be summed up in three words:
Touchdown Tommy Vardell
Which is another point I like to make against the Cowboys were only good because they “stole” Charles Haley from.the 40 Whiners. First of all the Whiners had already replaced Charles Hal With a BETTER PLAYER in 1991 in Tim Harris. They got him for the EXACT SAME DEAL they got for Haley. They were also the ones that contacted Dallas about the trade. And how much did it hurt them getting rid of Haley? They improved from 4 to 3 on defense from 91-92. They improved by 4 wins and they improved by 10 sacks on defense the EXACT difference in sacks between Haley in1991 and Harris in 1992 as the starter 7-17. Yet then San Fran let’s Harris and Pierce Holt walk in 1993 and tries to play the victim in the trade. Maybe it was a mistake to trade him to Dallas but they actually got BETTER!! Haley was a key addition in 1992 but he wasn’t THE DIFFERENCE like everyone tries to pretend. San Fran didn’t even make the playoffs in 1991 so that isn’t even possible. Harris had as many sacks in 1992 as Haley had in 91,92 and 93 COMBINED!! Jim Jeffcoat had more sacks in 1992 than Haley had in 92 and 93 combined. Haley was a key addition but not the only one.
I don’t think most people realize how HORRIBLY San Fran cheated on the cap in 1994. They were at 55 million at the beginning of the year yet somehow magically trimmed 20.4 million off of their cap while also signing half of the 1993 NFC Pro Bowl roster and the starting middle linebacker and defensive captain of their eventual Super Bowl foe the Chargers. Gary Plummer was the first to sign in 1994. San Fran just cut their starting middle linebacker and only had $456.00 under the cap. They even said they were out of the running for Ken Norton and Deion Sanders. Yet somehow after that they were able to STEAL, Deion, Bart Oates, Charles Mann, Rickey Jackson, Toi Cook, Richard Dent and Ed McCaffrey not to mention Tim McDonald and re signing Tim Harris halfway through the season. They paid a bunch of HOF players the league minimum of $162,000 in 1994 even though they signed 1 million dollar contracts. They were able to defer the other $838,000 of their salaries to 1995 if they made the playoffs in January. It was the BIGGEST FRAUD IN NFL HISTORY!! It also destroyed the NFL. I wanted to see every team at their best WITH THEIR OWN PLAYERS!! When Dallas got knocked off the mountain top in the 80s It would have been great if they could have STOLEN half of the Pro Bowl roster WITHOUT COMPENSATION. It also would have meant they built NOTHING!! It would have been FRAUD!! And that’s what the 1994 40 Whiners were.
And his body held up after all that which is impressive.
Emmit was a tough son of gun. Without his toughness he doesn't accomplish all the yardage and TD's and all the accolades that make up his HOF career. It's safe to say he was one of the toughest guys to ever play pro football
Underrated aspect of his game! Thanks for watching!
Hell. The dude ran behind perhaps the finest o-line in NFL history and damn near had five thousand attempts!
@@user-li4qf3pm1x look at the beginning of Smiths career at Dallas. That great O-line started looking a lot better once Emmit was under contract and settled in as Dallas RB1
@@user-li4qf3pm1xNate Newton, Mark Tuinei, and John Gesek were part of a 3-13 and 1-15 team before Emmitt was on the team. Mark Stepnoski was there for the 1-15 team. Those O Lineman were mostly in their 30s when Emmitt took the rushing titles. They were below average before Emmitt played. Emmitt put the defense on their heels and gave the line an easier time, because one guy couldn't tackle Emmitt. Michael Irvin was dogshit his first 3 seasons before Emmitt came to the team.
I love how you broke down all the arguments against Smith and shut them down. You didn't even mention the fact, that for those that argue the Emmitt Smith was a product of his offensive line, none of his backups ever excelled when they carried the ball during those prime years. Not Ricky Blake, Curvin Richards, Derrick Lassic, Sherman Williams. No one could produce anything close to what Emmitt Smith did and they ran behind the exact same offensive line he did.
Exactly! 🔥 🔥
Good point
@davidruiz63 He didnt shutdown any arguments he is just talking nonsense
That's not entirely accurate.
I would find it difficult to say that Emmitt wasn't a great back. Further, he SHOULD have a higher YPA, all other things equal.
But there have been many times where backups post numbers that are in the ballpark (say, '95 with Sherman Williams--similar YPR). But, even then, that would require additional analysis, as how often did he come in on 3rd downs? Or, establish some momentum by getting more than just a handful of carries? (something that Smith himself complained about early on and appears to have made a significant difference once he touched the ball more)
And these dudes were friggin' scrubs. Give me a break.
But it would be wholly disingenuous to discount just how great an o-line he ran behind.
In '92/'93, Emmitt averaged something like 3.7 YPR BEFORE A DEFENDER EVEN TOUCHED HIM.
Those o-lines EASILY compete, if not top the list, of best o-lines of all time. About the only competition for them would be, say, '74 or '76 Raiders.
And that is EXTREMELY MEANINGFUL.
If any of you truly believe that, say, Barry or Thurman or Jerome Bettis or Curtis Martin, etc. wouldn't absolutely FEAST with that o-line---you are biased or simply ignorant.
In Barry Sanders 1997 season where he broke 2,000 yards, started that season with just 53 yards on 35 carries. Barry's father was openly critical of the coaches play calling which did not allow Barry to utilize his skills to the fullest. What the Detroit Lions tried to do was use the Dallas Cowboys formation of running which mostly consisted out of the "i" formation. This formation which Emmitt florished in used Darryl [the Moose] Johnson leading the way just behind Aikman and just in front of Smith. What Barry's dad argued was that the i formation made it to where an extra defender or two could crowd the line of scrimmage. This gave Barry less room to run and was easily bottled up by the opposition. What Barry's dad argued was that they needed to abandon the i formation and go with a 3 to 4 wide receiver formation. This forced defenders to spread out to cover the receivers. This causes less defenders to crowd the line of scrimmage. Thus allowing Barry to have his break out season of 2053 yards. Emmitt on the other hand flourished in the i formation and was more of a ground and pound back. Whereas Barry was just a pretty runner.
@danielalvarez8729 You moron Emmitt had maybe the greatest O line ever Thats why he had some many big holes to run through
Emmitt was the complete back you wanted in a system that allowed him to flourish under the right head coach and talent around him. People say Jim Brown was the greatest and yet the Browns only won one NFL championship in 1964 and got blown out against the Packers the next year's NFL championship. Walter Payton had only ONE 100 yard rushing game in the playoffs in his career. Barry Sanders had ONE touchdown in the playoffs and that was that infamous touchdown against the Cowboys and never made it to a Super Bowl. Emmitt on the other hand had 3 Super Bowls, was the first player to win a rushing TITLE AND A SUPER BOWL in the same season (Terrell Davis is the second one). Emmitt is the ONLY running back to win the rushing title, NFL MVP, and Super Bowl MVP in the 1993 season. Nobody else has done that triple crown as a running back. Still holds the record for most career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and attempts. In today's system, no one is touching Emmitt's rushing yards record. Even after the glory days Emmitt Smith still held the record for 11 straight from 1991 to 2001 1,000 rushing seasons which no one is going to touch. For the post season he has the most consecutive games with a touchdown (9), most rushing yards in the post season, and has tied for most touchdowns with Thurman Thomas with 21. Also Emmitt along with 3 other players have over 21,000 combined yards which no other player than Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, and Walter Payton has. Emmitt may not have been the sexy choice like Barry or Walter or even Jim Brown, but he got it done when it mattered. Those Super Bowl rings prove that.
I could've read more! Thanks for the post!
He was a blocker too. He did it it all. My boys weren’t around to watch him play. I did ,it was a blessing to watch him and The Dallas Cowboys play in the early nineties. Now we have Dak and he’s pissing me off🤔
Not to mention he won Dancing with the stars 😂🤣💪🏽
Man of few words Randy White mentioned Walter Payton. That is very high praise.
@@WilliamJones-sf5pt
That is high praise. Payton was a legend.
Not the fastest or the strongest or most talented but the biggest heart!!
He carried the whole team when they were struggling. Single handedly taking them to victory.
E. Smith and Walter Payton. The epitome of what a great NFL running back should be.
Facts
Payton had a worse oline and was still better
I agree ✭
The secret to Emmitt Smith’s running ability is his ability to read the defense. Particularly what lanes he will run. Notice, he runs mostly to the left and in the middle. He runs in it, around it and thru it. He was very very powerful. He had an abundance of energy. Even when he was injured, he would be called to get short yardage. Or, he would turn a 3rd down play into a 1st down than he would complete the necessary work to get into position to score a touchdown. He is my favorite player ever. Humble, not arrogant. A great work ethic. Most of all everyone liked him. And when he broke tackles there was nothing that could stop him.
I sure do miss him…….#22
Cowboy Forever!
Emmitt not only had the consistency, stats and the achievements, but he was the difference maker in big games and it is doubtful those teams would have won three Super Bowls without him.
Facts!
❤
The only reason way he’s hated on is cause he’s Dallas Cowboys. Bottom line. He was a Work Horse. Averaging 32 snaps a game. That’s unheard of these days. And we’re talking about days when you could give a guy a concussion 😙
@@dakmycat3688 I see it the same way, the truth is Barry Sanders and Walter Payton, as great as they were, would not have been able to put that team on their shoulders the way Emmitt did. Emmitt had a toughness and heart that was matched only by Jim Brown in my opinion, and I would still take Emmitt over him. There is a lot more that goes into greatness than just stats and Emmitt had that unstoppable will to win, make big plays in big moments, and play through pain that separates him from all other backs.
Emmitt said Barry was the goat and he knows best.
It never cease to amaze me how some people are willing to expose how little they know about football when they trash talk Emmitt and Troy.
Exactly
You could have dropped the MIC after the showing the games we didn't win when he wasn't there. I remember the holdout when Haley was heard screaming "PAY EMMIT HIS DAMN MONEY SO WE CAN WIN SOME GAMES!!!!"
Facts
Emmitt Smith has just as good a claim to the greatest RB title "The Goat" of all time. Barry Sanders was faster, Earl Campbell was stronger,Tony Dorsett was a one of kind and Marcus Allen was a threat every time he touched the ball. But Emmitt Smith had a piece of those good traits but also included durability and of course three super bowl rings and a Gold Jacket.
Thank you LC for this wonderful documentary and have a great weekend.
You too bro! Great post as always!
but you left out the 2 best Running backs # 2 Walter Payton and #1 Jim Brown
@@stocksgoupward5922 Who was that Buffalo Bill running back again? They say he was a slasher that could cut like no other!
If a runner doesn't stay ahead of the game, defenses will catch up to stop him. Emmitt Smith stayed ahead of the game.
Still, one could be a stranger to the game and still recognize Tony Dorsett as a unique anomaly.
If you look at the totality of his career, some of the biggest game, breaking moments and the consistency of him coming up late whether it was a key block on a pass, or a unforgettable breakaway run even though everyone used to say he couldn’t run fast, but he could get away from almost anyone but the naysayers always had that to say the most along with he had the best OLINE. He was a character guy and he played hurt and he did the Grunt Work when he had to. I am not trying to take away from some of the best running backs of any Era but Emmitt Smith is the greatest( complete)running back the league has ever seen. I really think all you have to do is look at the film…
Thank you for the video. It is one of the best and most detailed I have seen in a while.
Great post! Thanks for watching 🙏
It is strange how the Olympic sprinters - other than Bob Hayes - never make the best runners and best receivers. A runner needs to both run fast and stop. A sprinter doesn't have to cut.
Ok. You win. I’m a Walter and Earl guy. Haaaaa
@@dudermcdude9245 Earl? Hollywood Henderson once said that Earl Campbell was so lazy that Tom Landry would have cut him.
Hollywood was a coke head. He talked a lot of smack. For being lazy he sure carried the rock a lot
Emmitt was the best, period. Bottom line - when Emmitt was at his peak first 5 years, you KNEW he was going to impose his will in terms of victory . No other RB has been able to dominate in that way
Facts
Emmitt did alright for someone to small and/or too slow for a starting NFL running back. The one thing 'analysts' and the combine can't measure is heart.
This is why you make great videos and I just comment on them. If I’d made this video it would have lasted just long enough for me to say ‘Emmitt was the GOAT, end of discussion.’ Instead we get this masterpiece. Very well done.
🤣 😂 Appreciate you bro! 🙏
The bottom line is if he wasn't on the Cowboys he'd be heralded as the greatest running back of all time like he should be
Exactly!
Literally the first play in Emmitt’s highlights. Emmitt breaks six tackles including two IN THE BACKFIELD jukes back and forth a few times and scores. I’m not sure where his blocking was on that play. Let me know if I need to break down every play because I CAN!!
Keep it coming bro! You're a wealth of knowledge!
Here’s another destruction of the “Barry had no line” argument. In 1993 when Barry missed 5 games to injury BOTH of his backups had 100 yard games in his absence Eric Lynch rushed for exactly 200 yards in his two starts and Derrick Moore had 259 in three starts with a 100 yard game. Detroit went 3-2 in those games and made the playoffs. Eric Lynch gained 115 yards against Green Bay in the season finale in a victory. How does that happen if Detroit had a garbage line? They didn’t. PERIOD!! Barry often didn’t follow his blocking and always tried to break the big run. Exciting to watch but it doesn’t win you games or championships. Emmitt almost always gained positive yardage. Barry running style may have been more exciting. Emmitt’s was just more conducive to winning. That’s it. The 90s were the best era in NFL history. Barry, Emmitt and Thurman were my idols growing up. I played running back and tried to emulate them. We were blessed to watch them compete.
Wow!!!
If anyone were to truly look at the way the Lions O-Line blocked, they made it so that Barry could cut from one side to the other effortlessly. His linemen were exceptionally strong and able to push opposing defensive lines entirely to one side of the line of scrimmage, allowing the cut back lanes for Barry to gain the yards and make the big plays that he did.
Yeah, much like the way Tom Landry told Cowboys lineman to hold their blocks because Tony Dorsett was a different kind of runner. Lions offensive lineman had to do the same for Barry.
Marino carried his team nearly single handedly to the Super Bowl, with no running game. Montana had a better team around him. Many of his touchdown passes were little short dump offs that his receivers ran for 60 yards after the catch. Had Montana been drafted by any other team, we would have never heard of him. Marino, on the other hand, had the physical skills unlike any other quarterback who ever played, and would have flourished wherever he went.
Exactly! 🔥
Marino didn’t singlehandedly do anything. He played in a pass first offense. His skill position players were much more talented than the ones Montana played with. Mark Clauton and Duper were Pro Bowlers so we’re three of his lineman including his HOF center. Montana played with a bunch of scrubs his first few years in the league. Dallas would have taken Montana because he was the best player on their board. But because they already had three good QBs they went with Pro Bowl TE Doug Cosbie instead. Montana was no s crub
NOT ONE of Emmitt’s lineman in the original iteration of the Cowboys line was taken before the third round. Mark Tuinei was a free agent defensive lineman in 1983 who backed up Randy White and wasn’t switched to the offensive line until his 4th year. Nate Newton was a free agent offensive lineman in 1983 who wasn’t good enough to make the hogs and spent two years in the USFL before making the Cowboys in 1986. Mark Stepnoski was a third round guard who was switched to center. Erik Williams was a third rounder in 1991 who didn’t start as a rookie. Kevin Gogan and John Gesek were both sixth rounders. NOT ONE made the Pro Bowl until EMMITTs third year. Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman made ZERO Pro Bowls and weren’t headed ANYWHERE until Emmitt’s second year. Tuinei didn’t make thePro Bowl until his12th year. Newton didn’t make the Pro Bowl until his tenth year in Pro Football. So let’s not PRETEND Emmitt came to a team of HOFERS because HE ABSOLUTELY DID NOT!! Emmitt WAS THE COWBOYS!! NorvTurner built THE ENTIRE OFFENSE AROUND HIM!! The ENTIRE OFFENSE IN DETROIT WAS BASED ON THE PASS FIRST!! That’s the ENTIRE CONCEPT of the run and shoot. Take teams out of their base defense and make them play the nickel and dime defense the ENTIRE GAME!! Do I have to show video?
Yes you are right I have had this argument since the 1990s I loved watching Barry sanders but I gushed over Emmett because of his style and discipline as a runner
Emmitt’s line was a product of HIS RUNNING STYLE!! He always followed his block and almost always gained post yards. Unfortunately Detroit’s offensive line was also a product of BARRYs running style. They notoriously had to hold their blocks longer than most lineman because they never knew when Barry was coming back the other way. Emmitt made his line look Good. Barry didn’t. It’s why he didn’t start until his senior year in high school because as his coach said he wouldn’t”stick it up in there”. He had an amazing running style. It made great plays and also made him the most negative yardage in NFL history. BARRYs running style may have been more exciting. Emmitt’s was just more conducive to winning!! THE END!!
Well said
This has always been my argument discipline runners are my favorite
@joshuahendricks7701 You got it backwards Emmitt career was a product of his line and overall team
Nah, you’ve got it completely backwards. Norv Turner built the ENTIRE OFFENSE around Emmitt Smith. Emmitt was THE ONLY PRO BOWLER ON THE ENTIRE COWBOYS ROSTER HIS ROOKIE YEAR!! The line didn’t become dominant until 1992 and that only lasted a few years. Irvin, Aikman RT al were t going ANYWHERE until Emmitt arrived. Emmitt was a TAR before any of them. Find out when Barry had his first Pro Bowl offensive lineman and get back to me when you know what you’re talking about.
@@joshuahendricks7701 Emmitt was mediocre in his rookie year. It wasn't until Aikman became the permanent starter that the cowboys became great . The o line opened up holes 5 yards wide for Emmitt just look at his highlights . Emmitt would go untouched until he got about 10 to 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. If Barry were on Dallas he would have had 2000 yards every year
Agreed! He had the best blend of everything needed to become the GOAT!
Barry, a great, probably the greatest natural runner, didn't have the desire in the end and did disappear or was nutrilized in the playoffs where Emmitt excelled.
And Emmitts all time leading rushing holder still stands and will for a long time...😊
It will last forever. Teams get rid of RBs at 30 today.
All of the great things Emmitt did were covered, but he also was the guy that the Cowboys could count on in the 4th quarter to simply put games away. It wasn't Aikman or Irvin in those close games when the Cowboys had a slim lead and they needed to run out the final minutes. Those are things that get forgotten because they don't show up in the stats. Every player, on both teams, knew 22 was getting the ball between the tackles the next 8 to 10 plays and there was nothing anyone could do except use up their time outs and hope for miracle. Imagine how many more games Romo's Cowboys would have won if he had been able to do that late in games instead of being forced to make plays to get first downs that sometimes led to turnovers.
Great! GREAT POINT! I can't believe I didn't think about that! Oh well at least you did. Thanks for watching bro!
Any way you want to cut it, it was Aikman, Irvin, Allen, Johnston, Newton, and sometimes even Deion Sanders out there making superior opportunities for Emmitt on each and every play that he ever made
@@christophertracy2807
It's hypocritical to penalize Smith for playing with a talented team, when we don't do the same for other players considered to be the greatest of all time. Montana and the 49ers were stacked, as were Rice with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and Jim Brown with three Hall of Fame linemen. Michael Jordan won three championships with arguably two of the top 15 basketball players in history, along with arguably the greatest coach ever. Bill Russell had four Hall of Famers helping him including a hall of fame coach. The list goes on, yet we only seem to find fault with Smith. It's truly hypocritical.
@@thelogicalcowboyWORD ! 👍
@@thelogicalcowboy Bill Russell never set foot on an NBA court without at least two NBA HOFers along with him...
I totally agree. Emmitt is the all time leading rusher and got there by being the best. Barry suffered from a head coach who would replace him on 3rd and short on the goal line. How many yards did Barry get going sideways? I am a Cowboys fan and I think Emmitt is the GOAT at running back. Sweetness could run hard or fast, catch passes, block better than any, throw 50+ yards, kick 60+ yard punts. I think #34 was the greatest football player I ever watched.🤠
Thanks for watching 🙏 Sweetness is a legend.
Let’s be honest. They hate on Emmitt because he’s a Cowboy.
While I will readily admit to being a devoted LIFELONG Cowboy fan, I MUST say sir that the video that you took the time to produce, was a MASTER CLASS in presenting FACTS (which to quote President John Adams..."are stubborn things"!) The FACT is your well-reasoned and articulated argument, & succinct explanation about the subtle, but undeniable differences between being the BEST and being the GOAT brilliant & indeed spot-on! You put the argument to rest once and for all! I thank you for taking the time to do so & hope that the great 22 see's this video so his children and future generations of Cowboy fans can look back on him and his records most of which will probably NEVER be broken! Kudo's mate!
DC4L
Thanks for the compliments bro!!!!!
Articulate dismantling the arguments of the haters followed by the mic drop. Emmitt did everything asked of him. His entry into the Jimmy Johnson (JJ) system was the inflection point to the dynasty, to Smith's undoubted greatness, and the catalyst to ensure that the team was untouchable. The only thing that shortened Emmitt's career and decreased his numbers was the self inflicted wound of the owner's ego. JJ stays and Emmitt's records would be off the charts. Smith = 🐐RB
Always appreciate your perspective bro! Thanks for watching 🙏
Agreed 100%. If Jimmy stays he NEVER cuts Jimmy Smith and the Cowboys don’t descend into an out of control undisciplined team. Erik Williams NEVER stays out drinking until 3 am and runs into a retaining wall at 75 mph. Jimmy’s one steadfast rule was I want you in bed by 12 am. I don’t care whose bed, but I want you in bed. That all disappeared after he left. Within a month Iof him leaving Alvin Harper buys the “White House” and the rest is history. Dallas also doesn’t turn the ball over three times and spot San Fran 21 points in the first 7 minutes and the games is in Dallas anyway because Dallas with a HEALTHY first ballot HOF Erik Williams runs San Fran out of the stadium in their house in the first game. Larry Allen starts at RG the whole season.
Smith had the best career, the most yards, the most TD's, and he took the most hits of anyone.
You got the point of the video! Thanks for watching bro!
Another point I like to make to the “Emmitt sucks” fan club is this. John Riggins ran behind one of the best lines in qNFL history. They were eberything the Great Wall of Dallas was and he never appeared Emmitt’s numbers. No one questions Riggins HOF credentials. The Raiders had perhaps the best line in NFL history in 1971 with all FIVE starters going ho the HOF Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Jim Otto, Bill Brown and RonnMix. Yet their best back barely cracked the 1000 yard barrier. Emmitt was special plain and simple, Anyone who says different is a hater. I’ve actually had people tell me that Albert Bentley, and Darrin Nelson were just as good as Emmitt. What a JOKE!!! Neither of them could touch Emmitt’s jock strap. Neither ever cracked 1000 yards in the NFL. Darrin Nelson was a heisman winner And a first round pick. The Cowboys line was so great with THE SAME PLAYERS in 1989 that Nelson refused to report and was traded to the chargers. He played behind HOFer Gary Zimmerman in Minnesota but once again never gained 1000 yards. Heisman winner Paul Palmer came to Dallas and had only ONE good game in 1989. Remember Redskin Super Bowl MVP Timmy Smith? The one who still has the record for most rushing yards in a SB? He actually opened the season as the Cowboys starter in 1990 because of Emmitt’s holdout. Guess how many yards he got in the first game AS A STARTER? 6 yards on 6 carries. That was after spending all of camp with Dallas as the starter. He was promptly cut that next week. So it wasn’t about the line. Emmitt’s line got the accolades because he made them look good. He could make something out of nothing and squeeze through the tiniest of cracks. Barry would try to bounce it and lose yardage.
Great post!
OUTSTANDING!! I've been saying a lot of this for a while now. But this presentation is high caliber. Top quality. Excellent TLC!!
Thanks bro!!!
Added to this is seeing what happened to the Cowboys starting in 1996 and moving forward when the team chose to “preserve” Emmitt…when they brought in other veterans to play on 3rd downs and in short yardage and red zone opportunities…when they began to feature Troy Aikman and the passing game rather than relying on the run game to open up the pass as they had previously…the team struggled to produce, Emmitt’s numbers both in yards and scoring diminished, and they failed to accomplish much in the post-season. The redzone was once nicknamed the Emmitt zone, but after 1996, the cowboys would frequently sub Emmitt out in red zone situations in favor of Chris Warren or Sherman Williams and others. These backs were also utilized more regularly on obvious passing downs and 3rd downs…and Dallas began settling for more field goals and punts.
Emmitt proved his metal in the 1993 game against the Giants when he played with a separated shoulder and got the Cowboys in position for the game winning field goal. Emmitt has all the records. He is the best.
Facts!
People always claim Emmitt only had a good offensive line and they attribute that to his greatness. Well he led the league in rushing 2 times before that line was assembled and if it was only the line how come the backup RB's didn't have gaudy numbers like Emmitt. Even when Emmitt missed the first 2 games because of his holdout the backup RB's couldn't produce a 100yd game and the team couldn't produce a win. Say what you want about his line, but the fact of the matter is he helped that offensive line with his vision more than the line helped him.
Belichick said Emmitt's greatest trait was turning a bad block to a good block and good block to a great block. I'll take Emmitt over anyone because there was nothing he couldn't do on the football field at the highest level. Man was truly unstoppable. Even with a grade 3 separated shoulder he rushed for 160+ yards because the team needed him.
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I just have to say this again. This is the best break down and argument with definitive proof, that Mr. Smith, number 22 is the goat !! It is simply the best video I’ve ever seen with all the important information lined up like the proverbial knockout punches of a heavyweight boxer…
Appreciate the comment bro!!!
@@thelogicalcowboy
My story is similar to yours. My father was an flightline officer in the Air Force while we were stationed in Osaka airbase in Japan, he decided to become a military Chaplin and left the Air Force and took me and my mom to Dallas Texas. He enrolled in Dallas theological seminary and my journey, with my father and a lifelong love for the Cowboys began. My memories as a child of Tom Landry and the hat and Roger Starbuck, and mean Joe Greene and the day I felt broken as I watched Dwight Clark make that spectacular catch against the doomsday defense… I know it’s just a game, but there are so many good memories with my dad when I was young and they’re all interlaced with my youth so I can never be anything but a cowboy fan regardless of how bad they get, I will hold on forever to the memories hoping one day to see it all again in the big game… I hope that you make a detailed video of how really good the 90s Cowboys were I personally believe they may be the best team assembled in the history of the NFL…There talent was unmatched, and because of the draft picks that were accumulated due to the Herschel Walker trade, they were so heavily stacked that if it wasn’t for personal issues, and a ARMBAR by NEON DION they could’ve come back in that game…
I do not see this from my own personal like for the Cowboys… it was just raw talent. They were so deep and so young. Norm Hitzges breaks it down in greatest team ever.
Please make an epic video of how great the 90s cowboys were and break it down so they can be no argument because I truly believe they could’ve won four in a row maybe even five in a row. I am hooked. Please continue making great videos.
@@JOERANSTRAIGHT
Thank you sir! I'm writing it up as we speak although it's going to take a while due to other content that im in the middle of. *Hopefully* , in a few weeks. Always a pleasure sir! 🙏
My dad went to DTS too when we lived in Dallas. When did your dad go there?
@Scottishmanguy What years did your dad go to DTS? Mine graduated in the 70s. We left Dallas in 1983. We lived on Swiss Avenue just before all the nice houses.
I’ve had many guys try and tell me that Emmitt was a product of his offensive line and that Barry was better. Sanders might have been more explosive and quicker but he couldn’t block or catch the ball like Emmitt. Smith was more durable also and had deceptive quickness and game speed. He rarely fumbled and could take on big defenders when he needed a yard or two. Emmitt is the best and greatest of all time. Period.
Exactly! 🔥
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barry sanders actually had better run block olines than emmitt had and people talking about the negative runs barry had in his career but dont relize alot of those negaitive runs were at fault of barry people claim barry never had a oline yet played with 3 all pros on the line
My goodness. This is just great stuff. I’ve been fighting this fight for decades and couldn’t have laid it out better. In fact, you brought up points that I hadn’t even thought of (Smith’s production in the late 90s/early 00s versus Zeke’s production in his first 5 years or Smith’s production improving in the playoffs). Bravo on continuing to create great Cowboy content and educating football fans of the many accomplishments of the often overlooked. Great, great stuff. Keep up the great work.
Appreciate you bro! Glad you liked it. Thanks for supporting the channel!
This is the best argument I have seen and one I have been making for years. Those of us that watched it know the difference Emmitt made on this team.
Appreciate you, bro! Thanks for watching!
Once again the best football video on TH-cam. Thanks for remaking it bro. Actually all ur videos are bad ass. Anyway wondering if u wanna do a T.o. video tying into the rivalry of cowboys 49ers and the disrespect of the cowboys star to him actually becoming a cowboy with full highlights of the star game and some of his cowboy highlights. B cool for real
I did for you bro! Thanks for your support!
Sure. Sounds like a good idea.
Emmitt had an efficient running style. The shoulders at times seemed to be on a swivel and the stride leading up to first contact was perfectly timed. Tomlinson is the only other guy I watched and thought the styles were similar. Barry sanders was a great role model and great for the highlights but he also holds the record for negative yards rushing. He didn't have the stride and would not under any circumstances follow a FB.
That's a major point in this debate. Emmitt was a true running back! If my son wants to play running back when he gets older I'm sorry but Sanders will not be the guy that I point him to. It'll be Emmitt Smith.
@@thelogicalcowboy Then your probably familiar with the story of Walter Payton asking Emmitt to look out for his son after he passed away. Emmitt was a pro on and off the field and I'm not trashing Barry but they were different animals on the field.
@@BonnScott1980
Yep. I definitely heard that story before.
Exactly!! I played running back in high school. NO ONE will ever coach you to do what Barry did. Run to where the play is designed to go. That’s why Barry only started one year in high school. His coach had him playing DB because he wouldn’t “stick it up in there” according to him. He had a unique running style that led to great plays and the most negative yardage in NFL history.
Emmit got to walk through giant gaps in the line, the Cowboys always had a passing game as well. Defenses would line up only to stop Barry and still fail while he was getting no blocks. I always discount how great Emmitt was because of this but Barry was better for sure.
Excellent Video! I, as a youngster, was a Barry Sanders fanboy and made those same arguments against Emmitt Smith but the more I grew to understand the game I started to appreciate his greatest. Even though I didn’t have all the facts to back it up, I knew there was more to Emmitt’s game than just a “great offensive line” and Aikman and Irvin. I like how you defined greatness and Emmitt Smith embodies that. Again, great video; I shared this video with friends and family whom I tried to get to appreciate Emmitt’s greatness. 💪🏽
Appreciate the compliments bro!! Thanks for sharing your experience 🔥
Barry Sanders is way better than him. Emmitt Smith picked up a lot of garbage yards late in the game.
@@antwandukes The facts were all laid out in front of you in this excellent video. All you did just now was state your opinion. I don't see how you, let alone anyone, can make this argument after watching this video. When it really mattered, in the playoffs, Emmitt showed up and Barry did not. Plus, Emmitt Smith never quit on his team like Barry Sanders did after the '98 season by retiring early because they wouldn't trade him or let him out of his contract. He just took his ball and went home. Emmitt Smith is the greatest, the way I've always known it. This video just broke it down and proved it.
Excellent, excellent video! And you didn't even have to mention that Emmitt is a 3X Super Bowl winner! I've been a Cowboys fan since the days of Dandy Don Meredith, and I've seen many of their very talented RBs, including Don Perkins, Dan Reeves, Duane Thomas, Walt Garrison, Tony Dorsett, Robert Newhouse, Darryl Johnston, Preston Pearson, Ezekiel Elliott, and now Tony Pollard, to name a few. But there is no doubt that Emmitt stands as the greatest of them all, not just for the Cowboys, but for the entire NFL. Plain and simple, the man is a winner!
🔥 🔥 appreciate you bro!
In my opinion the value if Emmit Smith became so apparent after their first Superbowl wun. He missed the first 2 games the next season due to contract dispute. The Cowboys went 0-2, and quickly resigned Emmit. They went on to win the Superbowl again.
Dallas without Emmitt was a different team than Dallas with Emmitt. As great as all the players around him were, without Emmitt Dallas doesn’t win any Super Bowls. If all of Emmitts success is because of his line, why couldn’t any other running back be as successful? Emmitt was the MVP of the Cowboys…period.
Facts!
According to Jim Brown, Bo Jackson would have been the greatest, but in the meantime, I'll go with Emmitt.
Facts
I'll take Emmitt over any running back ever. There's no RB past,present or future that will ever do what he did. The man played an entire half of football with a dislocated shoulder and still ran for over a hundred yards. He's the epitome of the word G.O.A.T
If Emmitt isn't the goat then the word Goat has no meaning at all.
5:11 EXACTLY! Emmitt is the only HOF player that gets crap for having great talent around him
Facts
Most running backs swing for fences which can make for great highlight reels but smith was the king of hitting singles and doubles. If you watch tape, you'll constantly notice that he maximizes yards on short gains. There are so many runs where it looks like he's going to get around 2 or 3 yards but he manages 5 or 6 yards because of his vision and strength.
I agree 100%.He was, He is and he shall always be the single best running back in the history of America football.
Emmitt Smith=The GOAT!!!
Agree, I've made this same argument about Rice & Moss. Moss better, more physically gifted, while Rice is greater, set records that likely won't ever be touched.
Exactly!!
This may be one of the best podcasts I have seen. You did one hell of a job on this. Thank you for the hard work.
Thanks brother!! Glad you liked it!
I can't even begin to describe how great this video is. There aren't enough words, really. This video puts all the respect on Emmitt's name that a lot of people refuse to give him.
Appreciate you bro! Means a lot!
Emmitt is definitely a true warrior. If my goal as a team is to win the Super Bowl, I’m taking #22 over anyone
That's the goal my friend.
Hands down, Emmit Smith is the GOAT. In his rookie training camp, he wrote his goal down to be the all time leading rusher and met that goal.
Legendary!
@@thelogicalcowboy Your research is outstanding and correct!
There was no tougher RB. His ability to play well, despite being hurt, was astonishing.
We can actually break down the film and see how many hits Emmitt took in the backfield. How many tackles he broke. Barry may have broken more ankles. Emmitt broke FAAAR MORE TACKLES!!
Greatest highlight reel of all time: Barry Sanders
Greatest running back of all time: Emmitt Smith
Most rushing yards from scrimmage all time: 18,355 Emmitt Smith
Most yards lost from scrimmage all time: 1,114 Barry Sanders
Emmitt Smith would've needed to play of 22 more seasons at his average to reach Sanders' loss yardage total.
Wow!
@@thelogicalcowboy Also, in spite of people's tendency to believe Smith's success was largely due to his offensive line, Barry Sanders's played with only one fewer pro bowler along the line as Smith did. Every time this opinion is stated, it's disrespectful to Lion's greats such as Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover.
And while Barry had a better YPC, Emmitt's Yards after contact is nearly a full yard higher than Barry's. That kind of flies in the face of the o-line argument, don't ya think? Additionally, Barry had only one fewer playoff appearance. Comparing playoff stats, whether by totals or average, Emmitt's line totally dominates (if anyone wants to bring up Barry vs the Cowboys in one game in the playoffs, mention his game against the Packers in the playoffs when he got a total yardage in the negatives...)
Sorry for the rant. This is a subject that riles me up a bit...
@@mojoschmee9320
Could have definitely read more!!
Smith was most productive over 20 years, consistent and made great play after play in big games in all games.
Even though I consider Walter Payton to be the greatest of all time, I can’t argue with this. Emmitt Smith holds more records than any other running back. Also I don’t like how people always downplay Smith by saying he was only good because of the team, I’m glad you addressed that in the video because I always tell people when Smith first came to the cowboys they were not good at all and Smith is the one who molded them into the great team they became in the mid 90s. This was a great video.
Here’s the most telling stat as to the difference in running styles. In 1994 Emmitt rushed for 1484 yards and Barry rushed for 1883. Barry had 76 first downs rushing. Emmitt had 100. In 1995 Emmitt had 1773 yards Barry had 1500. Emmitt had 107 FDs Barry had 72. In 1996 Emmitt had 1207 yards rushing Barry had 1553. Emmitt had 76 FDs Barry had 81. In 1997 Emmitt had only 1074 yards with 52 FDs. Barry had 2053 and 86. In 1998 Emmitt had 1332 yards and 90 FDs. Barry had 1491 for 65. Emmitt had 1397 yards and 86 FDs despite missing more than two and a half games. So with 600 less yards he matched BARRYs first downs in a year. That’s the difference between winning and losing. Yardage doesn’t matter as much as first downs.
Great post!!
I love these stats. Emmitt was a moving the chains guy with almost never a negative run. Barry was a beautiful and talented runner and I love his humble attitude on this very subject. Emmitt not even the most beautiful COWBOY runner as Tony Dorsett and Duane Thomas were more fluid. But Emmitt was the TOTAL GOAT. He got it done in the BIG GAMES and his performance with the shoulder injury against the NYG is the most courageous in NFL history. DAL HAD to win that game. Revisionist history folks make it like the Cowboys were the only good team during that time but they faced some tough opponents.
They faced the toughest division in the history of the NFL!! The Redskins, Giants and Eagles were like the Pistons and Dallas became the Bulls. The NFC East won 7 of 10 Super Bowls from 1986-1995 and it should have been 8.
Dang that’s crazy. Barry had 1,613 more yards rushing than Emmitt from 94-98, but somehow had 45 less first downs and 31 less touchdowns. Kind of proves he was a boom or bust RB that wasn’t good in short yardage.
Yeah, I’d say it was more a product of the run and shoot that Barry was in. The offense would make chunk yardage but never control the clock or impose their will on anyone. It’s why that offense was so notoriously bad in the playoffs. You had to control the clock to win back in the day. Now it’s just uncontested yardage. I would have loved to see Barry play a few more years but Emmitt still would have ended up the all time leading rusher if we’re talking perfect world scenarios. When Parcells came to Dallas the first thing that popped in my mind was OJ Anderson and Emmitt was still a better back than OJ at that point.Emmitt NEVER EVER should have left Dallas. I GUARANTEE at least another thousand yards rushing in 2003 in Dallas with a healthy Larry Allen. The only thing that kept Emmitt from 15 straight thousand yard seasons was Jerry’s stupidity. People like to claim Emmitt was washed up when he came to Arizona. He ABSOLUTELY WAS NOT!! He would have been far more successful in Dallas and should have been there. Look at what happened to Edgerrin James when he came to Arizona. Look at his YPC. Was he “washed up”. NO!! Just more Emmitt hatred.
Emmitt scored so many tds from five yds in, whereas Barry often was replaced in those situations. Also Emmitt was a much better blocker who was more adept at picking up blitzes to protect the quarterback...
Great point!!
I LOOVED watching Barry play. He was the most elusive runner in NFL history. Emmitt was just a better running back. He had many runs that are almost carbon copies of Barry runs. He was a more complete back. Emmitt WAS the Cowboys offense. They built the entire offense around him. Teams loaded the box against him and that opened things for everyone else. Barry spent most of his career in the run and shoot and then the spread offense. He played most of his career against Nickel and Dime defenses. The entire concept of the run and shoot is to take defenders out of the box. Emmitt played against THE BEST DIVISION IN NFL HISTORY!! Against the best defenses in the league. Emmitt also took every snap in camp in the pre season, the regular season and playoffs. Barry had a 1000 yard receiver his rookie year. Emmitt did not. Barry also had a Pro Bowl offensive lineman before Emmitt. Lomas Brown is not in the HOF yet but will be. Barry also played in the number one offense in the league in 1995 and number 3 in 1997. Barry is top three of all time. But he didn’t take the pounding Walter and Emmitt did. Don’t forget Detroit Annihilated Dallas by a combined score of 72-16 in two games in 1991. Including knocking Dallas out of the playoffs. I would have loved to watch Barry play for another few years. But if we’re gonna play perfect world scenarios I can too. Emmitt still would have finished as the number one all time rusher and NEVER EVER should have left Dallas. He played for losers the last 5 years of his career. The 1990s Cowboys were the greatest team of all time. Only Jerry Jones stupidity and free agency ended that. Dallas lost 45 of their 53 man roster by 1997. Jimmy had drafted so well they didn’t need a draft for 4 years. If Jerry hadn’t foolishly cut Jimmy Smith over a petty grudge in 1994 Smith becomes the starter opposite Irvin in 1995 and Dallas gets BETTER on offense after Harper leaves with a legit HOFer on the other side of Irvin.
Wow! This is definitely one of the best posts I've read so far. I realized that Lomas Brown didn't make it into the hall of fame, my mistake. He was actually nominated a few months ago, but unfortunately didn't get in. I had assumed he would've made it, so I didn't do the proper research. I sincerely apologize for that oversight. Nevertheless, he is part of Detroit's ring of honor, which still in a lesser way supports my point. In fact, Barry had the same number of linemen across his line that was inducted into the Ring of Honor as Smith (Larry Allen) did. Once again, great post!!!
The NFC East or BEAST won 7 of 10 Super Bowls from 1986-1995 and it should have been 8 if San Fran wasn’t allowed to CHEAT on the 1994 Salary cap and sign half of the 1993 NFC Pro Bowl roster and defer 83.8% of their salaries to 1995 while the rest of the league couldn’t. Unfortunately free agency ruined that rivalry that we should have enjoyed for the rest of the decade. Dallas was a better team WITHOUT Deion. They won two Super Bowls without him and clearly weren’t as good in 1995 as they had been. They rode Emmitt into the ground in 1995 and it took him a couple years to recover. He was on his way to 2000 yards in 1995 before he hit the wall 11 games in. With Jimmy Smith on the other side of Irvin that only opens more holes for Emmitt. In high school I foresaw what free agency would do to the league. Especially my Cowboys. I fixed EVERY ISSUE with EVERY TEAM in the league using mostly their own players. I still have those rosters memorized. I could have handed them to any GM in the league in 1995 and they would have been ecstatic. I won’t apologize for Dallas being the best team in the league. I wanted to see every team at their best. San Fran was close but Dallas OWNED THEM in the 1990s. It would have taken them at least a couple more years to catch up to Dallas. San Fran fans always tries to pretend that Dallas dinged them when THEY contacted Dallas about Trading Haley. In reality they had already replaced him with a BETTER PLAYER in 1991 named Tim Harris. They just think that people won’t remember that Harris had a better season than any Haley ever had in his career in 1992 and it was the second time he had. Harris had as many sacks in 1992 as the starter as Haley had in 1991, 1992 and 1993 COMBINED!! Unfortunately San Fran let him and Pierce Holt walk in 1993 when they tried to STEAL Reqqie White. They should have kept both of them.
@@joshuahendricks7701
Your memory is exceptional! Please tell me you're a subscriber to my channel. I would love to hear your perspective on my other videos. Thanks for watching 🙏
When comparing Emmitt with Barry, the argument about the talent around them matters not because it made Emmitt less great, but because of the advantage it gave him compared to Barry and other players. Emmitt got to run behind guys like Larry Allen and Erik Williams. The best Barry had was probably Lomas Brown. As much as I love Emmitt, he definitely had an advantage compared to what Barry had. Defenses couldn't stack the line against the Cowboys the way they could against the Lions because Troy, Irvin, Harper, and Novachek would smoke the defense if they focused too hard on the run.
In the end, all we really have is a bunch of hypotheticals. I think the best relative to era was probably Jim Brown. If I needed one yard, the back I am picking is probably Derrick Henry (which pains me as an Adrian Peterson fan). LaDanian, OJ (lol), Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Walter Payton, and Red Grange probably all have valid arguments too. What would Sanders have done if he had Emmitt's place? What would Peterson have done on OJ or Grange's teams? We'll never know, but it sure is fun to think about.
If the GOAT is the best combination of talent and team around him? I think Emmitt is the winner.
Good read! Thanks for watching!
so you missed the entire part where he shows Barry had 3 all pros on his O line with one of them being an HOFer? Also in the 90s the Lions ran alot more single back then the cowboys. more 3 and 4 wr sets... which would spread the defense out. The cowboys were nearly always in a I formation which would be easier to 'stack the box " Barry had better change of direction, better acceleration, agility and pure speed but he was a liability. He was replaced in short yardage and goalline situations for a "bigger back." short yardage/goal line every one in the stadium and watching at home knew the ball was going to # 22 and not a damn thing could be done about it.
OH Barry had Hermon Moore as a WR who was a 3 time all pro and multi pro bowler. Its not that Barry played with 2nd string bums.
@@jaywebb0113
To be fare Lomas Brown is not in the hall of fame. The Logical Cowboy corrected this in one of his comments. He should be, 7× pro bowler and 6×all pro. He was up for it a few months ago but didn't get in. But he is in the Detroit's ring of honor. That's still an accomplishment. Smith has just one offensive linemen inducted into the ring honor (Larry Allen). So it turns out to the same argument. Barry and Smith both had a one all time linemen blocking for them for the majority of their careers.
In fact, defences did often play 8 man fronts VS the Cowboys power I, just didn’t work. That was not the case for Barry and the Lions as they played with 4 WR’s spread out. It was actually more advantageous for Barry as he excelled in space.
@@legendsforkids2195
Exactly
Emmitt Smith is the all-time running back 💯💥💯💥💯💥💯💥
🔥
I loved the break down on this one. Especially the point about how Emmitt's absence affected the Cowboys. His holdout in '93 proved he was the GOAT, in my opinion. Emmitt misses the first two games and the Cowboys go 0-2. The first team to go 0-2 and then win a Superbowl. Numbers, longevity, talent, hard work, instinct, and the most complete set of intangibles of any player, ever. Emmitt is the GOAT.
Always great reading your perspective! Thanks for watching bro 🙏
I don't care what you say put him on the Lions team in those days and see what he would have done? Absolutely nothing this guy's not the goat 🐐 picking up garbage yards in the fourth quarter.
@@antwandukes This the second time I see you make the garbage yards argument. If you really pay attention, the Cowboys weren't blowing out so many teams in those years that there were garbage yards to be ran for. If you notice, the Lions actually did better in '99 without Sanders, than they did in '98 with him. Imagine that. If Smith was on the Lions, the Lions would have had more division titles and a larger playoff presence because Emmitt played better in the playoffs whereas Barry played worse. Just facts.
@@antwandukes Emmett would have gotten more yds with the Lions....weaker division and not having to share the football with Irvin, Harper, and Novacek. That one is simple.
@@davidruiz63 I don't care how many times you hear it I'm going to say it again and again! Who are you? You can disappear!
Can I just say how much I love you!!
I love the way you narrate you are so smooth!!😊
Maybe your best video ever! So weary of hearing how “anyone” could have had Emmitt’s numbers behind that line. Your great research debunks all of that, thank you!
You're welcome!
Great video. Been waiting for this for a very long time.
Ive always hated the fact that people say "oh his line was the greatest". They acted like it was the same line for 10 years. With that being said, nobody EVER uses that same argument for Rice. Why? He had 2 HOF qbs throwing him the ball? Its like they come up with an excuse to E Smith wasnt the greatest
Exactly!! It's because he's a cowboy!!
100% why!
Exactly!! Rice caught passes from Montana and then Young and no one ever argues against him.
Rice was gonna be Great no matter who his QB was. Rice went to Oakland at the age of 39-40 and put up two back 2 back 1,000 yard seasons with 9 & 7 TD's respectfully. Rice is the Goat
All your points are valid and right on. I have also have no idea why Emmitt gets discounted because of his offensive line-as if he had the exact same one throughout his long career. Moreover, only truly great backs can do so well for *so* long. Very few-if any-backs in NFL history would have done so well for so many years regardless of his offensive line.
Brilliance? No. Absolutely consistent and tough as a bed of nails? YES!
And as for YPC, quite simply NO ONE else ever ran 4,409 regular season attempts to find out! (Not to mention the ADDITIONAL 349 post season attempts for and an average an above 4.5.) Finally, sheer consistency of gain over a long time matters too. If not, John Riggins shouldn’t be in the HOF either, and apparently you never had the (dis) pleasure of him running the ball down your throat time and again with the game on the line as Dallas and most of Washington’s other opponents found out to their chagrin!
Great post!
I wonder where Earl Campbell would be on the list if he hadn't been run into the ground? I think that Jim Brown is still probably the best RB of all time. I've seen a lot of film of him and he was pretty much unstoppable. Emmitt Smith is top three at least.
Campbell would be run into the ground regardless of where he played due to his running style. Power backs rarely last for extensive careers. Jim Brown played in an era that was still griped by Jim Crow - some owners like Jack Kent Cooke in Washington were still refusing to sign black players. That was as absurd then as it would sound today. Who is to say there were not black players who could have been equally as good as Brown on competing teams if given the chance?
Walter Payton is still the greatest RB of all time. He did it in a modern era of football on teams that were never better than mediocre throughout most of his career. He was the offense and the entire league knew when they met the Bears and still couldn't stop him. The greatest aspect of Payton was his legendary heart. No one ever had a bigger heart. Watching him play made you want to strap on a helmet and throw a block for him. RIP Sweetness
For the record, I always thought Dan was better than Montana. Montana had a much better team by far. Had Dan played on those Niner teams, he would have been better. As for ES, I have him as best all time. His heart was the the best and that is why I choose him over all of them. This is a great video. 👍
I understand! Thanks bro!
Montana had Bill Walsh. Almost all of offensive schemes in the NFL are derived from the mind of the genius, Bill Walsh. SF did not miss a beat when they let Montana loose.
@@D3m3nt0
I'm pretty sure they missed a beat or few. They only won one super bowl without Montana in the last 32 years!!!
@@D3m3nt0 Yep, they transitioned to equally great Steve Young. lol.
Marino couldn't hold Montana's jockstrap... lol..
He's got the stats, and more importantly, he has the rings. Enough said.
I had to come back to this after I saw a documentary on Barry sanders. This channel owner knows I’m a Dallas fan and Emmitt is legendary.
But what I respect about Barry more than any athlete in ANY sport, is his humility. You never seen this man gloat, show off, or any of that stuff after a big play. Barry’s father was always at his side and he is there for his kids. This is a man that should be looked at as a role model. Not the arrogant, flashy, socially opinionated phonies. Barry has my respect for this reason. I encourage you to watch the documentary on Prime.
I'll definitely look at it. Thanks bro.
What's the name of the doc
@@thelogicalcowboyit’s called “bye bye Barry”. I have it on Amazon. Not sure if it’s anywhere else. Might be an exclusive for them. But that’s the title.
th-cam.com/video/kU-zXyOLQNo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=SP5JwVacUXJjAzg2
This was such a great video, I really appreciate how you broke this down and exposed the myth. Emmitt was a great player and especially delivered when it mattered. The amount of blind Cowboy hate and anti Cowboy bias is real. I hear this argument with Emmitt and Troy Aikman, and it's simply ridiculous. Dallas players are held to a different standard by the haters, but when you show them facts, they still ignore it and scoff. And now these days with all the "shock jocks" on the major networks, it's gotten even worse. Kudos for your research and excellent comparisons. I am sending the haters to this video whenever I hear the Emmitt shade lol!
Appreciate you brother!
Does Emmitt have the most rushing yards and touch downs in the post season?
Yep!
17 postseason games is like a 'season' in itself, against the cream of the crop.
Who wouldn't take a guy that touched the ball 395 times, gained a combined 1924 yds with 21 TDs in a 'season' against the best teams available?
LC: Are you a lawyer by any chance? If so, I wouldn't want to face you in a court of law. Once again, you make another compelling case - one backed up by facts and numbers. Well done. This was excellent.
🤣 Thank you brother for your support 🙏
This is one of my favorite videos of all time. I have always argued on behalf of Emmitt Smiths greatness as a running back because of all of the lame excuses that people make against him. This video was a very good [no, awesome] video and very well put together case.
Barry Sanders does hold an NFL record.
Most yards for loss (negative yards) in NFL history.
Look it up.
Sure does! I think a lot if people under look that.
Emmitt was the best all round back EVER, he ran, caught passes and picked up blitzing linebackers and safeties, Barry NEVER did all that, Barry also quit when the going got tough plus Emmitt is the ALL TIME leading rusher, won 3 Super Bowls & 1 Super Bowl MVP, Barry can only dream about accomplishing all of that.
Facts
Barry is a great runner back best elusive running back not name gale sayers. He had tendency to run backwards+ look for the big run. Emmitt Smith had great RB physique & was durable. He played even better in Big games against top level defense. Emmitt wasn't the fastest, tallest but he had the best run after contact yardage feats ever to play. If Emmitt his TD feats were incredible. He led the league in yard TDs Barry most best rbs me rt did that. Great showcase
I’d pick Barry if this was a Madden video game but Emmitt is the pick if you want to win football games
@jessec2138
Lol great point!!
Except Emmitt admitted Barry was the goat....IN DETROIT.
I'm not even a Cowboys fan, but this is some of the best football content i have seen anywhere in a long time.
Thanks bro!
Yes, he has the stats, the titles, and he played in the toughest division in football against some great defenses.
Facts
Emmitts durability is what sets him apart. Nobody and I mean NOBODY is going to break his record because nobody can stay healthy and consistent for that long. I’d rather have a Durable RB like smith than a flashy dude like Barkley who you will never get a full season out of. Also people don’t seem to realize how many times Barry sanders got tackled behind the line trying to do his dancing. Yes, it mostly worked, but it was a gamble with sanders. It was either a good run or a loss. Not good when you need a solid 3rd down run.
Great points!
Thank you for putting some respect on Emmitt’s name my all time favorite athlete.
LC, you do us Cowboy fans proud. I think anyone searching for the honest truth on the GOAT Rb, would have a very hard time logically arguing against Emmitt after watching this. Beautiful work, again.
Thanks bro!!!
Emmit is king of the hill.The most yards at a position that is probably the most punishing position in the game. He's the king and it is unlikely anyone will surpass it. Smith was predominantly and inside runner, and strangely, they seem to have longer careers (see Riggins/Csonka). Sanders was just astonishing in what he could do. Truly remarkable. Smith's use of his stiff arm as a grabber and deflector was also remarkable as was his hesitation move. Who is the 'Best' runner is just too subjective a question. It depends on what the judger values. For me, I still think the best running back Dallas ever had was Duane Thomas. He could do almost all of it. He could bang and he could break away. But what I love about Duane Thomas was how effortless he made it all seem. He just floated. Bob Lilly thought he was next Jim Brown, and for Lilly, that meant the best.. .. or second best after Brown. My favorite running back was Garrison. I just loved how he would get under tacklers and throw them off and spin out of tackles. Calvin Hill was also a beast and his hurdle moves were amazing. The weird thing with Hill is I was always waiting for him to just blast through folks (cause he was so big) and he never quite did; but god he was good. And Dorsett... th speed and that durable inside chassy.. just great. I loved them all, but I forget Newhouse. Brave beyond brave. Dennison, Pearson, Laidlaw, Springs, Newsome, Paul Palmer, Warren. and Herschel- loved them all.
Great post again!!!!!!
Csonka and Riggins were about 6'2" 235 lbs. Those dudes ran over and dragged linebackers.
You left one major factor out Emmitt was hands down, by far the best blocker out of any of them, and on top of that he could catch the ball out of the backfield and he was one tough son of a bitch too!
I absolutely did! Thanks for putting that out there bro!!
Walter was just as good as Emmitt as a pass blocker. They had many blocks that were similar. The one Emmitt made in the SB is exactly like the one Payton made bs Minnesota on MNF. Emmitt even said that he tried to emulate Walter in that era. Emmitt’s last year he even threw a TD pass.
This video could have been 10 seconds long. The ONLY reason Emmit is questioned is because he is a Cowboy. That is ALL.
Emmitt was Captain Consistency
Facts!
Emmit was a badass.....
🔥
I'm so glad you put out this video. Emmitt "Catch 22" is my favorite player of all time. Just above Captian America/Roger The Dodger, The Manster, and The Playmaker. Emmitt is the only player Jersey that I have ever owned that I don't wear. It's the Navy blue Nike Authentic. I've argued countless times that Emmitt is the greatest. He was an all-purpose running back. He had moves, vision, smash, speed, elusiveness, balance, blocking, catching, toughness, and durability as well as longevity. Nobody had all of these things. Emmitt did season after season. He was and is the GOAT!!! #22
Appreciate you bro!
@@thelogicalcowboy
I love your content. DC4L ☆☆☆☆☆
The Deuces showed up when it counted the most. Go ES #22. Go Cowboys!
Facts
1. Longevity and Running Back is rarer. At Running Back Longevity is even more of a plus.
2. YPC-Smith never came out for a specialty back. Sanders came out on short yardage and GL situations. Payton came out often for Neil Anderson (another great back). Also with the longevity comes a lower YPC as yes, his talent level did drop, while still remaining consistent even in the year and qaurter playing behind the perenial worst line in football in AZ.
3. Running back's aren't judged soley by their running ability. They do Run, they block, they catch. Brown refused to do anything but run. Sanders came out in Short yardage and passing situations. There are a handful of backs that did it all at an elite level. Smith and Payton being the best ever all around.
On a side note about the Lions record when Barry was out: Barry was a talented player. beautiful runner, but his style killed his team. He would give ground to gain ground, which lead to the most negative plays in NFL history. He would bust big plays because of this, but more often than not, turn a 1st and 10 or a 2nd and short to a 2nd or 3rd and long, putting the offense behind the 8ball. Some would argue about his line or O being bad. You mentioned the same people i've mentioned in many arguments, like Lomas and Glover. But also just about every line that played for the lions was either a top pick and or career starter. Meaning they were great players. Even if never reaching probowl or all pro status. Starting your entire career shows how great you are as a lineman.
One of the best post I've read in a long time about this debate! Thanks for watching bro!
@thelogicalcowboy thanks for putting this vid out. You did a great job
Emmitt Smith is and will always be the GOAT
Facts
There is zero doubt that Emmitt is the goat at running back. No other running back was so important to have made such a difference between winning Super Bowls from being ordinary than Emmitt Smith. His abilities to get those short yardage and goal line touchdown situations time after time alone sets him apart. But, his blocking abilities, especially during that first Super Bowl against Buffalo, constantly gave Aikman ample time to go to his 2nd or 3rd receiver, Jay Novacek, to keep those drives alive. Smith’s passes when there was no one open downfield was where he did his best running because he would always make the first guy miss, and would always get that all important first down.
Absolutely agree!! Thanks for watching 🙏
No running back will ever have a better build and use it as well as Barry. He’s the goat, Emmitt is the most accomplished and both deserve those honors. I’d be interested to see where LT is in your top 10.
LT is high in my top 10, bro! A legendary player!! I can't pinpoint where because I haven't had the chance to sit down and think about it until now. Maybe tied 5th with another classic running back outside of Smith, Sanders, Payton, and Brown or something like 6? I definitely wouldn't rank him above 7. 🤔 Yeah, I was a huge fan of LT. He reminded me of Emmitt Smith in a lot of ways. Thanks for watching bro!
@@thelogicalcowboy that’s pretty much where he is to me. Top 2 with AP in the last 20 years for sure. Not sure which one I’d rank higher. I wish Ezekiel Elliot would have continued his first few years trajectory (I’m a cowboys fan). It looked like he was going to be close to smiths level.
Without Emmitt
Dallas doesn’t win a single championship
Aikman didn’t even win a ball game in 1989