Emmitt Smith's tenure as Dallas starting RB is over

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
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Cowboys only want Smith in backup role

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ESPN.com news services


The Cowboys will have a new look this upcoming season with the addition of coach Bill Parcells.


But will Dallas staple Emmitt Smith join him?


Smith's stint as a starter is likely over as the Cowboys only want the running back to return in a backup role, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News on Thursday.


Citing a team source, the newspaper reported that Smith and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will meet next week to discuss the NFL veteran's future.


According to the News, Jones will inform Smith at the meeting that if the running back returns to the Cowboys in 2003, it will not be as a starter. Jones will also reportedly tell Smith that the team will restructure his contract and will give Smith permission to negotiate with other teams.


The source also told the newspaper that Jones will release Smith if he finds a team that wants the running back as a starter. If Smith cannot find a team that wants him as a starter, the Cowboys will reportedly retain him in the backup role.


"I can still do it. If a team is going to pay me to come and play for them, they are not going to pay me to play a backup role," Smith told Fox Sports Net last week. "Why would they make that kind of investment in me?"


Smith has said he is willing to restructure his contract, which will pay him $7 million in 2003. The Dallas Morning News also reported that if Smith remains with the Cowboys, his salary is expected to be reduced to the NFL minimum for a 14-year veteran at $755,000.


According to the report, Parcells has not taken a stance on Smith's status, and said the running back's role will not be ironed out until after Smith meets with Jones.


 

Kojak

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Jul 31, 2001
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:(. Damn, I will miss seeing him in a Cowboy's uniform. I will be surprised if he stays in Dallas.
 

xuanman

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Oct 5, 2002
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He was phenomenal in his prime. It has been a little disheartening to see him struggle the past several years.
 

Ponyboy25

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Aug 16, 2000
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Yes, he was a good running back, running behind guys that weighed 315+ lbs. I think any other decent back may have achieved his stature running behind whales like Mark Stepnoski, Erik Williams and Nate Newton. :(

Natually, I've got to dislike the guy. He, as well as the rest of the his damn team resulted in my 49ers team missing out on two additional Lombardi trophies during the early '90s. :|
 

BooneRebel

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Mar 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: Ponyboy25
Yes, he was a good running back, running behind guys that weighed 315+ lbs. I think any other decent back may have achieved his stature running behind whales like Mark Stepnoski, Erik Williams and Nate Newton. :(

Natually, I've got to dislike the guy. He, as well as the rest of the his damn team resulted in my 49ers team missing out on two additional Lombardi trophies during the early '90s. :|
He achieved his stature taking hits from 315+ lb whales. The guy had absolutely no concern for his own body. Look back on some old game footage on some of the abuse he's taken, just to get an extra yard or two for the team. The only other guy I've seen play with as little disregard to his own body has been Brett Favre. No, I don't think that just any other RB could have done what Emmitt has accomplished.

 

Led Zeppelin

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Oct 15, 2002
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It's time for Emmitt to pass the torch and call it a career. I'm sure CBS or HBO will have openings for him on their NFL shows.
 

thawolfman

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Dec 9, 2001
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Originally posted by: Ponyboy25
Yes, he was a good running back, running behind guys that weighed 315+ lbs. I think any other decent back may have achieved his stature running behind whales like Mark Stepnoski, Erik Williams and Nate Newton. :(

Natually, I've got to dislike the guy. He, as well as the rest of the his damn team resulted in my 49ers team missing out on two additional Lombardi trophies during the early '90s. :|

rolleye.gif
 

mpitts

Lifer
Jun 9, 2000
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I think they should let him continue to start, thus allowing the cowboys to go 5-11 again. :D
 

snooker

Platinum Member
Apr 13, 2001
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Emmitt Smith was one heck of a RB in his prime. But it is time to step aside and let some of them other youngsters earn their millions now.
 

Ponyboy25

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Aug 16, 2000
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He achieved his stature taking hits from 315+ lb whales. The guy had absolutely no concern for his own body. Look back on some old game footage on some of the abuse he's taken, just to get an extra yard or two for the team. The only other guy I've seen play with as little disregard to his own body has been Brett Favre. No, I don't think that just any other RB could have done what Emmitt has accomplished.

Like I said, he looked good running behind that particular O-line. Someone who achieved more with less and took a lot more hits was Walter Payton, the greatest RB IMHO. Who knows how much more Payton could have of achieved had he been in Smith's position. ;)
 

Turkey22

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Nov 28, 2001
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Emmitt breaking the record this year just made me sick to my stomach knowing that Barry Sanders would have demolished said record had he not decided to retire. I think it cheapens the record in every way, thinkin that you are best of all time, but not even being the best fo your generation by far.
 

ATLien247

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Feb 1, 2000
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Originally posted by: Turkey22
Emmitt breaking the record this year just made me sick to my stomach knowing that Barry Sanders would have demolished said record had he not decided to retire. I think it cheapens the record in every way, thinkin that you are best of all time, but not even being the best fo your generation by far.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...

I'm sick of hearing about Barry Sanders. He quit, and that's all there is to it! :|
 

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
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Who cares if he quit? It's a friggen job, and when all you do is lose, you get unhappy. Why do something that doesn't make you happy?
 

LH

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Feb 16, 2002
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Yeah Im skeptical of the source. Yes its the Dallas Morning News, but they also said Chad Hutchinson will be the starting QB next year.
 

ATLien247

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Feb 1, 2000
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Originally posted by: murphy55d
Who cares if he quit? It's a friggen job, and when all you do is lose, you get unhappy. Why do something that doesn't make you happy?

Exactly. But everyone's always "if he didn't retire, if he didn't quit..." and all that nonsense. Can you honestly tell me that Emmitt was happy his whole career? They ran him like a mule. He carried the team. Hell, there were times when he couldn't hardly stand the day after a big game.

But he stuck with it. That's the whole point. That's the difference between Emmitt and Barry. Emmitt stuck with it and rightfully earned his place in football history as the all-time leading rusher.
 

Turkey22

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Nov 28, 2001
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Actually I kinda agree with you, Barry did what he wanted, many people were upset about it, but it was his life. My point was that the record is cheapened, not to mention the fact that emmitt shoulda been on the bench last year in addition to this year due to that fact they already have a better running back. Hambrick is younger faster stronger better. It doesnt take a guy with a lot of experience to come in and dominate at that position it takes a guy with talent and in that category hambrick is the better choice. Heck I wouldnt be too surprised to see them draft a guy who would easily outpace emmitt now. He's at the end of a great career but he shoulda stopped when he was no longer the best guy for that position.
 

wyvrn

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
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This is untrue. During the superbowl run which was 4 years, he had one of the best lines in football and maybe the best. But free agency and age soon caught up with the line. I would argue, and be correct, in saying that Emmit Smith has played with average to below average offensive lines for more years than he has the great offensive lines. People who continue to characterize Emmit's career to the quality of his offensive line are only looking at a few years and completely dismissing the success he had the other years of his career. Fans who do this have tunnel vision. Then they go on to argue that other running backs would have had more yards with quality offensive lines, which is so obvious it doesn't even need to be argued.

All great players are great partly because of the players around them, but not solely because of this. Great players are great because they are great, period.

Originally posted by: Ponyboy25
Yes, he was a good running back, running behind guys that weighed 315+ lbs. I think any other decent back may have achieved his stature running behind whales like Mark Stepnoski, Erik Williams and Nate Newton. :(

Natually, I've got to dislike the guy. He, as well as the rest of the his damn team resulted in my 49ers team missing out on two additional Lombardi trophies during the early '90s. :|

 

Dufman

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Dec 29, 2002
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Originally posted by: LedZeppelin
It's time for Emmitt to pass the torch and call it a career. I'm sure CBS or HBO will have openings for him on their NFL shows.

he can take troys place when he returns
 

Jmman

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 1999
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Well, even though the record is an individual one, football is a team sport. You can't achieve anything without help. Emmitt in his prime was a great running back. Anyway, I don't think Emmitt is completely washed up. He ran for about 1000 yards last season with a completely crappy team. They are a lot of "young" backs who didn't get that many yards.....:)
 

aeroguy

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Mar 21, 2002
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I don't think that just any other RB could have done what Emmitt has accomplished.

Yes, Barry Sanders could have if he chose to. Key work is could, it's not fair to say no one else could have done it.