Emmitt Smith Waiting on a Call; More from Tony Dorsett
by Dave Halprin on Feb 6, 2010 11:07 AM CST
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PrintLater today, a former Cowboys running back will receive a very important call. Without a doubt, Emmitt Smith is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I could go on and on about his durability, his ability to see tackles coming and break free, the low-center of gravity that gave power to a short back, his blocking and receiving - you get the drift. Emmitt was simply one of the best and most complete backs to ever play the game. So instead of telling you what you already know, let's give him some video love, before the announcement comes out later today.
More about a different Cowboys running back legend after the jump.
Here's the second part of the Tony Dorsett interview my friend Joel Thorman, representing SB Nation, had with Tony Dorsett concerning the famous 99-yard run.
SBN: I asked some Cowboys fans what I should ask you and they all said: The 99-yard run.
Dorsett: First of all, let me tell you, when I saw the ball back there as far as it was, you can't get too fancy and too creative. When I was running on the field, I said 'Tighten up the chinstrap a little more' because you're going to be running straight ahead and someone is going to get a good shot on you. Fortunately I got good blocks from Tom Rafferty our center and Herb Scott our guard, a trap block. I jumped through the hole, and it doesn't take much for a 180 pound guy like me to hit it and break a tackle and make a guy miss. Then I'm off to the races.
I got to the second level so fast and then the third level -- I don't know if they knew what hit them. I got there so fast, then there's Drew Pearson and the two defenders. Drew's legs - it looks like he's tiring - and I'm like, 'Okay I have to make a move', so I'm going to try to pass him and then he throws a block and pushes the guy further down the field. I was like a foot from the sideline and I was running out of gas so I thought he was going to push me out of bounds. But he didn't have enough push in that shove to get me out of bounds and it ended up being a record setting run.
SBN: Did you think anyone was coming from behind?
Dorsett: I didn't think anyone was coming from behind but there were guys ahead of me with angles and I was thinking someone was there and was going to push me out of bounds but it didn't happen.
Video of Tony's run.
Check out this piece about how the Cowboys acquired Tony Dorsett in the draft.
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First To
Say We love you Emmitt . . . thanks for the memories and the rings.
And He Terrorized Them
His career-best game (237 yards) was against them, and he rushed for more yards against the Eagles than any other team.
That should warm your heart…
Great Highlight Reel
Emmitt was the core of the 1990’s offense. We were able to win without Troy or Michael in the lineup, but when Emmitt was out, the offense came to a screeching halt. Great balance, great vision, excellent blocking, always seemed to be able to roll the pile forward turning a one-yard gain into five or six.. I absolutely loved Emmitt.
Unfortunately, there’s a revisionist school of thought now (mainly among Cowboys haters) that he really wasn’t that good, that he relied on a bunch of All-Pro linemen to get his yards. None of those guys every watched Smith play in his prime, because if they did, they would know they have everything backwards. Those linemen were Pro-Bowlers because Emmitt made them look much better than they were. If the line was so great, then why didn’t guys like Sherman WIlliams, Derrick Lassic and Lincoln Coleman rip up defenses, too?
Thanks for the heart and desire, Emmitt. You’re induction into Canton was well-deserved.
Great point, kindblue
about how Emmitt was far more than a RB behind a great line on a great team.
But the Cowboys weren’t able to win without Irvin in the lineup, either…just Aikman.
Too small too slow.
These were the knocks on Emmit the year Dallas drafted him. The one thing scouts didn’t take into account was heart, and he had the heart of a lion. HOF is where he belongs.
I was at Texas Stadium that day against Seattle
My wife surprised me with tickets we really couldn’t afford, and it is one of the great experiences of my life. I was 19 when they won the superbowl in 92, the 90’s cowboys were a big part of my early adult life.
Kindablue is dead on with his post above. If you had exchanged Barry Sanders for Emmitt, the team would not have been as good. Emmitt made the offense go, every carry was guaranteed to gain 4 yards, he never seemed to get stopped for a loss. (At least when he wasn’t running the same play over and over, thanks coach Switzer).
This is the comparison me and my buddy used to make....
if you were 7 points up with 7 minutes left of time and you just wanted to pound the rock, who would you rather have?
That might not mean alot to everyone but it definitly would mean alot to me.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Feb 6, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
Open field
Yes, he had All Pro Linemen, but just watch his open field running and yards after contact, All Heart!!
He was, and I'll explain again to those who still say he's not if they want
But are you sure he’s not second to Romo?
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Feb 6, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
I think he will eventually...
He has solid numbers and 5 rings.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Feb 6, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Emmitt was the ABSOLUTE best at using his non-ballcarrying arm. Something you dont see as much of in todays NFL.
Amazing how good he was at “catching” opponents arms and shrugging off tackles.
Thanks for the video, makes you remember how great he really was.
"On a journey to anywhere you can draw your own map."
Good grief
He was a far greater elusive and cutback runner than people give him credit for. I’d like to see how Emmitt’s yards-after-contact stacks against the other greats he’s compared to.
Running Backs
I have been watching the Dallas running backs since Duane Thomas and Calvin Hill. Saying that I can honestly say that there has never been a back in Dallas or any other team that had Dorsett’s quickness and speed combo. The man was unbelieveable watching him. The only time I ever saw him caught from behind was by Darrell Green and that guy was a true sprinter playing football. As far as single greatest effort that would go to Emmitt in the Giants game in 1994. Calvin Hill and Duane Thomas were my first and I can honestly say I was really disappointed in what happened to both those guys. Calvin was lured away by the World Football League and Duane, well it was a volatile time back then and he got caught up in the times and they kinda dicked him over. He helped them to get to him, but without a doubt he was a very good runner and if he had of stayed in Dallas, he would have a better legacy, as would Calvin. Herschel was just Herschel and he had all that talent that was wasted by Donald Trump and the USFL. Man what a horse he would have been if he had of played his whole career in the NFL, but then again destiny is not about the individual as much as it is the moment in time and who is there.
Ahab the Arab
I say keep an eye on this kid, this Louie the Looper. He's going places!
Haley
This trade was the genesis of our rebirth as the best team in football. The guy was a balls to the wall kinda player. We really need that kind of player on the team now. I know some will say that we have him in Ware and I think Ware is a very special player, but there are always special players, there are only a few truly great players. That is why Haley should be in the HOF because he was a great player. Today there are too many players who are voted in that do not fit this category in my opinion. Take Ray Guy, the guy was the very best punter of his time, why not have him in the HOF. That is what the place is for, not just guys who have fantastic numbers.In my opinion if you didn’t contribute to some Championships/Games or were not the very best at your position, then no one should vote you for the HOF. My case example would be Dan Marino. A damn good player, but nothing to show for it. Jim Kelly didn’t win anything, but he took his team to 4 championship games. The reason they play is to be the best and the best play in Championship games. Especially nowadays, with Free agency the way it is, a player does not have to play on the same team, so they can go where they can make a difference or ,make the team that drafts them a difference maker in the games. I know this opinion will not be shared by the majority, but thats’s okay cause I don’t get a vote anyways. lol
Ahab the Arab
I say keep an eye on this kid, this Louie the Looper. He's going places!
Emmitt's Best Game
was the game he injured his shoulder and yet played to the end. I think it was the season ender, against the Giants and allowed the Cowboys to win the division. That was the most gutsy performance ever in my memorey banks . . . any sport.
Thank you for article
Good grief, I forgot he actually caught ten ball to go with the yards on the ground: Emmitt Smith rushed for 168 yards (38 yards more than the entire Giants’ ground game) and he caught 10 passes for another 61. In the first half, on a short-yardage play, Smith landed on his shoulder. "The pain," he would say later, "it’s like nothing I ever felt … I mean ever in my life. I mean, I thought I heard my bones breakin’ all afternoon. But I never thought of not playing." Emmitt: one of the greatest NFLers and at the very top as a Dallas Cowboy.
Small Nitpick
Izenberg got the play wrong in which Smith got hurt. It wasn’t a short-yardage play. Dallas was backed up inside their own 20 late in the first half, and Smith ripped off a run of about 30 or 40 yards, flipping field position and maybe giving Dallas a chance to extend their lead beyond 13-0 at the end of the half. With Smith out, the drive stalled and Dallas went to the half with that lead. He returned in the second half, and the rest was history.
Fair enough
The guy is older than dirt so I wil cut him some slack. I was at that game, and I did not remember which play Emmitt got hurt on, and I am not nearly as old as dirt
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Another Point About Emmitt
He fell in the draft and Jimmy and Jerry moved back up a few spots to make sure the Cowboys got their man.
if you watch the highlight about Dorsett getting drafted
isn’t it crazy? the Seahawks had multiple picks but no one came out to be as good as TD and the one pick they traded to the 49ers? Joe Montana…
as much as people talk about the H Walker trade, have to admit that it could have turned out for naught if we missed on all the picks.
Damn that is a great video
I had to mute it, but man…I love the stiff arm of the 49er at :46…I watched almost every Cowboys game in the 90s but I guess I’d forgotten how powerful and elusive Emmitt was.
Congrats Emmitt! Now we get to look forward to his acceptance speech…hee hee.
Yeah, I forgot how violent Emmitt could be running
Not just the stiff arms either. He really used his free hand effectively to keep defenders from getting a hold of him. Some incredible balance on display.
Great highlight reel.
Drago says, "We must break you!"
Dr. Z once wrote something to the effect of
people forgot the power and passion of his running as his career diminished, and looked back on his career in a more negative way.
by I_miss_Switzer on Feb 7, 2010 5:46 PM CST up reply actions
I just wish there was another 10 years of Emmitt running to look forward to.
sigh, I guess I can be called an old fart now.
Can you imagine the domination on offense if we had our passing game with Emmitt’s running game? I know, two different eras. I do love our guys but none are as complete as Emmitt.
Emmitt
was so difficult to tackle.
His hand usage was incredible even though he carried the ball in his left arm 96% of the time. An arm tackle would not get him to the ground.
Thanks for the video.
Ich bin ein Berliner--JFK
He had tremendous balance too...
Alot of guys break tackles and stumble to the ground but he stayed up so well it was amazing.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Feb 7, 2010 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
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