Thought I would post new instead of reply to your Emmitt post. Today Gosselin ran a column detailing how he asked 5 very high-up NFL experts that he trusts to rank the all-time running backs 1-5. So, there were 25 spots on the 5 ballots. Emmitt got exactly zero votes! Not 1 of Gosselin's experts put Smith on their ballot. Faulk got votes, Allen got votes, Dorsett got votes, but Emmitt: none.
Gosselin's rankings: Brown, Sanders, Sayers, Simpson, Payton, Dickerson, Smith, Campbell, Allen, Faulk.
Interesting about Sayers; despite only playing 68 games, he averaged 5 yards per carry, won 2 rushing crowns, and holds the NFL record with a 30.1 kickoff return average (6 tds). Gosselin ranked all 3 of the backs with 5 yard averages in his top 3.
All in all, I think Gosselin's rankings are fair. Emmitt Smith was the perfect storm of ability & desire meeting the right offense and the right coach. Today's Morning News detailed the evolution of the 'lead draw' and how Turner devised it based on his USC days and added the 'draw' action to it. The Redskins defensive coach from that era discussed how they were unable to stop it despite knowing they would see it at least 20 times each day.
You're certainly right that Emmitt is hard to listen to. However, I do think he is a good guy at heart. When he discussed his feelings for Daryl Johnston this week it was hard not to get teary.
At the end of the day, Emmitt really represents the greatest years of my NFL-watching life, seeing the Cowboys rise and dominate. He will always hold a huge place in my sports soul, no matter where he ranks.
S
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I will have to go read the article. But, I will go with bit of skepticism knowing that Allen and Faulk were considered above Emmitt in anything.
j
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