Will a RB ever get close to Emmitt's record?

[BLBisinnocent]

With the shelf life of NFL running backs dwindling, more committee backfields and the use of third down and goal line backs more prevelent, and defenders like Jared Allen and the rest of the Minnesota Vikings D-line using performance enhancing drugs.........Not only will a running back never break Emmitt's career rushing yards mark, but I think it will be difficult for anyone playing now or in the future to make it into the Top 5......

What do you think?

[BLBisinnocent]

Rank Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active Yds Years Teams
1. Emmitt Smith+ 18,355 1990-2004 2TM
2. Walter Payton+ 16,726 1975-1987 chi
3. Barry Sanders+ 15,269 1989-1998 det
4. Curtis Martin 14,101 1995-2005 2TM
5. Jerome Bettis 13,662 1993-2005 2TM
6. Eric Dickerson+ 13,259 1983-1993 4TM
7. Tony Dorsett+ 12,739 1977-1988 2TM
8. LaDainian Tomlinson (30) 12,490 2001-2009 sdg
9. Jim Brown+ 12,312 1957-1965 cle
10. Marshall Faulk 12,279 1994-2005 2TM
11. Edgerrin James (31) 12,246 1999-2009 3TM
12. Marcus Allen+ 12,243 1982-1997 2TM
13. Franco Harris+ 12,120 1972-1984 2TM
14. Thurman Thomas+ 12,074 1988-2000 2TM
15. Fred Taylor (33) 11,540 1998-2009 2TM

21. Jamal Lewis (30) 10,607 2000-2009 2TM

26. Clinton Portis (28) 9,696 2002-2009 2TM

29. Thomas Jones (31) 9,217 2000-2009 4TM
30. Ahman Green (32) 9,205 1998-2009 3TM
31. Ricky Williams (32) 8,892 1999-2009 2TM

56. Steven Jackson (26) 6,707 2004-2009 ram

63. Larry Johnson (30) 6,219 2003-2009 2TM

71. Brian Westbrook (30) 5,995 2002-2009 phi

80. Willis McGahee (28) 5,787 2004-2009 2TM

93. Willie Parker (29) 5,378 2004-2009 pit

119. Julius Jones (28) 4,845 2004-2009 2TM

136. Adrian Peterson (24) 4,484 2007-2009 min

141. Chester Taylor (30) 4,396 2002-2009 2TM

163. Ronnie Brown (28) 4,081 2005-2009 mia

Marion Barber (26) 3,984 2005-2009 dal

180. Maurice Jones-Drew (24) 3,924 2006-2009 jax

188. DeAngelo Williams (26) 3,850 2006-2009 car

190. Michael Turner (27) 3,827 2004-2009 2TM

212. Cedric Benson (27) 3,591 2005-2009 2TM

220. Joseph Addai (26) 3,525 2006-2009 clt

225. Kevin Faulk (33) 3,505 1999-2009 nwe

229. Brandon Jacobs (27) 3,455 2005-2009 nyg

234. Ryan Grant (27) 3,412 2007-2009 gnb

243. Justin Fargas (29) 3,369 2003-2009 rai

[cptkirk321]

I think Chris Johnson has a shot.

[BLBisinnocent]

only 15,000 more to go.......

[TTB]

Chris Johnson noly guy has a shot at this point IMO........

AP's running style won't allow him to stay healthy long enough

[cptkirk321]

Originally Posted by BLBisinnocent

only 15,000 more to go.......

Emmitt after his first two years in the league 2500 rushing yards

CJ after his first two years in the league 3234 rushing yards


And I think CJ has the perfect coach(right now) that he will be the focal point in the running game for his team for at least the next few years.

[BLBisinnocent]

thats what I was getting at.....the game isnt the same for RB's as it was even 10 years ago.....

[CANDY-MAN]

agree man, I saw BERRY SANDERS one day run through a couple of guys,they had the perfect angle on him and when he got there he just ran through them... like a ghost.It was sick trying to stop him.great post thanks for the memories,oh about your question I hope so.

[papa bear]

The credit for Emmitt’s accomplishments goes to a phenomenal O-Line. Aikman could have lined up at RB and won the rushing title behind that O-line. The question should be will we ever see an O-Line assembled as good as what Emmitt had for an extended time. If so, someone will break the record. Payton and Sanders were better backs and did much more with a lot less in front of them. If either one of them had Emmitt’s O-Line, the record would have been put out of reach.

[larrylooser]

I agree sanders was the better back he had over 1500 yards his last year and then just up and retired he was not close to being done we can all say what if but i really believe if he would have continued playing that he would be the all-time leading rusher.

[Romanowski]

no to original question, nobody will

and lmao at chris johnson showing any indication he can after 2 seasons

[Dr. Jack]

No shot

Chris Johnson? Let's let him do it for a few years before we call him the greatest

[Dr. Jack]

Originally Posted by papa bear

The credit for Emmitt’s accomplishments goes to a phenomenal O-Line. Aikman could have lined up at RB and won the rushing title behind that O-line. The question should be will we ever see an O-Line assembled as good as what Emmitt had for an extended time. If so, someone will break the record. Payton and Sanders were better backs and did much more with a lot less in front of them. If either one of them had Emmitt’s O-Line, the record would have been put out of reach.

Unfair to Emmitt. The guy doesn't get enough credit. Sure he had a good offensive line but Jerry Rice had a great quarterback, Joe Montana had a great receiver, etc.

Emmitt had a great o-line and was not the first to have a great o-line. He deserves more credit. JMO

[NFLMAN]

Barry Sanders = Chris Johnson X5

Barry Sanders +5 sub-prime years = Emmitt Smith

[TTB]

lot of could of should of would of's in here........

Is it Emmitt's fault he had such an outstanding oline? Do we really hold that against him? lol

I guess that oline was the only reason Troy did work as well.......lol


and yes Rome, it's really difficult to guage something like this after only two seasons but I do think CJ has a shot if he stays healthy......the guy doesn't run as physical as a guy like AP is all I was saying and his running style helps him avoid the big hits