BTB: Can Anyone Break Emmitt's Record?

pancakeman

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The NFL is obviously a passing league now and running backs don't have the longevity that they used to. Emmitt's record is safe for a good while. If nothing else, he'll keep the record longer than any of the other previous all-time leading rushers. He's already had it for 18 years. Here's the article:

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...e-break-emmitt-smiths-all-time-rushing-record
On the other hand there’s perennial talk about lengthening the season, so future backs might play in more games in their primes.
 

Nova

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It’s not unbreakable, but it’s incredibly unlikely.

Peterson would have to play another four years at his current YPG with WSH to get there. He’s 35.

Gore would have to play 5 more seasons with his current YPG avg with Buffalo. He’s 37.
 

JoeyBoy718

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It’s possible. A few possible ways: 1) The game evolves back into a running league, 2) The rules change to account for player safety in such a way that the lifespan of running backs increases considerably, 3) A transcendent talent with a coach that builds the offense around him.
 

Tangle_Foot

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No. I don't think so, no way does the talent at the position, the durability, the offensive line, the philosophy change in the NFL and the good fortune to play with a respected passing game all come together again. That piece of NFL history will remain with the Dallas Cowboys and Emmitt Smith.
 

Ranched

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All records are meant to be broken. Some day unfortunately, so will Emmitt'.
 

GMO415

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Nope. NFL is an extension of it's farming system... college football. The NFL has become more and more college style, so there will never be a dominant run style system in the near future.
 

Kingofholland

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On the other hand there’s perennial talk about lengthening the season, so future backs might play in more games in their primes.

With 1 extra game that gives great backs potentially an extra 850 yards over 10 seasons. Playing in 4 more seasons in the later years may net them an extra 280ish yards. So an outstanding career could net an extra 1070 career yards or about an extra season in yards. So yes probability is boosted, but that's assuming a players career isn't shortened an extra year due to added wear and tear.
 

Skybox22

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All records are meant to be broken. Some day unfortunately, so will Emmitt'.
Except Cy Young's record for career wins. You have to play twenty-five years and win 20 EVERY year just to get to 500. I know what your saying though. It's POSSIBLE with Emmitt's record. But there are some records that will never be touched.
 

Creeper

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Its going to be a long time before his record is broken. Its going to take a phenomenal talent like we have never seen, rule changes, and a change in the way teams play offense. Who know, if QBs start asking for $60 million a year because the rules have made them so critical to the offense, maybe the league will reverse course and start using lesser QBs and relying more on big time running games.
 

GMO415

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Its going to be a long time before his record is broken. Its going to take a phenomenal talent like we have never seen, rule changes, and a change in the way teams play offense. Who know, if QBs start asking for $60 million a year because the rules have made them so critical to the offense, maybe the league will reverse course and start using lesser QBs and relying more on big time running games.
Get rid of the salary cap and problem solved.
 

dckid

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CalPolyTechnique

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It’s not unbreakable, but it’s incredibly unlikely.

Peterson would have to play another four years at his current YPG with WSH to get there. He’s 35.

Gore would have to play 5 more seasons with his current YPG avg with Buffalo. He’s 37.

I think Peterson had the best chance but suspension and injury really hampered him.

He missed 15 games in 2014 when he was 29 years old. Comes back the next season and racks up a 1,400+ yard season and then misses 13 games in 2016 due to suspension (IIRC).

Nothing is guaranteed but you’re probably at ~2,600-2,800 yards that could have been added on his career totals right there which would put him around 16,800 yards at 35 years old.
 
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cowboyec

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I didnt think anyone would break Payton's record.
it's possible....if/when the league swings back around to the running game.
Zeke will make a run at it.
but Emmitt is gonna hold it for a while.
 

TheHerd

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Except Cy Young's record for career wins. You have to play twenty-five years and win 20 EVERY year just to get to 500. I know what your saying though. It's POSSIBLE with Emmitt's record. But there are some records that will never be touched.
Not to mention the 316 losses and 827 decisions. Games change, and the NFL has changed enough to make it highly unlikely anyone beats Emmitt's total, but possible. No WAY anyone touches Cy Young's totals.
 

JayFord

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The league is slowly coming back around to running the football with teams like San Fran and Tennessee being run heavy teams that made it deep into the playoffs

Do i think its possible? Yes will anyone do it? Im not sure .......you’d have to be a bell cow running back getting 25 touches a game for 10+ years and averaging 1100 plus a season

thats tough
 

JoeKing

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It can be done but that person is not in the league yet. Zeke had a chance until last season. He has some catching up to do to even be on pace at this point.
 
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