BTB: Can Anyone Break Emmitt's Record?

Super_Kazuya · May 17, 2020

It probably is getting close to a Cy Young type record in that the game just may not be played the same way. Even if the NFL swings back to run heavy the current trend shows that they will not let just one guy do it, they will have multiple disposable guys carry the load.
More disposable guys means shorter careers with less yards. The few guys who get Zeke or Gurley deals will question the wisdom of even playing past 30 with 100 million in the bank (another modern trend), much less playing on a crappy team at 35 like Emmitt did “for the love of the game”.

Tussinman · May 17, 2020

I don't see it happening to be honest.

Pass happy league, too many injuries, so much emphasis on rotations and getting younger/cheaper.

I mean hell look at someone like Zeke who is a top runningback. 4 amazing seasons and he's still 13,000 yards from the record. He'd have to complete this current deal (that people complain is too long/he won't make health wise) and then do the exact same length deal AGAIN all while maintaining health/same yardage just to have realistic shot

No disrespect to Frank Gore (I'm a big fan) but longetivey is so rare at Runninback that Gore is essentially going to make the hall of fame on the sole purpose of longetivity. He's arguably only been a top 8 player at his position for 1 season of ENTIRE his career........

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country · May 17, 2020

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

A Cowboy replacing a Cowboy would be sweat. With the regular season being longer Zeke could have a chance at the record.

Flamma · May 17, 2020

JoeKing said:
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.

He's actually only between 200-300 yards off Emmitt's pace right now after 4 years. But he has a lot of running to do.

conner01 · May 17, 2020

Nova said:
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.

It requires many healthy seasons
The increase in games will help but that also increases chances of injury

Tussinman · May 17, 2020

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

Will help a tad but that's not the issue to be be honest

The issue is the runningback needs to have 4x the average career length of the average starting back + they have to maintain there prime for ALL of it (essentially be so elite that you don't have a prime, your entire career is prime)

Mr_437 · May 17, 2020

Naw...sports as everyone knew it is over.

ultron · May 17, 2020

I think annoying *** frank gore is the only chance the record gets broken - dude will probably play until he’s 58 years old just to break the record which is lame **.

Tussinman · May 17, 2020

ultron said:
I think annoying *** frank gore is the only chance the record gets broken - dude will probably play until he’s 58 years old just to break the record which is lame **.

Damn Frank Gore is considered a class act and is loved by fans and media members. He has legitimate passion and love for the sport in an era where it's "all about me" and "look at my brand, social media, and money"

First time i've ever seen someone trash him

sunalsorises · May 17, 2020

Someday the season will be 20 games and the field 125 yards by 65 yards. It could happen then.

Nova · May 17, 2020

CalPolyTechnique said:
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.

I also thought AP he the best chance. But I also remember questioning whether he even had a realistic shot even after his 2k season.

And even though he missed some time, those extra games could also mean he’d be retiring this season.

OmerV · May 17, 2020

GMO415 said:
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.

so you are saying running backs coming out of college are more suited to driving a plow and growing corn and wheat?

Williamsboys · May 17, 2020

Sure it can be done, all records are made to be broken, but it's probably gonna take awhile as teams don't use the rushing game like they used to, notice how few running backs lately are taking in the first round. The era of the "feature" back may be coming to an end.

OmerV · May 17, 2020

Even if a RB plays well enough his first 4-5 years to be on pace, he will sign a second contract that will pay him $60 million or more and he will be less likely to want to take a beating for the next 10 years.

JoeKing · May 17, 2020

Flamma said:
He's actually only between 200-300 yards off Emmitt's pace right now after 4 years. But he has a lot of running to do.

That's actually a lot to make up for and he isn't getting any younger.

Silverstar · May 17, 2020

Gore and Peterson are the only two even close right now and would have to play 3 more years at least. Emmitt retired when he was 35 yrs old.

Emmitt Smith
21,579 all purpose
18,355 rushing
3,224 receiving

Frank Gore - 37 yrs old
19,243 all purpose
15,347 rushing
3,896 receiving

Adrian Peterson - 35 yrs old
16,581 all purpose
14,216 rushing
2,365 receiving

eromeopolk · May 17, 2020

Records are meant to be broken. Think of how long Jim Brown, and Walter Payton had the record that Emmitt eventually broke. We'll he may have this one for a long time but it will be broken especially with the NFL soon to be 20 game season schedule

InTheZone · May 17, 2020

No, unless Frank Gore manages 500 yards for several seasons because apparently he was gifted with durability and 30 year old back ability since his rookie year.

I would say around when Tony Romo took over I said that ES record will never be broken. There will be those that look like they have a chance, but don't hold your breath. Curtis Martin, Adrian Peterson, LT and now Frank Gore all appeared to have a chance and the only guy who managed to stay healthy and keep playing is Gore, but he's literally been tacking on "cheap" yards for a few years. 2018 he had a high YPC, but outside of that in recent years he's clearly been replaceable.

joshjwp · May 17, 2020

CalPolyTechnique said:
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.

Yeah at one point I was worried about him. No way he gets there now.

Thomas82 · May 17, 2020

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

But I thought that even with the extra game the players still could only play in 16, unless I read it wrong.

BTB: Can Anyone Break Emmitt's Record?

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