Can/Will LT break Emmitt's career rushing record?

[TwoCentPlain]

Last week LT went over 10,000 yds. I started to worry about Emmit's career rushing record being in jeoprady.

Emmitt Smith after 7 years: 10,160 yds
LT after 6 yrs 12 games: 10,225

Career stats
Emmitt: 226 games, 4409 rush attempts, 18,355 yds, Avg. 4.2
LT : 109 games, 2289 rush attempts, 10,225 yds, Avg. 4.5

Can Tomlinson do it? I'd hate to see Emmitt lose the record? LT would have to average about 1350 yds/yr for the next 6 years. Those extra 1000+ yds Emmitt racked up as a Cardinal just might be the difference. Hopefully, LT struggles to get yds here on out. Rivers playing bad and SD with crappy WRs helps defenses play the run.

 

[Zman5]

He can but I don't think he will.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I always wanted Emmitt to really put it out of reach at 20,000 yards....

oh well.... still a long ways to go for LT.... anything could happen.

Emmitt said if anyone could/should break his record it would be LT. He said that years ago.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Also, I don't think the career totals include the postseason yds. Emmitt has a whole bunch of those. I think postseason yds ahould count towards the career total, imo. No one would ever catch Emmitt if that were the case.

 

[03EBZ06]

He certainly is on a track to do so if he could stay relatively healthy and play long enough.

 

[DakAttack]

I think LT will break it if he stays healthy and if Peterson can stay healthy enough and play over 12 years he will shatter Emmitt's record.
I just don't think AP's body will hold up to all that pounding.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I'm praying the records stays in Dallas!

 

[eduncan22]

It will be many years before that record is broken.

 

[Mavs Man]

Emmitt's rushing touchdown record is another one I'd hate to see fall so soon.

LT recently passed Walter Payton for third place all-time with 111 rushing TDs. He needs 12 more to tie Marcus Allen at 123, and then another 41 TDs to catch Emmitt at 164.

 

[Verdict]

L.T. is a more talented back than E. Smith was, but a lot of different factors will come into play for him to break the record. I think he is within striking distance of Smith's record. If he stays healthy and he gets decent support from his team, he will break the record.

 

[THUMPER]

Emmitt's TD record is more likely to fall to LT than his yardage total. I don't believe LT can stay healthy or play at a high enough level for long enough to catch Emmitt in yards.

It is not just that Emmitt was still a top RB late into his career but that he stayed healthy for so long. Same goes for Payton, he rarely got hurt. Guys like Terrell Davis could have had a good shot at it but they couldn't stay healthy and that's the real measure of the record IMO.

The other measure is that Emmitt helped his team win 3 SBs, something it is highly unlikely LT will do.

 

[Mavs Man]

Emmitt's postseason marks:

349 attempts (2nd to Franco Harris - 400)
1,586 yards (1st)
4.54 YPC
19 rushing TDs (1st)
21 total TDs (1st - tie w/ Thurman Thomas)

 

[Wolfpack]

He's the only one that has a shot right now and I always thought he would be able to challenge the record.

I think he is 28 now and will have to stay productive up untill he is about 33 or so, challenging.

 

[K-Mart]

He certainly is on a track to do so if he could stay relatively healthy and play long enough.

If he does then so be it....couldn't happen to a nicer guy.....

 

[kmd24]

LT is one year older than Emmitt was at those points in their careers.

Emmitt is one of the few backs in history that has been extremely productive (and not injured) in his 30's.

I'm sure Adam will eventually appear to lay down some numbers.

 

[Doomsday101]

He very well could make a run at it but the same was being said about other backs who looked as if they were on pace to catch Emmitt only to fail. Marshal Faulk was one of them as was Curtis Martin but this record has a lot to do with a players endurance and skill than just skill alone. If LT health is good for many years and he continues to produce then yes he could do it.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

If he does not get injured.....he will do it.

 

[03EBZ06]

LT's first 7 year stat (2001 - 2007)... This season, he has gained 1,049 yards and is on pace to gain 1,400 yards.

Rushing Yards: 10,575 / 1,510 yards per season (Emmitt averaged 1,450 yards per season in his first 7 years)

If LT averages 1,300 per season, he could break Emmitt's rushing record in less than 6 years.

 

[DBoys]

LT does not have the head or heart for it.

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

Last week LT went over 10,000 yds. I started to worry about Emmit's career rushing record being in jeoprady.

Emmitt Smith after 7 years: 10,160 yds
LT after 6 yrs 12 games: 10,225

Career stats
Emmitt: 226 games, 4409 rush attempts, 18,355 yds, Avg. 4.2
LT : 109 games, 2289 rush attempts, 10,225 yds, Avg. 4.5

Can Tomlinson do it? I'd hate to see Emmitt lose the record? LT would have to average about 1350 yds/yr for the next 6 years. Those extra 1000+ yds Emmitt racked up as a Cardinal just might be the difference. Hopefully, LT struggles to get yds here on out. Rivers playing bad and SD with crappy WRs helps defenses play the run.

well, it will be at least 5 years. the key to emmitt's longevity was staying healthy. so far so good for LT, but time will tell.