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

[SibannacRex]

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.

Can he? Yes

Will he? No

 

[Phrozen Phil]

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

Records were set to be broken. If it's LT, then so be it. If he gets to that point, he'll have earned it.

 

[AdamJT13]

Tomlinson is 876 yards behind what Emmitt had at the same age. When Emmitt was 12 games into his season at age 28, he had 11,101 yards rushing. Tomlinson has 10,225. So Tomlinson has some catching up to do just to match Emmitt before age 30. The REAL difficulty in breaking the record will be matching what Emmitt did after age 30. He's by far the most productive running back after age 30, especially compared to other guys who were feature backs for their entire careers (some players such as John Riggins and Tiki Barber were productive into their 30s but weren't getting a lot of carries early in their careers).

 

[acis516]

was just waiting for the man to answer

 

[LarryCanadian]

Tomlinson is a great back. I don't agree with the person that said he is more talented than Emmitt. Believe it or not, I still think Emmitt was underrated, particulary when it came to the complete package. I'm not talking speed, or even moves (although he had enough of both). Emmitt had the vision, burst, toughness, strength, smarts, toughness, consistency, stamina, blocking, pass catching ability, and the mental/physical edge to gain that extra yard on each carry without getting hurt.

BUT, didn't LT say in an interview last week that he didn't see himself playing too much longer?! Was on these boards, the quote. He is feeling a bit worn down. It gets harder and harder each year now! The body starts to wear down.

There is another factor. San Diego has had a good or decent team for most of the years LT has been racking up yards, similar to Emmitt's 2 season onward. At some point, like Emmitt's the team or seasons start to sour. The oline gets worse, you have to try to throw and come back from behind more. Teams focus on your more because there are fewer other weapons etc. LT might hit a few lean years in terms of the team itself's talent dimishing.

I think based on LT's own comments (doesn't seem like it's a goal or priority of LT's to break Emmitt's record, where Emmitt always had his sites on being the BEST), and the fact that the hardest yards are still to come. I don't think LT is gonna make it.

Looking around the league, other than Peterson who has already had a scary injury this year and comes with injury concerns even prior to his NFL career, I don't see anyone right now in the league that can do it.

Imagine how close Curtis Martin seemed to be getting after that near 2000 yard season a couple years ago. Then bam, injury and a bad team snuff out any chance.

Think about it this year. How often have we seen a highlight reel each weekend showing LT runs. Compare that with last year or the year before. It might be a down year and he can rebound, but it gets tougher year by year.

Nope, I think Emmitt's record is safe for another 10-15 years at least. Don't see a current NFL back that shows the ability to do it. Not to mention the trend now away from feature, every down backs.

LarryCanadian