Undisputed: Robert Smith "Zeke is better than Emmitt"

[JohnnyHopkins]

Well great! Nothing would make me happier than seeing Zeke overtake Emmitt's records with a star on his helmet because that just means that the torch is passed between two players that wore the star.

 

[Texas_Pete]

He's better than Emmitt, physically. He's bigger, he's faster (not sure about stronger - Emmitt had tree trunk legs and could get dirty yards with ease). Emmitt had better vision in my opinion. My question is does Zeke have the heart Emmitt had? Emmitt was tough and had a child like passion for the game.

Love Zeke, but I wouldn't say he is better. Let's revisit this 7-8 years from now (if Zeke lasts that long given how he looks for contact like MBIII - whereas Emmitt avoided big hits, for the most part).

 

[Bull Frog]

Time will tell and I don't mind if he is right, but Smith may have a case of pre-mature ezekeulation.

 

[dfense]

Grape is better than orange.....

 

[DanTanna]

Emmitt had the best balance ever IMO. Measuring pure speed? Zeke wins. Size - Zeke. Every other measurable/immeasurable stat HOF back wins IMO.

 

[CATCH17]

Let's see what Zeke does when the stakes are high. How bad does he want to be a pro champion? Pittsburgh is a game you know emmitt would rise up for. No shoestring tackles were going to stop him. Emmitt always made the most of any slight daylight he had against elite defenses. Prove you're worthy Zeke and I'll gladly put you next to the GOAT Emmitt

I got a great feeling about it based on what he did in college.

A lot of people thought tOSU didn't belong in the playoffs that year.

He carried them over Alabama and Oregon to win a National Title.

I believe Zeke is a big game guy. I really do.

 

[gimmesix]

People forget how good Emmitt was in the very early years. The way Beasley is breaking the ankles of DBs, Emmitt could do that as a workhorse RB, but where Beas does it once in a route, Emmitt could do it multiple times in 1 run. He was not as fast as Zeke, but he could get the outside edge routinely. They're similar blockers (elite blockers and 2 of the best blockers that I've seen personally). Many LBs said was one of the most difficult to cover as a receiver.

Emmitt had an uncanny ability to avoid direct hits.

Having said that, I shake my head in amazement watching zeke.

That's an area where I think Elliott could get better — eluding defenders instead of plowing into them on the second level. Of course, he may just not have the dynamic vision and skill to do that. It takes great footwork, balance and nimbleness to be able to dodge defenders the way Emmitt did. Of course, if Emmitt had not had those skills, he wouldn't have been a great back because he wasn't going to outright win many foot races or be able to rely primarily on power. His power and speed came from being able to keep defenders off balance.

Anyone who doesn't understand the greatness of Emmitt needs to go watch him play. It's easy to look at his inferior size and speed compared to other backs and think he doesn't belong in conversations about who's the greatest back. But when you look at his actual skills, there's no doubt why he's one of the greatest of all time and the NFL's all-time rushing leader.

 

[LocimusPrime]

I'll come back in 10 years to get an update

 

[dallasdave]

I'll come back in 10 years to get an update

 

[Deep_Freeze]

The greatest of all time told me to say.....

He told you he was the greatest

now prove it.

 

[aikemirv]

Yes, he is. He's faster, stronger, and more versatile than Emmitt was. And I'm president of the Emmitt Smith fan club.

But it'll be a while before we know if Zeke has Emmitt's greatest quality......availablity.

Emmitt was the Cal Ripken or Jason Witten of running backs. Always there.

While I think Zeke is as good a rookie as Emmitt was, it remains to be seen if he is a better running back. Emmitt had remarkable vision (better than Zeke) and was great in the hole making defenders miss and glance off. Emmitt was a great receiver and pass protector. Zeke is faster and has good vision but he better learn how to not get hit if he wants a long career. That is part of being a better back as well.

Emmitt was the best all around back to ever play IMO and to give Zeke credit as better than Emmitt is the same disrespect he received throughout his career!

 

[Screw The Hall]

What separates the all-time backs from your garden variety "great backs" is durability. All-timers are elite for around a decade, great backs are special for a very abbreviated amount of time, usually 5 years or less.

 

[erod]

Always there? That doesn't make sense.

Sorry but I disagree. Emmitt's greatest quality is durability. He was hardly injured. Thus he lasted longer than just about any running back in the league. Durability allowed him to break the record.

Uh....that's what I meant by "always there."

 

[erod]

Holy hyperbole, Batman.

Are you watching the games? I haven't seen a blitzer get by Zeke yet. He punishes them.

 

[jcollins28]

This could be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Emmitt is like the Rodney Dangerfield of R/B's. Dude gets no credit what so ever for being the leading rusher in NFL history. People are so quick to give it to the offensive line yet turn a blind eye to the fact that Jim Brown, who many claim is the best played with better players and offensive line than Emmitt did. Comparing half a season to Emmitt's whole career is disrespectful. Zeneca may be faster stronger more skilled athletic whatever you want to call it. He still has a HUGE mountain to climb before he is actually better than Emmitt.

 

[Risen Star]

The kid is heading in to his 9th game as a pro for crying out loud.

Emmitt is a legend and top 5 all time at his position. No way is Zeke better.

It's irrelevant what stage he's in in his career. People always confuse accomplishment with ability. Accomplishment doesn't create ability, it showcases it. If Emmitt Smith was the greatest RB talent to ever play the game that was true at any point in his career. It was his accomplishments that proved it not what created it.

 

[bandfan]

There is a LARGE difference between better than and greater than........

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Not yet. Not yet is he better.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

The debate, in 10 years, should be Zeke vs. Sanders.

 

[Cmac]

I think Robert Smith is pretty good.....love Zeke......but 8 games in ain't the time to compare him to Emmitt. I'm sorry that is wrong and so disrespectful to Emmitt. Has nothing to do with love for Zeke. We're cool with Zeke's game or individual skill comparisons, but until Zeke runs with a bad shoulder and wince every time he runs after an injury and still want more.....I ain't with this. Robert Smith is better served with College Football analysis and put the emergency brake on.....Now!!!.....Much love for Zeke. Run Zeke run!!!