USA Today: Top 25 NFL players of the past 25 years

[03EBZ06]

TOP 25 OF THE USA TODAY ERA (1982-2007)​

To commemorate USA TODAY's 25th anniversary, a panel of USA TODAY's NFL reporters and editors has produced an anthology of the 25 best NFL players of the past 25 years. Working down from No. 25, we are unveiling one player each weekday until training camp season arrives:​

No. 7: Emmitt Smith surpassed all runners​

• No. 7 Emmitt Smith | Full list of the Top 25​

Emmitt Smith lands at No. 7 on USA TODAY's list in light of his record-breaking success and astounding durability in a 15-year NFL career during which he became the league's all-time rushing leader.​

Smith, after an NFL-record 11 consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards rushing, passed Walter Payton to become the NFL rushing king on Oct. 27, 2002. By the end of his career, he had collected 18,355 rushing yards and had only one season in which he didn't record more than 900 yards on the ground.​

An integral member of the 1990s Cowboys that became the first team to win three Super Bowls in four years, Smith joined with quarterback Troy Aikman and wide receiver Michael Irvin in ushering a new era of dominance into Dallas. At the pinnacle of the team's success, Smith won the 1993 MVP award and Super Bowl XXVIII MVP honors when the Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 30-13 for their second straight title.​

MOST CONSECUTIVE SEASONS WITH 1,000 YARDS RUSHING​

Seasons Player Teams Years​

11 Emmitt Smith Dallas 1991-2001
10 Curtis Martin N.E., N.Y. Jets 1995-2004
10 Barry Sanders Detroit 1989-1998
8 Thurman Thomas Buffalo 1989-1996​

Smith had perhaps his greatest game in the finale of the 1993 regular season against the New York Giants. Playing with a separated shoulder suffered in the third quarter (it would require him to spend the night in the hospital), Smith had 168 yards rushing and 10 receptions to help the Cowboys clinch the NFC East and earn a much-needed playoff bye — critical for a team that was battered at season's end.

Second all-time to Jerry Rice in yards from scrimmage, Smith collected multiple honors by the end of his career. He has more rushing attempts (4,409) than any other player and holds the record for most games rushing for at least 100 yards (78). He also led the league in rushing four times and in rushing touchdowns three times.

MOST CAREER GAMES WITH 100 YARDS RUSHING​

Number Player Teams, Years​

78 Emmitt Smith Dallas, 1990-2001; Arizona, 2003-04
77 Walter Payton Chicago, 1975-1987​

76 Barry Sanders Detroit, 1989-1998

Smith left Dallas after the 2002 season and played his final two seasons in Arizona. Although injuries limited him to 10 games and a career-low 256 rushing yards in 2003, he rebounded for 937 yards rushing — matching his rushing total from his rookie year — in his final season.​

"It's been a tremendous ride," Smith said about his career when he retired. "It's one I've been very proud of and one that I'm happy with. I've given everything I can possible to the game, on and off the field."​

Smith will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.​

ABOUT EMMITT SMITH

Born: May 15, 1969, in Pensacola, Fla.

College: Florida

Drafted: 17th overall by Dallas in 1990

Teams: Dallas, 1990-2002; Arizona, 2003-2004

Pro Bowls: Eight

All-Pro teams: Eight

NFL MVP: 1993

Super Bowl MVP: XXVIII

Member: All-Decade Team 1990s​

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No. 20: Aikman rescued 'America's Team'​

• No. 20 Troy Aikman | Full list of USA TODAY's Top 25

As the leader of the NFL's team of the 1990s, Troy Aikman can stake a legitimate claim to being the quarterback of the 1990s. The Dallas signal caller posted 90 wins during the 10-year span (the most of any QB in any decade), a highlight to a career that earned him the 20th spot on USA TODAY's list.​

It was Aikman's postseason success that defined his career and elevated him among his peers. He won 11 of his first 13 playoffs games, including three Super Bowls in four seasons.​

Arriving in Dallas as the first overall selection of the 1989 draft, Aikman helped the team rebuild from the depths of a 1-15 campaign and rebrand itself as the flashy "America's Team" with teammates Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.​

Within four years of his arrival, Aikman had led Dallas to its first Super Bowl title in 15 years.​

​

For rest... http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-06-25-no-20-aikman_N.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-top-25-series.htm

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

If Michael Irvin had played longer he would definitely be on the list....

 

[BouncingCheese]

Aikman never really had crazy stats but he was more than a caretaker; he got the big plays when they needed to be made and he was the team leader. Our winning teams had so much personality it could have been easy for them to let it all get to their heads. Besides Aikman would have had better stats if we didn't run every single down in the redzone.

 

[THUMPER]

Looking over that list so far I don't have a problem with where they have the players ranked. We'll have to see who they have ahead of Emmitt but so far it's a pretty good list.

 

[lostinomiya]

bet you l.taylor is no.1...well. maybe montana

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Montana was another caretaker, I would probably bet it's Jerry Rice..

 

[BouncingCheese]

Montana was another caretaker but in that WC system you pass to control TOP; besides Montana didn't always have a great running back as a security blanket.

I would say montana at no 1.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Montana a caretaker? Well he did "take care" of us several times.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Troy really deserves it.........we don't win 3 without him

 

[percyhoward]

Looking over that list so far I don't have a problem with where they have the players ranked. We'll have to see who they have ahead of Emmitt but so far it's a pretty good list.

I'll take a stab at it...
1. Joe Montana
2. Walter Payton
3. Jerry Rice
4. Reggie White
5. Lawrence Taylor
6. John Elway

 

[BourbonBalz]

One thing is certain. Emmitt should be higher than # 7. How in the hell does a RB break the all time rushing record and the all time rushing TD record, win 3 Super Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP, a regular season MVP, and four rushing titles and not rank around # 3 or higher? I just don't get this. The only two players I see as possibly higher are Montana and maybe Elway.

 

[iceberg]

One thing is certain. Emmitt should be higher than # 7. How in the hell does a RB break the all time rushing record and the all time rushing TD record, win 3 Super Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP, a regular season MVP, and four rushing titles and not rank around # 3 or higher? I just don't get this. The only two players I see as possibly higher are Montana and maybe Elway.

wah - they don't like my player.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Bite me!!!!!!

 

[iceberg]

Bite me!!!!!!

wah - they don't like my player!!!

no matter what poll comes out for what reason, there's always some uber-homer mad cause WAH - they don't like my player!!!

 

[jay cee]

One thing is certain. Emmitt should be higher than # 7. How in the hell does a RB break the all time rushing record and the all time rushing TD record, win 3 Super Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP, a regular season MVP, and four rushing titles and not rank around # 3 or higher? I just don't get this. The only two players I see as possibly higher are Montana and maybe Elway.

I see what you are saying, but if you look at the 6 players Percy Howard listed, thats some pretty strong players. You could just about make a case for any of them along with Emmitt to be number 1.

 

[iceberg]

I see what you are saying, but if you look at the 6 players Percy Howard listed, thats some pretty strong players. You could just about make a case for any of them along with Emmitt to be number 1.

emmitt was definately ONE of the greats. in so many years there just happen to be a LOT of greats. that's why i think the polls are interesting but someone ALWAYS gets upset player xyz (usually emmitt around here) isn't getting their props and should be higher.

 

[THUMPER]

I'll take a stab at it...
1. Joe Montana
2. Walter Payton
3. Jerry Rice
4. Reggie White
5. Lawrence Taylor
6. John Elway

That looks about right, the order may be different but it will probably be those 6 guys.

 

[burmafrd]

Pretty much agree. I think Elway will be higher and Rice lower. Montana as #1 probably is correct considering we are talking 1981 and later. Man had 4 rings- and as pointed out he did NOT always have a great running game; early on it was pretty mediocre. He did not really have GREAT WRs either, early on.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Pretty much agree. I think Elway will be higher and Rice lower. Montana as #1 probably is correct considering we are talking 1981 and later. Man had 4 rings- and as pointed out he did NOT always have a great running game; early on it was pretty mediocre. He did not really have GREAT WRs either, early on.

Craig ?
Taylor ?
Rathman ?
Clark ?
Soloman ?

He definitely had some weapons.

 

[Little Jr]

Troy really deserves it.........we don't win 3 without him

We dont when 3 SB's without Emmitt. We won games and playoff games without Troy.