Throwback Thursday: Emmitt Smith

Former Dallas Cowboys running back and all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith was a recent guest on Rich Eisen's podcast. Smith is in the Los Angeles area for a return engagement on "Dancing with the Stars." Even in retirement can't get away from competition. Even if it's dancing. He rushed for over 18,000 yards! He can do whatever he wants in his retirement!

It's difficult to believe that it's been ten years since Emmitt Smith broke the rushing record that was held by Walter Payton, Time is just whizzing by. Smith had some interesting things to say about running with the football while chatting with Eisen. Seeing as Smith ran for more yards than any back before or since he's pretty much an expert on the subject. He mentioned that getting to the sideline can limit a back. All of the fast backs, most backs really, try to get to the edge. They want to get to the sideline and turn up field. No surprise there. Smith said that getting to the sideline takes away many of your options. The sideline becomes and extra defender. It seems so simple but I never thought about it in that way. Smith would rather be in the middle of the field. There he can keep the defense guessing as to his plans. Every direction is open to him. While certainly not slow I think that Smith's speed may have helped in this strategy. He didn't have the speed to stretch the defense towards the sideline. His best running was always straight at the defense. Eisen also talked of Smith's incredible durability. He made it difficult for a defender to get a solid hit on him. Most importantly, he said that he knew when to end the battle. If he had to gain a little more, he'd fight for it. If there was no point he'd call it done and hit the ground. He wouldn't let the defense hold him up so that their friends could hammer him. This makes complete sense. If there's another down to gain what's needed why not use it? Why risk a fumble or injury? I couldn't help but think of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. In his early years, Peterson had some issues holding on to the ball. He fights for every single inch. The fumbling issue was due to his incredible fight. He'd be pushing for more yards while the defense was pounding on him and the ball. He's since fixed the ball security issue but he hasn't given up that fight. It seems foolish to criticize anything about Peterson's running but his physical, even brutal, style has always worried me. I wonder if a little caution now will add a year or two to his career. As it was with Smith, it's a blast to watch Adrian Peterson run with the football. One of his goals has always been to run down Smith. Maybe the best way to do so is to run a little bit like him at times.