Dan Patrick Weighs In On Emmitt
Smith in a familiar situation
By Dan Patrick
Next season former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith will be in the backfield for the Arizona Cardinals. At first glance, this looks like a good deal for everyone involved.
The Cardinals get a future Hall of Famer, a great deal of positive publicity and a probable spike in game attendance. The Cowboys look good for allowing Smith the opportunity to start over elsewhere. And Smith gets a chance to prove that he's still an elite back in the NFL.
Smith believes he can still rush for 1,300 yards. And with a different team, I'd say that goal would be within reach. But the Cardinals bear too many similarities to his former team.
And when you take a closer look, you realize that the Cardinals have a lot more missing pieces to their puzzle. And while signing a record-breaking running back is a good start, Smith can't be the only matching piece. He can't be the X factor that makes the rest fit.
That said, Arizona may not be ideal place for Smith to showcase his longevity. He may be on the short end of this deal.
The Cardinals inexperienced pass offense will allow opposing defenses to focus on stopping Smith. And while the Cardinals young offensive line (including three former first round and second round draft picks), may be able to provide more protection, Smith will face many of the same obstacles that he's seen in recent years in Dallas.
Fellow newcomer, Jeff Blake is an experienced quarterback who can throw the deep ball and move the offense downfield. But the Cardinals lost star receiver David Boston to free agency and barring a trade or free agent signing, they still haven't filled that position. The five remaining receivers on that roster have a combined 66 catches for 787 yards and five touchdowns in their career -- numbers pedestrian for a single receiver much less five.
The Cardinals can't expect that production to keep defenses honest; it simply won't happen. Last season, 40 players had more yards, 34 had more catches and 35 had more touchdowns. Blake is a very good quarterback but he can't be expected to keep up his end of the deal when he doesn't have anyone to throw to.
It should seem like old times for Emmitt.
http://espn.go.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2003/0329/1531182.html
Smith in a familiar situation
By Dan Patrick
Next season former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith will be in the backfield for the Arizona Cardinals. At first glance, this looks like a good deal for everyone involved.
The Cardinals get a future Hall of Famer, a great deal of positive publicity and a probable spike in game attendance. The Cowboys look good for allowing Smith the opportunity to start over elsewhere. And Smith gets a chance to prove that he's still an elite back in the NFL.
Smith believes he can still rush for 1,300 yards. And with a different team, I'd say that goal would be within reach. But the Cardinals bear too many similarities to his former team.
And when you take a closer look, you realize that the Cardinals have a lot more missing pieces to their puzzle. And while signing a record-breaking running back is a good start, Smith can't be the only matching piece. He can't be the X factor that makes the rest fit.
That said, Arizona may not be ideal place for Smith to showcase his longevity. He may be on the short end of this deal.
The Cardinals inexperienced pass offense will allow opposing defenses to focus on stopping Smith. And while the Cardinals young offensive line (including three former first round and second round draft picks), may be able to provide more protection, Smith will face many of the same obstacles that he's seen in recent years in Dallas.
Fellow newcomer, Jeff Blake is an experienced quarterback who can throw the deep ball and move the offense downfield. But the Cardinals lost star receiver David Boston to free agency and barring a trade or free agent signing, they still haven't filled that position. The five remaining receivers on that roster have a combined 66 catches for 787 yards and five touchdowns in their career -- numbers pedestrian for a single receiver much less five.
The Cardinals can't expect that production to keep defenses honest; it simply won't happen. Last season, 40 players had more yards, 34 had more catches and 35 had more touchdowns. Blake is a very good quarterback but he can't be expected to keep up his end of the deal when he doesn't have anyone to throw to.
It should seem like old times for Emmitt.
http://espn.go.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2003/0329/1531182.html
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