"More skills than Emmitt Smith? Trent Richardson"

[Chechem]

The best running back available in the 2012 NFL draft isn't open to a running debate.

It's Trent Richardson.

How good is the former Alabama running back?

Let the debate begin. ...

"I think he's got more skills than Emmitt Smith had," NFL Network draft analyst Gil Brandt said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine...

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[Catch Prothro]

I've watched both play, watched Emmitt Smith play at Cowboys Stadium during their peak years in the early 90s.  Part of that story is true, Emmitt Smith had an awesome offensive line.  Plus he had Troy Aikman at QB, Michael Irvin at Receiver, Jay Novacek, and several other offensive weapons to keep defenses busy.  So I always thought Barry Sanders was the best from that era, playing for the Lions where he was the guy, and the only guy.

But at times Emmitt Smith carried his team too, his most memorable game was January 2, 1994 against the Giants, when Smith kept playing after a separated shoulder, his arm dangling at his side (it hurt just to watch), and he fought for yards and inspired his team to victory. 

So while comparisons to Smith are inevitable, as Richardson went to the same HS, they are two separate guys.  Richardson likely is the strongest RB ever to enter the draft.  He has a great work ethic, great character and attitude, and I suspect he will go in the top 5 of the draft, despite NFL teams avoiding RBs in the first round lately (Ingram went 28).  He definitely will go higher than Ingram. 

As far as Emmitt Smith, though, that is one of the NFL's all-time greats.  Trent is like a HS recruit, only now at the next level.  He can listen to all the hype, the comparisons, let them go to his head.  Or he can go to work. 

As a guy who has already writ his name in Crimson Flame, a guy who did extra workouts in his youth just because he could, who ran hills and pulled tires, Trent Richardson isn't going to quit now.  And maybe in the future the comparisons won't be "he's as good as Emmitt," but more like, "Well, Emmitt Smith was good, but..."

[crtuneman]

I always thought Barry was just a little better than Emmitt. I remember that Barry go thit behind the LOS about 70% of the time, and he still gained yards. His balance and cutting ability were unparalelled. He was something special, and I wish he hadn't retired so early. But make no mistake, Emmitt was a great one and deserves his spot in the HOF. But I just loved watching Barry run. It was like watching a virtuoso at work. And he was all class. I hope Trent can get some of the same accolades and respect. He should be special in the NFL.

[hscoach]

If I remember correctly Barry didn't have the luxury of a lead fullback the way ES did.

[cbbama99]

If I remember correctly Barry didn't have the luxury of a lead fullback the way ES did.

My thoughts exactly, coach. ES also had a massively talented O-line to open holes in the line that even my fat butt could run through. Not to say ES wasn't talented, but Barry had so little help that to accomplish all he did was nothing short of amazing.

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