Tony Dorsett or Emmitt Smith

[Lake Shore Drive]

I'm a little surprised that Eric Dickerson's name is not in the conversation. His career was interrupted, then eventually cut short by injuries. But at his healthiest, he was arguably the best running RB in history. I stressed the running part because he wasn't anything special when it came to receiving or pass protection, so he doesn't get the same kudos for all around performance on the field. But with the ball in his hand, the man was a machine. Perhaps the only RB, with the possible exception of Sanders, who would be given the ball on 3rd & 8 and was counted on to make a 1st down, which he often succeeded in doing.

 

[mrschaney]

Seems like back then, every team had a 1000 yard rusher when 1000 yards meant something......and they played 14 games as well.

 

[packerzrule]

I'll go with Dorsett. If he had the O Line that Smith had..............

 

[Janus]

If we're just limiting it to Dallas RB's and only those 2, I go with Dorsett. I know Smith has the rings nd quite honestly he was a big part f getting those rings, not just being there, he performed but the reason I chose Dorsett is the era. Beside the great OJ Simpson the NFL didn't really have a finesse RB, ya , Mercury Morris but nothing eye popping. Most RBS were bruisers, punishers, like Smith. Watching Dorsett was anticipating a great run. Those Cowboy teams were great teams but unfortunately had to compete with other great teams on an even scale, Vikings Redskins and Rams were no pushovers and then, the AFC dominance. It was hard to win a couple Super Bowls let alone 1, the Vikings had really good teams and they didn't get it done. The era, that's why I chose Dorsett. He paved the way for Dickerson, Allen, ( and my friend Muncy ) those guys all benefitted from the success Dorsett had, if it he hadn't had that success maybe those guys would have never materialized into great names

 

[Southieinnc]

I ride with sonny on this one

Damn, you and @sonnyblack65 will say anything to get laid!

 

[UK Cowboy]

The GOAT

Barry Sanders.

[/thread]

Most talent but those ring fingers are naked

 

[Southieinnc]

While we’re in Texas I would take Earl The Pearl Campbell over either of those two

Was Earl a fullback?

 

[PDay8810]

While we’re in Texas I would take Earl The Pearl Campbell over either of those two

Earl The Tyler Rose Campbell.

you are welcome

 

[Stakesarehigh]

I am 44 and have almost no recollection of Tony Dorsett outside of Tecmo 1

So......Emmit

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I vote Andy Dalton!!!!

So on a scale of 1-10 how bad did you cross Chaney that you're trying to make up for it now?

 

[Orangeisback]

Dorsett was a hell of a RB. At the time, great college RB's didn't always make great pro RB's. Archie Griffin, Charles White, John Cappelletti. And there was some controversy. Some said the NFL stacked the deck so "America's Team" could get Dorsett. Tampa drafted first and took Ricky Bell. Seattle had the 2nd, Dorsett said he wouldn't play there so they traded the pick to Dallas. And there's a bit of a black mark because the Cowpokes only won one title while he was there.

I would say dooms day and Staubach were a bigger reason and if not for the steel curtain I'm pretty sure Staubach would have won more than 2. Also, Staubach essentially played 8 seasons. Led the team to 4 SBs and i think he could have played in any era in multiple systems.

 

[Manster7588]

I could have rushed for 1000 yards behind that ‘90’s Cowboys OL.

No, no you couldn't

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

So on a scale of 1-10 how bad did you cross Chaney that you're trying to make up for it now?

11

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

I'm going to go Emmitt because he lasted longer playing three more seasons than Dorsett. A good question would be which set was better:
Emmitt, Aikman and Michael Irvin or Dorsett, Staubach and Drew Pearson?

 

[TheGoodMan19]

I would say dooms day and Staubach were a bigger reason and if not for the steel curtain I'm pretty sure Staubach would have won more than 2. Also, Staubach essentially played 8 seasons. Led the team to 4 SBs and i think he could have played in any era in multiple systems.

Dorsett only played three seasons with Staubach. Dallas was not the same team with Danny White. That and the NFC got better. Cowboys ran through the 70's because the Vikings were the only team as good. in the 80's, the Skins, Rams and especially the Niners had caught up