(Con’t from Reason #5: The offensive line and supporting cast argument is overblown)
Reason # 6: Different running styles, different systems
What if Barry Sanders played behind Dallas’ offensive line? Would it really matter? The answer is NO simply because Emmitt Smith’s offensive line was suited for Emmitt Smith. The Dallas Cowboys offense beginning under Norv Turner was predicated on a power running game in the classic I-formation. The offense was designed around Emmitt Smith and the signature play of this offense was the delayed lead draw.[1] This play allowed the big powerful offensive line to be the aggressors and maul opposing defenses. It also allowed Emmitt Smith to diagnose and read the defense, then choose the appropriate running lane often changing the play on his own. The lead draw was almost always effective because Emmitt Smith had superb vision, intelligence and was a powerful runner.
Opposing defenses knew the lead draw was coming and would try to stack the line of scrimmage, call plays specifically designed against it and even all-out blitz, but still could not stop it. Former Washington Redskins defensive co-ordinator Larry Peccatiello had this to say about Emmitt Smith running the lead draw play: “It was very frustrating because we knew on first down that would be their play. We would be prepared for it and the son of gun would still get 5 yards!”[2]
Alternatively, Barry Sanders was an entirely different runner than Emmitt Smith and was more explosive and elusive than powerful. He did the majority of his damage in the open field making people miss and blowing by defenders in space. Barry Sanders played most of his career and had most of his success in the “run and shoot offense” using a stretch zone blocking scheme.[3] Barry Sanders was the lone running back and he had four wide receivers spread out across the field. It was difficult for defenses to key on stopping Barry Sanders because those receivers had to be accounted for. I had previously touched upon how much more productive the Lions passing game was than the Dallas Cowboys and how good the Lions receivers actually were. Herman Moore had 3 consecutive seasons of over 100 receptions, he and Brett Perriman combined for over 3000 receiving yards in 1995 and recall that Johnny Morton had 4 career seasons of over 1000 yards.
A little known fact about Barry Sanders is that in 1997, the year he rushed for over 2000 yards, he accumulated 53 rushing yards and averaged 2.1 yards per carry through the first 2 games of the season. That was because new head coach Bobby Ross tried to employ a fullback in the “power-I” formation. The experiment to run a more traditional style of offense similar to the Dallas Cowboys proved to be ineffective for Barry Sanders. Only after the Detroit Lions switched back to the 4 wide receiver spread offense did Barry go off for 14 straight 100 yard games and reach the rare 2000 yard milestone.
Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders were both exceptional talents who would have had success on any team. However they were different runners with different running styles and neither would have had more success if they traded places.
To be continued with………Reason #7: More valuable to his team
7 Reasons Why Emmitt Smith is Underrated: Reason #7 More valuable to his team
See Also……………..
https://cowboyscoffeetalk.com/7-reasons-why-emmitt-smith-is-underrated-reason-1-numbers-dont-lie/
https://cowboyscoffeetalk.com/7-reasons-why-emmitt-smith-is-underrated-reason-4-tougher-competition/
[1] (Fraley, Gerry. “Everything You Need to Know About Emmitt’s Signature Play-‘The Lead Draw’.” Sportsday.Dallasnews.com, 4 Aug. 2010. Web. 25 Jul. 2017.)
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/other-sports/emmittsmith/2010/08/04/everything-you-need-to-know-about_s-signature-play-the-lead-draw
[2] (Fraley. Web. 25 Jul. 2017.)
[3] (George, Thomas. “NFL 90’: See How They Run and Shoot.” NYTimes.com. The New York Times Company, 2 Sept. 1990. Web 25 Jul. 2017.)
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/02/sports/nfl-90-see-how-they-run-and-shoot.html?pagewanted=all
*All statistical data collected and verified through Pro-Football-Reference.com