Since we're supposed to be rating current NFL players, I'm not rating the Emmitt Smith of years past, I'm rating the Emmitt Smith of today, and he's pretty pathetic. Update: Changed my rating from a 2 to a 1 since he retired. He can't be a very good current NFL player if he's not playing.

BOOOOOO!!!! he ran behind the greatest offensive line ever! No crap he became the NFL rushing leader

Love his competitiveness.....have to drag the man kicking and screaming off of the field. Off the charts on the toughness meter (just ask the Giants about trying to stop him with a separated shoulder). Won't quit. Used talent, skill and huge offensive line at Dallas to eventually break Walter's rushing record (yes that did mean something Barry), not to mention 3 rings. True champion playing on guts and desire for a third rate team because he just won't give up the game he loves. Ricky Williams and Barry Sanders could learn alot from this guy!

RETIRE!

Great player in the past, but will be hard pressed to be third string on the Cardinals!!!

Should've just retired after Dallas got rid of him. He just sullied his status as a Cowboy hero by trying to hang on.

No Payton, No Sanders, and of course no Brown. Had about 1,000 more carries than all of them and played behind a great o-line. that's how he has the record.

Don't care what his game's like now he's one of the nfl's all time greats and he always will be.

Sorry, don't really think he's a team player.

washed up

durable, hard-working, team-oriented player; a gentleman on and off the field.

Barry Sanders behind that cowboys line breaks payton's record when he retired. Barry ended his career averaging more yards per carry than Emmit behind a crap line ala walter. Emmit should have done himself a favor and retired with the cowboys rather than embarrass himself in Arizona.

Emmitt has not been on a productive team in the past few years. With that fact, his game has decreased greatly because of it. However, sending him to a productive team (Minnesota, Kansas City) will not bring up his individual performance (especially if he still insists on being a starting runningback). Maybe if Emmitt exits out now, no one will even remember about his dismal year as a Arizona Cardinal.

even as not a cowboy he's great

I have no clue why he joined Arizona. Another Super Bowl? um...no. Pad the stats? I guess, but is that possible with the Cardinals? Anyways, NFL all-time rushing leader...for now.

One of the greatest ever. What an amazing career.

Emmitt, in the all-time player ratings, you'll get a 5 from me. I just think it's about time you packed it up. I would love for you to get another 1000 yard season, but I fear it won't happen. You deserve the utmost respect, but you should have bowed out with the dignity and grace you've been known for.

the best

No longer in his prime.

A good but overated RB who played most of his career behind one of the best offensive lines ever. If Payton or Sanders played in similar circumstances, they'd each have retired with 20000 rushing yards. Is Emmitt the best ever? Not even close.

retire already..i liked him earlier in his dallas' career but no longer...he had no right to beat Payton's record

most rushing yards of all time,need i say more

He's about to break the all-time rushing record of over 16,000 yards, and he only ranks at #20? Whatever your feelings are about the Cowboys, you should give the man his due.

still runs hard every down. Payton's record will be gone in the 2002-2003 season.

I can't stand Emmitt. He wants to be known as the best, but he will never be better that Barry Sanders.

Career's winding down, but still one of the best. At his peak, he may have been the best RB ever. He has excellent balance, base. He still gets in and out of the hole in a hurry. His best attribute is his feel and instincts. He reads his blockers well and is quick in traffic. The injuries have gotten to him, and he's lost some speed. He's not a home-run hitter anymore, he won't break off for long runs. He's 4.75 at best now. His recieving numbers have dropped, but that was more the fault of Dallas' quarterbacks than anything else.

The only good thing still left with the Cowboys. This man is a warrior.

TRUE WARRIOR OF THE NFL. ALL-TIME EMMITT IS THE BEST BACK SINCE PAYTON.