Ezekiel Elliott needed less than one season to win over the Dallas Cowboys’ greatest-ever running back.
Emmitt Smith hailed Elliot on Tuesday, telling ESPN’s Jean-Jacques Taylor that the 21-year old Cowboys rookie has the necessary tools to succeed in the NFL for years to come.
“I see a guy who has vision, explosion, speed and quickness,” Smith said. “I just see a guy that’s poised to do great things in this league and has an offensive line that will give him an opportunity to do it.
“I’m loving what I’m seeing. I am inspired.”
Smith, who rushed for a record 18,355 yards during his Hall of Fame career, is an authority on the running back position, so we should accept his praise for Elliot as gospel, rather than Cowboys propaganda.
Or we can just look at Elliott’s statistics and come and determine he’s already fulfilling his vast potential. He leads the NFL in yards with 1,285, has scored 13 touchdowns and already has broken Tony Dorsett’s Cowboys rookie rushing record of 1,007 yards.
Eric Dickerson’s NFL rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards appears safe, as the Cowboys have just three games remaining in the regular season.
Nevertheless, one record probably is Elliot’s greatest concern: the Cowboys’ 11-1 mark, which announces them as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Smith probably can understand that sentiment instinctively, just as he recognizes the brilliance of Elliot’s performances.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports Images
