Player Profile: Emmitt Smith (1991)
From the Cowboys*96 Media Guide
(July, 1996)
1991: Smith first led the NFL in rushing in 1991, when
he gained 1,563 yards, becoming the first Cowboys player to lead
the league in rushing. At 22 years and seven months of age, he
became the youngest player in league history and 28th overall
to rush for over 1,500 yards in a season, and that performance
helped earn him a starting spot in the Pro Bowl.
With 365 carries, he led the NFL, becoming the 19th player in
league history to record over 350 carries in a season, Smith,
the thris youngest player to reach the 500 carry plateau, joined
WWalter Payton and Barry Sanders as the only players to do so
before their 23rd birthday. His eight 100-yard rushing games
in 1991 were the second most in 1991, and averaged a career-high
10.2 yards-per-carry in posting a 112 yard rushing game against
Washington (9/9). Slowed by a stomach virus most of the game,
he was still able to come off the bench to record a team-high
eight receptions, including his first career touchdown catch.
Against Phoenix (9/22), Smith earned NFC Offensive Player of
the Week honors by putting together the fourth best rushing day
in Cowboys histroy with 182 yards rushing and two touchdowns,
including a 60-yard touchdown run. With his 75 and 60-yard runs,
Smith became the second player in team history to have more than
one 60-yarder in the same season (Dorsett had an 84 and 77-yard
run in 1977). Smith played five games against the top three run
defenses in the league (No. 1-Philadelphia No. 2-New Orleans
and No. 3-Washington), but against the Redskins (11/24), Smith
rushed for 132 yards, his second 100-yard game against the Redskins
in 1991 and the only tow 100-yard games allowed by the Super
bowl Champions, on 34 carries.
Four days later he gained 109 yards against Pittsburgh (11/28),
and the following week he became the only player to gain 100-yards
rushing against the Saints (12/8) by picking up 112 yards. With
three straight 100-yard rushing games, Smith matched the second
longest streak in team history. Smith's 160 yards and two touchdowns
rushing against Atlanta (12/22) allowed him to surpass Sanders
and Thomas to win the league rushing title. Smith also finished
second in the NFC (third in the NFL) in yards from Scrimmage,
second in the NFL in touchdowns (13) and rushing touchdowns (12).
For all his late season heroics in the Cowboys playoff drive,
Smith was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December.
He opened the playoffs in Chicago (12/29) by recording 105 yards
against a Bear's team that had never allowed a running back to
go over the century mark in post season play, a record dating
back to 1932 and spanning 27 games.
Emmitt's Seasons: 1995 ... 1994 ... 1993
... 1992 ... 1990
Emmitt in College & Game Starts
Emmitt's Personal Data
|
