Calling All Emmitt Lovers

[Bennett4prez]

After new Cardinals head coach Dennis Green told reporters Emmitt was being named the starter, many reporters thought it would only be time before Shipp was named the "real" starter. Well, coach Denny repeated his previous statement, informing reporters that southpaw runner (by that, I mean he naturally runs left) Emmitt is a better fit for the West Coast offense he is trying to install.

So, how does this effect Shipp and Emmitt's value on draft day? What round do they go in 10 or 12 team drafts?

[Bennett4prez]

I just realized...I think this is in the wrong forum...

[bagobonez]

I really don't like either player. It pains me to say that as a lifelong Emmitt and Cowboys fan, but Emmitt's 35 and there's just no gas left in the tank. Unfortunately I don't think Shipp's much better, but he will likely replace Emmitt by week 5 if Emmitt doesn't get injured before then.

Poor Emmitt, just retire already, man.

What round do they go in 10-12 team drafts? Well in my league, Shipp just got drafted in Round 6 which seemed pretty high to me. He was drafted as a 3rd RB. I personally wouldn't take either until Round 9 or 10.

[Azrael]

Well, coach Denny repeated his previous statement, informing reporters that southpaw runner (by that, I mean he naturally runs left) Emmitt is a better fit for the West Coast offense he is trying to install.

Naturally runs left? Is his one leg shorter than the other or does he need a rear end allignment?

[bagobonez]

He carries the ball in his left hand, so he generally looks to the left first. If you break down Emmitt's yardage, most of it was gained running to the left. Then the middle, then the right.

Dennis Green is moving Leonard Davis to left tackle specifically because Emmitt runs to the left more often.

[Canacuna]

I'm adding Arizona's tandem to the growing "RBs to avoid" list. I was really high on Marcel Shipp, but I don't think Dennis Green would announce Emmitt Smith, a future Hall of Famer, as the starting RB just to motivate Shipp - that wouldn't be cool at all.

But anyway, yeah - with Green's apparent dedication to Shipp earlier in the off-season (1,000 yards and seven scores quote), I thought that he could be a lower tier #2 RB and a very solid #3. He sucked last season, but I kept thinking back to 2002 when he lit up the league in the last half of the season and won me a championship - I thought he had some potential.

With Smith... I just don't think he has it in him to be a good starting RB these days. I would take him as my #4 RB - but I think I would even rank him below Tyrone Wheatley at this point.

[Flux]

He carries the ball in his left hand, so he generally looks to the left first. If you break down Emmitt's yardage, most of it was gained running to the left. Then the middle, then the right.

Dennis Green is moving Leonard Davis to left tackle specifically because Emmitt runs to the left more often.

Actually most of his yards came up the middle, not to the left, but he did have more yards to the left than the right.

But you are right about holding it in his left hand, he in fact IS left-handed so he prefers to run that way (since he wants to hold the ball in his dominant hand which is on the far side of his body compared to the defense)