- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 120,185
Curtis Martin sees some Emmitt Smith in Ezekiel Elliott
12:00 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Curtis Martin ran for 1,487 yards on 368 carries as a rookie for the New England Patriots in 1995. He scored 15 touchdowns, including 14 rushing.
It was the beginning of a Hall of Fame career that saw him rush for more than 1,100 yards in each of the first 10 seasons of his career.
Even Martin is impressed by what Ezekiel Elliott did in his rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards on 322 carries and scored 16 touchdowns, including 15 rushing.
“I know how difficult that is,” Martin said before the NFL Honors program. “So I take my hat off to him. He’s done really well. I hope he continues that way and stays healthy because I think he has a huge future ahead of him.”
Martin entered the NFL as a third-round pick of Bill Parcells after an injury-plagued collegiate career at Pittsburgh, but he missed just eight games in his career with the Patriots and New York Jets. Part of his greatness was health, just as it was for Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.
When Martin watches Elliott, he sees the Cowboys’ Hall of Famer.
“He reminds me so much of Emmitt,” Martin said. “Just all around. They lean forward. They get through the hole, not a lot of dancing. They’ve got very similar lines. So I think they’re the perfect backs for that type of line.”
12:00 PM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Curtis Martin ran for 1,487 yards on 368 carries as a rookie for the New England Patriots in 1995. He scored 15 touchdowns, including 14 rushing.
It was the beginning of a Hall of Fame career that saw him rush for more than 1,100 yards in each of the first 10 seasons of his career.
Even Martin is impressed by what Ezekiel Elliott did in his rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Elliott led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards on 322 carries and scored 16 touchdowns, including 15 rushing.
“I know how difficult that is,” Martin said before the NFL Honors program. “So I take my hat off to him. He’s done really well. I hope he continues that way and stays healthy because I think he has a huge future ahead of him.”
Martin entered the NFL as a third-round pick of Bill Parcells after an injury-plagued collegiate career at Pittsburgh, but he missed just eight games in his career with the Patriots and New York Jets. Part of his greatness was health, just as it was for Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.
When Martin watches Elliott, he sees the Cowboys’ Hall of Famer.
“He reminds me so much of Emmitt,” Martin said. “Just all around. They lean forward. They get through the hole, not a lot of dancing. They’ve got very similar lines. So I think they’re the perfect backs for that type of line.”