emmitt update...

[pinnacle]

Seems many people think Smith would not really be that interested in tampa because pittman is the starter...but prior to the super bowl there was talk that gruden would be looking for a starter like stephen davis in the offseason..does one good game (super bowl) mean pittman is entrenched as the starter? If I am not mistaken - I think his only 100 yard game all season was the super bowl.. Emmitt probably has all of the dough he needs..if gruden tells him he will get 25 carries a game - you think emmit would go for - for minimal $$?

From Insiders.com

The Bucs may be bracing for a visit from Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith next week. The NFL's all-time rushing leader met the Arizona Cardinals Thursday and indicated he might visit another team before deciding where to continue his career. The Bucs have indicated that Smith would have to accept close to a minimum salary and a back up role to running back Michael Pittman if he wants to resume his career in Tampa Bay. But Smith said winning a Super Bowl, not money, is his primary objective. The Cardinals have reached the playoffs just once since moving to Arizona in 1988. “It's winning, playing time and then money,” Smith said. “If I'm able to play at the level I'm accustomed to playing at, and we are able to do all those things we talked about, then the money will come into play.

 

[AZCardsWin]

I honestly feel there arent enough "carries" to go around in Tampa Bay for Emmitt with Pittman/ Alstott already there- especially in a quick pass type offense that Tampa runs.

I hope im right here and the Cardinals will sign him this week.

Go Cards/ America!
Tim

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by pinnacle
“It's winning, playing time and then money,” Smith said.

This says it all!

If thats true then there is no way in hell he signs here in AZ!!!

Now if its about money and PT then he will sign here and we will know he dont give two ***** about winning and his whole agenda is to pad his stats and make some more dough!

 

[WizardOfAz]

Originally posted by AZCardsWin
I honestly feel there arent enough "carries" to go around in Tampa Bay for Emmitt with Pittman/ Alstott already there-
Tim

I see Alstott's number of carries as a major hurdle for Smith in Tampa.

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by WizardOfAz
I see Alstott's number of carries as a major hurdle for Smith in Tampa.

Why should that matter?

When hes says personally the thing that comes first is winning and that carries and money are secondary?

 

[Cardiac]

Originally posted by Shane H
Why should that matter?

When hes says personally the thing that comes first is winning and that carries and money are secondary?

Very few players say it's all about the money. Fact is 95 % of the time it is. In Emmitt's case playing time may even be his top priority. His pride may not let him play for the minimum. I think respect is very high on Emmitt's needs list, so not starting and making the minimum will be very hard for him to swallow.

Players will sign with teams that aren't certain to be winners if they know they will be a starter and receive very good money. That's why the Cards can still sign FA's.

 

[ajcardfan]

If it comes down between us and Tampa for Emmitt, the question will be:

"Does he take his best shot at 20,000yds or his best shot at another ring?"

I think he wants to win wherever he goes. I'm disappointed Shane that you think Smith, or anyone else, would sign here because winning isn't important. Yes, our record of futility is unmatched in the NFL. But, if the fans don't have SOME belief we'll win, what sort of fans are we?

 

[Shane]

Originally posted by ajcardfan
If it comes down between us and Tampa for Emmitt, the question will be:

"Does he take his best shot at 20,000yds or his best shot at another ring?"

I think he wants to win wherever he goes. I'm disappointed Shane that you think Smith, or anyone else, would sign here because winning isn't important. Yes, our record of futility is unmatched in the NFL. But, if the fans don't have SOME belief we'll win, what sort of fans are we?

Oh I feel that we can win.

But the bottom line is players in general do not think of the cardinals as a team thats going to put wins up and get them a SB. All Im saying is that if Emmitt is telling the truth and wins are the most important thing then looking at the talent level of the two teams who would you pick???

 

[JeffGollin]

All Im saying is that if Emmitt is telling the truth and wins are the most important thing then looking at the talent level of the two teams who would you pick???
Point well taken.

But remember that Emmitt set those priorities after waxing poetic about the life-style, the coaching and the team's commitment to winning.

Sometimes - despite what someone tells you is driving their decision - it's emotional factors or so-called intangibles that count the most.

Those intangibles might include, perks, QOL (quality of life), what the Missuz thinks etc. (Some dudes will never admit to this and would prefer to lay out all the rational reasons because it makes them look shrewd and business-like, but how often has it turned out that the tie-breaker was golfing privileges or the neat looking, yellow Humvee that came with the deal?)

None of us know Emmitt that well. Maybe he's telling it like it is when he lays out those three priorities. Then again, maybe not.

Perhaps the weather, feeling at home, the coaching staff, the facilities and Cardinals' commitment to winning carry more weight than we think.