ARLINGTON, Texas _ If there is anyone that can relate to Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's holdout, it's Emmitt Smith.
In 1993, Smith, the Hall of Fame running back, missed the first two games of the season seeking a new contract. After the Cowboys went 0-2, the team signed him to the highest contract for a running back in league history.
"It's very fair to say they're similar," Smith said Thursday on 105.3 The Fan before the Cowboys final preseason game against the Buccaneers. "Similar in the context of he's coming off back-to-back leading the league in rushing. I came off back-to-back leading the league in rushing and we won the Super Bowl the same year. And my contract was up."
According to a source, the Cowboys held talks with Elliott's agents in the last few days. Nothing of substance has occurred that would lead anyone to believe a deal could be concluded.
Smith understands the dynamics of signing running backs to huge contracts. Elliott is seeking one with two years remaining and Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, who is also holding out, has one-year left on his deal.
"My contract was completely up," Smith said. "It's not like I broke a contract or tried to break a contract to get more capital. I honored my contract out and I did exactly what I told them I was going to do and earn the right to get in a position to be paid like one of the highest paid, if not the highest paid in the league. So when I did that that was what my expectations were.
Zeke has done that and if he doesn't do it right now when the league is talking about devaluing the running back position, and he has proven he can carry the ball 350 plus times on a consistent basis there aren't many backs in the National Football League that can do that. We have one on our team."
