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NFL
March 27, 2003
PHOENIX -- The league's career rushing leader believes he still has some yards left in those 33-year-old legs. The Cardinals sure hope so.
Released by Dallas last month, Emmitt Smith agreed to terms with Arizona on Wednesday, moving from one of the league's most storied franchises to one of its most downtrodden.
"Emmitt will start," coach Dave McGinnis said, adding that he also will help break in Marcel Shipp, who led the Cardinals in rushing last season in his second year.
Smith will wear the same No.22 he wore with the Cowboys.
The Cardinals said Smith got a two-year contract, but did not disclose terms. It was believed to be worth about $4-million a year.
A starting job was one of the things Smith had sought and one of the things the Cowboys couldn't guarantee when they released him Feb. 27 after 13 seasons and 17,162 yards.
Smith's other desire -- winning again after three Super Bowl victories in Dallas -- may not be so easy. Arizona finished 5-11 last season and has been one of the league's consistently losing franchises -- it has one playoff victory since 1947.
Smith contributed to the Cardinals' woes over the years. He scored 25 touchdowns against them, his highest total versus an opponent.
Overall, Smith ranks No.1 in league history with 153 rushing TDs.
Smith, who will turn 34 on May 15, failed to reach 1,000 yards this season for the first time since his rookie season in 1990, gaining 975 yards.
Smith rushed for more than 100 yards in only two games, including the one against Seattle on Oct. 27 in which he broke Walter Payton's career rushing record of 16,726.
"In my mind he'll always have that star on his helmet," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as he was departing the owners meetings on Wednesday. "This is no surprise. I knew Emmitt wanted to keep carrying the ball. I wish him the best. These are good people."
The Cardinals plan to formally introduce Smith today at their practice complex in Tempe.
Cardinals vice president Rod Graves and owner Bill Bidwill said they believed that Smith's presence would enhance the image of the Cardinals locally and nationally.
If nothing else, Smith should help boost attendance -- the Cardinals have rarely sold out since moving from St. Louis after the 1987 season. And when they have, it often was against Dallas, which retains a solid fan base that existed before the Cardinals arrived.
Graves suggested that it was a unique contract, perhaps involving marketing. Smith already does several national television commercials.
"We recognize Emmitt Smith as a total package," Graves said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs star running back Priest Holmes had hip surgery and is expected to be running at full speed in June.
Holmes, 29. the league's offensive player of the year, had arthroscopic surgery in Miami on Tuesday. He missed the last two games of the season.
Coach Dick Vermeil, speaking Wednesday from the owners' meetings in Phoenix, said Holmes will be on crutches for about four weeks and miss minicamp.
"But I am told he'll be able to run full speed by June, and that's what we're counting on," he said.
Holmes was having one of the best seasons by a running back when he was injured after being caught from behind in a game at Denver in December. He finished with 1,615 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.
DOLPHINS: The team is interested in acquiring 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau. The Chargers are trying to trade Seau before having to pay a $2.7-million bonus on April 15, but they may release him.