Dickerson responds to Elliott's rookie rush record goal: 'Good luck'
Eric Dickerson's rookie rushing record has stood the test of time.
As a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Dickerson ran for an absurd 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first season in the NFL in 1983. No running back has come close to touching the record since.
Enter Ezekiel Elliott.
The No. 4 pick in the 2016 draft will begin his career Sunday when his Dallas Cowboys line up against the New York Giants. Elliott was drafted to run behind what is considered the best offensive line in the league. He'll also get plenty of opportunities to carry the ball, as fourth-round draft pick Dak Prescott will open the year as the team's quarterback.
The stars are aligning for Elliott to challenge Dickerson's 32-year-old record.
"I told him I'm going to get it," Elliott told reporters Wednesday, Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN writes.
A brash statement that, as it turns out, the rookie did in fact relay to the Hall of Famer.
"He told me through his agent that he was going to break my record," Dickerson said. "I just laughed and said, 'Good luck.' Many have said that; all have failed."
Dickerson is known to hold his NFL records in high esteem, and he admits he has a particular affinity for the rookie rushing record.
"I like the record because you get one shot at it and that's it, because you're a rookie one time. You don't get three or four shots at that record. 'Oh, let me do it again.' Nah," the 56-year-old said.
Though he doesn't believe his mark will be challenged this season, Dickerson admits he likes what he's seen from the 21-year-old out of Ohio State.
"I like the way he runs. He's a north-and-south runner. He runs tough inside. I think he'll do extremely well," he said of Elliott.
But Dickerson also believes Elliott may have an unfair advantage.
"When I look at that offensive line, man, if I had that offensive line I'd run for 2,600 yards," he said with a laugh. "I might not even need a quarterback. The holes are so gaping big, almost like when Emmitt (Smith) played."