Smith has 'tremendous amount of respect' for ex-teammates

[BillsFever]

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- Emmitt Smith explained his diamond-among-trash comment about last year's Dallas Cowboys season Saturday, saying he meant the behavior of some players.

"That statement meaning, like, the Cowboys is a diamond organization; the trash is the way that we played," Smith said after the Arizona Cardinals intrasquad scrimmage.

"The way we played did not represent that organization all that well last year, and the way some of the players acted did not represent what that organization deserved."

The NFL career rushing leader told Sports Illustrated's Peter King that last season was the worst of his 13 years with the Cowboys.

"It felt like being a diamond surrounded by trash," Smith was quoted as saying.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/08/02/emmitt_reax_ap/

[Cntrygal]

Emmitt having hard time breaking habits

Emmitt Smith slipped up during an after-practice interview when a reporter asked how the Arizona Cardinals, his new team, would do in Saturday's exhibition game against the Cowboys.
"The Cardinals always play us tough," Smith said, correcting himself immediately. "The Cowboys, that is. I've got to get out of that habit."

Smith, gun-shy after last week's flap over a comment that his last year with Dallas was the least enjoyable of his career, tried to dodge another uproar after saying he was enjoying football again because of the young running backs who surround him.

oops