After a poor 1997, Emmitt Smith came back from the dead in 1998. Drafted by the Crashers in the middle of the draft, Emmitt produced nearly every week and helped the Crashers make it to the title game. In 1999, Smith was drafted in the second round and helped the Tornados win the championship. In 2000, Emmitt was drafted in the second round by the Long Rifles and provided the type of steady performance the Rifles had been missing. He led the Long Rifles to their first ever playoff appearance in 2000, losing their first playoff game in a tie breaker. The 2001 season saw Emmitt go back to his first team, the Crashers, but with less than hopeful results. A lingering injury and a bad team kept Emmitt down as he only managed 7 starts for the year and missed the playoffs for the first time. In 2002, Smith rejoined the Long Rifles but saw a diminished role behind the Rifle's featured starters, Eddie George and Shaun Alexander. However, Smith made the most of his opportunities by scoring in two of his four starts for the Rifles and proving that wherever he goes, the team that drafts him gets a solid performer.
