(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)

CARLY WADDELL - PROVIDENCE, RI: Congratulations to Emmitt Smith on the Hall of Fame. In your minds, what separated Emmitt from the average running back all those years?

Rob: Durability, for one. Smith played 15 seasons and missed 14 games. He wasn't a part-time back either, averaging 19.5 carries in 226 career games. That's incredible. You just don't see that type of workload anymore, and that's why his rushing record may never get broken.

Nick: Just being able to stay healthy and keep producing. That's why he's the all-time leading rusher. You can argue that he was never the best RB in the NFL when he played - Barry Sanders is probably the reason for that. But Smith just got the job done because he was smart enough to know how to take care of his body - both in the off-season, during the season and on the field, in between the whistles. To put in perspective, and not to knock Felix Jones, but the guy has missed 12 games in two seasons. Emmitt missed seven in his 13 years with the Cowboys.

Josh: The guy was hard to tackle. He had good vision and balance, and could slip through a crowded space about as well as anyone. Those qualities also allowed him to maintain his body for years and years. They always say he was the biggest or the fastest or the strongest, which is true, but Emmitt was about as technically skilled and complete a back as we've seen.

BRANDON HOFER - PICKENS, WV: How would banning the three-point stance, as Roger Goodell mentioned was a possibility this weekend, affect the Dallas Cowboys?

Rob: I'm not sure it would affect their linemen any differently than the rest of the league. It's something everyone would have to adjust to. A two-point stance might be a safer method because their helmets would be higher before the snap. I'd be surprised if this goes through, because no matter what you do, it's a violent sport that runs the risk of head injuries. But it's clear the league is turning every rock to try to increase safety.

Nick: It would probably affect the Cowboys as much as any other team. But since the Cowboys have constructed a bigger offensive line, I'm sure it would be a little tougher for them. I have a hard time thinking that rule will pass. If it does, we'll just be one step closer to the NFFL, as in "Flag Football."

Josh: Maybe it makes a guy like Jay Ratliff less effective, because he wouldn't be able to generate as much burst at the snap of the ball. But I really don't know. They're looking for anything they can to increase safety, but I think these ideas about outlawing the three-point stance or taking away helmets are kind of barking up the wrong tree. I would start with outlawing the Hines Ward-style kill-shot against players who don't see the hit coming.

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