Former RB Emmitt Smith says Dallas Cowboys are a "mediocre" team

ARLINGTON -- Former Dallas running back Emmitt Smith isn’t thrilled about what he’s seeing from the Cowboys lately despite their 8-4 record and three-game winning streak.

"Mediocre." Smith said. Thursday. "Mediocre in the sense of disappointed because I saw this team being a lot better than it is. Chemistry has a lot to do with it and for some reason the chemistry of the Cowboys this year has been thrown off, and I can’t put a finger on it."

Smith was one of several guests, including Hall of Famers Rayfield Wright and Michael Irvin, attending the Cowboys’ topping out ceremony at the new stadium in Arlington. The topping out beam was signed by several guests before being hoisted into place.

“I still see them as one of the most talented teams in the National Football League. But you can’t win games just on talent alone. You have to come together as a team,” Smith said. “There is either too much salt in the gumbo or too much meat in the gumbo, something is wrong.”

Smith knows all about winning. He won three Super Bowl titles with the Cowboys and is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader.

The Cowboys play at Pittsburgh Sunday. Smith is taking notice.

“This week is the litmus test for me to see how they handle the Steelers. I watched the Steelers up close and personal when they played Baltimore so I know how physical they can be,” Smith said. “My last memory of the Cowboys being absolutely physical is when they got hit in the mouth by the Redskins last year, and that’s not a good memory. Then they turned around and got hit in the mouth again by the Giants and that’s not a good memory. So I’m looking to see whether they are willing to match the intensity the Steelers are going to bring to the table.”