The Zeke Conundrum

[Doomsday101]

Many, many a poster here rate players solely on Super Bowls. Just read the Dak threads. It’s all they got so they use it over and over.

I don't I look at the success of the player, Zeke had a poor season last year I don't think many would question that.

 

[MyFairLady]

It is entirely personal. Jerry chose Zeke to be his special baby boy. Zeke is going no where.

 

[jazzcat22]

i thought that was pollards job..hmm

the wildcard is are fans missing KM propensity to pass and not run when he runs the ply calls are drawn up using the 90s Cowboys FB plays?

blame zeke but this is not see issue and pollards eniough to backup an offseive run game that not utlized proplery IMHO..

why draft another RB? manke no sense

also lets state soem facts

hard to RUN ,

with not threat of pass game ie QB carrousel,

with a 3rd string OL

with paying rom behind 2-3 scores

with playig behind the chains with contatc pentied or TOs

let keep it real 2019 zeke looked more then adequate yet you could the transition by Moore to pass happy , hows that on zeke, timing of his deal then KM taking over was more then a coincidence as to Zeke starting to seem les s productive..hes volume back like Emmitt and needs carries , real ones, not the proverbial breadcrumb just call run play play call..design, scheme, surprise well laid out run plays and calls..

I like Pollard to a certain degree. He already showed he can't handle a full game IMO. I know part of that was the back up QB, injured OL.
But Sermon is built to handle that load better. I seen all his games at OSU, and JMO, I would not mind him being drafted. But as I said, if he falls, Also if they have drafted defense before him. I would prefer they take a player on defense if one is there that would be immediate help. But if not, then Sermon would be BPA type.

 

[Rockport]

I don't I look at the success of the player, Zeke had a poor season last year I don't think many would question that.

He certainly did. But how much of that was because of the offensive line injuries and playing with 2nd, 3rd and 4th string QB’s? The defense only had one thing to worry about playing Dallas...Zeke. So they schemed accordingly.

 

[kskboys]

He certainly did. But how much of that was because of the offensive line injuries and playing with 2nd, 3rd and 4th string QB’s? The defense only had one thing to worry about playing Dallas...Zeke. So they schemed accordingly.

No RB in the history of the NFL looks/looked good while being hit behind the LOS consistently.

In 1995, Emmit Smith averaged 4.7 YPC. In 96, it was 3.7. Did he suddenly suck?

 

[DuncanIso]

I don't I look at the success of the player, Zeke had a poor season last year I don't think many would question that.

with that OL, who didn't.

 

[Motorola]

With injured players returning, I think the entire offense will focusd on returning to top form. Working close to Dak - viewing him returning from that major setback..that will provide some extra motivation to Zeke.

 

[Doomsday101]

He certainly did. But how much of that was because of the offensive line injuries and playing with 2nd, 3rd and 4th string QB’s? The defense only had one thing to worry about playing Dallas...Zeke. So they schemed accordingly.

I agree injury on the OL was a big factor, the fumbles I can't blame on OL. Having said that a lot of this offense goes through Zeke, he is not the highest paid guy on the team that would be Dak, DLaw and Cooper all making more yet so much of the offense goes through Zeke. For me I have less issue about the contract number but I expect players getting top pay to perform to a high level.

 

[Doomsday101]

with that OL, who didn't.

As I just mentioned not all was on him, the costly fumbles last season yeah he has to take the blame. I expect greater play from Zeke and OL being healthy will go a long way. As for fumbles Zeke never had a problem with that until last season and I do not expect a repeat of that this coming season

 

[Flamma]

Do we keep Zeke for next season ( not this coming season)? If not do we make a move on Sermon in round 2? Zeke makes a ton of money. Sermon is a cheaper version of Zeke imho. It is an interesting take I think. It bears thought...

Who the hell is Sermon? I don't see him ranked in the top three rounds. There's a better chance of seeing Jesus Christ on draft day than this guy being drafted in the 2nd round.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Do we keep Zeke for next season ( not this coming season)? If not do we make a move on Sermon in round 2? Zeke makes a ton of money. Sermon is a cheaper version of Zeke imho. It is an interesting take I think. It bears thought...

Not sure if this has been brought up....but Sermon doesn't have the track record (no pun intended) Zeke had. He had a couple good games....then injured. Not very Zeke like.

Meanwhile, in Ohio State's 2014 NC run....zeke had 800+ yards and 10 TD's against 4 of the very best teams the NCAAA could thow at them...mighty 'bama and media darling Ducks among them.

So, Mr. Lover...are you saying Trey can't be a productive NFL RB? Of course I am not saying that. But saying as "cheaper version"...at about the same time in their careers....is disingenuous. Yep...he would APPEAR to have some serious skill...but hasn't proven that over the long haul and big games. I wouldn't mind having him when we ditch Zeke.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

As I just mentioned not all was on him, the costly fumbles last season yeah he has to take the blame. I expect greater play from Zeke and OL being healthy will go a long way. As for fumbles Zeke never had a problem with that until last season and I do not expect a repeat of that this coming season

Actually both he and Dak uncharacteristically turned the ball over those first few games. Like you, I do expect it to be different this year.

 

[Sydla]

I agree they are paid big but you could take a player like what has Joey Bosa done how has he made the Chargers a SB competitive team? he makes a lot more than Zeke. Again there are many big contract across the NFL and vast majority have never been to the SB nor will they ever play in a SB.

I'd trade Elliott for Bosa and not even think twice. RB is not as important as a dominant DE. Between the wear and tear on the position and how stats show a diminished importance of TBs in terms of success of an offense or overall team, it's just a mistake to be paying big bucks for a TB.

The position is too dependent on everyone around him. Even in this thread, people are trying to find excuses for Elliott's performance last year - the QB wasn't good, the OL wasn't good, etc.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'd trade Elliott for Bosa and not even think twice. RB is not as important as a dominant DE. Between the wear and tear on the position and how stats show a diminished importance of TBs in terms of success of an offense or overall team, it's just a mistake to be paying big bucks for a TB.

Yet the TB accounts for a large percentage of the offense. I think Bosa is a great player my comment was how has his big pay made the Chargers a contender since that was being asked of me and Zeke situation.

 

[J-man]

They will keep him until after next season. Then his contract is much easier to get out of. He will have a $15million salary/cap hit in 2023. But none of it is guaranteed so only $6.7mil would be dead cap. It actually saves $8.3million on the '23 cap to cut him after the 2022 season. Saves $59.6 mil from '23-'26.

And IMO, was the plan all along when they signed him to the 6 year $90mil extention. Final numbers always sound good to the public and make the guys feel like they've signed a huge deal. But in fact it was nothing more than a two year extension, as he will never see those final 4 years.

 

[Sydla]

Yet the TB accounts for a large percentage of the offense. I think Bosa is a great player my comment was how has his big pay made the Chargers a contender since that was being asked of me and Zeke situation.

TB is arguably the least important of the positions on offense other than maybe TE and the 2nd and 3rd WRs. So much in today's NFL is about the passing game. Elliott might have been a great guy to have in the 90s like Emmitt Smith but his value is diminished in today's NFL where winning more strongly correlates to passing. Elliott isn't much of a home run threat at this point. He's a ground and pound TB. People mentioned McCaffery and Kamara (which I also think are wastes of money) but those guys are legitimate threats every time they touch the ball. They can take a hand off and go 80 yards in a blink. Elliott isn't that TB.

It's just a waste of money IMO.

 

[Doomsday101]

TB is arguably the least important of the positions on offense other than maybe TE and the 2nd and 3rd WRs. So much in today's NFL is about the passing game. Elliott might have been a great guy to have in the 90s like Emmitt Smith but his value is diminished in today's NFL where winning more strongly correlates to passing. Elliott isn't much of a home run threat at this point. He's a ground and pound TB. People mentioned McCaffery and Kamara (which I also think are wastes of money) but those guys are legitimate threats every time they touch the ball. They can take a hand off and go 80 yards in a blink. Elliott isn't that TB.

It's just a waste of money IMO.

Yet over 38% of the offense goes through Zeke. You may think it is least important but fact much of the offense goes through the TB. You clearly are entitled to believe RB is not important but again if that was the case why do RB not just in Dallas make up a big portion of so many offense in the league both in rushing and in receiving.

 

[Sydla]

Yet over 38% of the offense goes through Zeke. You may think it is least important but fact much of the offense goes through the TB. You clearly are entitled to believe RB is not important but again if that was the case why do RB not just in Dallas make up a big portion of so many offense in the league both in rushing and in receiving.

38% of the offense goes through the TB position. It doesn't have to be Zeke. You don't need to be paying a TB a crap ton of money to have a competent run game. 38% of the offense means that 62% is running through the WRs and TEs. That's a huge disparity. So you are undermining your own point here.

Teams are figuring out that they can cobble together good run games without pouring a ton of resources into the position. We now have tied up a crap ton of cap space into a TB who is nothing more than a ground and pound guy who has no explosiveness, etc.

 

[Doomsday101]

38% of the offense goes through the TB position. It doesn't have to be Zeke. You don't need to be paying a TB a crap ton of money to have a competent run game. 38% of the offense means that 62% is running through the WRs and TEs. That's a huge disparity. So you are undermining your own point here.

Teams are figuring out that they can cobble together good run games without pouring a ton of resources into the position.

Yet in 2014 DeMarco Murray was rushing leader and Dallas goes 12-4 on the season. 2016 Zeke is the rushing leader Dallas goes 13-3, in 2018 Zeke is rushing leader Dallas goes 10-6 including win over the seahawks in post season. You can down play the run all you want but fact is be it Romo at QB or Dak at QB when the Cowboys rushing attack is clicking Dallas is winning period

 

[charron]

easy enough to find workable RB's on the street, no need to draft one.