Ezekiel Elliott: Evaluators Question If Cowboys RB More Of A 2nd-Tier Guy

[Ranched]

With only 7 runs of 20 plus yards in 2 seasons, YES.

No excuse "he didn't have Dak".

No excuse "Dallas can't make the playoffs unless Zeke rushes for 1,000 plus".

No excuse "he didn't have a good offensive line".

"Elliott rushed for a career-low 979 yards and six touchdowns (tied for his career low) in 2020, posting a long run of just 31 yards.

"Backup Tony Pollard was in many respects the more effective running back last season, especially when it came to big bursts out of the backfield.

He had four carries of 20-plus yards in 2020 last season in 101 carries versus three for Elliott in 244 carries."

https://syndication-bleacherreport-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10006862-ezekiel-elliott-rumors-evaluators-question-if-cowboys-rb-more-of-a-2nd-tier-guy.amp.html?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a6&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM=#amp_tf=From %1$s&aoh=16253178433147&csi=0&referrer=https://www.google.com

 

[Risen Star]

Who wouldn't pale in comparison to Pollard?

 

[Batman1980]

Who wouldn't pale in comparison to Pollard?

Barry Sanders.

 

[Creeper]

I think it is obvious Zeke no longer possesses the speed he had as a rookie. It's not just his inability to breakaway either. You can see he can't get outside anymore like he did as a rookie. Last year was the first year since his rookie season where I didn't think he got slower than the year before. I don't know if I would call him second tier, but he is getting paid $15 million a year and performing like a $5 million RB. This is the problem with the Cowboys in general. Too many guys are getting paid more than they produce. $5 million here, $4 million there and before you know it you are $26 million over the CAP in 2022 and nothing to show for it.

 

[Batman1980]

I think it is obvious Zeke no longer possesses the speed he had as a rookie. It's not just his inability to breakaway either. You can see he can't get outside anymore like he did as a rookie. Last year was the first year since his rookie season where I didn't think he got slower than the year before. I don't know if I would call him second tier, but he is getting paid $15 million a year and performing like a $5 million RB. This is the problem with the Cowboys in general. Too many guys are getting paid more than they produce. $5 million here, $4 million there and before you know it you are $26 million over the CAP in 2022 and nothing to show for it.

Elliott put on too much "longevity" weight and seems to make more business decisions than he did before. Probably wants to make sure he's healthy enough to earn that entire ridiculous contract but I agree. I think we would've been better off with Pollard and a draft pick instead of Pollard and a severely overpaid workhorse.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

He has definitely earned the right to be questioned. With last season figuring heavily into my opinion, right now he is a second tier back, on a first tier contract, garnering first tier hate. But I think he's in a good position to redeem himself this season, with a better supporting cast, better physical shape and a more focused mental approach. Even in a passing league we need him to be the force that he once was. I'm hoping for the best.

 

[Risen Star]

Barry Sanders.

Debatable.

It's like choosing Walter Payton or Rod Smith.

 

[StuckMojo]

All the carries through the years will put a toll on your body. Hopefully he has put more time into quickness/agility than putting on more muscle. Also don’t think this coaching staff is good with the running scheme.

 

[kskboys]

EZ is 2nd tier when he refuses to get in tiptop shape and conduct himself as a professional.

 

[Jake]

He didn't start out that way but his regression is fast-becoming second tier. Just another reason not to spend a top 4 pick on a RB in the pass-happy NFL.

I say that as someone who went to Ohio State, so I was rooting for this kid before many here even heard of him. Disappointed with the recent seasons.

 

[USArmyVet]

Bottom line is that Zeke is just like many Dallas Cowboys players: as soon as they get paid a large new contract their on the field production drops (see Zeke, DLaw, J. Smith, T. Smith, etc.).

 

[acr731]

Why doesn't Zeke get the 'no defense' excuse like Dak does?

 

[Batman1980]

Why doesn't Zeke get the 'no defense' excuse like Dak does?

Because Dak still set the record book on fire until his ankle went the wrong way last year.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Henry doubled his production. The Titans’ OL had injuries too. Not much difference between the Titan OL and the Cowboy OL last year. Elliott had Dak for 1/3 of the year and Dak is so much better than Tannehill, right? I don’t see much difference between Tannehill and Dalton other than Tannehill has more running ability. Cowboys had much better WRs than the Titans last year.

What explains the huge difference between Henry and Elliott?

RBs don’t get faster as they age. No one does. Three position though rely on speed much more than anything - CBs, WRs, and RBs.

My guess is that Elliott likes his ‘low key fades’ more than football.

 

[USArmyVet]

Because Dak still set the record book on fire until his ankle went the wrong way last year.

....and that on fire record book had Dallas at a 1-3 record heading into the Giants game where Dak got hurt.....but with Dak it's a team loss but if a win Dak led the team to victory. Stop the hypocrisy.

 

[pgreptom]

If Tyron and La'el are truly healthy, Zeke will easily eclipse 1200 yards. He doesn't have that Ohio burst or top end anymore but he is built to handle the 300 tough carries he'll get.

A lot of people forget we were losing so much last year never really got a rhythm in a lot of games. I expect it to completely flip this year but that's just eternal optimism.

 

[Batman1980]

Henry doubled his production. The Titans’ OL had injuries too. Not much difference between the Titan OL and the Cowboy OL last year. Elliott had Dak for 1/3 of the year and Dak is so much better than Tannehill, right? I don’t see much difference between Tannehill and Dalton other than Tannehill has more running ability. Cowboys had much better WRs than the Titans last year.

What explains the huge difference between Henry and Elliott?

RBs don’t get faster as they age. No one does. Three position though rely on speed much more than anything - CBs, WRs, and RBs.

Henry is actually the talent/player that people seem to think Zeke is. He's actually one of the rare backs worth paying because he's so essential to the success of his entire team.

 

[kskboys]

Henry doubled his production. The Titans’ OL had injuries too. Not much difference between the Titan OL and the Cowboy OL last year. Elliott had Dak for 1/3 of the year and Dak is so much better than Tannehill, right? I don’t see much difference between Tannehill and Dalton other than Tannehill has more running ability. Cowboys had much better WRs than the Titans last year.

What explains the huge difference between Henry and Elliott?

RBs don’t get faster as they age. No one does. Three position though rely on speed much more than anything - CBs, WRs, and RBs.

My guess is that Elliott likes his ‘low key fades’ more than football.

Henry has a great attitude and stays in shape. No more difficult than that.

 

[blueblood70]

ahhhhh



here come the EE Haters...the op knew this would be the responses.

anyone and you know who you are that uses last year as this is what zeke is now rating are what P1 call sports idiots..


zeke may no longer be the best back in the league but his demise is overblown..what hes slower with less long range burst? his 4.0 ofends you , you just described half of ES career YPC AVG..zeke is throwback type back and like ES if you feed him all game in run based offense with good to great OL he will get you yards but the averages suffer..its what a vlume back does and compared to BS ES was slow and fat , different backs completely..put zeke on HOF offense, defense and coaching and im betting that team doesnt miss beat..

he does get the excuse of all those listed in the OP.. add to it he was injured recovering from covid and to boot played behind the worst OL in the league with backup qbs with no passing threat and an offense and defense playing from behind all the time which is not run friendly, and to boot KM changed the offense to pass happy and doesnt use a run game properly..

get over it!!

zekes not 2nd tier he may have slipped a bit for whatever reasons that simply makes him top 6 instead of top 2 you know like Dak to finally move UP to..
these were ES avg per year from 96-2004

3.7
4.1
4.2
4.2
4.1
3.9
3.8
2.8
3.5

hmm if that zeke he would be hated on for being fat and slow lol washed up and overpaid..

 

[TwoCentPlain]

If Tyron and La'el are truly healthy, Zeke will easily eclipse 1200 yards. He doesn't have that Ohio burst or top end anymore but he is built to handle the 300 tough carries he'll get.

A lot of people forget we were losing so much last year never really got a rhythm in a lot of games. I expect it to completely flip this year but that's just eternal optimism.

Wow, 1200 yards in 17 games! That there is Ring of Honor production.