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

[acr731]

Neither did Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck.
What's your point?

Aside from Andrew Luck, did you notice that every QB you mentioned at least played in a super bowl? How far has your super hero made it in the playoffs?

 

[plasticman]

Fair enough, they have questions. In my opinion, Zeke is a proud athlete who is eager to provide some answers.

I do believe he lost some intensity after signing his contract. I think he was disheartened last season when defenses were able to key on him behind a third team offensive line. I also think he's heard enough and he looks upon the coming season as his year of redemption. As long as the offense can maintain reasonable health throughout the season, Zeke should succeed.

 

[DandyDon52]

Ewok needs to lose the nose rings !
I just wonder how he looks in the mirror and thinks those make him look better!
His production has gone down since he added them.

 

[tunahelper]

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

I think watching Zeke answer his critics this year will be fun to watch. He has to show value this year. It appears to me he understands the situation as well. Notice how low key he has been?

 

[dsturgeon]

With the passing threat and a healthy oline, zeke is going to tear it up.

He has been and still is 1st tier. I don't think we should have resigned him early though

 

[Section446]

He is absolutely a 2nd-tier guy, he has been for two seasons now.

 

[buybuydandavis]

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.bleacherrepor, at.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

Zeke spent half the season fumbling a lot. Had lots of drops. Very small yards per target production too. Pretty mediocre by most all metrics, and not even better in metrics than his backup.

I think he can be better than that, and should have a bounce back year with a much better offense around him, but he looked nowhere near a top RB last year.

 

[Brax]

Neither did Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck.
What's your point?

Most of those guys got their team to the big game.

 

[Brax]

Aside from Andrew Luck, did you notice that every QB you mentioned at least played in a super bowl? How far has your super hero made it in the playoffs?

Foutes only made it to the CCG twice.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I think watching Zeke answer his critics this year will be fun to watch. He has to show value this year. It appears to me he understands the situation as well. Notice how low key he has been?

If Zeke finally gets in shape and has a good year then doesnt he prove his critics right?

 

[CWR]

Zeke played like he deserves that label. I still believe he is capable and will once again be a first tier back. Time will tell.

 

[Jarntt]

I give Zeke this year before I decide he will never be a top back again and I am expecting him to be good in 2021. He heard all the talk this offseason and if he isn't motivated to or able to change that this year it will suck, but we'll have to admit he'll never be a top 5 back again. He won't have a completely decimated OL or crappy QB to deal with. If he bounces back this year it's all good IMO. If he doesn't bounce back we need start planning for what we do after 2022 because he is paid to much to not be good. He is of course uncuttable until after 2022 due to his dead cap hit. We could trade him from a cap perspective because his base salary would go to the new team, but if he doesn't play better it may be tough to find a partner.

 

[gimmesix]

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

No excuse is the same as saying I'm not going to accept any reason for my position. Since this is a team game, there are factors that play a role in a player's performance. Quarterbacks don't throw as well without protection. Defensive backs get roasted if the line can't put any pressure on the quarterback.

Elliott had a down year. There were some legitimate issues with the team that could have played a role in that. It will be up to him to show that was more of the issue than he was.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Most of those guys got their team to the big game.

This just shows how much you dont understand the game. Lets just take Marino for example.

You say he took HIS team to the SB his rookie year? More like his team took him. And then he NEVER got back. And he got much much better as he got older. Just never had the team.

Learn football......................

 

[CowboyRoy]

No excuse is the same as saying I'm not going to accept any reason for my position. Since this is a team game, there are factors that play a role in a player's performance. Quarterbacks don't throw as well without protection. Defensive backs get roasted if the line can't put any pressure on the quarterback.

Elliott had a down year. There were some legitimate issues with the team that could have played a role in that. It will be up to him to show that was more of the issue than he was.

How many down years did he have?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Who wouldn't pale in comparison to Pollard?

I'm thinking Julius Jones. Or maybe even Troy Hambrick.

 

[gimmesix]

How many down years did he have?

In your mind? Probably every one.

 

[CowboyRoy]

In your mind? Probably every one.

Every year since 2016 has been a down year. Downward trend? Culminating in his most pathetic year of his career last year at 3.9 yard per carry and 7 total TD's.

Pathetic!!!!!

 

[CowboyRoy]

Zeke played like he deserves that label. I still believe he is capable and will once again be a first tier back. Time will tell.

What exactly is a "first tier back"?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Those troubles following his rookie year when he was still on a college binge have turned into his dogs terrorizing his neighbors.

He no longer has long speed but he is decent quick, incredibly physical and has good size. He was never a fumbler but then last year happened. He is an outstanding blocker. He has good hands but gets most of his passes in the flats.

He is not dynamic or game changing. Then again the coaching has played him very conservatively. He blocks on more than half of his passing attempts even if he can leak out to that flat.

He's a good player but making about twice as much as he is worth.