Saving Zeke for the home stretch is the right play

[ICP]

It makes sense to lighten his workload because the guy behind him is a bigger playmaker than he is. That’s why it makes sense.

Agreed

 

[dagreat1_87]

Yea im not a fan of the "saving him for later" stuff....if you run him hard now and get to a 8-1 start then sure spread the load a little more and cut back on his carries leading to the playoffs but if he's the best RB on the team (debatable right now) then he needs to be out there running his azz off.

 

[jazzcat22]

I don't think that's what's going on.

They are devising game plans that give them the best chance to win.
However the Pollard slobberers / Zeke haters want to jump all over this. Just as Dak haters will not give him credit for anything good. but point out his INT Sunday. Even though he was 23-27.

If they use them to compliment a running game to help win, great. If Zeke is running great, getting big yards. Then we will see that, and less Pollard.
Just so happened, they were able to use Pollard Sunday to counter the LAC defense. They used the short passing game against TB'd stout defense against the run.

Eagles, we shall see how they handle them. I expect more passing at first as their DL is very good, secondary not so much. But if they can establish Zeke and the run run later on, they will do that as well.

 

[jazzcat22]

I hope he proves me wrong like Dak did.

I have more faith in Dak proving me wrong than Zeke though. Because I think Zeke is going to see less carries with the way Pollard is making plays.

Whatever gives them the best chance to win is all that matters. But I think many fans are under estimating what Zeke can still do.
However, with what they both combined for against LAC, will give DC's concern as to what is coming at them. I think this actually helps Zeke. As they have to consider Pollard a threat.
And Pollard can take off and gain yards from anywhere on the field. I would like to see them use him more in the passing game as well.

This opens things up for others also. I still think Zeke has some 100 plus yard games though.

 

[Diehardblues]

Jethro will eventually step in and demand Elliott get more touches. He isn’t going to let his 15 million a year go wasted. Lol

 

[JBS]

early in the season “We are saving zeke to keep him fresh”

Midseason “we have an extra game , we just want to make sure we have the best version of zeke when it matters”

late in the season “things are looking good, going to keep zeke fresh for the big games “

postseason “this rotation has worked all season, we decided not to change it now”

it’s called letting him down slowly

 

[JoeKing]

Saving Zeke may be in effect what is happening but I don't think that was their intention. It's just what has been dictated by the flow of the first couple of games. TB has a stout run defense that just wasn't having it. In the Charger's game, they tried to re-establish the running game with Zeke and he did have some good runs but Pollard was getting better runs. Pollard got 13 carries and Zeke got 16. That's not saving Zeke for later in the season, it's just Pollard getting more yards(109) with fewer carries.

 

[Sarge]

You can’t save an old tire.

 

[RonnieT24]

Saving Zeke may be in effect what is happening but I don't think that was their intention. It's just what has been dictated by the flow of the first couple of games. TB has a stout run defense that just wasn't having it. In the Charger's game, they tried to re-establish the running game with Zeke and he did have some good runs but Pollard was getting better runs. Pollard got 13 carries and Zeke got 16. That's not saving Zeke for later in the season, it's just Pollard getting more yards(109) with fewer carries.

Let's not ignore the fact that Pollard got like 5-6 carries on the jet sweep. It was great scheme to take advantage of the defense.. it also saved him from having to tote it between the tackles a lot. Though as I have said before, he was better between the tackles Sunday than what we have seen in the past. Still not AS good as Zeke in that area but no stuffs which was huge. If that continues he will be given the opportunity to be the lead dog and he should. As with all things.. we will see how it plays out over time. I think we will continue to see the deployment like saw on Sunday.. which means we're never going to see Zeke getting 20 carries anymore which will leave people mad at him for some reason. As if he's the one calling the plays. I do think there are going to be games where we need more of what Zeke does to have a chance to win.. likewise there will be games where we need more of what Pollard does.. As long as we win I don't really care.. Nor do I care about all the people coming in whining about Zeke's salary.. That's their problem which I have no intention to ever share with them.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think getting Pollard 10-15 touches/game simply gives the team the best chance to win. There's nothing wrong with using both RBs every week.

 

[Tommy]

I don’t think anyone is being “saved” for anything.

That’s just what you say to explain why your backup who gets paid a fraction of the starters pay is getting equal playing time.

 

[RonnieT24]

I think getting Pollard 10-15 touches/game simply gives the team the best chance to win. There's nothing wrong with using both RBs every week.

Amen.. in this offense it's the better way to go.. If we ever go back to being a power run team my stance will change but this is the offense Moore wants to run so I want them to run it to perfection.

 

[kumizi]

Now that the better back is getting more snaps...we're "saving" Zeke for later.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Amen.. in this offense it's the better way to go.. If we ever go back to being a power run team my stance will change but this is the offense Moore wants to run so I want them to run it to perfection.

Yeah we don't have Tyron-Leary-Fred-Martin-Lael smashing opposing DL to the 2nd level. And Zeke is not what he used to be. Pollard's change of pace is much needed these days.

 

[RonnieT24]

I don’t think anyone is being “saved” for anything.

That’s just what you say to explain why your backup who gets paid a fraction of the starters pay is getting equal playing time.

Only some fan on the internet has said it anyway.. Have you heard anyone associated with the Cowboys say anything about "saving Zeke for later?" I haven't. Yes they have talked about lightening his load but that's not about "later in one season".. that's for the next several years for which he is under contract. They don't want to run him 400 times this year and then have him fall off the cliff next year when they still owe him a boatload of money.

 

[RonnieT24]

Now that the better back is getting more snaps...we're "saving" Zeke for later.

You do realize that Pollard is only playing about a third as many snaps as Zeke right?

 

[Tommy]

Only some fan on the internet has said it anyway.. Have you heard anyone associated with the Cowboys say anything about "saving Zeke for later?" I haven't. Yes they have talked about lightening his load but that's not about "later in one season".. that's for the next several years for which he is under contract. They don't want to run him 400 times this year and then have him fall off the cliff next year when they still owe him a boatload of money.

I don’t think they are saving Zeke for 2022.
If running Zeke 400 times this year would give them the most success then I think that’s what they will do and they will worry about 2022 when they get there.
I think they realize that Zeke is not the same back as he was in 2016 and that running him 400 times is not what is best for the team in 2021.

But your probably right. I don’t know where the comment about saving Zeke for later came from. But I don’t think the expanded workload for Pollard has anything to do with saving Zeke for future seasons.

 

[RonnieT24]

I don’t think they are saving Zeke for 2022.
If running Zeke 400 times this year would give them the most success then I think that’s what they will do and they will worry about 2022 when they get there.
I think they realize that Zeke is not the same back as he was in 2016 and that running him 400 times is not what is best for the team in 2021.

But your probably right. I don’t know where the comment about saving Zeke for later came from. But I don’t think the expanded workload for Pollard has anything to do with saving Zeke for future seasons.

I know for a fact it does. McCarthy and Moore both spoke about it during the offseason. Getting Pollard more involved was mentioned in several pressers and keeping from overworking Zeke was cited as one of the main reasons along with obviously Pollard's explosive playmaking ability. If I find the articles I will link them here.

 

[conner01]

Run him into the ground....it's going to be his last year. Get your money worth...now. If he doesn't get 400 plus carries...that's just dumb on our part thinking he's a 10 year RB. The guy has taken a pounding already...he's not going to last much longer anyway....or get better.

It’s not going to be his last year

 

[conner01]

With a 17 game season you have to factor that into work load. 20 carries a game would be more carries than he’s had in his career