What Tony Pollard’s Numbers Make Clear

conner01

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won't be long before JJ gives Pollard a massive contract extension.
Probably after this season though I don’t know about massive
He’s a UFA after next year so I’d be talking to his agent but I’m not thinking massive
I really like what pollard brings but I don’t like paying huge money for a RB and an oline
 

Einstein

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Thing is if you watch many of Pollard's big plays they are off of fakes to Zeke with both on the field. D's are still focusing on Zeke.
 

kumizi

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Pollard’s not an every down, carry a full load back IMO.

There should be no such thing as an every down, full load running back in today's NFL. Fans of this team are still living in the mid 90s. The problem was exacerbated by our previous head coach of 10 years also living in the mid 90s. He convinced our moron GM to draft a RB top 5 and then give him a huge second deal.

The absolute dream scenario for any NFL team today is to have 2 Tony Pollards.
 

3rdEyewarrior

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He
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THIS OVER THE LOUD SPEAKER: ATTENTION ALL ZEKE SUPER FANS- THIS IS NOT AN ANTI-ZEKE THREAD. THANK YOU.

One of the bright spots that has clearly emerged this season is the development of Tony Pollard into a bonafide offensive weapon. So much so he can no longer just be a “rest opportunity” for Zeke. Pollard has shown that he can be a real asset in multiple situations.

I will go a step further: Tony Pollard is now a weapon that must be a part of every game plan.

Am I saying Zeke is not necessary? Absolutely NOT. Zeke is still a valuable offensive weapon too. Two things have changed. 1. Pollard has developed into a potential big play back. 2. Zeke is not what he was in 2016-18. He still has value. But he is no longer the “bell cow” 25 carries per game back, and he does not seem to have the burst to a big play he once did. Zeke still has value though in several areas including power runs, blocking and some passing routes.

It’s also clear Kellen Moore is recognizing Pollard’s increased value. Compare game one to game to game two regarding Pollard’s work load:
  • Game 1 vs TB- 7 touches. 3 rushes for 14 yards, 4 catches for 29 yards. 43 total yds
  • Game 2 vs LAC- 16 touches- 13 carries for 109 yds, 3 catches for 31 yds. 140 total yds.
Some of the numbers will vary depending on who we play. TB was certainly better than LAC against the run.

Looking at comparisons between Zeke and Pollard and explosive plays of 20 yds plus the last two years, the numbers speak for themselves.
  • Ezekiel Elliott - Number of plays of 20 yds+
    • 2016-2018- 30 plays of 20+ yds
    • 2019-20- 3 plays of 20+ yds
    • Notice the drop off after 2018.
  • Tony Pollard - Number of plays of 20 yds+
    • 2019-20- 8 plays of 20+ yds
    • 2021- already has 2 plays of 20+ yds
    • Last two years, Pollard has 10 plays of 20+ compared to 3 for Zeke.
Once again, not saying Zeke is no good or shouldn’t play. Just saying Pollard is more of a big play threat and needs to get more touches per game. The numbers are clear.
s a solid change of pace back.
 

ESisback

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There should be no such thing as an every down, full load running back in today's NFL. Fans of this team are still living in the mid 90s. The problem was exacerbated by our previous head coach of 10 years also living in the mid 90s. He convinced our moron GM to draft a RB top 5 and then give him a huge second deal.

The absolute dream scenario for any NFL team today is to have 2 Tony Pollards.

Yeah, I’m in agreement here.
 

nightrain

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won't be long before JJ gives Pollard a massive contract extension.
God, no! Can't pay running backs not named Smith or Henry. The position is too demanding. Good RBs can be found in every draft and it's best to have young, hungry players at the position.
 

CowboyRoy

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Wonder how many of these yards Pollard got when he was on the field with Elliot at the same time. When they key on Elliot it will make it easier for Pollard.
No one keys on Elliott. In case you didn’t notice they were in two deep most of the night.
 

CowboyRoy

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That is my concern as well.

Pollard is playing better than Elliott but I wonder how much of that is teams game planning against Elliott rather than Pollard just like they did with Emmitt when Hambrick would come in and look much better.

I still think Pollard is better right now than Elliott, but I wonder how much of the Elliott factor is making him look a little more productive than he would be as the regular starter?
No one game plans against Elliott anymore. Those days are over.
 

Starforever

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CowboysZone DIEHARD Fan
No need for the bold Zeke deference throughout your post. Make your post about Pollard and move on. Actually, to continue to start these threads are an inference of your preference.
 

CTcowboy203

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I agree with this but i think as fans we need to realize it should be a zeke OR Tony thing....we need both. both compliment each other very well and pollard is a weapon. We need him on the field as much as possible even as a decoy with the threat of his big play ability. Zeke can thrive and so can Tony.
 

Doomsday101

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No it’s not a different game.

We see scrubs with less talent than Pollard come in and do well all the time.

The best move is just let them split carries but if Pollard ever has to “carry the load” then Dallas will be more than fine.

You have your opinion, I agree with Church that coming in and subbing is a lot different than being the #1 RB. Yes we saw Troy Hambrick look great until he became the #1 RB it is different despite your believe. In terms of the splitting the load, McCarthy said they were doing that prior to the season starting, they did not want to put as much of the load on Zeke with the hope that he would be fresher thought out the season. I have no bone to pick with Pollard, I like him a lot and I hope he continues to produce and help this team. You on the other hand have been down on Zeke for a while so this is nothing new. We played 1 game out of 17 where we actually ran the ball and based on that you have the answers? lol yeah right
 

HanD

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Whatever the case, put me in the "Do NOT pay any RB's big money" Fan Club. Keep drafting stud OLinemen and let fresh RB's come in around the 4th/5th round. Let them get that big $ contract somewhere else. Just my opinion. No more Zeke's. I'd be against paying Pollard too...

i couldn't agree more. and i have loved having bellcows but too many solid rbs that can be productive and do different things that i'd rather employ rbbc which should be more salary cap efficient than paying a bellcow.
 

MountaineerCowboy

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Zeke is only getting the bulk of the playing time for 2 reasons, imo.

1. His blocking.
2. His contract.

Pollard is the better runner of the football right now. He's more explosive and shifty. He makes the bigger runs. He makes more defenders miss and breaks more tackles.

Let's be real too, Pollard looked better last year when given the opportunity. We'll never see 2016-2018 Zeke again. That's over and we need to accept that reality.

When RBs know they've lost a little bit of what made them great they always do 1 of 2 things. They gain weight and try to become more of a power runner because they know the speed and explosiveness is gone, or they lose weight to try to try and get some of that explosiveness and quickness back because they know at their current weight they can't move like they used too. Zeke has tried both of these routes.
 

Diehardblues

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Zeke is only getting the bulk of the playing time for 2 reasons, imo.

1. His blocking.
2. His contract.

Pollard is the better runner of the football right now. He's more explosive and shifty. He makes the bigger runs. He makes more defenders miss and breaks more tackles.

Let's be real too, Pollard looked better last year when given the opportunity. We'll never see 2016-2018 Zeke again. That's over and we need to accept that reality.

When RBs know they've lost a little bit of what made them great they always do 1 of 2 things. They gain weight and try to become more of a power runner because they know the speed and explosiveness is gone, or they lose weight to try to try and get some of that explosiveness and quickness back because they know at their current weight they can't move like they used too. Zeke has tried both of these routes.
Do you think Pollard would be as effective if he was the starter and focus for defenses to stop?
 

G2

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You have your opinion, I agree with Church that coming in and subbing is a lot different than being the #1 RB. Yes we saw Troy Hambrick look great until he became the #1 RB it is different despite your believe. In terms of the splitting the load, McCarthy said they were doing that prior to the season starting, they did not want to put as much of the load on Zeke with the hope that he would be fresher thought out the season. I have no bone to pick with Pollard, I like him a lot and I hope he continues to produce and help this team. You on the other hand have been down on Zeke for a while so this is nothing new. We played 1 game out of 17 where we actually ran the ball and based on that you have the answers? lol yeah right
Simply astounding that more fans don't realize the different between splitting carries in one game vs. taking all of the snaps.
 

Diehardblues

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When he takes Zekes job away from I will accept it if he can. Right now we have both use them. And Pollard has been getting more playing time I like him at the slot receiver position
Right. Pollard is a nice compliment and good slot receiver. But he obviously isn’t the every down back.

We are strong at RB because of both of them. No reason to pick and choose.
 

MountaineerCowboy

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Do you think Pollard would be as effective if he was the starter and focus for defenses to stop?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only game Pollard has started he had 69 yards and 2 TDs on 12 carries, and caught another 6 passes for 63 yards and all that was with Andy Dalton at QB.

Zeke ain't all that anymore. It's not 2016. Zeke should still get carries, absolutely, but Pollard needs to get his too.
 
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