What Tony Pollard’s Numbers Make Clear

[CowboyRoy]

I'm not a Zeke guy. What now?

You always stick up for him. What is so good about Zeke Elliott? What does he do that makes you think he is great? Im not getting it. I watch a slow, plodding RB that lacks burst and has trouble bouncing outside. He is limited. Simple as that.

 

[jnday]

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.

There is a reason why he was not an every down RB in college or in Dallas. He is not an every down RB. Barber and Felix Jones was ruined when they had to carry the load. Some RBs are better with limited carries. There is no shame in that. The shame comes from not recognizing that and ruining the RB by misusing him.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Sure buddy, go ask an opposing DC. More nonsense.

At this point, if the Cowboys are handing the ball off to Zeke the DC's are loving it. Let Zeke plod his way down the field for long plodding drives.

Its odd because you and I typically agree on everything. Its this Zeke thing that we butt heads. Not understanding how you cant see the obvious here.

Tampa said stop zeke..but haters don't care about facts.

Hating sob.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

You always stick up for him. What is so good about Zeke Elliott? What does he do that makes you think he is great? Im not getting it. I watch a slow, plodding RB that lacks burst and has trouble bouncing outside. He is limited. Simple as that.

Why wouldn't a fan stick up for their player


Unless you are a fool hater.

Where is rockport?

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

This is well said. Fans don't care about Zeke's bank account but we see him NOT breaking tackles or storming around the edge for 10. I know we all see that. It's what he does on the field. Pollard needs to play A LOT more. It's Jerry's fault all day for paying a RB ridiculous money nowadays. Dumbest thing I've seen besides signing/thinking Jaylon is all world. There was just a lot of idiot ideology going around The Star at around the same time. LOL

Do you see him keeping dak safe and healthy?

You want Pollard doing that?

Say good bye to dak.

What's it worth to ya?.

 

[jnday]

LOL.............Why would anyone focus on Zeke? The nonsense that you apologists come up with is hilarious.

-Pollard does well because of Zeke
-Zeke gets the tough carries and Pollard gets the easy carries
-Zeke can only do well if he gets 30 carries a game
-Pollard is the Troy Hambrick syndrome

yada yada yada...................Some of us have been telling you how good Pollard was for 2 years now. None of you would listen. Zeke was the best RB in the NFL...............yada yada yada.

Now that Pollard is getting more opportunities he is proving you all wrong. And its quite clear that Zeke's better days are behind him and he isnt close to top 5 or even top 10 RB's in the NFL.

Zeke at this point is just struggling to prove he is better than Pollard.

I am not defending Zeke, but let Pollard try running inside several times a game and let him try pushing the pile a few times and you will be screaming that he needs replaced after he is worn down or injured.

 

[stiletto]

Ask opposing DC's. They do.

Pretty sure if opposing DC's are afraid of Zeke...they are seeing "ghosts". Good way to lose your job.

 

[stiletto]

I am not defending Zeke, but let Pollard try running inside several times a game and let him try pushing the pile a few times and you will be screaming that he needs replaced after he is worn down or injured.

Here's the thing, there is ALWAYS a chance with Pollard that he goes inside, is stopped but suddenly bounces it outside. Zeke can NEVER do that. Pollard has proven he can run inside AND outside.

 

[jnday]

Do you see him keeping dak safe and healthy?

You want Pollard doing that?

Say good bye to dak.

What's it worth to ya?.

Pollard can’t do that and it would be foolish for him to try. IMO Zeke has declined, but Pollard sure can’t run up the middle to get the tough yards and he can’t block. Both of them has their place.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I am not defending Zeke, but let Pollard try running inside several times a game and let him try pushing the pile a few times and you will be screaming that he needs replaced after he is worn down or injured.

Pollard does run up the middle and has pushed the pile. But that is what a RB by committee is all about. Sharing the load.

 

[stiletto]

Do you see him keeping dak safe and healthy?

You want Pollard doing that?

Say good bye to dak.

What's it worth to ya?.

So your argument to keep Zeke is basically to BLOCK? For his salary?? Are you nuts?

 

[jnday]

Here's the thing, there is ALWAYS a chance with Pollard that he goes inside, is stopped but suddenly bounces it outside. Zeke can NEVER do that. Pollard has proven he can run inside AND outside.

That’s possible, but I have seen Pollard tackled on plays that Zeke would have ran through the tackle. Pollard couldn’t physically take the beating and gain the tough yards if he had to run up the middle very often. There’s nothing wrong with saying both RBs have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[jnday]

Pollard does run up the middle and has pushed the pile. But that is what a RB by committee is all about. Sharing the load.

So now Pollard is a power runner? Your Zeke hate has clouded your judgement. Before you accuse me of being a big Zeke fan, I think he has declined, but nobody in the NFL fears tackling Pollard. I have seen several defenders say that they dread tackling Zeke.

 

[stiletto]

That’s possible, but I have seen Pollard tackled on plays that Zeke would have ran through the tackle. Pollard couldn’t physically take the beating and gain the tough yards if he had to run up the middle very often. There’s nothing wrong with saying both RBs have their strengths and weaknesses.

Zeke gets stopped A LOT now for no gain or just a "couple". My argument is just that Pollard is more dynamic. I just feel he keeps the defense more on their heels than Zeke. With Zeke you just go forward with the attack. Don't have to worry about left or right.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There is a reason why he was not an every down RB in college or in Dallas. He is not an every down RB. Barber and Felix Jones was ruined when they had to carry the load. Some RBs are better with limited carries. There is no shame in that. The shame comes from not recognizing that and ruining the RB by misusing him.

Why does he need to be an every down back? That's just something that the Zeke apologist say.



At least 4 runs in the Chargers game where its up the middle or up the middle of the line. 2nd run of the night on 3rd and 1 pushes the pile.

Pollard can do it all. He bounces it outside because he can. Cowboys are also utilizing him well throwing it to him on the outside.

 

[CowboyRoy]

So now Pollard is a power runner? Your Zeke hate has clouded your judgement. Before you accuse me of being a big Zeke fan, I think he has declined, but nobody in the NFL fears tackling Pollard. I have seen several defenders say that they dread tackling Zeke.

LOL.......who said he is a power runner? More lies.

My judgement in regards to both Pollard AND Zeke have been accurate.

Why would anyone fear a back that is seldom used?

 

[Rockport]

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.

Pollard has definitely outplayed Zeke of late. The game last week was a watershed moment for me. Pollard deserves his fair share. As for Zeke, someone needs to light a fire under his ***. He was all in with his conditioning and I think he thinks he’s all in with his playing effort but it’s obvious to most of he’s not. He needs a one on one with a Charles Haley type.

 

[CowboyRoy]

So now Pollard is a power runner? Your Zeke hate has clouded your judgement. Before you accuse me of being a big Zeke fan, I think he has declined, but nobody in the NFL fears tackling Pollard. I have seen several defenders say that they dread tackling Zeke.

My dislike of Zeke aside, I have been right about his decline and his reliance on lots of carries and the Oline.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Zeke gets stopped A LOT now for no gain or just a "couple". My argument is just that Pollard is more dynamic. I just feel he keeps the defense more on their heels than Zeke. With Zeke you just go forward with the attack. Don't have to worry about left or right.

The writing is on the wall whether some want to admit it or not. Pollard is a big time weapon and deserves his share. The offense is better that way. Zeke can continue is tough runs up the middle. Just with half the carries.

 

[khiladi]

SD played pretty much exclusively zone, which is what their DC Staley is known for. That’s why our RG better big yards per carry, particularly Pollard when he went outside.

TB was “better” against the run, because they had an extra man in the box pretty much the whole game. And Zeke being an amazing blocker against the blitz was pretty stifling the extra rusher when they brought it to try and get pressure against our OL and get to Dak.

In fact, most teams do what Tampa does, meaning expose their secondary to the paper Tiger Dak, which is why he has seen so much man coverage his whole career, even now with all these weapons at WR. This is why he can’t play consistently over stretches, as attested to by his conservative and risk-averse nature against zones and why we basically wasted so much time “training” this guy.

There is a reason Amari went from like 13 catches against TB to like 1 or 2 against SD. He’s disappearing against zones. I mean look at the critical catch he made on the last drive against SD. That was one safety deep, third down, Amari isolated on a corner with no help over top, meaning they actually went man coverage on that, I believe it was third down. Again, another first read throw by Dak staring him down the whole time, aided by a simple defensive look.