Twitter: Brian Baldinger: Tony Pollard is the Cowboys best RB

[john van brocklin]

In other news water is wet.

 

[CATCH17]

Pollard is the perfect change of pace guy. There is no way he is a 20 carry a game guy. He would last 2 years like that. As a pass catcher and 10/12 carry guy he is perfect. Very quick with lots of wiggle. He has been great for the Cowboys.

Zeke isn’t a 20 carry a game guy.

Really no RB is that wants to play long.

You need production. Not a bunch of carries.

A bunch of carries from a unproductive runner will get teams not caring about your run game and making your 40 million dollar QB look below average.

 

[G2]

I think it is hard because they are different backs and work well together. I think it is hard when Zeke is playing on one leg. What I did love was them 1-2 during that run for the first half of the season.. unstoppable combination out of the backfield.

Still believe that Moore doesn't know how to scheme or call a run game and that hurts both our RBs.

From what we have seen and what we are told.. it seems they both get along and actually enjoying working together.. so I don't see why you wouldn't just ride them both to a SB.

I think Moore has leveled off. I don't think the talent is being utilized.

 

[America's Cowboy]

You would think the people who Pom Pom and defend everything Dak does would be begging for more Pollard because once we finally start running all over teams and they have to change coverages then Dak is going to start flinging the football again.

Instead we’re just wasting plays Zeke.

I've been harping against out Oline and needing to get the running game going in order to best help Dak since Week 1.

Every single week...I've been complaining about our Oline.

Don't know what you've been reading on here?

 

[Bob-Lillys-War]

I think Moore has leveled off. I don't think the talent is being utilized.

agreed .

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Zeke isn’t a 20 carry a game guy.

Really no RB is that wants to play long.

You need production. Not a bunch of carries.

A bunch of carries from a unproductive runner will get teams not caring about your run game and making your 40 million dollar QB look below average.

You know what keeps a defense honest? Handing the ball off to a running back that’s an actual threat with the ball.

Zeke is effectively Jason Witten at the running back position. He’s a volume guy that nobody is worried about. Defenses have no problem feeding Zeke 20 carries if it means eating up snaps and reducing the risk of a big play.

 

[Proof]

Pollard is the perfect change of pace guy. There is no way he is a 20 carry a game guy. He would last 2 years like that. As a pass catcher and 10/12 carry guy he is perfect. Very quick with lots of wiggle. He has been great for the Cowboys.

i’m actually shocked that when we were out ceedee and amari that they didn’t put pollard in the slot

 

[Proof]

I'm a weirdo, I just pretty much like most of our players. I even root for them.

BAN!

 

[Aviano90]

He is only good because Zeke soaks up the 3 yard runs.

 

[UncleRico]

What’s his contract situation ?

 

[Sydla]

What’s his contract situation ?

First possible out is after the 2022 season. If we try to cut him after this season, he's an $11MM additional cap hit (which we can't afford given our cap situation) and even if we designate him a June 1 cut, his cap savings is zero.

 

[HungryLion]

You know what keeps a defense honest? Handing the ball off to a running back that’s an actual threat with the ball.

Zeke is effectively Jason Witten at the running back position. He’s a volume guy that nobody is worried about. Defenses have no problem feeding Zeke 20 carries if it means eating up snaps and reducing the risk of a big play.

this is exactly what defense are doing. They’re lining up and begging the offense to run the ball.


I was listening to 103.5
Earlier. They said every time Dak yelled “kill kill” the offense ran. It was like 15 times and they gained like 30 yards at 2 yards per carry.


This means one of two things.

1. Dak is saying kill kill at the wrong times.

Or

2. The defense is in an alignment where the cowboys scheme says they should run the ball and they STILL can’t get a decent gain against a favorable defense to run on



it’s a huge problem.

 

[Sydla]

You know what keeps a defense honest? Handing the ball off to a running back that’s an actual threat with the ball.

Zeke is effectively Jason Witten at the running back position. He’s a volume guy that nobody is worried about. Defenses have no problem feeding Zeke 20 carries if it means eating up snaps and reducing the risk of a big play.

Now I don't think Pollard is a bell cow or anything like that. But when Pollard is in there, you basically have your entire playbook of run plays - dives, off tackles, sweeps, pitches, etc. With Elliott, you are largely relegated to between the tackle stuff. He doesn't have the quickness to get outside and turn it up. There was an 8-9 yard run yesterday where Pollard took it wide and was able to get around the edge. If Zeke had run that play, he'd have been tackled for no gain most likely.

 

[UncleRico]

First possible out is after the 2022 season. If we try to cut him after this season, he's an $11MM additional cap hit (which we can't afford given our cap situation) and even if we designate him a June 1 cut, his cap savings is zero.

I would assume we re-sign him after 2022 and cut zeke or restructure. My problem is RBs have short shelf life so I probably pick one up this draft

 

[Sydla]

I would assume we re-sign him after 2022 and cut zeke or restructure. My problem is RBs have short shelf life so I probably pick one up this draft

Restructuring Elliott would be idiotic at this point. He's not worth his cap hit now so pushing more cap hits into the future when he will probably be even less effective would make little sense.

Unless he has a re-birth next year and looks dominant again, I would hope they would cut him after 2022.

 

[zeke21]

You know what keeps a defense honest? Handing the ball off to a running back that’s an actual threat with the ball.

Zeke is effectively Jason Witten at the running back position. He’s a volume guy that nobody is worried about. Defenses have no problem feeding Zeke 20 carries if it means eating up snaps and reducing the risk of a big play.

Yeah.. but I'm guessing the Giants didn't exactly want Zeke ripping through their line for the opening TD yesterday.. nor did they want the 8 yard burst carry for a 1st down in the 4th that led to another score. But yeah.. Zeke does nothing.

I'm guessing the Vikes weren't worried about him either.. until he made a 9 yard run out of nothing to ice the game.

Seriously.. I get it.. Zeke is NOT producing what he should.. nor is he justifying his contract size.. but sheesh seriously. The dude is on one leg.. he is actively involved on the sidelines.. he takes pressure off pollard by doing the grunt work in the middle and doesn't quit.

I don't get the Zeke hate.. I really don't.

 

[CATCH17]

this is exactly what defense are doing. They’re lining up and begging the offense to run the ball.


I was listening to 103.5
Earlier. They said every time Dak yelled “kill kill” the offense ran. It was like 15 times and they gained like 30 yards at 2 yards per carry.


This means one of two things.

1. Dak is saying kill kill at the wrong times.

Or

2. The defense is in an alignment where the cowboys scheme says they should run the ball and they STILL can’t get a decent gain against a favorable defense to run on



it’s a huge problem.

A huge problem problem that they have an answer to.

All problems that this offense has goes back to Pollard being the answer.

Will management let him answer it though or will they force Zeke.

 

[doomsday9084]

Its really not about Pollard. Its about Zeke and his lack of burst. Zeke has been slowing down since his rookie year but the knee problem is a completely different level.

IMO, there are going to be a lot of RB's in the NFL who would outplay an injured Zeke right now.

TBH, its rather irresponsible of the organization to keep playing Elliot. Give him a week off to heal.

 

[CATCH17]

Yeah.. but I'm guessing the Giants didn't exactly want Zeke ripping through their line for the opening TD yesterday.. nor did they want the 8 yard burst carry for a 1st down in the 4th that led to another score. But yeah.. Zeke does nothing.

I'm guessing the Vikes weren't worried about him either.. until he made a 9 yard run out of nothing to ice the game.

Seriously.. I get it.. Zeke is NOT producing what he should.. nor is he justifying his contract size.. but sheesh seriously. The dude is on one leg.. he is actively involved on the sidelines.. he takes pressure off pollard by doing the grunt work in the middle and doesn't quit.

I don't get the Zeke hate.. I really don't.

Outside of the contract I like Zeke.

I don’t like his role being large and Pollards being minimal.

Pollard needs to be featured in our offense and Zeke can come in situationally.

Running Zeke over and over is just a waste.

 

[Starforever]

A huge problem problem that they have an answer to.

All problems that this offense has goes back to Pollard being the answer.

Will management let him answer it though or will they force Zeke.

Pollard, is not the remedy to that problem, better execution along with Pollard can be the answer. Zeke, should have been rested weeks ago. We all know that this coaching staff, has only so much authority, concerning personnel moves. Zeke's contributions are minimal at best, due to his injury, but the Cowboys keep inserting him into the lineup.