CFZ Contract Aside, doesn't it Make More Sense for Zeke to Come After Pollard?

[Pass2Run]

With everyone talking about Pollard getting more carries and being more involved, doesn't it make more sense for Zeke to come in after Pollard?

Why not use Pollard to wear teams down before we smash them with Zeke's fresh legs? Flip the script a little. In the past, we've brought in Pollard for clean up duty. I would like to see Zeke come in after Pollard has had 10-12 carries. Or specifically in the redzone.

This doesn't have to be all the time.

But given that both of our backs can legitimately start for us, I don't see why it's necessary to always start with Zeke.

I'm sure there are a few times they've started the game with Pollard, but I'm talking about getting momentum going for several series and then bringing in Zeke. I think it makes more sense to roll with Zeke inside the redzone as well, since he's a more powerful back.

Does anyone else think we should change the strategy and stop thinking along such traditional lines?

I get what they're trying to do, but I just think Zeke would be harder to handle if he came in on fresh legs. I think we'd see his YPC average rise, while Pollard's would likely decrease. But overall, I think this strategy would work better against some teams.

Also, not knowing who we'll start makes us slightly more difficult to prepare for, so this could change from week-to-week.

I'm a big Kellen Moore fan, and I know it's not all in his control, but I would like to see him push for this approach for some games.

 

[JBS]

The guy who writes the checks decides who gets the carries..that’s how this works..at least here

 

[Pass2Run]

The guy who writes the checks decides who gets the carries..that’s how this works..at least here

We all know that.

But that doesn't mean we have to start out every game with Zeke as the lead back. I'm not saying Zeke shouldn't get carries. Nor am I saying that Pollard is ready to carry a full load for 17 games, but we can do better changing up our approach and not be so predictable about which back we're going to use.

They're both good, and both bring pluses and minuses to the table.

As far as what you're saying. Is this even possible with our ownership?

If not, is that because of the contract we gave Zeke? Does that obligate us to fulfill his expectations for how many carries he thinks he should get?

 

[JBS]

We all know that.

But that doesn't mean we have to start out every game with Zeke as the lead back. I'm not saying Zeke shouldn't get carries. Nor am I saying that Pollard is ready to carry a full load for 17 games, but we can do better changing up our approach and not be so predictable about which back we're going to use.

They're both good, and both bring pluses and minuses to the table.

As far as what you're saying. Is this even possible with our ownership?

If not, is that because of the contract we gave Zeke? Does that obligate us to fulfill his expectations for how many carries he thinks he should get?

nope. Doesn’t work. Zelle not “starting” is proof Jerry screwed up and was wrong to pay Zeke. Jerry will never willfully admit that. It’ll never happen.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I so needed a snooze....

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

With everyone talking about Pollard getting more carries and being more involved, doesn't it make more sense for Zeke to come in after Pollard?

Why not use Pollard to wear teams down before we smash them with Zeke's fresh legs? Flip the script a little. In the past, we've brought in Pollard for clean up duty. I would like to see Zeke come in after Pollard has had 10-12 carries. Or specifically in the redzone.

This doesn't have to be all the time.

But given that both of our backs can legitimately start for us, I don't see why it's necessary to always start with Zeke.

I'm sure there are a few times they've started the game with Pollard, but I'm talking about getting momentum going for several series and then bringing in Zeke. I think it makes more sense to roll with Zeke inside the redzone as well, since he's a more powerful back.

Does anyone else think we should change the strategy and stop thinking along such traditional lines?

I get what they're trying to do, but I just think Zeke would be harder to handle if he came in on fresh legs. I think we'd see his YPC average rise, while Pollard's would likely decrease. But overall, I think this strategy would work better against some teams.

Also, not knowing who we'll start makes us slightly more difficult to prepare for, so this could change from week-to-week.

I'm a big Kellen Moore fan, and I know it's not all in his control, but I would like to see him push for this approach for some games.

What has tony done to EVER give you the idea he can bash defenses to their death? Has he EVER been a #1 RB? EVER?

Has he had to block for a porous, merry go-round offensive line that doesn't know which end their arses are? Has he taken handoffs with Dak tripping over the center feet? I mean literally! How do you handoff to a a running back and trip over the center's feet/

HAs Tony shown you he can beat up a defense? EVER? Does he get injured playing backup running back? (YEP..he got injured with his "limited" carries!)

This is NOT a zeke nut sack party like Starfan will try to make it out to be.

"both backs can legitimately start for us"? What does that even mean? Tony gets the first hand off and zeke comes in after Dak gets blasted?


How about this: How about we FIX the damn o-line so they can block AND make holes. How about we abandon the NCAA Mountain West passing offense and design a REAL NFCE power run game and COMMIT. How about we design a rotation that doesn't involve zeke's hand in the air and an afterthought play for Tony?

Zeke is the power back...give him those carries like we gave Emmitt ...and the same Oline and commitment. Design the rotation plays for an EXPLOSIVE Tony.
Stop this fooling around and use them like their history says to use them. For the love of GOD stop being so stupid.

 

[Pass2Run]

What has tony done to EVER give you the idea he can bash defenses to their death? Has he EVER been a #1 RB? EVER?

Has he had to block for a porous, merry go-round offensive line that doesn't know which end their arses are? Has he taken handoffs with Dak tripping over the center feet? I mean literally! How do you handoff to a a running back and trip over the center's feet/

HAs Tony shown you he can beat up a defense? EVER? Does he get injured playing backup running back? (YEP..he got injured with his "limited" carries!)

This is NOT a zeke nut sack party like Starfan will try to make it out to be.>

"both backs can legitimately start for us"? What does that even mean? Tony gets the first hand off and zeke comes in after Dak gets blasted?


How about this: How about we FIX the damn o-line so they can block AND make holes. How about we abandon the NCAA Mountain West passing offense and design a REAL NFCE power run game and COMMIT. How about we design a rotation that doesn't involve zeke's hand in the air and an afterthought play for Tony?

Zeke is the power back...give him those carries like we gave Emmitt ...and the same Oline and commitment. Design the rotation plays for an EXPLOSIVE Tony.
Stop this fooling around and use them like their history says to use them. For the love of GOD stop being so stupid.

I would like Dallas to be able to pass to set up the run, and I think with Pollard in there, you have to respect the run a little more.

He can strike quicker and punish you if you don't account for him. Zeke doesn't have quite the burst to make teams pay for not accounting for the run, although you definitely have to account for Zeke, just not the same way.

Look, I'm appreciative of Zeke. I think he's a top 5-7 RB in the league, like all around back, one of the best. And he's still young, and I think he can bounce back.

I'm not bashing Zeke here, either. No nut rides or bashes.

But everyone says Pollard can't handle the carries.

What has he shown to make you think he can't?

We devalue Pollard's ability's so we can pay him like a #2 player, because we went all-in on Zeke. But Zeke's contract doesn't actually bind us to giving him the bulk of the starting carries. For the record, I'm for them sharing the carries 60/40 - 40/60 either way, switch it up each game.. But my main point is that you can come out of the gates running with Pollard and tire the defense, you just do it with speed and quickness rather than power.

Why be so predictable?

I'm arguing Zeke's style will have a more devastating effect if he comes in with fresh legs, as a battering ram against a tired defense.

Several backs have been used in this way in the past, and it has worked.

That said, I'm looking forward to some of our 12 personnel this year as well, especially with Pollard in and out the backfield, if they do indeed give him a larger role like they are saying.

 

[Risen Star]

On an all time list? Yes.

 

[Pass2Run]

On an all time list? Yes.

Yes, funny.

But we're not going that far here. That's not what I'm saying. I'm simply talking about game-to-game strategies, and switching up the personnel we show to start a game and then how we transition personnel as the game moves along.

I wanna pound them with Zeke, Marion Barber III style, after hitting them with Tony Julius Jones Jr. through most of the 1st half.

 

[jazzcat22]

The only ones talking about Pollard over Zeke are the Zeke haters.

 

[jazzcat22]

The guy who writes the checks decides who gets the carries..that’s how this works..at least here

Not true.

 

[Pass2Run]

The only ones talking about Pollard over Zeke are the Zeke haters.

Zeke is a top back, a top back who could run rampant on a tired defense in the 2nd half, and could really extend his YPC this way, and perhaps even his career.

In turn, it'd work out better for the team instead of focusing the plays towards in-game success instead of our current strategy where we call plays based on how much we paid Zeke.

That's the other thing with this ownership, they don't go with the hot hand. They always go back to feeding the guys they decided to pay, because they think this makes them look smart if they win. The only problem is . . . they don't win.

This isn't an attack on Zeke.. stop making it into something it's not.

 

[G2]

We'll see this coming season. My concern is health & availability. And we're going to need both being that the front office & staff did not treat the position as one of need.
So, if/when one/both get injured it's par for the course.

 

[Loso86]

What has tony done to EVER give you the idea he can bash defenses to their death? Has he EVER been a #1 RB? EVER?

Has he had to block for a porous, merry go-round offensive line that doesn't know which end their arses are? Has he taken handoffs with Dak tripping over the center feet? I mean literally! How do you handoff to a a running back and trip over the center's feet/

HAs Tony shown you he can beat up a defense? EVER? Does he get injured playing backup running back? (YEP..he got injured with his "limited" carries!)

This is NOT a zeke nut sack party like Starfan will try to make it out to be.

"both backs can legitimately start for us"? What does that even mean? Tony gets the first hand off and zeke comes in after Dak gets blasted?


How about this: How about we FIX the damn o-line so they can block AND make holes. How about we abandon the NCAA Mountain West passing offense and design a REAL NFCE power run game and COMMIT. How about we design a rotation that doesn't involve zeke's hand in the air and an afterthought play for Tony?

Zeke is the power back...give him those carries like we gave Emmitt ...and the same Oline and commitment. Design the rotation plays for an EXPLOSIVE Tony.
Stop this fooling around and use them like their history says to use them. For the love of GOD stop being so stupid.

Facts bro

 

[starfan1]

What has tony done to EVER give you the idea he can bash defenses to their death? Has he EVER been a #1 RB? EVER?

Has he had to block for a porous, merry go-round offensive line that doesn't know which end their arses are? Has he taken handoffs with Dak tripping over the center feet? I mean literally! How do you handoff to a a running back and trip over the center's feet/

HAs Tony shown you he can beat up a defense? EVER? Does he get injured playing backup running back? (YEP..he got injured with his "limited" carries!)

This is NOT a zeke nut sack party like Starfan will try to make it out to be.

"both backs can legitimately start for us"? What does that even mean? Tony gets the first hand off and zeke comes in after Dak gets blasted?


How about this: How about we FIX the damn o-line so they can block AND make holes. How about we abandon the NCAA Mountain West passing offense and design a REAL NFCE power run game and COMMIT. How about we design a rotation that doesn't involve zeke's hand in the air and an afterthought play for Tony?

Zeke is the power back...give him those carries like we gave Emmitt ...and the same Oline and commitment. Design the rotation plays for an EXPLOSIVE Tony.
Stop this fooling around and use them like their history says to use them. For the love of GOD stop being so stupid.

Lol and the legend of zeke continues to grow

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

It's thunder and lightning. When it's going, it's great. If those guys stay healthy and Moore shows some stick to it ness, they will be the best in the league.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Zeke ... could run rampant on a tired defense in the 2nd half...

You see, me harbor steward, if you make a hundred posts maybe one of them will contain coherent, discernible ... schtuff.
Just don't get drunk on the pat on the back, elfin poster.
You do not like Zeke. Most of us also think he's JAG.
Wear yer badge proudly.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

It's thunder and lightning. When it's going, it's great. If those guys stay healthy and Moore shows some stick to it ness, they will be the best in the league.

Thunder and lightning. stick to it ness.
The well of resourcefulness, inventiveness and creativity is bottomless!
You sound like Spags.

 

[Pass2Run]

We'll see this coming season. My concern is health & availability. And we're going to need both being that the front office & staff did not treat the position as one of need.
So, if/when one/both get injured it's par for the course.

I personally like Aaron Shampklin. He reminds me a bit of Pollard. Can catch, is explosive and shifty. I'm not a big fan of Malik Davis. You'd have to go watch some Harvard games. But he's a really smart player, deceptively good blocker for his size.

 

[gimmesix]

With everyone talking about Pollard getting more carries and being more involved, doesn't it make more sense for Zeke to come in after Pollard?

Why not use Pollard to wear teams down before we smash them with Zeke's fresh legs? Flip the script a little. In the past, we've brought in Pollard for clean up duty. I would like to see Zeke come in after Pollard has had 10-12 carries. Or specifically in the redzone.

This doesn't have to be all the time.

But given that both of our backs can legitimately start for us, I don't see why it's necessary to always start with Zeke.

I'm sure there are a few times they've started the game with Pollard, but I'm talking about getting momentum going for several series and then bringing in Zeke. I think it makes more sense to roll with Zeke inside the redzone as well, since he's a more powerful back.

Does anyone else think we should change the strategy and stop thinking along such traditional lines?

I get what they're trying to do, but I just think Zeke would be harder to handle if he came in on fresh legs. I think we'd see his YPC average rise, while Pollard's would likely decrease. But overall, I think this strategy would work better against some teams.

Also, not knowing who we'll start makes us slightly more difficult to prepare for, so this could change from week-to-week.

I'm a big Kellen Moore fan, and I know it's not all in his control, but I would like to see him push for this approach for some games.

Pollard's YPC would come down dramatically IMO if we use him in the starter's role. The reason for this is that he would have to run between the tackles more to constrict the defense. One reason we have Elliott bash away is because it pulls defenders in tighter to the box, which makes it easier to pass. If Pollard's run distribution was 80 percent outside and 20 percent inside, then teams would play more heavily to the edges. Now, Pollard showed he can effectively run inside, but the primary reason for that is because most of his runs go outside. Elliott is the opposite, about 80 percent of his runs are between the tackles. Teams badly pinched down inside to stop our inside runs after the early-season success and we did a bad job of countering it. Some of that may have been because of Elliott's injury, though.

I still think our plan needs to be to play them both, Pollard in the slot and Elliott in the backfield. Then, Pollard coming across the formation on jet sweeps or fake jet sweeps keeps the defenses from pinching inside too much while the threat of Elliott up the middle keeps them from cheating outside the box to clog the passing lanes. Plus, we can motion Pollard into the backfield (and Elliott out) at times. It creates multiple ways that we can attack and gets Pollard more snaps that he'd get just subbing in for Elliott.