News: The case for Tony Pollard as one of the NFL's best running backs in 2022

VaqueroTD

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I've always been jealous of these teams that get those quick, smaller, 3rd down backs who can also stretch the passing game.

Guys like Sproles, Westbrook, etc who do so well, they eventually get a chance to prove they have what it takes to be the full-time back.

Feel like we finally have one, but I just wish they would involve him more in the passing game like the Vikings matchup. Dude is a playmaker.
 

gimmesix

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He's a top notch RB, but in games where he's had a higher carry count his YPC came down a bit. As did his YAC. So some of his stats maybe misleading. But I'd still rather keep him instead of Zeke, for cap reasons.

If we're keeping just one, then it should be Pollard. I think we'll try to restructure Zeke, cutting his pay. Whether he'll go along with that is another story.

The bad part of cutting him is that we'll have to find a replacement for that role, and I think we'll have to spend a second- or third-rounder to ensure that. I like what we've seen in limited time from Malik Davis, but I would not feel comfortable just handing the Zeke role to him. Might can wait until the fourth because of Davis, or dip into free agency for a No. 2, but we really don't need to mess up that pairing.
 

quickccc

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Until i've seen Kellen.. or the next play caller imaginatively and fully utilize Pollard in the pass game
He will never reach his full great potential.

Kellen should have been using Pollard's speed and receiving skills such as the Vikes games
Just imagine Pollard on quick screen plays such as Niners do (see below)



 

T-RO

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He's a top notch RB, but in games where he's had a higher carry count his YPC came down a bit. As did his YAC. So some of his stats maybe misleading. But I'd still rather keep him instead of Zeke, for cap reasons.

Sorry to be "that guy" who gets interested doing homework to test out if statements are true.
-Five games in which Pollard had his most carries: 6.0 yards per carry
-His other six games: 5.0 yards per carry

Do agree with your final conclusion!
 

buybuydandavis

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Flamma

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He's a top notch RB, but in games where he's had a higher carry count his YPC came down a bit. As did his YAC. So some of his stats maybe misleading. But I'd still rather keep him instead of Zeke, for cap reasons.

I agree. But a lot of our success in the run game is based on how well out OL does against our opponents DL. Pollard is a big play RB. Which is why I'd put him up against any RB in the league. Give him an inch and he'll take a mile. He's just one of those RBs in this league.
 

quickccc

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He's in that Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler type ,imo.
His game is built on speed and moves and what he can do the more he gets into the open field.

Only those two aforementioned guys are developed, experienced, accomplished receiving backs - whereas Pollard is still underdeveloped
and rarely used in the pass game. Due to Kellen not knowing how to best use RBs in pass game.

He's not a finesse back, and can run between the tackles - but he doesn't have the style and frame to make it a regular living in that area. He's not a bell cow - and should not be used as such.

His lower body -leg drive power or his knack for the goal line end zone is not on Zeke's level. Ditto with his blitz blocking.

But every time there's a seam or crack developing up front and Pollard has slight momentum, he has that hold your breathe, frightening burst into and out of holes that makes you think he's gonna break it big.
I've only a handful of RBs has his rare homerun burst. (henry, barkley, chubb, taylor, McCaffrey, cook, kamara)
 
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SteveTheCowboy

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I love me some tony.....but i do think he benefits from zeke style runs.

I agree with the above about having a zeke style replacement when hes gone.
 

SteveTheCowboy

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He's in that Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler type ,imo.
His game is built on speed and moves and what he can do the more he gets into the open field.

Only those two aforementioned guys are developed, experienced, accomplished receiving backs - whereas Pollard is still underdeveloped
and rarely used in the pass game. Due to Kellen not knowing how to best use RBs in pass game.
Barely run game too....imo.

Better of late...
 

DenCWBY

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He's in that Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler type ,imo.
His game is built on speed and moves and what he can do the more he gets into the open field.

Only those two aforementioned guys are developed, experienced, accomplished receiving backs - whereas Pollard is still underdeveloped
and rarely used in the pass game. Due to Kellen not knowing how to best use RBs in pass game.

He's not a finesse back, and can run between the tackles - but he doesn't have the style and frame to make it a regular living in that area. He's not a bell cow - and should not be used as such.

His lower body -leg drive power or his knack for the goal line end zone is not on Zeke's level. Ditto with his blitz blocking.

But every time there's a seam or crack developing up front and Pollard has slight momentum, he has that hold your breathe, frightening burst into and out of holes that makes you think he's gonna break it big.
I've only a handful of RBs has his rare homerun burst. (henry, barkley, chubb, taylor, McCaffrey, cook, kamara)
If you notice, he's also improved a great deal in his QB protection assignments.
 

zrinkill

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As a straight running back I do not agree ...... But he has become one of the absolute best utility players in the league.
 

CalPolyTechnique

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Some of y'all are so lazy and just spout off not bothering to even check.

Pollard's highest number of carries in a four game stretch:

Screenshot-2022-12-02-081203.png


Zeke's highest number of carries in a four game stretch:

Zeke-4-games.png
 

Oz-of-Cowboy-Country

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Some of y'all are so lazy and just spout off not bothering to even check.

Pollard's highest number of carries in a four game stretch:

Screenshot-2022-12-02-081203.png


Zeke's highest number of carries in a four game stretch:

Zeke-4-games.png
Pollard shined in his first start this year without Zeke. Anyone expecting that to be his norm is seeing the full picture. His second start is more of what we can expect if he's asked to carry the load. It was still a good performance but it wasn't as dynamic. So when he has around 20 carries he's not going to be averaging 6 2 yards a carry. 5.2 is about right.
 

Mr_437

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Send this article to Stephen because Pollard needs an extension.
 
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