Can we really go into the season with two change of pace backs as our top two runningbacks

[cowboys5xsbs]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

 

[Jipper]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

honestly, the change of pace back would be the grinder (whomever that ends up being)...

 

[Havic]

Tbh if Davis / Rico can’t separate themselves and continue to play poorly, zeke will be back.

 

[BlindFaith]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

Zeke was 225
Pollard is 218
Dowdle is 218
Davis is 205
RJ is 210

We have backs with size. Pollard has no issue running between the tackles. Same for Dowdle and Davis. Are they Henry type power backs, no. But between the three of them, we have guys who can pick up tough yards.

I dont think Luepke makes it. PS.
Same for Duece.

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

Zeke was 225
Pollard is 218
Dowdle is 218
Davis is 205
RJ is 210

We have backs with size. Pollard has no issue running between the tackles. Same for Dowdle and Davis. Are they Henry type power backs, no. But between the three of them, we have guys who can pick up tough yards.

I dont think Luepke makes it. PS.
Same for Duece.

There is no chance Duece is practice squad he would get snipes in 5 minutes.

 

[thunderpimp91]

While I agree with your overall point (I think the thread title is inaccurate), it's an area the Cowboys don't seem to be too concerned about though. Seems like they plan on rolling with what they have, and either Leupke or a TE could play the FB roll on short yardage. That's an option that could help them keep some speed on the field at RB, while also having a bigger body in the backfield to help get push.

Dowdle who is listed at 215lbs could be that guy, the opportunity seems to be right there for him, but he didn't show much in Saturdays game. Not sure what his camp has looked like thus far.

 

[TwoDeep3]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

This is an excellent observation. Dallas doesn't have the three yard, move the chains back. And behind this line, Larry Csonka would struggle.

 

[Creeper]

Dowdle is 6' 215 lbs. Is that small? Maybe he runs small? I do get it. Pollard, Davis and Jones are all on the smaller side, although I think Jones can run big.

They have Luepke. He is 238 lbs. He looks like he can do more than run like a battering ram. The Cowboys have some tough decisions getting down to 53. I feel they will be cutting a few players who will get picked up by other teams, especially at LB, CB and RB.

 

[TwoDeep3]

While I agree with your overall point (I think the thread title is inaccurate), it's an area the Cowboys don't seem to be too concerned about though.

Sort of like they were not concerned with the WR's last year, huh?

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Any one of the top 3 backs can do that.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

This is an excellent observation. Dallas doesn't have the three yard, move the chains back. And behind this line, Larry Csonka would struggle.

You don't need one.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Zeke was 225
Pollard is 218
Dowdle is 218
Davis is 205
RJ is 210

We have backs with size. Pollard has no issue running between the tackles. Same for Dowdle and Davis. Are they Henry type power backs, no. But between the three of them, we have guys who can pick up tough yards.

I dont think Luepke makes it. PS.
Same for Duece.

I sort of agree....Pollard has zero issues running between the tackles, but last year when he got goal line opportunities over Zeke it wasn't pretty. He got stuffed often. Maybe that had more to do with the Oline than the back, without pulling up the tape and really breaking it down I can't say for sure, but it seemed to be a pretty consistent issue for Pollard. Plus I wouldn't hate limiting Pollards touches and having that short yardage specialist to make sure Pollard is close to 100% come December.

 

[BlindFaith]

Tbh if Davis / Rico can’t separate themselves and continue to play poorly, zeke will be back.

Continue to play poorly? Where are you getting this from? MM has praised Dowdle. He looked good playing behind a second string OL going against JAX starting defense. Davis didnt do much, but he earned the starting nod.

I dont know how the RJ situation plays out. Maybe they still consider him in the running for RB2. Or they may be considering cutting him. Based on current rotation and common sense, Dowdle and Davis are your two backups. Both are very good special team guys as well.

And if some other team cuts a guy that is an upgrade, Im sure we will be looking into that as well.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Sort of like they were not concerned with the WR's last year, huh?

True....I'd say this is less crucial of an item to worry about though. You can typically find a stop gap short yardage back anytime of the year.

 

[BlindFaith]

Dowdle is 6' 215 lbs. Is that small? Maybe he runs small? I do get it. Pollard, Davis and Jones are all on the smaller side, although I think Jones can run big.

They have Luepke. He is 238 lbs. He looks like he can do more than run like a battering ram. The Cowboys have some tough decisions getting down to 53. I feel they will be cutting a few players who will get picked up by other teams, especially at LB, CB and RB.

Dowdle is 218. Pollard is 218. They are the exact same size. Not sure why everybody thinks Pollard is small. Hes probably right up there size wise with other starting backs across the league.

 

[DuncanIso]

RB1 Tony
RB2-5 scrubs

 

[gimmesix]

We need a grinder to get the tough yards and goalline carries. I love Duece and Pollard but they are smaller backs. Can we give Luepke some more opportunities to see what we have.

I think Pollard is being underestimated. He has shown the ability to run between the tackles, so I'm not sure if it is fair to label him change of pace. The only question with him is endurance. How much of a load can him handle and do we have the backs to relieve him to keep him from being overworked?

Pollard should have earned more benefit of the doubt that he gets here. He took over as the lead back last year and continued to play well despite that. He did get dinged, though, during the season and of course, we lost him in the playoffs, so I believe that is a fair concern.

 

[gimmesix]

I sort of agree....Pollard has zero issues running between the tackles, but last year when he got goal line opportunities over Zeke it wasn't pretty. He got stuffed often. Maybe that had more to do with the Oline than the back, without pulling up the tape and really breaking it down I can't say for sure, but it seemed to be a pretty consistent issue for Pollard. Plus I wouldn't hate limiting Pollards touches and having that short yardage specialist to make sure Pollard is close to 100% come December.

I'd go with the tush push at the goal line over handing it to any back.

 

[TwoDeep3]

You don't need one.

I love conversing with fans who are watching pro football for the first time.

 

[vlad]

How is pollard small?