Cowboys confident Zeke can lead a running back-by-committee backfield

[Sydla]

Zeke had 900+ APY as RB2 last season.

He’s far from washed.

LOL.

He's a mediocre TB. Stop.

 

[Sydla]

FUN FACT: Zeke has not registered a 100+ yard game since 2021.

As a reminder, it’s currently 2024.

But dude he had a 900+ APY last year!

People thinking this guy helps/improves our run game over what we had last year, LOL.

Hope springs eternal, I guess.

 

[JW82]

Because the wide receiver by committee approach in 2018 worked out so well didn't it, dummies never learn

100% what this is. I think dopey Jerry tipped his hand that he already knows they'll need a midseason trade just like 2018 to save the run game this time.

 

[Sydla]

CooperB is All American/All Conf.

He’s gonna be ok.

I suspect he will be. But to expect there to be no lumps and no growing pains and some struggles next year is pretty homeristic. And you glossed right over Guyton and the fact he's really raw.

Note, I have zero issues taking Guyton or Beebe but people thinking we improved our run game this offseason are just grasping at straws at this point.

 

[Floatyworm]

This franchise disgusts me.

Wil McClay is a problem that just needs to go away.

So over rated as a talent evaluator....

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Because the wide receiver by committee approach in 2018 worked out so well didn't it, dummies never learn

That’s exactly what this reminds me of. The Allen’s receiving group.

 

[morasp]

If true the worst part about it is that they aren't even trying to bring anyone else in.

 

[Typhus]

Any of you buying this load of crap? I am sure he will look much faster getting those 3 yards a carry in that number 15 jersey though.

Nope, but RBs are the cheapest roster position to fill these days, they are a dime a dozen.

 

[chicago JK]

I am actually not upset they brought back Zeke. I am a little upset with the role he is probably going to be looked at. At his age and past workload, he is really someone you need to manage. If he is getting 15 carries a week, you are going to lose any effectiveness quickly. I think he would be best as a pass protector and short yardage guy early in the season....5-6 carries. As the year goes on and the games get bigger maybe you stretch him at times. With the goal of him being healthy for the stretch run. What the Cowboys lack is a guy who deserves those 15 carries. Right now, I think the team would fall back to their comfort level and Zeke will get more carries than we expect. I would actually be fine taking another gamble on Dalvin Cook. Maybe he is done, but it would be better than counting on Dowdle to get 15 carries a game.

 

[Bullflop]

I'm hoping for a good new RB to be introduced into this team. I think Zeke will provide some good blocking for Dak and be a steadying influence on the younger players who will likely need it. Will Dak improve his play enough to win back the confidence of the staff and the fans? We shall see.

 

[Typhus]

I'm hoping for a good new RB to be introduced into this team. I think Zeke will provide some good blocking for Dak and be a steadying influence on the younger players who will likely need it. Will Dak improve his play enough to win back the confidence of the staff and the fans? We shall see.

My friend Bullflop, I anticipate the same.
There are only so many roster positions to fill, and PS RBs are abundant.
So why so many stress about RB is rather funny to me.
Build the OL first is what many of us pounded our fists hard on the table for and we have made a correction in that area.
RBs will love coming here.

 

[john van brocklin]

Well....I'm not sure what to say. No one expected to hear Zeke will be the starting lead back but here we are (LO). This is McClay speaking, not Jerry or Stephen.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...an-lead-a-running-back-by-committee-backfield

Cowboys confident Ezekiel Elliott can lead a running back-by-committee backfield​

• By
• Charean Williams

Published May 1, 2024 05:14 PM


The Cowboys do not have an RB1 on their roster and might not when the season starts. Ezekiel Elliott is the starter by default after signing a one-year deal Tuesday.

The Cowboys did not draft a running back with any of their eight picks despite a stated interest in the top player at the position, Texas’ Jonathon Brooks. They didn’t reach for one after 15 running backs went between the Cowboys’ 87th overall pick and their next one at 174.

The team knew it had Elliott as a fallback after the sides met the night before the draft.

So, Elliott joins Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman in what looks like a running back by committee.

Elliott’s touches and yards have declined every season from the previous season over the past five seasons. He had only 235 touches in 2023 when he started five games for the Patriots.


“Zeke is a winning, starting running back in the league,” Will McClay, the Cowboys vice president of player personnel, told Joseph Hoyt of lonestarlive.com on Wednesday. “So, you turn on the tape. You saw him do things, running power gap schemes, running inside and outside zone, helping in pass protection – all those things to show that the ability was still there. Adding him to this roster, it adds a guy that, No. 1, loves football; that wants to win here; that wants to be here; and that adds something to the roster from a leadership standpoint, as well as an ability to play.

I am not confident whatsoever !
Zeke had a 3.5 ypc last season, and is now a year older and has absorbed a lot of punishment in his career.
RB's historically don't age well.
How in the world is he going to be better???????????????????????
I guess we love our guys !

 

[john van brocklin]

Any of you buying this load of crap? I am sure he will look much faster getting those 3 yards a carry in that number 15 jersey though.

Jerry is great at selling poop !
And us sheep are great at buying it !
We have enabled this dysfunction to continue for 28 years.
Why is this season any different ???

 

[Bullflop]

I expect Zeke will be utilized mostly for short yardage situations and for his pass blocking abilities to protect Dak. He's surely not what he once was on 1st downs, but let's look for another RB to tend to that more often than not. Whether it's another member of our RB corps or some other RB yet to be acquired, remains to be seen. I also believe Malik Davis will have a fighter's chance to prove himself in 2024. It's far from a hopeless wish!

 

[Typhus]

I expect Zeke will be utilized mostly for short yardage situations and for his pass blocking abilities to protect Dak. He's surely not what he once was on 1st downs but let's look for another RB to tend to that more often than not. Whether it's another member of our RB corps or some other RB yet to be acquired, remains to be seen. I also believe Malik Davis will have a fighter's chance to prove himself in 2024. It's far from a hopeless wish.

Honestly I do not believe we finish 2024 with the RBs we have rostered now.

 

[Bullflop]

Honestly I do not believe we finish 2024 with the RBs we have rostered now.

That's one wish I'm reserving, as well. Whether this staff sees fit to grant it or not is yet to be determined. It may come anytime, or not at all.

 

[Creeper]

I am not listening to them anymore. I stopped listening once I realized Jerry's all in comment was total BS. It is clear to me this season is all about clearing CAP space. They will keep trying to put lipstick on the pigs but we should see what is going to happen. Losing season coming right up. Jerry blaming McCarthy or someone else, and next year we get a new head coach. My only question is why is McCarthy hanging around for his inevitable execution?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I am not confident whatsoever !
Zeke had a 3.5 ypc last season, and is now a year older and has absorbed a lot of punishment in his career.
RB's historically don't age well.
How in the world is he going to be better???????????????????????
I guess we love our guys !

I really think having his presence/leadership is just as important if not more than any YPC, especially if/when if the season starts going south.

 

[Motorola]

RB by committee is fine, but make it, you know, a good committee. This isn't exactly Csonka/Morris/Kiick here.

That Dolphins RB trio was outstanding.

 

[Typhus]

That's one wish I'm reserving, as well. Whether this staff sees fit to grant it or not is yet to be determined. It may come anytime, or not at all.

I mean I exaggerate a bit BF when I say that, because they are definitely going to go give Uncle Rico, Luepke, VD a strong look this preseason, but the RB room could change completely if some required production is not being met.