ESPN: Jaworski's Best Value

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I have no problem with him being held back but at the same time we used a 4th overall pick on him. He needs to be out there the majority of the time. I'm not a fan of Alfred Morris at all. I like him the least of our running backs. Seems like a great guy but I never liked him even when he was a Commander. Not a fan of his running style or his ability to make people miss.

he is a perfect 1st and 2nd down back. He should play a couple of series a game. He will eat carries and eat clock. He will get you 4 yard. Runs low to the ground..falls forward. Zeke has never played 16 games plus playoffs. The Cowboys are not some also ran. We are built to make a run. Teams will bring there A game when they play us. Zeke will get the bulk of the load...but he still needs to be managed. You do not spend the #4 overall pick on a guy and toss him after 4 or 5 years. We knew when we drafted him that the shelf life of a RB is short. But you also want a #4 pick to be around 7 or 8 years. So I hope we approach him with the thought of "how do we get 7 or 8 good yeas out of this guy"

 

[Fredd]

so, I think out of respect, if DMac is still on the team, he gets the first carry of the season...the guys was 4th in the league in rushing last year, he did his job, often against a stacked line because we had no QB when Tony went down....but, if DMac or AM get more carries than Zeke after the 2nd game of the season, then there is a problem

 

[jobberone]

4 RBs competing for the snaps. My guess is as soon as Zeke has his assignments down he will get an opportunity to showcase his talents. If I'm the coach then I go with the back who is running best that day. With his pass catching ability he may take snaps away from Dunbar if and when he returns. There's always a player or two dinged up as well.

 

[JoeKing]

I saw that. My only hope is that Jason grows in the department of player management. Just because he is good and just because he was the #4 overall pick..that does not mean you work him like a mule. You want someone picked that high to be with you 7/8 years. So Alfred Morris should still be used. The way we used Murray his last year was a disaster on many levels...and culminated with us not being able to afford him. Zeke is a great young talent. And I hope he is here for as long time.

First... Murray wasn't used by us at all "last year". He's an Eagle. I seriously doubt EE will be re-signed after his first contract expires. He'll be asking for too much money just like Murray and his most productive years behind him so you can forget about the idea of keeping him "7/8 years". Run him to the ground while his youth and rookie contact are in play. We'll get another in a few years to replace him.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

First... Murray wasn't used by us at all "last year". He's an Eagle. I seriously doubt EE will be re-signed after his first contract expires. He'll be asking for too much money just like Murray and his most productive years behind him so you can forget about the idea of keeping him "7/8 years". Run him to the ground while his youth and rookie contact are in play. We'll get another in a few years to replace him.

You should slow down and read carefully. I said the way Murray was used "his last year". And we will agree to disagree. I do not spend the #4 overall pick on a player that I do not expect to be around for his second contract. And if he plays well enough to demand a lot of money his 2nd contract...then you forecast that and figure out how to keep someone playing at a high level around for 7 - 8 years. If you never expect him to see his second contract...then you do not spend the #4 overall pick on him. Look at the pickle Mo Claiborne not panning out has put us in.

 

[Dorsett33]

First... Murray wasn't used by us at all "last year". He's an Eagle. I seriously doubt EE will be re-signed after his first contract expires. He'll be asking for too much money just like Murray and his most productive years behind him so you can forget about the idea of keeping him "7/8 years". Run him to the ground while his youth and rookie contact are in play. We'll get another in a few years to replace him.

I don't agree with your assessment. If Zeke produces well, he will be resigned. We can't judge this with Murray. Murray was older and had a history of staying healthy except his contract year. We drafted Zeke at #4 and when his rookie is up, he'll be 25. If he's a beast like we all hope....he'll get a 2nd contract with the Cowboys. I think a lot of us think that because we wouldn't pay Murray that it means we won't pay any RB. Every situation is different. Remember.....most people on this site didn't think we'd draft Zeke at #4 because of what they THINK how the Cowboys view RBs.

 

[AmishCowboy]

you know as an Eagle Homer Jaws threw up in his mouth when we took Elliott, hope Sal Pal did too

 

[big dog cowboy]

RB depth chart on opening day:

Elliott, DMC, Morris and Jackson.

 

[irishline]

Let Morris and McFadden battle it out in training camp. I've been unfair in my criticism of McFadden. I'll admit that. He represents the reason why we chose to go RBBC and I just can't shake applying that stigma to him. That said, let him battle it out with Morris. May the best man win.

I was not a McFadden fan myself (and still isn't one), but to blame him for a RBBC that we never used is all on you. Once McFadden became the starter in week 7 he got 81% of the running back carries the rest of the season. To put that into perspective Murray the year before got 83% of the running back carries for the season.

2015 - McFadden (week 7 on): 202 carries out of 249 RB carries (QB and Whitehead removed). 81.11%
2014 - Murray: 392 carries out of 472 RB carries (QB and Harris removed). 83.05%

Now we can debate their performances (really there is none). We can debate whether or not he should have been the starter week 1 and was misused early on. But this whole McFadden led a RBBC thing, I just don't see it. If anything, we only actually used a RBBC at the start of the season, and it was due to Randle and being loyal him for whatever reason (and not McFadden).

All that said, I am stoked we got Elliot.

 

[JoeKing]

You should slow down and read carefully. I said the way Murray was used "his last year". And we will agree to disagree. I do not spend the #4 overall pick on a player that I do not expect to be around for his second contract. And if he plays well enough to demand a lot of money his 2nd contract...then you forecast that and figure out how to keep someone playing at a high level around for 7 - 8 years. If you never expect him to see his second contract...then you do not spend the #4 overall pick on him. Look at the pickle Mo Claiborne not panning out has put us in.

I don't agree with your assessment. If Zeke produces well, he will be resigned. We can't judge this with Murray. Murray was older and had a history of staying healthy except his contract year. We drafted Zeke at #4 and when his rookie is up, he'll be 25. If he's a beast like we all hope....he'll get a 2nd contract with the Cowboys. I think a lot of us think that because we wouldn't pay Murray that it means we won't pay any RB. Every situation is different. Remember.....most people on this site didn't think we'd draft Zeke at #4 because of what they THINK how the Cowboys view RBs.

Just because they drafted Zeke at 4 doesn't mean he'll get a 2nd contract with the team. The way we overload these type players, he'll never be worth the price tag of a second contract. Enjoy him while he's here because he's going to get used up fast and cast aside.

 

[TwoDeep3]

If I'm the coach then I go with the back who is running best that day.

Just out of curiosity, how would you determine who is running best that day without shuffling each in and perhaps ruining a game plan as you divine what running back should be toting the rock?

 

[Redball Express]

From everything I've read about him, he's a student of the game. Much like Romo. He will pick up the playbook no problem. Isn't there only like 5 plays anyway?

My biggest concern with our rookies is injury.

It happened with each of our top draft picks on the DL in the last 2 years and made them miss their rookie seasons from being effective.

So I think Zeke certainly plays but they must work McFadden and Morris equally in the beginning, too.

I would like to see Zeke gradually get more of the carries as the year progresses.

Hopefully this allows him to get used to the NFL style of play and protects him early.

We need him not to get the high angle sprains and knee thing from too much work too early.

The pressure on him to save the Franchise needs to be mitigated.

Otherwise..the whole brilliance of selecting him will be voided.

 

[Bleu Star]

I've seen posts already about him competing for the spot.

It's laughable dude. Really.

 

[Bleu Star]

I can almost taste the bitterness.

Lmao... @Toruk_Makto will be bitter until he sees Zeke the FREAK hitting that first home run. Then he will begrudgingly climb on board.

 

[LocimusPrime]

How are we splitting the carries. 20 for McFadden, 15 for Morris, and 5 for Zeke?

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Lmao... @Toruk_Makto will be bitter until he sees Zeke the FREAK hitting that first home run. Then he will begrudgingly climb on board.

I think throughout his first contract, barring injury, Zeke will be great.

I very much wonder about contract 2.

 

[zrinkill]

Lmao... @Toruk_Makto will be bitter until he sees Zeke the FREAK hitting that first home run. Then he will begrudgingly climb on board.

Nope ...... that guy is stubborn ......... Zeke could have 3000 yards and 50 TD's and we could go undefeated and he would still claim it was a horrible pick.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Morris is made for this Oline he should thrive. I see Mcfadden with his large contract being the sacrifice. Remember it is doubtful that Dunbar is back at full strength early in the season if at all. I think McFadden gets a bonus after the first game.

Especially after we picked Jackson who is 4.3 at 220 with fresh legs

 

[NEODOG]

RB depth chart on opening day:

Elliott, DMC, Morris and Jackson.

I see this as well

 

[Dorsett33]

Just because they drafted Zeke at 4 doesn't mean he'll get a 2nd contract with the team. The way we overload these type players, he'll never be worth the price tag of a second contract. Enjoy him while he's here because he's going to get used up fast and cast aside.

I don't know how you know that he'll get used up fast and cast aside. And I don't know how you know how his body will respond. Everyone is different, man. And....I didn't say he'll get a 2nd contract because he was a #4 pick, only. I said, if he's a beast like we all hope that he is and he will still be young AND he's the #4 pick. If he doesn't perform, then of course he won't get a 2nd contract, but.....I put my money on that he'll get a second contract.