Zeke vs Barkley: Which is best RB in NFL?

gjkoeppen

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Which one is the better receiver - Zeke?

Lets see

Elliott in 3 years has 135 receptions
Barkley in 1season has 91 receptions

If you go by just Elliott's rookie season then it's 32 to Barkley's 91.

If you go by receiving yards Elliott has 1199 and Barkley has 721 but again using just Elliott's rookie numbers he has 363 yards to Barkley's 721

If you use Elliott's best season in either category, his third, Barkley still wins. So now which is the better receiver?
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mattjames2010

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Barkley has only been in the league for one season, Zeke has had 3 seasons. So, all we can do is compare Zeke's last season and Barkley's first and then make a prediction off that about how things will go for both.

Barkley simply had a better season than Zeke last year. That's all there is to it. If Barkley had similar carries to Zeke last year, he would have had more rushing yards and FAR FAR more rushing TDs.

For the excuses Zeke gets about how our offensive line was last year and defenses "loading up" to stop Zeke, what the heck do you think Barkley was facing behind that line and with Manning as QB? Barkley also broke off multiple long runs for TDs, Zeke had a run of 41 yards last year. Oh, and Zeke is getting real close to being tagged a fumbler.

Barkley won in 2018. I suspect Barkley being a far more versatile player while Zeke is more of a volume back as he has been. I prefer Barkley's style of play as a runner and catcher and homerun hitter.
 

johneric8

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I find if funny, not ha ha funny, that people keep talking about the style and plays ran in the past. Being a run first offense the Cowboys were 13 - 3 in 2016 and won the division. In 2017 because of injuries and the loss of Elliott for 6 games they didn't fair as well but in 2018 again the Cowboys run first offense won the division. Here's a little history lesson. Lombardi and the packers ran the same handful of plays and when Lombardi was questioned about it he said they would continue to run their plays until teams prove they can stop them. They went on to win 3 consecutive NFL championships running the same plays.
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Yes, but running the same plays over and over again this day in age is a different beast. The teams are more even talent wise than some of those decades ago, and coaching is getting more sophisticated. Look at the Patriots for example, they play whatever style they need to play to win the ball game, this is Bellicheats genius in that they're extremely flexible. I'm not saying that the Cowboys can't win a superbowl doing he same things and just outplaying their opposition but I think at this point it's proven unsuccessful. I watch every snap over and over after each game is concluded and my eyes tell me that they other teams pretty much know whats coming and that should be altered in my opinion to maximize our chances for success.
 

JJHLH1

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Lets see

Elliott in 3 years has 135 receptions
Barkley in 1season has 91 receptions

If you go by just Elliott's rookie season then it's 32 to Barkley's 91.

If you go by receiving yards Elliott has 1199 and Barkley has 721 but again using just Elliott's rookie numbers he has 363 yards to Barkley's 721

If you use Elliott's best season in either category, his third, Barkley still wins. So now which is the better receiver?
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Dang, I had no idea Barkley was such a good receiver. He wins easily given those stats.
 

kskboys

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Lets see

Elliott in 3 years has 135 receptions
Barkley in 1season has 91 receptions

If you go by just Elliott's rookie season then it's 32 to Barkley's 91.

If you go by receiving yards Elliott has 1199 and Barkley has 721 but again using just Elliott's rookie numbers he has 363 yards to Barkley's 721

If you use Elliott's best season in either category, his third, Barkley still wins. So now which is the better receiver?
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We didn't throw to Elliot his rook season. Kinda common knowledge there, Kops.
 

mattjames2010

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Both Elite backs, however, lets see them both under duress, when it counts the most to see whos got the heart of a champion

Emmitt showed what he was made of in that Playoff deciding game against the Giants way back when, where he continued to play smash mouth football and break big gains with a dislocated shoulder. Barry Sanders would have NEVER done that although he was considered the elite one of the two.

Time will tell

Because Barry didn't have to. He knew how to avoid contact, which is why he only had one season where he missed more than 1 game.
 

gjkoeppen

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These sports people are guilty of analyzing w/o considering all aspects.

Barry was a speed back. Speed backs are often done around the age of 30 due to losing a half step. Huge part of the equation that is being left out.

That is often true but just like Emmitt shattered the average number of years for a carerr, I've never heard a single sports person say Sanders lost a step. It is widely known the reason Sanders retire is he got tired of waiting for the lions to get him the offensive help he had been begging for year after year and never got so he lost his desire to continue playing. Again most sports people also have said that had Sanders continued he would have ended up as the all time leading rusher and doubtful Emmitt would have able to catch him.
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shabazz

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Because Barry didn't have to. He knew how to avoid contact, which is why he only had one season where he missed more than 1 game.

He sure did avoid contact. He had no problem going out of bounds no matter where the 1st down marker may be. Barry took good care of Barry
 

Zekeats

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Barkley had 7 games in 2018 that he had less than 3.35 yards per carry.

Zeke has had 5 in his career!
Come on really. That’s one of those if you search hard enough you’ll find it stat
 

mattjames2010

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He sure did avoid contact. He had no problem going out of bounds no matter where the 1st down marker may be. Barry took good care of Barry

While having the Lions franchise on his back. This Cowboy hatred for Barry has always been silly. He was simply a more talented back than Smith and never had the line Smith had.

Smith also admits who was the better RB.
 

xwalker

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CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Zeke Elliott vs Saquon Barkley NYG- who is the best RB in NFL ?

I admit that I go back and forth with this question and I can see why there’s always a comparison between the two.
Both RBs have great run instincts, extremely athletic (hurdling tacklers) have been extremely productive and possess dangerous breakaway ability.
Both players have receiving ability that’s been under-utilized with their respective teams, imo. But if used properly can be very dangerous.

- Zeke is a one cut runner who seems more powerful between the tackles, and gets more yardage after contact. I’ve heard testimonies from opposing players say that Zeke tends to wear you
down with his power and relentless, ..drive while you still have to always be on alert of his ability to break a play open - whether its' a run play or that patented screen pass
Plus Zeke is a better blitz blocker than Barkley.

- Barkley is probably the most explosive breakaway back in the entire NFL – I think he is more elusive than Zeke, harder to bring down in the open field, (tacklers just slide off his legs like butter)
And he has an edge in that special extra gear to hit the home TD run sprint – even more than zeke.

So what are your thoughts when comparing the two RBs ?

The Emmitt vs Barry Sanders debate has never been settled.

Sanders was a more Wow type player but Emmitt was the best player for winning Super Bowls because he was good at everything (short yardage, pass blocking, receiving & obviously rushing). Sanders was not a great short yardage back, not the same caliber of pass blocker, etc..

If Jimmy had it to do all over again and could choose between Emmitt and Barry Sanders, then he would choose Emmitt every day and twice on Sundays.


Barkley is very dynamic but I can't get the image out of my head of Jeff Heath chasing him down from behind...
 

shabazz

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While having the Lions franchise on his back. This Cowboy hatred for Barry has always been silly. He was simply a more talented back than Smith and never had the line Smith had.

Smith also admits who was the better RB.

No hatred at all. Mad respect for his elusiveness. Just rather have a team player like Emmitt than a recluse like Sanders. Its a well known fact that Barry was all about Barry, rather than team first.
 

kskboys

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That is often true but just like Emmitt shattered the average number of years for a carerr, I've never heard a single sports person say Sanders lost a step. It is widely known the reason Sanders retire is he got tired of waiting for the lions to get him the offensive help he had been begging for year after year and never got so he lost his desire to continue playing. Again most sports people also have said that had Sanders continued he would have ended up as the all time leading rusher and doubtful Emmitt would have able to catch him.
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Of course, dude, he quit when he was 30. That's before he would've lost a step. Since most RB's are done around that age, claiming that Barry wouldn't have soon been less effective is a huge stretch.
 

Zekeats

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Seems you just posted with the intention of stirring up ****.
Here’s the better question. Let’s say their both the same age, same contract, same amount of years locked up......which one do you put on the Cowboys. If your answer isn’t Barkley than you are either a homer cowboys fan or your Skip Baylessing it.
 

gjkoeppen

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Yes, but running the same plays over and over again this day in age is a different beast. The teams are more even talent wise than some of those decades ago, and coaching is getting more sophisticated. Look at the Patriots for example, they play whatever style they need to play to win the ball game, this is Bellicheats genius in that they're extremely flexible. I'm not saying that the Cowboys can't win a superbowl doing he same things and just outplaying their opposition but I think at this point it's proven unsuccessful. I watch every snap over and over after each game is concluded and my eyes tell me that they other teams pretty much know whats coming and that should be altered in my opinion to maximize our chances for success.

And in 2016 were teams able to stop the Cowboys from going 13-3 the best record that year and winning the division? Due to injuries and the loss of Elliott for 6 games that style didn't work in 2017 but again in 2018 the Cowboys again won the division. It's also obvious that the highly touted defense last year was the culprit in giving up 30 points and not just ONE but TWO backs with over 100 yards against the rams in the playoffs.

It doesn't matter whether it's was Lombadi's time or now defenses have to be able to stop the offenses and thus far teams when the Cowboys have their parts in place have been unable to on a regular basis to stop the Cowboys offense.
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