Zeke was terrible tonight **merged**

atlantacowboy

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It's more than true for anyone taking notice of the OL's domination by the Viking d-line. Running lanes were a rare incident, indeed, although an occasional lane occurred. Zeke isn't the type to be intimidated for no good reason -- that much should be very apparent by now. Yes, he had a poor outing, though.

He's not breaking tackles or running hard into the holes.......he's not outrunning anyone. This isn't the first game he's had a problem either. He was just as bad against the Saints. He wasn't good against the Jets either. This is the highest paid rb in NFL history and he has only 1 run this year over 20 yards. We aren't getting value from him.
 

visionary

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What struck me as odd was that after 4 years, with only the 4th year Murray being run hard, the Cowboys offered him a "honest" offer. Afraid of him being worn out or beat up. I can get that.

Zeke's first 3 years they probably gave him the most amount of carries over the 3 years for any RB in that timeframe(2016-2018) for games played. He holds out and they reward him with the #1 pay in the league.

When his offensive line doesn't open up holes he looks like a dime a dozen RB. Which is not to bash only him, but that just seems to be the way it is in 21st century football. Not too many backs can have elite games when the blocking isn't great. Sure Saquon can find a crease and go 60 yards but the rest of the yardage is 1,2, -2 yards etc...

To me, it's a position that has lost value over the years. You still need an efficient run game, but I'm not so sure you need a stud RB for an efficient run game.

When his success depends on an offensive line that takes up 31% of the cap, maybe you see why teams didn't go crazy to sign Bell.

Yes, a stud RB gad nothing to do with the Vikings win, LOL

Just go back to sleep
 

Captain43Crash

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Look at his rookie season and compare to the guy on the field last night.

Nothing else needs to be said.
Except, well done Jerry.
He actually looked really good last week, but really bad this week! I still have some hope for him. He sure didn’t seem motivated vs Minnesota.
 

Bullflop

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He's not breaking tackles or running hard into the holes.......he's not outrunning anyone. This isn't the first game he's had a problem either. He was just as bad against the Saints. He wasn't good against the Jets either. This is the highest paid rb in NFL history and he has only 1 run this year over 20 yards. We aren't getting value from him.

The sad fact is that RBs are only as good as the lanes that the OL provides. Your calling him an elite RB on one instance then denying it later. His main problem was one that plagues many a RB throughout the history of the sport, in that his holdout took a toll on his conditioning and preparation. He is still attempting to overcome the results of that mistake. It is being compounded by the failing health of the OL. That is being routinely ignored by the hype that falsely exists in denial of their physical problems. I suspect you're intelligent enough to realize as much.
 

WhizKid

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The change in run block scheme has shown have to been horrible all year. I don't know if it's because of oline personnel or what, but it is not allowing for the big runs of the past. This team always swings from one extreme to the other which always leaves a massive deficit in other areas. Here is a novel thought to the coaches, do what best fits the players you have on the team. JMO of course.
 

mattjames2010

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Remember when PFF gave Zeke a low grade last year? Remember this place going crazy over it because PFF said Zeke is too much of a product of his surroundings?

Well, maybe they were onto something?
 

mattjames2010

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Remember when we paid Roy Williams some years ago and it seemed like he just stopped playing after getting that big contract.

I really, really hope Zeke isn’t doing the same thing to us.

Roy Williams decline happened due to a combination of injuries and the fact that defensive rule change took away a big part of his game (he wasn’t the only safety to be impacted)
 

atlantacowboy

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The sad fact is that RBs are only as good as the lanes that the OL provides. Your calling him an elite RB on one instance then denying it later. His main problem was one that plagues many a RB throughout the history of the sport, in that his holdout took a toll on his conditioning and preparation. He is still attempting to overcome the results of that mistake. It is being compounded by the failing health of the OL. That is being routinely ignored by the hype that falsely exists in denial of their physical problems. I suspect you're intelligent enough to realize as much.

Oh, so he's not in condition? Are you claiming that based on something you read or just assuming it? That might explain why he's not that good this year. Nobody denies Zeke HAS BEEN an elite running back. He just hasn't been this year. He made a huge error holding out and the cowboys made an even bigger one caving in.

Every team has nicked up players on the OL. Ours is as healthy as any. Go look at the OL issues in Philly, GB, and New Orleans. You would be hard pressed to find an NFL team without somebody injured on the OL. But even so, anyone can run through a gaping hole. We pay Zeke the big money to do more.
 

Vegas_Cowboy

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I tried to tell people that RBs could be replaced when he was chillin in Cabo.

But I was meant by resistance from some.
 

John813

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Yes, a stud RB gad nothing to do with the Vikings win, LOL

Just go back to sleep

Was Cook efficient at 3.8 ypc?

Cooks game changing plays was mainly in the passing game off screens and in open space.

That and the Viks rotated him and Mattison when the defense was gassed to do damage to us on one drive where they ran it like 10 times straight.

Majority of my post was about wear and tear on Zeke and wondering if the first three years of heavy load has slowed his burst down. And is now a guy who gets yards off volume. All the while being paid like he's a game changer
 

visionary

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Was Cook efficient at 3.8 ypc?

Cooks game changing plays was mainly in the passing game off screens and in open space.

That and the Viks rotated him and Mattison when the defense was gassed to do damage to us on one drive where they ran it like 10 times straight.

Majority of my post was about wear and tear on Zeke and wondering if the first three years of heavy load has slowed his burst down. And is now a guy who gets yards off volume.

you don’t have a point

You said a stud RB is not needed but the main reason Vikings win was a stud RB
 

CalPolyTechnique

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He's not breaking tackles or running hard into the holes.......he's not outrunning anyone. This isn't the first game he's had a problem either. He was just as bad against the Saints. He wasn't good against the Jets either. This is the highest paid rb in NFL history and he has only 1 run this year over 20 yards. We aren't getting value from him.

Folks don't seem to understand the ineptitude of that....ONE (1) run over 20 yards this season, smh.

In his past 728 carries dating back to 2017, his longest run is just 41 yards.

This is the league's "best" RB.
 

Bullflop

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Oh, so he's not in condition? Are you claiming that based on something you read or just assuming it? That might explain why he's not that good this year. Nobody denies Zeke HAS BEEN an elite running back. He just hasn't been this year. He made a huge error holding out and the cowboys made an even bigger one caving in. Every team has nicked up players on the OL. Ours is as healthy as any. Go look at the OL issues in Philly, GB, and New Orleans. You would be hard pressed to find an NFL team without somebody injured on the OL.

Look at the facts and common sense will prevail. You're agreeing with me that he hasn't been himself this year, yet still seeing fit to argue that I'm wrong. I guess it isn't enough evidence that Zeke is and has been devoid of TC and traveled to Cabo while holding out. If that's not enough to convince you that his conditioning has waned, further consider that he's a party animal that does the drinking and general partying that's certain to take a serious toll on one's body.

It's inevitable that one so inclined is going to decline in his general physical well being. We've all noticed the decline in his quickness and speed (no long runs these days) -- all being topped off by a holdout. Yes, every team has plenty of injuries and our OL has borne more than its share of that situation.

The Cowboys are and have been overhyped for decades. They eat the cheese every year by showing up for games unprepared, largely due to poor coaching and sadly uninspired until something strikes the right chord to serve as proper inspiration. I hope we both realize the truths that prevail with this team. Trouble starts at the top and filters down throughout.

Kindly excuse me from debating any longer -- I've been up all night without the benefit of sleep ever since the game and it's already 12:15 past noon now. Time for breakfast, which I haven't had as yet. Have a nice day, my friend.
 

atlantacowboy

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Look at the facts and common sense will prevail. You're agreeing with me that he hasn't been himself this year, yet still seeing fit to argue that I'm wrong. I guess it isn't enough evidence that Zeke is and has been devoid of TC and traveled to Cabo while holding out. If that's not enough to convince you that his conditioning has waned, further consider that he's a party animal that does the drinking and general partying that's certain to take a serious toll on one's body. It's inevitable that one so inclined is going to decline in his general physical well being. We've all noticed the decline in his quickness and speed (no long runs these days) -- all being topped off by a holdout. Yes, every team has plenty of injuries and our OL has borne more than its share of that situation.

The Cowboys are and have been overhyped for decades. They eat the cheese every year by showing up for games unprepared, largely due to poor coaching and sadly uninspired until something strikes the right chord to serve as proper inspiration. I hope we both realize the truths that prevail with this team. Trouble starts at the top and filters down throughout.

Kindly excuse me from debating any longer -- I've been up all night without the benefit of sleep ever since the game and it's already 12:15 past noon now. Time for breakfast, which I haven't had as yet. Have a nice day, my friend.

I am arguing b/c you are blaming the OL. I'm blaming Zeke.
 

nate dizzle

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I am arguing b/c you are blaming the OL. I'm blaming Zeke.
I'll go out on a limb and blame the whole running game process last night. Zeke did not make good, quick decisions. Not sure if that was due to him looking for holes, taking too long to find a hole, or if they just weren't developing. The RPO's took forever to develop...Dak seemed to keep it in his hands for way too long before releasing it for Zeke to run with. As for the OL, there didn't seem to be much of anything for holes, and there were people in the backfield a LOT.
 

atlantacowboy

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I'll go out on a limb and blame the whole running game process last night. Zeke did not make good, quick decisions. Not sure if that was due to him looking for holes, taking too long to find a hole, or if they just weren't developing. The RPO's took forever to develop...Dak seemed to keep it in his hands for way too long before releasing it for Zeke to run with. As for the OL, there didn't seem to be much of anything for holes, and there were people in the backfield a LOT.

Personally, I think we need to go back to using a FB as a lead blocker. Worked for Dalvin Cook last night.
 
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