Zeke is going to have a monster, MVP type season!

BigCatMonaco

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Zeke is not the back he used to be. I was shocked how good he was early in his career. I felt he could have been the best football player on the planet. He is still a solid NFL player but not nearly as explosive. Love having him on the team but as the 4th overall pick and now the second highest paid RB in the NFL he is no longer a net positive. I do not expect his game to ever improve. All we can do now is continue to watch the decline and hope that it is slow.



solid...

he’s finished 2nd in the entire NFL in scrimmage yards 3 of 4 seasons and the one he didn’t, he missed those games Based on goodells decision, and averaged the third most yards per game from scrimmage in the NFL.
 

beware_d-ware

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As far as Zeke's production - dude has been carrying the load for 6 straight seasons dating back to his days at Ohio State and has never missed a college or pro game with injury. How many other tailbacks have that kind of track record.

RBs historically decline after age 27 or about 2100 career carries. Zeke is 25 on opening day and has 1200 career carries. His money is guaranteed for 3 more seasons.

In short, Zeke's as good a bet as anyone to remain productive in the short term, and we're not promising him anything beyond his most likely peak.

I still think we should become more of a passing offense, due to Dak's step forward as a franchise QB and our newfound embarrassment of receiving riches (remember when Deonte Thompson was our best receiver in 2018? would he even make this team?). But my confidence in Zeke's as solid as ever.
 
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Johnny23

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Zeke has declined since his big pay day. I don't see him having an MVP season. Nor do I think he's "the team's best player". There's no such thing unless one player is the "best" at all positions.
I disagree. I think you can be an overall better football player than someone regardless of position. This is one of those horrible participation thropy hot takes.
 

Dak_Attack_09

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His touches will go down this year. So unless he gets back to breaking off some long runs, he won't even get as many yards as he did last year.

I'd be happy if he played like he did his rookie season. That would also put him in the discussion for best player on the team. Which he currently is not.


He is going to be involved in the receiving game so it balances out.
 

fansince68

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Zeke has put up elite rushing numbers since he has arrived, even the year in which Frederick missed. He is expected to become more of a factor in the passing game is why I think he is going to have a monster season.

I really hope you are right about this.
 

Bullflop

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I'm not seeing the level of dedication from Zeke that those who win MVPs have.

I think maybe his partying ways haven't done him any favors in that respect. :rolleyes:

I'd like nothing better than to see him change into an MVP but it seems unlikely.

It's possible that MM could get him to change his poor habits but who's to say?!
 
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Cowboyny

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I'm not seeing the level of dedication from Zeke that those who win MVPs have.

I think maybe his partying ways haven't done him any favors in that respect. :rolleyes:

I'd like nothing better than to see him change into an MVP but it seems unlikely.

It's fair argument that his off the field behavior has effected his play on the field. It's also a fair argument to say the prior coaching staff failed to give Zeke enough touches, especially in games where he was being very productive. Was it Moore that got away from the running game or Garrett's influence over Moore? We have seen the opposite, when teams stack the box to stop the run, they were stubborn to keep calling it. The Minnesota game comes to mind.
 

Bullflop

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It's fair argument that his off the field behavior has effected his play on the field. It's also a fair argument to say the prior coaching staff failed to give Zeke enough touches, especially in games where he was being very productive. Was it Moore that got away from the running game or Garrett's influence over Moore? We have seen the opposite, when teams stack the box to stop the run, they were stubborn to keep calling it. The Minnesota game comes to mind.

Good points, no doubt, although, there's been quite a noticeable difference in the Zeke that we saw when he first joined the Cowboys. Back then, he had the speed in addition to the power that he still has, albeit, on a far lesser scale with the speed. He's been pretty much an average type of a receiver out of the backfield with too many drops that might have been completed. Let's hope the better coaching he'll receive has a positive effect on his performance this year. Otherwise, he's strictly a power back now, despite still being a very good one at that. Let's see if he can somehow reinvent himself.
 
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Cowboyny

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Good points, no doubt, although, there's been quite a noticeable difference in the Zeke that we saw when he first joined the Cowboys. Back then, he had the speed in addition to the power that he still has, albeit, on a far lesser scale with the speed. He's been pretty much an average type of a receiver out of the backfield with too many drops that might have been completed. Let's hope the better coaching he'll receive has a positive effect on his performance this year. Otherwise, he's strictly a power back, despite still being a very good one at that. We'll see if he can re-establish himself!

He's just 24 and still has room to even to get better. It's up to him to put the work in if he wants to achieve greatness. That means on and off the field, getting in shape, being motivated, playing with that chip on his shoulder, doing what it takes to get better. The question is, since he has now been paid, will he make that effort? Time will tell, also believe he can recapture his explosiveness, it doesn't just go away at this age. I said it in a previous response, watching Barkley lose his explosiveness for many weeks after an injury, could suggest Zeke had an undisclosed injury or just wasn't in the shape he needed to be in due to the long holdout. Not making excuses for him, but think he can return to the rookie, explosive form.
 

Bullflop

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He's just 24 and still has room to even to get better. It's up to him to put the work in if he wants to achieve greatness. That means on and off the field, getting in shape, being motivated, playing with that chip on his shoulder, doing what it takes to get better. The question is, since he has now been paid, will he make that effort? Time will tell, also believe he can recapture his explosiveness, it doesn't just go away at this age. I said it in a previous response, watching Barkley lose his explosiveness for many weeks after an injury, could suggest Zeke had an undisclosed injury or just wasn't in the shape he needed to be in due to the long holdout. Not making excuses for him, but think he can return to the rookie, explosive form.

Sorry but I doubt it'll happen based on the habits that he's had ever since his college days. When a RB is very young, he can get away with it but after that, it's up the individual to work harder than ever, as time catches up with him. I haven't seen that from Zeke in the past several years. He's in steady decline. Maybe there's an outside chance he'll snap back but he hasn't shown that inclination for some time now. I hope you're right but I sure wouldn't bet on it. Zeke hasn't been respectful enough of his body and it shows in ways that can't be denied.
 
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blueblood70

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QB by nature if position is worth much more than a RB. If you knew football you’d understand that . I’m not arguing Dak vs Zeke if you read my posts instead of cherry picking a few here and there you’d know that.

I don’t think Dak is worth what he’s going to get but I felt that way about zeke and DLaw as well.

that said the oline has been the engine that has made the cowboys roar imo.

our offense has playmakers but the line enables them to make the plays.

and yes zeke is for sure not my favorite cowboy. But neither is Dak
HA! Guess what Zekes worth wherever a team drafted him and whatever he got paid..NOW WHAT?! too much irony in your argument? hes not the only RB in recent years that fans CLAIM shouldnt be picked high that went top 5 or 10..its still happening..

go back to your hole accusing other fans who have different opinion from your they dont know football..I know football and daks not worth anything over 30 regardless of position or market.. hes an above average QB whom I like but know a lot about football but football BUSINESS is a different animal. it will change because players already are clamoring about the imbalance in pay scales for QBs who arent even close to contributing production like an a elite CB, DE, DT, or WR..etc

theres only maybe 5 qbs in a given era that can lay claim to that kind of deal and Daks not one of them and soon the NFL will have to fix that because that would not set a trending market because like the other positions, you get paid by your production not by grabbing onto the coattails of the better players above you to raise the pay scale.... Dak is not a game changing type qb, he does NOT win games on his own and is simply a good QB wanting elite money..

football fans know this just because its whats been happening the NFl and owners can reverse that trend..many rookie qbs and 2nd year players are starting way sooner and playing pretty well, just like dak, hes not alone and no longer should the average to good qb be getting paid like their elite counter[part, let them walk and move to up next before you give 20% of your cap to a QB whos not specials, thats like 28 qbs and daks one of them.. I like him hes for sure an NFL starter, he can be a franchise guy but hes not élite and shouldnt get the kind of money dumb owners have paid the Cousins, carrs, and others..those are mistakes that can be corrected..
 

CowboyRoy

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Just like Zeke, Barkley wasn't as explosive last season, even when he returned after his ankle injury. It took him several games to look like his old self. All we can do is to speculate, but at just 24 years old I don't think a player just loses all his explosion this quickly, running backs start to fade closer to the age of 30. Could be a injury, could of changed his body to protect himself more, but I think Zeke still has great production years ahead of him. There have been several games throughout his career in which he has dominated. Teams looking to stop the Cowboy Offense game plan to make Dak beat them. The Minnesota game comes to mind last season. With an improved passing attack and more involved in the pass game, Zeke can potentially have his best season.

I have watched Barkley a lot, seen most of his games on the NFL Level and have family who went to Penn State. He is an unbelievable talent, but there are some minor weaknesses apart of his game. He is not an insider the tackle grinder, not overly physical, but more of a home run back always looking to make the big play. Struggles as a pass protector. He is a modern version of Barry Sanders. A lot of negative plays, with 1-2 big plays every game. Giants will field a better line this upcoming season, it is his litmus test if he will become that workhorse back.

Give me barkley all day long over Zeke. If you need a thumper for short yardage, then get one.
 

big dog cowboy

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He is going to be involved in the receiving game so it balances out.
In 2018 he had 77 receptions. Last year he had 54. That's an average of 65 for the last 2 years. I don't see how he can catch much more than that with Pollard getting involved in the offense this year.
 

SteveTheCowboy

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Lol...you won’t give up, I’ve only had one sip of wine but I’ll indulge you.

I mostly keep my nose out of the Dak threads because I’m basically neutral on him. Although, I wouldn’t say it’s the same for Dak because you simply can’t compare a RB vs a QB, it’s apples and oranges. Zeke is 90% dependent on the O line, as every RB is, and RB is also one of the easiest positions to transition to and play from college to the NFL.

Whereas QB is not only very reliant on the O line but the receivers, TE’s and RB but it’s also one of the hardest positions to learn and adjust to from college to pro. There’s also much more to process in a short amount of time along with reading defenses, calling audibles, etc. Zeke essentially just grabs the ball and runs behind a great O line with plenty of room. Also, the pass blocking isn’t nearly as good as the run blocking. Again, apples to oranges.


I don;t give up when people ignore a legitimate question. Or when I get stupid replies like yours. It's my opinion you are trying to de-legitimize what the o'line means to a QB. OF COURSE a QB need his receivers. He also needs a good RB as a blocker, outlet/safety valve...and just to hand off so he can get some rest, while RB gets good yards (as in the leading the league in rushing? ) . Aikman was said to have one of the best o-lines in NFL history.

O line being good blockers .....is "apples to oranges" for you. They are only good at run blocking. Dak does the rest of it himself. Mkay.

Look, I'm no Dak hater. I dare you to find something that legitimate says "hate". What I been doing is attempting to keep it "real". I'm not gonna just let people with Anti-Dak Derangement Syndrome have their way.

Dak benefits by a good (not perfect) O-line every bit as much as Zeke does. Any QB benefits by a good o-line. Simple...end of story.
 

SteveTheCowboy

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I still can;t for the life of me figure out why we hate on a player that lead the league at his position 2 of 4 years. Might have lead 4-4 if not for things both in in his control and not in his control. And he has helped keep our qb healthy by blocking not just LB and safety blitzes but he will chip up an Offenive lineman as well. Barkley won;'do that, not without a busted shoulder.

If you don;t like him as a person fine. He's not your friend or your hero. He makes too much money. Big whoop. But he's on OUR team...he's a Dallas Cowboy...and by every indication a damn good one. Let's cheer him on...like we should all of our players that contribute so much. YES!....that does include Dak.
 

aria

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Let's be honest, the Cowboy OL has been good, but not great for a few seasons. The Giants have had their struggles, but this year their line should be much improved. It will be interesting to see how he performs, will he become a work horse back or more of a specialty type? What I mean is, kind of like the McC/Kamara's who are big plays guys, but aren't high volume runners.

With the move to the wco and bringing back the zone blocking scheme, it is realistic to think Zeke can match Todd Gurley's numbers playing in a similar scheme. Over 1,300 yards rushing and 700 yards receiving with a ton of TD's.
Well statistically speaking, the O line was the 2nd best in run blocking last year, 8th in 2018, 4th in 2017 and 4th in 2016. That’s great IMO.

This year might be improved for the Giants. Yeah, their new tackle should be a stud but Solder sucked last year, one of the worst tackles in the league, and has been a huge disappointment since the Giants got him. Hernandez regressed big time, who knows if he’ll return to his rookie year. They still have nobody even worth mentioning at center and Zeitler is solid. Maybe Columbo will work his magic up there, we’ll see.
 

CowboyRoy

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Barkley has and will have a history of injury. And he'll get your QB killed too.

Who has he gotten killed? And since I favor a RB by committee that wont be such a big deal if he gets injured.

The day he wants 15 million, I will have two young guys in place to take over.
 
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