Potential Breakout Player-Tony Pollard

Cowboyny

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My next possible breakout player was going to be Blake Jarwin, since there are several posts about him, no need to start another discussion. Here is my final possible breakout player for this upcoming season-Tony Pollard

As prospect Tony Pollard was viewed as more of a gadget type of player who has the versatility to play multiple roles. In his limited opportunities last season, he struck me as a more physical Felix Jones. Has the potential to become a dynamic kickoff returner, can be an effective runner even in between the tackles and has plus receiving skills. He made not have timed as fast as Felix Jones did, but his speed and burst is evident, especially in space.

It's going to become very challenging for Pollard to see a lion share worth of rushing carries as he is playing behind Zeke Elliot. He also has his struggles in pass protection, which limits him playing time. Kellen Moore/MM need to find more ways to integrate Pollard within the starting offense as he is a tremendous home run type of weapon in space. If that means gadget plays, playing more as a slot receiver or even how him and Zeke on the field together so be it.
 
Creeper

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I am curious to see how much Pollard is used under McCarthy. My feeling has been as long as they are paying Zeke the money they gave him it's going to be tough to justify taking him off the field. And Zeke is an excellent 3rd down blocker.
 
Typhus

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CowboyRoy said:
60-40 split in carries with Pollard getting more of the receiving stuff.
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Probably about right, accurate projection.
Zeke needs to be sustainable for playoffs, and TP can alleviate some of that stress during the regular season play.
 
CowboyRoy

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Typhus said:
Probably about right, accurate projection.
Zeke needs to be sustainable for playoffs, and TP can alleviate some of that stress during the regular season play.
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I actually don't think it will be like that, but that is what I would do.

Yes, it would help keep everyone fresh including Pollard. Personally I would use both backs and reward the hot hand. If Pollard is having a better effect than Zeke in certain games then so be it. Let the carries sort themselves out organically.
 
StuckMojo

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Just don’t let it be predictable. Last year it seemed if TP got carries that majority of the time it would be outside. I definitely would like to see Zeke/TP schemed a lot more together than we saw last year.
 
Typhus

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CowboyRoy said:
I actually don't think it will be like that, but that is what I would do.

Yes, it would help keep everyone fresh including Pollard. Personally I would use both backs and reward the hot hand. If Pollard is having a better effect than Zeke in certain games then so be it. Let the carries sort themselves out organically.
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Both can be in play at the same time, that's the dangerous proposition.
Bet Kellen is already dreaming of a two RB set, and motion to slot from either,, wouldn't that disrupt a defense.
 
Hawkeye0202

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Remember MM first comment about Zeke's playing time? He only committed to Zeke getting his "touches". He didn't say how which I take we're going to see a lot both Zeke AND Pollard. In other words, it would not surprise me to see BOTH Zeke and Pollard rushing for 1000 yards as oppose to Zeke getting 1500+. I know some will ask, how you then justify Zeke's contract. You don't, you run your offense regardless of contract/star status. Play to both player strength depending on the opponent's weaknesses per game, quarter or even series.

BTW.....question for you. It's a little off target but who you see as our 3rd starting LBer besides Jaylon and LVE. Yes, I'm aware of Lee but I have hard time believing we'll start the season counting on him as a full-time starter.
 
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Bobhaze

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Pollard’s biggest asset in my opinion is being able to place him in situations where he creates a matchup nightmare for a LB in coverage or by simply confusing defenses as to when he will even be used.

For example, if he gets the ball 80% of the time he’s on the field, he will not be that effective. That drove me crazy under Garrett. If Pollard was on the field, the likelihood of him getting the ball was very high. Rarely were Zeke and Pollard on the field at the same time. BUT- if they are often on the field together, who’s getting the ball?

Having said all that, IMO, the key to Pollard having a breakout season as a real weapon will start with him just being on the field more often, even if he doesn’t get the ball. His value as a decoy is almost as valuable as him with the ball.
 
Typhus

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Hawkeye0202 said:
Remember MM first comment about Zeke's playing time? He only committed to Zeke getting his "touches". He didn't say how which I take we're going to see a lot both Zeke AND Pollard. In other words, it would not surprise me to see BOTH Zeke and Pollard rushing for 1000 yards as oppose to Zeke getting 1500+. I know some will ask, how you then justify Zeke's contract. You don't, you run your offense regardless of contract/star status. Play to both player strength depending on the opponent's weaknesses per game, quarter or even series.

BTW.....question for you. It's a little off target but who you see as our 3rd starting LBer besides Jaylon and LVE. Yes, I'm aware of Lee but I have hard time believing we'll start the season counting on him as a full-time starter.
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Would love to see Gifford be healthy and show what he can do behind Jaylon, he has a very high ceiling and just needs reps IMO.
We will be deeper at MLB with Gifford and UDFA Bernard, that easily makes the 55.
Francis Bernard is a player that I have brought up in other threads that should be watched closely.
 
Typhus

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Bobhaze said:
Pollard’s biggest asset in my opinion is being able to place him in situations where he creates a matchup nightmare for a LB in coverage or by simply confusing defenses as to when he will even be used.

For example, if he gets the ball 80% of the time he’s on the field, he will not be that effective. That drove me crazy under Garrett. If Pollard was on the field, the likelihood of him getting the ball was very high. Rarely were Zeke and Pollard on the field at the same time. BUT- if they are often on the field together, who’s getting the ball?

Having said all that, IMO, the key to Pollard having a breakout season as a real weapon will start with him just being on the field more often, even if he doesn’t get the ball. His value as a decoy is almost as valuable as him with the ball.
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Exactly,, Im just trying to forget the JG ignorance, and looking forward to his negative influence on the Giants...lol
But back on point and to what you are saying,, and agree completely.
The effective play for TP is being moved around, from 2RB set, motion, slot, or even wide.
Just the ability to put not only TP in a mismatch situation, but other offensive weapons as well.
I predict Jarwin will become a fan favorite and be selling a lot of jerseys by seasons end as well.
 
Bullflop

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Typhus said:
TP already broke, man got skills, and to answer both posts above,, you don't have to take Zeke out of the game for TP to be effectively installed.
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It seems likely to me that McCarthy won't be hesitant about using someone like Pollard, who has the talent to be a big help in both the run and the passing game. He certainly has the hands and the YAC potential to do some good things for this offense. We could add another dimension that we didn't get under JG's vanilla and sorely outdated offensive scheme.

I'm also a fan of LB, Luke Gifford and really hoping he's able to remain healthy for an entire season. ;) Sean Lee is rarely able to last that long, himself. Maybe between the two of them, they'll make a completely durable LB?! o_O
 
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Typhus

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Bullflop said:
It seems likely to me that McCarthy won't be hesitant about using someone like Pollard, who has the talent to be a big help in the passing game. He certainly has the hands and the YAC potential to do some good things for this offense. He could add another dimension that we didn't get under JG's vanilla and sorely outdated offensive scheme.
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He can be used more with out taking away from Zeke, that's the hurdle that I see most fans not being able to understand.
In Memphis Pollard did more with his hands, he also was key in their special teams.
Needs to be further developed in our return game, he has the natural skills to be one of the best, and really evolve that area.
 
JoeKing

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Cowboyny said:
My next possible breakout player was going to be Blake Jarwin, since there are several posts about him, no need to start another discussion. Here is my final possible breakout player for this upcoming season-Tony Pollard

As prospect Tony Pollard was viewed as more of a gadget type of player who has the versatility to play multiple roles. In his limited opportunities last season, he struck me as a more physical Felix Jones. Has the potential to become a dynamic kickoff returner, can be an effective runner even in between the tackles and has plus receiving skills. He made not have timed as fast as Felix Jones did, but his speed and burst is evident, especially in space.

It's going to become very challenging for Pollard to see a lion share worth of rushing carries as he is playing behind Zeke Elliot. He also has his struggles in pass protection, which limits him playing time. Kellen Moore/MM need to find more ways to integrate Pollard within the starting offense as he is a tremendous home run type of weapon in space. If that means gadget plays, playing more as a slot receiver or even how him and Zeke on the field together so be it.
Click to expand...
The evolution of Dak Prescott indicates he will be passing more and handing the ball off less. He already has plenty of targets to choose from. I doubt Pollard will be targeted any more to make him a "breakout" player. I have nothing against TP. He's disadvantaged by playing behind Zeke and the scheme moving away from the ground game. Maybe if the passing game sees early success enough in games to be up by multiple scores, the running game will be implemented later in the game where Pollard could breakout but, IMO that would be prime Zeke time.
 
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Typhus

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StuckMojo said:
Just don’t let it be predictable. Last year it seemed if TP got carries that majority of the time it would be outside. I definitely would like to see Zeke/TP schemed a lot more together than we saw last year.
Click to expand...
Yes,, it was so very JG predictable.
TP is a player that MM looked at closely when considering taking this gig,, some may disagree, just saying.
MM looked up and down and left and right, don't think the Cowboys were the only team calling.
So I digress, but trying to make the point that players count when HCs like MM sign up.
TP will be much more utilized in this new era offense that MM will be bringing.
I don't think we realize how big of a difference.
 
JoeKing

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Typhus said:
Yes,, it was so very JG predictable.
TP is a player that MM looked at closely when considering taking this gig,, some may disagree, just saying.
MM looked up and down and left and right, don't think the Cowboys were the only team calling.
So I digress, but trying to make the point that players count when HCs like MM sign up.
TP will be much more utilized in this new era offense that MM will be bringing.
I don't think we realize how big of a difference.
Click to expand...
:lmao2:I don't think you have a clue how TP will be used.
 
Jarv

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I like Pollard, but Zeke is the workhorse. I saw a few sets last year with them both in there. Heck, with Dak being a tough physical runner we could even run the option a few times a game. Not as a mainstay, but it gives that one more thing every week that the opposing defense's must spend time covering during the week they prepare for us, one more thing to worry about which also means they might not be able to cover everything they want during the 3-4 days on scheming for us.

New England's offense was unpredictable like that, run a couple of backs by committee one week for 200+ yards and the next Brady would throw for 350+ yards and 3 TDs. We have the personnel to accomplish the same thing.

No doubt Pollard should get more touches, Zeke got paid so the only thing to worry about is his ego. Ego is a funny thing, on a crappy team players may think about their own personal stats more, on a winning team, players care about winning.
 
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