Potential Breakout Player-Tony Pollard

Jarv said:

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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Player effectiveness is not just about touches. It’s also about what their presence on the field does to defenses. The idea of a “workhorse” back is not the way the modern offensive game works. Zeke will be much more effective when defenses have to wonder a lot more who’s getting the rock. I believe Pollards presence on the field will greatly help Zeke.

Typhus said:

you maintain your reputation of constantly degrading others opinions, but rarely to you expose yourself.
Rarely do you put yourself on the front line.

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I did exactly the opposite of what you say the post before replying to you. Stop attacking the poster rather than the post.

Jarv said:

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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You get it, having Pollard on this roster is a great thing, I find it rather confusing that other fans of this team have to constantly label an up an coming talent as threat to one of their favorite players,, now that is funny,,, without emogi.

Typhus said:

You get it, having Pollard on this roster is a great thing, I find it rather confusing that other fans of this team have to constantly label an up an coming talent as threat to one of their favorite players,, now that is funny,,, without emogi.

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Pollard has a limited role.

JoeKing said:

Pollard has a limited role.

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Yes, and why wouldn't he.
Why is it so black and white, just maybe when people post about potential talent that they aren't talking about taking away your heroes.. lol
Why is having good up and coming talent so disturbing to you?

Just another weapon in the arsenal, spread out the offense and make the defense keep guessing.

Typhus said:

Yes, and why wouldn't he.
Why is it so black and white, just maybe when people post about potential talent that they aren't talking about taking away your heroes.. lol
Why is having good up and coming talent so disturbing to you?

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Why do you conflate Zeke being the preferred RB with him being my hero? Pollard most certainly will have no opportunity to be a breakout player.

JoeKing said:

Why do conflate Zeke being the preferred RB with him being my hero? Pollard most certainly will have no opportunity to be a breakout player.

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lol @ ignorance.
When you open your mind you open your eyes.

Typhus said:

lol @ ignorance.
When you open your mind you open your eyes.

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Okay, all-seeing one, this is where you put on your tinfoil hat and I walk away.

Typhus said:

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.

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Mike specifically mentioned the 2 back looks when he discussed what he liked about what Moore was doing.

JoeKing said:

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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I believe with the wco offense we are going to see our backs be more apart of the passing game. However, does that mean more opportunities for TP? Possibly, but probably not. Zeke is a legitimate, elite back who can do it all, outside of a breather now and then, you would think MM wants him on the field. I see more of a Lucky Whitehead gadget type of role for TP this season. Give him the ball in space a few times a game and see if he can generate a big play.

CowboyRoy said:

60-40 split in carries with Pollard getting more of the receiving stuff.

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I believe that a bit opportunistic to expect. Zeke is still one of our best offensive weapons where opposing teams game plan to stop him. More like a 70-30 split at RB, but TP could factor more as a receiver.

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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I cannot see Pollard getting enough carries to make him a 1k rusher. Contract or not, Zeke is still one of the offense's best weapons and needs to be out there. I could see Pollard niche out a gadget type role, play some receiver, even play alongside Zeke, but he isn't going to split carries by any means.

Third starting LB after Lee would be Joe Thomas.

Typhus said:

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.

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I believe the team is going to run out 3 WR sets on a consistent basis, that leaves 1 other spot on the field in which both Jarwin/Pollard would factor in.

Cowboyny said:

I believe with the wco offense we are going to see our backs be more apart of the passing game. However, does that mean more opportunities for TP? Possibly, but probably not. Zeke is a legitimate, elite back who can do it all, outside of a breather now and then, you would think MM wants him on the field. I see more of a Lucky Whitehead gadget type of role for TP this season. Give him the ball in space a few times a game and see if he can generate a big play.

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Implementing the WCO went out the window this season when the world was hit by the pandemic and everyone took shelter. They have lost too much quality practice time. Pollard already had a limited role. It's just going to be more of the same for Pollard in 2020... definitely no breakout opportunity for him.

He's a generational talent. Reminds me of a rich man's Rod Smith.

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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Remembering what Elliott is being paid, to push Pollard or take snaps away from Elliott or to use Pollard as a decoy which would mean running pays with 10 players against 11 players is foolishness. Elliott is the starting back and until he proves he's no longer productive, Pollard will have to be happy getting spot plays to give Elliott a break or when they do try some kind of play because of down and/or distance. My guess is if Elliott continues his downward trend in production the Cowboys have an out on Elliott's contract after the 2022 season and with Pollard not taking a beating over the next few years the Cowboys will be more inclined to resign Pollard then and exercise that out on Elliott.
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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.

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- From what i heard, it was only fans and media circles that assumed Pollard was gonna be a
gadget back based off his role at Memphis. Garrett per his post draft interview was already saying that
the team thinks of him more than that. They thought he had legit run skills that could help them greatly.

-And Pollard proved them right. from preseason and on he looked very natural and instinctive, and he is ever
more physical and surprisingly stronger in lower body and legs than Felix Jones ever was.
plus he is much better blitz blocker than Felix, much more durable than Felix, and twice as effective and powerful 'between the tackles as Felix ever was. He really hit the ground running as a pure runner.

- Aside from Detroit TD where he lined up slot wise and caught a TD score per underneath cross route.
Pollard either wasn't used much as a receiver, or he didn't seem comfortable yet on rare times asked.
This is an area he was underdeveloped and under-schemed under Kellen Moore, imo.

- Pollard's special teams work as a kick returner was a disaster under
much maligned SP coach Keith O' Quinn but this is where famed SP coach John Fassel should
come in handy. There was a ton of lost fundamentals and discipline under O' Quinn that
had the entire special teams in pure shambles.

-We've gone thru some backs such as Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Alfred Morris, Robert Turbin,
Rod Smith ...none of them have excited me as much in terms of physical size and tools, natural instincts, splash speed and potential as much as Pollard. We finally got the backup RB role and personnel right .

JoeKing said:

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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JoeKing said:

I don't think you have a clue how TP will be used.

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So in your top post you were predicting Pollards season. Then you seemingly attack @Typhus for doing the same thing. Your prediction has no more merit than his. It's all just guess work. Only time will tell the truth of who's right.

Just FYI.

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.

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It's always a mystery with these sort of players.

The starters have to get the majority of touches to validate their paycheck.

Pollard did have a nice debut last year.

But now we have another guy in Lamb who better get at least 10-12 touches a game or he is a waste of a pick IMO.

Pollard needs to be used in kick returns punt and KO. We have to build the STs positions and Lamb should also get touches there.

It seems we have a surplus of talent offensively but there are only so many ops.

I was so tired of the old staff putting Beasley back to fair catch all the time. We would not even try.

We will see.