Maybe so but Zeke averaged 4.7 ypc in 2018.. Most backs would kill for that kind of season yet we call it a "decline year?" Long runs tend to diminish as backs mature in the league. Partly because they slow down and partly because each year they play adds chapters to the book on how to defend them. That's why backs who don't depend on one single dominant "gift" are better over the long hall.
A speed back is all but worthless once he loses a step or defenses realize that he just wants to bounce everything and play to cut that off. A big back who is exclusively a power guy can be neutralized by stacking the line or getting penetration to get on him before he builds up a head of steam. Zeke brings a little of all of that to the table..
He's big but not so big as to be stiff.
He's fast but just taking away the outside won't completely shut him down. He's powerful enough and clever enough in small spaces to make yards even when the blocking aint the greatest. The 40 yard run thing is just an arbitrary measure.. As long as he consistently moves the chains and does the dirty work we need him do we don't need him to break a bunch of long ones. Most of those came late in games when he had been able to wear defenses down.. those carries are going to Pollard now.. It is what it is..
"
He's Fast " ?
its’ a reason why Zeke took to the offseason with shedding weight and bulk, in an effort to recapture- rejuvenate that 2016 speed. That doesn’t sound like Zeke was focused on a 4.7 avg.
He had to be more focused and driven to gaining more splash plays .. more 20 and 40 yard plays.
If a lack of speed and splash big runs wasn't a concern, i highly doubt that would not have been a priority drive
for him this offseason.
- Long runs tend to diminish as they “
mature “ in the league ? … I would think with certain backs tend the long runs diminish as they begin to show wear and tear.
Ala Chris Johnson, Leshaun Shady McCoy, ..Levion Bell, Marshawn Lynch, and even the
aforementioned Adrian Peterson.
I would've thought as much as Titans ride Derrick Henry’s back, it’d be soon before we saw wear-tear toll upon him as well. But seeing him
Still rolling off 60 yard TD runs this past Sunday, , he still proving a long homerun, splash play back.
So what about Zeke ?
Once the speed is gone, then its’ just resorting to power, which means since there’s no speed to run away
from more excessive pounding, so he really has no choice but to absorb pounding, how long do you think it'd be
before the wear adds to the decline ?
- When you’re that much slower into-out of the hole, ..when linemen have to hold their blocks that much longer, ...
when your movement and lack of burst s making the offense that more slower in the backfield..? .