What Tony Pollard’s Numbers Make Clear

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
57,924
Reaction score
38,930
It doesn't. It's only that simple to a fan. I'm not a Z apologist in the least, don't even like him and think he's grossly overpaid.

More carries to Pollard means more runs for more gains, more stalled drives, less YPC. How do I know this? Because we've seen it play out over and over and over.

Amazing because I havent seen any of that. less YPC? Are you joking. Pollard averaged 8 YPC last game.

"more carries for Pollard means more runs for more gains"? And that is a bad thing?
 

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
57,924
Reaction score
38,930
Since Pollard is not a good short yardage back and not near the blocker Z is, I'm not sure why you're conclusing P is better. P is better in space, Z is better short yardage. Since they are polar opposites, it's very hard to compare and decide conclusively who is "better".

Who said Pollard isnt a good short yardage back? Garbage.

Zeke is the better blocker, great so let him block.

Bottom line is short yardage and blocking is all Zeke is good for at this point. Problem is the defense knows it too.
 

CashMan

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,535
Reaction score
1,162
FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THIS OVER THE LOUD SPEAKER: ATTENTION ALL ZEKE SUPER FANS- THIS IS NOT AN ANTI-ZEKE THREAD. THANK YOU.

One of the bright spots that has clearly emerged this season is the development of Tony Pollard into a bonafide offensive weapon. So much so he can no longer just be a “rest opportunity” for Zeke. Pollard has shown that he can be a real asset in multiple situations.

I will go a step further: Tony Pollard is now a weapon that must be a part of every game plan.

Am I saying Zeke is not necessary? Absolutely NOT. Zeke is still a valuable offensive weapon too. Two things have changed. 1. Pollard has developed into a potential big play back. 2. Zeke is not what he was in 2016-18. He still has value. But he is no longer the “bell cow” 25 carries per game back, and he does not seem to have the burst to a big play he once did. Zeke still has value though in several areas including power runs, blocking and some passing routes.

It’s also clear Kellen Moore is recognizing Pollard’s increased value. Compare game one to game to game two regarding Pollard’s work load:
  • Game 1 vs TB- 7 touches. 3 rushes for 14 yards, 4 catches for 29 yards. 43 total yds
  • Game 2 vs LAC- 16 touches- 13 carries for 109 yds, 3 catches for 31 yds. 140 total yds.
Some of the numbers will vary depending on who we play. TB was certainly better than LAC against the run.

Looking at comparisons between Zeke and Pollard and explosive plays of 20 yds plus the last two years, the numbers speak for themselves.
  • Ezekiel Elliott - Number of plays of 20 yds+
    • 2016-2018- 30 plays of 20+ yds
    • 2019-20- 3 plays of 20+ yds
    • Notice the drop off after 2018.
  • Tony Pollard - Number of plays of 20 yds+
    • 2019-20- 8 plays of 20+ yds
    • 2021- already has 2 plays of 20+ yds
    • Last two years, Pollard has 10 plays of 20+ compared to 3 for Zeke.
Once again, not saying Zeke is no good or shouldn’t play. Just saying Pollard is more of a big play threat and needs to get more touches per game. The numbers are clear.
Pollard is Felix Jones.
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,059
Reaction score
46,962
I loved Emmitt when he was kicking butt and hated him at the end when he sucked.

Zeke just isnt running the ball well. Its that simple. Pollard is doing it better. Some people it seems cant handle that fact. Which is strange because they are both Cowboys.

Go with the hot hand.

Blount and Emmitt used to hit some big runs. Where are the big runs from Zeke? Its like they dont exist.

Blount won SB's because he played with Brady and Belli.
Emmit had very few big runs. You can look it up and it's quite obvious. He had 17career carries of over 40 yds.

Now, turn it around. Why did Belly keep bringing Blount back? He was definitely not Belly's type of player.

See RonnieT's posts on how Z is being given tougher carries.
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,059
Reaction score
46,962
Amazing because I havent seen any of that. less YPC? Are you joking. Pollard averaged 8 YPC last game.

"more carries for Pollard means more runs for more gains"? And that is a bad thing?
It doesn't. You're falling for the old backup/3rd down RB thingie.
 

SteveTheCowboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
18,022
Reaction score
12,622
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
I loved Emmitt when he was kicking butt and hated him at the end when he sucked.

Zeke just isnt running the ball well. Its that simple. Pollard is doing it better. Some people it seems cant handle that fact. Which is strange because they are both Cowboys.

Go with the hot hand.

Blount and Emmitt used to hit some big runs. Where are the big runs from Zeke? Its like they dont exist.

Blount won SB's because he played with Brady and Belli.


So that's how you roll, eh? Sounds like a bandwagon fan to me.
 

SteveTheCowboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
18,022
Reaction score
12,622
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Emmit had very few big runs. You can look it up and it's quite obvious. He had 17career carries of over 40 yds.

Now, turn it around. Why did Belly keep bringing Blount back? He was definitely not Belly's type of player.

See RonnieT's posts on how Z is being given tougher carries.


Cowboyroy once said "zeke is only good because he has a lot of carries".

Then I showed him Emmitt's carries and he hasn't mentioned it since. He put me on ignore after that...lol.
 

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
57,924
Reaction score
38,930
It doesn't. You're falling for the old backup/3rd down RB thingie.

Cmon, your better then that. Pollard does more with the ball in his hands. Been doing it for a while. Numbers dont lie and the eye test doesnt lie.
 

blueblood70

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,224
Reaction score
26,819
Cowboyroy once said "zeke is only good because he has a lot of carries".

Then I showed him Emmitt's carries and he hasn't mentioned it since. He put me on ignore after that...lol.
been posting that for year ES is volume back most of his career YPC averages under 4.5 not misprint he was never fast, didn't have burst , and chunk plays not many. Yet Zeke who was already faster and had more burst now is at Smiths level of speed 6years into the league..yet that an issue for fans to understand. Give zeke 20-24 carries last week and hes at 110yards for the game but hey pollards awesome! zekes done time to move on OR fans shut uP!
 

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
16,412
Reaction score
62,474
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
been posting that for year ES is volume back most of his career YPC averages under 4.5 not misprint he was never fast, didn't have burst , and chunk plays not many. Yet Zeke who was already faster and had more burst now is at Smiths level of speed 6years into the league..yet that an issue for fans to understand. Give zeke 20-24 carries last week and hes at 110yards for the game but hey pollards awesome! zekes done time to move on OR fans shut uP!
Blue isn’t it possible that both Zeke and Pollard are good for our offense and need to play a lot? It doesn’t have to be “either/or”. Right?
 

blueblood70

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,224
Reaction score
26,819
Blue isn’t it possible that both Zeke and Pollard are good for our offense and need to play a lot? It doesn’t have to be “either/or”. Right?
im not the one pounding that narrative, simply just sticking up for zeke...i can truly not give a care how they divvied up the snaps as long as we win..they both don the star , its all that matters but most of the threads here including this one is ripping zeke..

i get tired of it and fight back hard against the haters..

you must not read my posts, only when i get benched LOL

the offense changed, its simple as that to explain why zeke from 2018 to now looks different..its the wrong offense for his skillset so if that means hes splitting carries that fine but the constant flow of zeke troll posts have to stop or ill come in and make sure the OP and all the other zeke trolls get an eye full..:eek::cool:;)
 

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
16,412
Reaction score
62,474
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
im not the one pounding that narrative, simply just sticking up for zeke...i can truly not give a care how they divvied up the snaps as long as we win..they both don the star , its all that matters but most of the threads here including this one is ripping zeke..

i get tired of it and fight back hard against the haters..

you must not read my posts, only when i get benched LOL

the offense changed, its simple as that to explain why zeke from 2018 to now looks different..its the wrong offense for his skillset so if that means hes splitting carries that fine but the constant flow of zeke troll posts have to stop or ill come in and make sure the OP and all the other zeke trolls get an eye full..:eek::cool:;)
So I take this as a yes to both Zeke and Pollard should playa lot, lol.
 

kskboys

Well-Known Member
Messages
44,059
Reaction score
46,962
Cmon, your better then that. Pollard does more with the ball in his hands. Been doing it for a while. Numbers dont lie and the eye test doesnt lie.
Actually, I'd say you're better than that. Grinders are instrumental to super bowl runs. I know you know that, the eye tests don't lie.

Pollard does more except pound the ball.
 

RonnieT24

Well-Known Member
Messages
13,504
Reaction score
21,565
Felix Jones wishes.

Sorry but you got it backwards. Felix was better in the change up back role than Pollard has been so far. Felix averaged 8.9 ypc his rookie season. People here got excited when Pollard averaged 5..

Felix Jones' first two seasons:

carries yards avg TD long rec yards avg TD long KOR yards avg TD long

146 951 6.5 6 60 21 129 6.2 0 30 46 1112 24.3 1 90

Tony Pollard's first two seasons

187 890 4.75 6 44 43 300 6.9 2 30 46 1011 21.98 0 67

So Felix had a higher ypc on the ground, a slightly lower average per reception and a higher kick return average. Felix also had HIS career high game in that playoff win against the Eagles.. Pollard has not gotten the chance to enjoy any playoff success yet.


As I keep saying, there is no need to diss one player to uplift another. Pollard has been good in the change of pace back role. But Felix Jones was better.
 

3rdEyewarrior

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,789
Reaction score
3,454
His numbers show if you’re the back up and the defense focuses on the starter, you can sneak by the. From Time to time. Zeke ran fir one td and drew the attention of most of the defense on pollards so he gets the assist.
 

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
57,924
Reaction score
38,930
Actually, I'd say you're better than that. Grinders are instrumental to super bowl runs. I know you know that, the eye tests don't lie.

Pollard does more except pound the ball.

What is a grinder? A guy that cant bounce it outside that can only run straight up the middle? A slow RB?

Let Zeke do all the blocking and short yardage he wants. But to give the limited Zeke the ball 25 times a game and leave Pollard on the bench is bad football.

These guys should be going a 50/50 split and the hot hand should play more.

Plenty of bangers around the league you could pair with Pollard in a RB by committee. Don't need to be paying some RB 15 million for that.

But in truth I have not seen Pollard struggle in short yardage. Now I probably wouldnt want him carrying the load every week. RB by committee. Same thing they were doing in New Orleans with Kamara and Ingram. Same thing they do all over the NFL.
 
Top