Where is 21's comfort level for you?

TwoDeep3

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If I remember correctly Emmitt was also coming off a super bowl win and MVP. What has Zeke accomplished lately that doesn't include police involvement or tabloid garbage?


Emmitt played 7 more games than Zeke up to this point in three years. Emmitt has 110 more carries in those three years in regular season.

Emmitt's regular season total at this point was 4213

Zeke's total regular season rushing yards is 4048

I'd say he has posted similar numbers while being unjustly punished by a league trying to sway public sentiment after they completely blowing the Ray Rice issue.
 

jazzcat22

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I don’t mean currently on the roster, just in general. This roster could win 10-12 games if you signed Foles, or even 8-10 if you got Flacco.

And yet they won 13 in Dak's rookie year with less talent on the team.
You are underestimating Dak as usual?

But I agree, with a different QB that has started games in the NFL there is no reason why this team can't win around 10 games. Even with Flacco. But then agin they thought that in 2015 with Weeden and Cassell. Fail.
But with Dak, no reason they can't win 11 or 12 and the NFCE.
 

CowboyRoy

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Do you remember Emmitt held out and missed the first two games of the season? No one is perfect and Zeke IS a generational talent.

I do remember. Generational? Not sure about that one. Barkley is generational.
 

JD_KaPow

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IF Zeke had Emmitt Smith type character, leadership, and likeability, I would be more apt to pay him.
Do you remember Emmitt held out and missed the first two games of the season? No one is perfect and Zeke IS a generational talent.
Here's the thing. Emmitt's last truly great season came when he was 26. After that, he was a uniquely durable and reliable RB and a great pass-blocker, but he didn't offer anything as a receiver and he was more of a grinder. A good solid back, but I'm not paying for that. Now, I would have been wrong in one regard--I would have expected him to fade away much faster like most RBs do--but he was unique. I'm not going to bet my money that any RB will age as gracefully as Emmitt did. Zeke reminds me of Emmitt in a lot of ways, including the workload he's had. I'd much rather let him go a year too early than overpay him for his decline.

And I'm scratching my head about the "Zeke is a generational talent" thing. He doesn't break long runs and he's not a special receiving back. The things he does well, he does very well--he's durable, he gets positive yardage and he's a good pass-protector--but I just don't think he's obviously head and shoulders ahead of the other RBs in the league, which is what I'd expect from a "generational talent."
 

InTheZone

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Do you remember Emmitt held out and missed the first two games of the season? No one is perfect and Zeke IS a generational talent.
Could you imagine if Zeke held out for the first two games? Some would simply lose it.
 

GenoT

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Meanwhile, Jerry just spent $250mil on a boat.

After that, EVERYBODY’S getting paid!
 

ChuckA1

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[QUOTE="And I'm scratching my head about the "Zeke is a generational talent" thing. He doesn't break long runs and he's not a special receiving back. The things he does well, he does very well--he's durable, he gets positive yardage and he's a good pass-protector--but I just don't think he's obviously head and shoulders ahead of the other RBs in the league, which is what I'd expect from a "generational talent."[/QUOTE]

My generational talent comment refers to leading the league in two of the last three years, and it would have probably been in the last three seasons if the NFL didn't over-suspend him. The fact he can get positive yardage on most carries, provide incredible pass-blocking for Dak and can be a great pass catching receiver, when used correctly makes him very special. His durability is underrated, as was Emmitt's. His talents are different, but he's every bit as important to the Cowboys as Barkley is to the Giants.
 

JD_KaPow

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If Zeke didn't have off the field issues I would be at 10 and be happy to pay the man. Top money needs stability going forward. not 100% sure its there yet. I'm at 7.5 What say you?
I'm perfectly comfortable signing him to a reasonable contract through age 27. Top dollar? No. Longer than that? No. Which means I wouldn't sign him. I guess that makes me a 1.
 

Aerolithe_Lion

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And yet they won 13 in Dak's rookie year with less talent on the team.
You are underestimating Dak as usual?

But I agree, with a different QB that has started games in the NFL there is no reason why this team can't win around 10 games. Even with Flacco. But then agin they thought that in 2015 with Weeden and Cassell. Fail.
But with Dak, no reason they can't win 11 or 12 and the NFCE.

Well, Weeden and Cassell weren’t even moderately good for you. There is a limit to anything.

The point was though, you can’t get close to Zeke’s production on the team with someone else. I bet Foles would have gotten you to the divisional round last year.

I only used those two examples because they were available this offseason. What if you have Tony Pollard 350 carries? Alex Collins? TJ Yeldon? There’s no way you get remotely close to what Zeke has done for you, the pressure he takes off your offense. He’s worth a big contract extension, you’re not built for letting Zeke walk. You’re built for keeping him around 8-10 years.
 

CowboyFanInLexKy

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Well, Weeden and Cassell weren’t even moderately good for you. There is a limit to anything.

The point was though, you can’t get close to Zeke’s production on the team with someone else. I bet Foles would have gotten you to the divisional round last year.

I only used those two examples because they were available this offseason. What if you have Tony Pollard 350 carries? Alex Collins? TJ Yeldon? There’s no way you get remotely close to what Zeke has done for you, the pressure he takes off your offense. He’s worth a big contract extension, you’re not built for letting Zeke walk. You’re built for keeping him around 8-10 years.

I guess it really depends if KM is planning on making this a run first offense or a pass happy offense. If he's going to go with run first, then I say sign Zeke and let Dak walk.
An RB (like Zeke) can work with any QB. Get a Quarterback on the cheap and make this a run first offense and save money because all the QB is going to do is hand off..

If he's going to make this a pass happy offense, then I say get rid of Zeke. We can use Pollard as a RB if needed because if the main focus is pass pass pass, there's no sense in paying a premium price for a RB.

So like I said, it depends on what KM's intentions are..
 

jazzcat22

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Well, Weeden and Cassell weren’t even moderately good for you. There is a limit to anything.

The point was though, you can’t get close to Zeke’s production on the team with someone else. I bet Foles would have gotten you to the divisional round last year.

I only used those two examples because they were available this offseason. What if you have Tony Pollard 350 carries? Alex Collins? TJ Yeldon? There’s no way you get remotely close to what Zeke has done for you, the pressure he takes off your offense. He’s worth a big contract extension, you’re not built for letting Zeke walk. You’re built for keeping him around 8-10 years.

Great points. Now I understand it better.
 

beware_d-ware

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If I had to put it into a number: about a 7 or 8

Pros
-Stupidly productive through 3 seasons.
-Most durable RB in the league. Has led the league in carries per game 3 consecutive years, and the only thing that's cost him games is the commish. Feature-backed for two 270+ carry seasons at Ohio State and remained healthy there, so he is now at 5 straight years with no injury.
-Elite endurance. Runs even better in the 4th quarter than in the 1st. Rushes on fresh legs in December. Can handle an extremely high workload and remain productive.
-Has produced behind top notch OLs and more average ones. Not dependent on the line to perform. Could produce in any offense.
-Has underutilized receiving chops. Caught 77 balls last season, which proves that he at least he at least has good hands. Has only run one route deeper than 10 yards in his entire NFL career, and that play wasn't even called by his OC. Still has unexplored receiving potential.
-Excellent pass blocker. Combined with his receiving skills, he is totally functional in the passing game.
-Running style is built around strength and vision, and is not based on elite athleticism. He could lose a step to age or injury and still remain productive.

Cons
-Has not been injured yet, but plays a high-injury position. The risk is lower with Zeke than most other backs, but it's always there.
-"Wild child" who's had problems off the field since his Ohio State days, and hasn't showed signs of learning yet. He's not playing through a 4 year contract without getting in trouble, I guarantee you that.
-His attitude towards conditioning has been lackluster, notice how he always plays a step slow in September. He can play his way into shape in his early 20s, but it's going to become more of a problem as he ages. The cliff can come fast for players who don't stay in shape: see Darrelle Revis.
-Plays heavy to soak up hits, which costs him speed. We'd have to dial back his workload for him to play at a more natural weight, but then that becomes the question of are you getting your money's worth from him.

To sum it up, I'd say I am much more worried about Zeke off the field than I am on it. On it, he's a top 3 RB who can be fed until he's sick and efficiently converts that into monster stats. Off it, he's reckless and kind of lazy. I have minimal concerns about his game on the field, but I think his habits off the field will eventually catch up with him.

So for the short term - say 2019 and 2020 - I have great confidence that we could get every dime worth out of him. Longer term is when things become more cloudy.
 

GMO415

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Yes, his off the field antics concern me, but he's still worth the $9 mill he's getting next season.
 

MWH1967

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I guess this is where i'm at today. He's a super talented man/child who is living a charmed life and lives just on the edge of the principals office. That is only because people taunt him to get their 15 minutes of fame and he's just not totally figured it out yet. God Speed young man. He is defiantly the best running back we have had since Emmitt .
 
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