2 Knee Jerk Reactions and 2 Truths

stasheroo said:

And teams can stack the box against the other running backs as well. None of them have the line, receivers, or quarterback play that the Cowboys do. I don't see it as an excuse. Too many teams can 'somehow' shut down Elliott and the Cowboys running game far too regularly.

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And now our offense is making them pay.

OldCoach said:

And now our offense is making them pay.

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Not enough.

1-1 these past two games.

Because our coaches couldn't realize what was happening until after they screwed themselves and the team by forcing the run.

Established1971 said:

Zeke is on a pace for 1,400 yards and has a 4.4 ypc
loads of teams would love to have that
he is 3rd all time for yards at his age
and this is a down year for him
dude is a serious threat for hall of fame

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Hall of fame?

OldCoach said:

Quinn averaging over 1 sav

i agree 100%.

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what's a sav

Maverick84 said:

what's a sav

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When the man’s playing like he is, it’s whatever he wants it to be.

OldCoach said:

When the man’s playing like he is, it’s whatever he wants it to be.

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fair enough Coach

OldCoach said:

#1 Zeke is done. He’s no longer an elite RB. We overpaid.
#2 Dak is an elite QB.

Truth 1- We have a very good offense. When teams focus on Zeke, the pass game and DAK will look elite. When teams start respecting DAK, Zekes gonna put up big numbers. DAK has stepped up this year and is definitely a top 10 QB.

Truth 2- Our inability to stop the run is going to catch up to us in the end.

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I have been complaining about our run defense all year long. But I was told we are good at defending the run. While it’s a subjective situation I think it’s safe to say that the needle is pointing toward we are not very good at stopping the run up to the present time.

stasheroo said:

I agree with you for the most part, but I cannot unequivocally say that neither of these statements aren't true:

"He’s no longer an elite RB. We overpaid."

He has exactly one run of over 20 yards for the entire season, and while the league's highest-paid running back, he ranks 8th in rushing yards. His 4.3 YPC average isn't near good enough either.

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Zeke is still a good grinder, but he's lost his explosion. Who knows whether it ever comes back.

But his play is certainly not equating to his pay. Not even close.

The banged up o-line is part of this too, to be fair.

Direwolf63 said:

Zeke is still a good grinder, but he's lost his explosion. Who knows whether it ever comes back.

But his play is certainly not equating to his pay. Not even close.

The banged up o-line is part of this too, to be fair.

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I’m not giving the line a pass for being banged up. Everybody is at this point in the season.

buybuydandavis said:

This.

I invite everyone to go look at Zeke on that screen TD. Looks like he is running through molasses.

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The one where he outran everyone to the endzone before they got a hand on him? Lmao

Zeke was paid for the past. Even Jerry didn't know the Boys would morph into a passing team. Zeke will never again win a rushing title, but can get 1200-1400 yards per year, until he is released in 3 years.

Direwolf63 said:

Zeke is still a good grinder, but he's lost his explosion. Who knows whether it ever comes back.

But his play is certainly not equating to his pay. Not even close.

The banged up o-line is part of this too, to be fair.

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He has the 8th highest cap charge this season for RB, to be fair.

I don't know if Zeke is done or not, but it sure looks like he has lost a step, and maybe lost confidence in his speed. Maybe it has something to do with missing training camp. Maybe his weight, although to me he doesn't look that heavy. But he does not look like he can't get to the edges before the pursuit catches up to him. There is no doubt the OL is not blocking for him consistently as they have in the past and it looks like defenses no longer have to stack the box to beat our OL. The Cowboys receivers are no help in the running game either. I think they get caught holding more than they make a good block. It looks like defenses just play the LBs tight to the line giving them 1 more defender than blocker and that's enough to stop the run game. Some of it is on Zeke. When he was quicker he would cut back or cut outside and beat the defense to the edges. He doesn't even try to do that anymore.

I wouldn't give up on Zeke just yet though. First, they can't. They just guaranteed him $50 million. Second, the OL is a pile of trash right now. I don't know if its injuries, and if those injuries are going to be chronic, or scheme. But its obvious that Frederick, Martin and Tyron Smith are not the same as they have been in the past. Williams is improved but still not where they need him to be. The Cowboys have to make do this year and see what 2020 brings. Hopefully the OL gets healthy, Zeke works on regaining that step and Moore figures out ways to utilize Pollard and Zeke in the passing game more.

I've got some good news and bad news.

The good news is our defense is finally becoming consistent.
The bad news is they are consistently bad.

OldCoach said:

#1 Zeke is done. He’s no longer an elite RB. We overpaid.
#2 Dak is an elite QB.

Truth 1- We have a very good offense. When teams focus on Zeke, the pass game and DAK will look elite. When teams start respecting DAK, Zekes gonna put up big numbers. DAK has stepped up this year and is definitely a top 10 QB.

Truth 2- Our inability to stop the run is going to catch up to us in the end.

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Amen way to much of all those things being flung around.. fans without hate goggle or fan boys can see the middle ground..

yes the defense not being able to tackle in open field, is scary// we have great pass rush now..

also to add to your post our backup safetys are not better then Heath not in anyway..maybe I should give them more time but Heath also plays well on ST. looks like we missed heath and at times maybe Crawfords in the run game.. fans always wishing for the next guy BUT...

I like how Truth #1 is directly related to Knee Jerk #1 and 2, but then Truth #2 is just randomly thrown in.

This bit needs work

fifaguy said:

Truth 3 - they also have an inability to stop the pass

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Damn lol

OldCoach said:

#1 Zeke is done. He’s no longer an elite RB. We overpaid.
#2 Dak is an elite QB.

Truth 1- We have a very good offense. When teams focus on Zeke, the pass game and DAK will look elite. When teams start respecting DAK, Zekes gonna put up big numbers. DAK has stepped up this year and is definitely a top 10 QB.

Truth 2- Our inability to stop the run is going to catch up to us in the end.

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Zeke is not done. It’s only been two off weeks.

I agree, the D could be better. Special teams been sucking.