20 Questions: 14 - what are the realistic expectations for Zeke

[Big D]

Rookie left offensive tackles and rookie centers that played guard in college always results in a strong run game in the NFL.

They have in our recent history. If theres one thing McClay can do it's pick linemen you've got to admit that.

 

[Chasing6]

My realistic expectations for Zeke:

• Will avg 3.7 ypc.
• Has no burst so no ability to make splash runs of 10 yards or more.
• Will be a decent short yardage/goal line runner
• Still a good pass blocker.
• Average ability as a receiver out of the backfield

If Zeke is relied upon for more than 10 touches a game, this offense will be punting often. The even bigger problem for this team as currently constructed is there is no other RB that can threaten a defense thus putting more pressure on the passing game.

Why would anyone expect a short yardage specialist to average over 4 yards a carry?

I expect him to get 8 to 12 carries max per game.

Maybe 2 to 5 receptions for another 20 yards.

Anything over 50 yards a game and I will be impressed.

 

[Streifenkarl]

Personally I have none. I but can see him putting up quite a show for a few games. Just hope he and the o line will click and we'll see more than 3rd down 2 yarders with 4 to go.

 

[Ranching]

The issue is. Given how bad his YPC is dropping. It may take too many Carries to get there.

If he is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Thats 16 Carries a game to reach 1000 yards.

That’s a lot of Carries to give a back if they’re not being efficient.

It's a different year, his average may not be the same. 3.5 well placed yards come in handy and he's probably the best we got. If one of the other backs has a breakthrough season......that would be great, too. We have to run the ball, can't get caught up in predictable play calling again.

 

[HungryLion]

It's a different year, his average may not be the same. 3.5 well placed yards come in handy and he's probably the best we got. If one of the other backs has a breakthrough season......that would be great, too. We have to run the ball, can't get caught up in predictable play calling again.

17 Carries a game wouldn’t be well placed.

Zeke is not good for anything other than blocking and short yardage now.

If he gets anywhere near 1000 yards, he is being overused.

 

[Ranching]

17 Carries a game wouldn’t be well placed.

Zeke is not good for anything other than blocking and short yardage now.

If he gets anywhere near 1000 yards, he is being overused.

I hope you are wrong....it would be to our benefit.

 

[Bullflop]

I feel the most realistic expectations for Zeke might be to provide short power runs, blocking for Dak and a few receiving opportunities. Of course, he should also be able to give valuable tips to rookies RBs in those areas, as well.

 

[plasticman]

Zeke would have to carry the ball 15 times a game for all 17 games while averaging 4.0 yards a carry to get a thousand yards rushing.

A thousand yards from scrimmage is more likely, 650 yards rushing, 350 yards receiving.

That would be 11 carries a game for 16 games at 3.8 yards a carry and 3 receptions a game for 16 games with an average of 7.3 yards a reception.

 

[HungryLion]

I hope you are wrong....it would be to our benefit.

I hope so too. Not trying to hate on Zeke but he’s just worn down

We need fresh young explosive legs back there IMO

 

[KJJ]

My biggest concern with Zeke is that he will be overused. If it's a RBBC then run it that way. Don't be a Zeke and the rest of the RB corp offense.

My 2nd biggest concern is the running scheme. If it's not significantly upgraded from last year it won't matter what RB is on the field.

On the OL, upgrading the center position is a really good start. I expect Steele to return to the pre ACL form which is an upgrade as well.

I think they’ll try and avoid overusing him to try and keep him healthy. They know from past experience, he usually comes up with something the first half of the season that lingers. It’s all going to come down to how the rest of the backs perform.

 

[Havic]

600 yards rushing, 5-7 rushing TD's

 

[Cowboys5217]

My realistic expectations for Zeke:

• Will avg 3.7 ypc.
• Has no burst so no ability to make splash runs of 10 yards or more.
• Will be a decent short yardage/goal line runner
• Still a good pass blocker.
• Average ability as a receiver out of the backfield

If Zeke is relied upon for more than 10 touches a game, this offense will be punting often. The even bigger problem for this team as currently constructed is there is no other RB that can threaten a defense thus putting more pressure on the passing game.

I do not think your expectations for Zeke are realistic.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3051392/ezekiel-elliott

He ranked 150th in YPC with 3.5, and that average has fallen significantly the last three seasons.

He ranked 48th in rushing TDs, so I can't agree with expecting him to be "decent" in goal line and short yardage when he was the worst starter in the league last year at that. So bad, that many non starters did better.

What evidence do you have that he is still a good pass blocker?

 

[Bobhaze]

I do not think your expectations for Zeke are realistic.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/3051392/ezekiel-elliott

He ranked 150th in YPC with 3.5, and that average has fallen significantly the last three seasons.

He ranked 48th in rushing TDs, so I can't agree with expecting him to be "decent" in goal line and short yardage when he was the worst starter in the league last year at that. So bad, that many non starters did better.

What evidence do you have that he is still a good pass blocker?

You can lose speed, elusiveness and the ability to make cuts easily. Happens quickly to most NFL RBs. But if a guy can block well, it usually is the last part of a RBs game to falter. Zeke has always been a good pass blocker so I would be surprised if he has lost that too.

 

[RonnieT24]

All excellent points.
Running backs don’t find fountain of youth after this much wear and tear.

There have been a few RBs who have performed well later in their careers after a downturn in the middle. Emmitt Smith himself had a couple of down years in year 6 and 7 followed by some pretty productive years 8-10. Because I think a lot of struggles we saw with Zeke were injury (knee) related I think a healthier Zeke equals better results. Certainly not 2016-2018 level but I think most of us are going to be satisfied with this production this year. Sure there will be people who will claim anything less than 1600 yards and 15 TDs is a failure. But who pays attention to those people?

 

[Motorola]

First and foremost- the Cowboys need to be earnest about giving all of the RBs in tow - isn't it eight total now - a decent shot at showing what they can do from the start of training camp.
Reps for all across the board...see who steps up and performs...regardless of the experience.

 

[JW82]

100 carries for 330 yards and 5 TDs.

 

[DuncanIso]

Rookie left offensive tackles and rookie centers that played guard in college always results in a strong run game in the NFL.

Our new C is All American and All Conf.

Dude can play football.

 

[DuncanIso]

First and foremost- the Cowboys need to be earnest about giving all of the RBs in tow - isn't it eight total now - a decent shot at showing what they can do from the start of training camp.
Reps for all across the board...see who steps up and performs...regardless of the experience.

Zeke is RB1.

The rest of them are scrubs.

Just like last season.

 

[jazzcat22]

The issue is. Given how bad his YPC is dropping. It may take too many Carries to get there.

If he is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Thats 16 Carries a game to reach 1000 yards.

That’s a lot of Carries to give a back if they’re not being efficient.

That average can improve if the OL is fixed. And for all RB's not just Zeke.

 

[jazzcat22]

Personally I have none. I but can see him putting up quite a show for a few games. Just hope he and the o line will click and we'll see more than 3rd down 2 yarders with 4 to go.

I can see the 1st 3 or 4 games, the entire run game may struggle some. Until the OL meshes and gets in sync.
Zeke will be criticized as if all his fault though.

It will be critical in TC and PS games to get this OL a lot of reps together, and not much experimenting moving players around.
See what the best combinations are in the first week or so in TC. Then set it and let them play.