20 Questions: No. 18, what role to expect for Deuce

JohnsKey19

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Pollard is making 10 million, like it or not, he's getting 15-20 touches. The #2 RB will get another 10+, whether that's Davis, Jones or another vet to be signed later. I like Deuce but his touches will be few and far between this season, barring injury.
 

plasticman

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Describing the role of a rookie 6th round pick RB before a single carry in a preseason game is really putting the cart before the horse.

Don't get me wrong, I love the story and he looks exciting enough as a college player but we've seen RB's picked #2 overall that has disappointed. He's got everything going for him, as far as support from players, coaches and fans. However, give us something on the field before we dedicate time discussing a role.
 

Techsass

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I don't know what to expect from Deuce, but just putting him on the field will confuse the defenses.
 

_sturt_

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I personally think RoJo is better than people realize.
That would be the ideal solution.

I do not believe it is at all likely, and as the comment suggests, I think that opinion is widely, widely held... yes, KC had an unexpected blessing fall in their laps (Pacheco). But McKinnon was 30 years old. Jones at least should have been able to ascend the depth chart past McKinnon.

You'd like to think maybe Jones had some physical something going on, or maybe even some personal distractions. At least Zeke has historically been able to legitimately lay claim to the former or the latter over the years. Zeke's performance was strong until a few games into the 2021 season when he suffered that original knee injury (CAR game?).

(Indeed, if a person is bullish on Jones regaining form... a guy who hasn't had a game where he played to any degree and broke the 5.0 yards per attempt barrier since December 2021... why not the guy who did so as recently as last November, right?)
 

blueblood70

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I personally think RoJo is better than people realize. Certainly better than Zeke at this point in his career.

Still can't believe Zeke declined so fast. But that's what tequilla and illegal drugs from Colombia does to athletes.

I can't wait to see this team without Zeke holding them back, and new blood at TE.

Fans are in for a surprise with Schoonmaker.
Dude seriously anything that you said after declining so fast is insane absolutely delusional

he had more carries by his mid season in his second season than Ronald Jones has for his entire career then you go back and look at his back-to-back 1800 yard seasons in college they are not even on the same planet at talent.

One player is a three down blocking beast who carried the ball a ton two years before he got to the Cowboys and then 18181 carries later you say it's a surprise that he had a decline or was it just both seasons back-to-back he got hit really hard in his knee and he couldn't finish the season the way he started which both those seasons he started actually very well at 5 yards per carry in 2021 at 4.8 yards per carry in the first half of 2022 until the injuries

the other is a seldom used backup who's hardly got the ball.. Of course his legs are gonna be fresher the man IE Rojo is a spare part compared to zeke I don't care what you think he may have did all the way back to high school till now he is not even on the same planet that Ezekiel Elliott was from the same time they started running the football until now..
You might want to give some respect to zeke the dudes third all time in Cowboys history and look how much wear and tear we put on him he was used up got hurt the last couple of years and now he's gone we don't need the disrespect though Ronald Jones is just a good rotational player zeke was a full time player until the injuries and we're talking about not coming off the field and having the block so we had to run and block and do all the short yardage and The Dirty work down by the goal line Ronald Jones.. just another player ie nice pieces in 4 back rotation but a JAG in the RB world.

Oh and if you need real proof zeek even after a couple of down years and declining as you say he still has 4.4 yards per carry for his career Ronald Jones with his measly 505 carries 4.4 yards per carry I wonder who looks better one that could carry the ball for two years at Ohio State for 1800 yards per season coming to the NFL win two rushing titles and still after 1881 carries still has a 4.4 YPC and 80tds vs 19 that right zeke had 12 tds LAST SEASON Rojo 19 for his career..

So thanks for letting us all know who had to read that dribble that you don't know anything about football don't even say that without any kind of context we can just say zeke was better on one leg I mean he had close to what 1800 yards over two years about 18 touchdowns on one leg and now look at Rojo so zeek the last two years almost has the same career numbers at Ronald Jones has his entire career dude seek some help the disrespect around here is insane for most of our players but Prescott and zeke take way too much heat these dudes are blue chip homegrown superstars for the Dallas Cowboys and yet you wanna compare them to someone like Ronald Jones are you insane??

The only thing good about Elliot being gone because now there's no pressure on the OC to get him playing time even when he's hurt so now you can use four guys or how many you want in your rotation but please don't say things that are just make zero sense in the football world, he held the Cowboys back dude your football IQ just got damaged your reputation just went to the bottom with me you could say you're happy the guy left he didn't have much left but to say all that it'd be 100% untrue and try to tell me that Ronald Jones is a better player I just showed you zeke's worst two years he almost has the same career over the last two seasons as Ronald Jones has for his entire career...

So the only thing that's a huge difference between Ronald Jones and zeke besides the fact that they're not even close to the same player is the money we released zeke to save money on the salary cap because he is older and not worth that kind of money anymore but even an injured beat up in decline seat the last two years was better than Ronald Jones I mean you look at the 4.4 yards per carry and the touchdowns and the yards A A1 legged zeep compares favorably to that 1 legged zeep compares favorably to that it was the money that's it

zeke 1,881 carries for 8,262 yards, 305 catches for 2,336 yards and scored 80 touchdowns.

Jones
5052,2444.41977
 

Toro9

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I personally think RoJo is better than people realize. Certainly better than Zeke at this point in his career.

Still can't believe Zeke declined so fast. But that's what tequilla and illegal drugs from Colombia does to athletes.

I can't wait to see this team without Zeke holding them back, and new blood at TE.

Fans are in for a surprise with Schoonmaker.
Rojo?

I'm not surprised Zeke declined the way he did. Happens to a lot of good RBs. They get hit on almost every play and when you go all out it's gonna happen faster. I never expected him to last more than 5 seasons in top form.

What annoyed me most in his career is when someone, I think it was Dorsett told him to stop hurdling defenders. Sure, you might get a helmet to the balls but you're wearing a cup. Not sure why Dorsett said that.
 

beware_d-ware

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Deuce is a really hard fit, because as others said, he doesn't play special teams. He may be a PR, but he never fielded a punt in college. He will live or die as a pure RB.
 

McKDaddy

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I'm not surprised Zeke declined the way he did. Happens to a lot of good RBs. They get hit on almost every play and when you go all out it's gonna happen faster.
They wore him to a nub in protection. I don't know that I have ever seen a back of his caliber used so much in protection. Not just chipping guys either. Straight up collisions.
 

CouchCoach

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They wore him to a nub in protection. I don't know that I have ever seen a back of his caliber used so much in protection. Not just chipping guys either. Straight up collisions.
That's why they drafted him high, to protect Romo. He was the most complete NFL ready RB in a long time.
 

Big_D

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I personally think RoJo is better than people realize. Certainly better than Zeke at this point in his career.

Still can't believe Zeke declined so fast. But that's what tequilla and illegal drugs from Colombia does to athletes.

I can't wait to see this team without Zeke holding them back, and new blood at TE.

Fans are in for a surprise with Schoonmaker.


He's younger and fresher.. same with Davis. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what both of them could do.
 

Typhus

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I doubt they use him much at all. 1 or 2 stuffs at the line and he will be outta there quickly.
Thats old school Zeke philosophy with bone head OC,,,
Deuce and Luepke will play a bigger role in MM scheme as rooks than most are anticipating at this point.
Camp will begin soon and we can start seeing a few glimpses.
 

Pass2Run

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He's younger and fresher.. same with Davis. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what both of them could do.
That's basically what I mean. I'm not saying RoJo has had a better career. Just that he's likely better at this point in his career.
 

Typhus

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I don't know what to expect from Deuce, but just putting him on the field will confuse the defenses.
Have to prove it early, tiny man needs to show early in camp to be a threat, he can show there.
TC with Deuce showing some crazy stuff will force early season teams to pay attention.
Duece is my diamond hanging from the gold chain.
 

ColoradoCowboy

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Unless Pollard just kills it as the starter, I don't see Dallas going the big contract route again for a RB. So I would expect them to ease Deuce into the game plans and for him to have the opportunity to take the RB1 position next year. Will that actually happen? I don't know.
 

TheCritic

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Rest assured everybody! My Magic 8 Ball just told me that Deuce Vaughn will have more all-purpose yards this season than Tony Pollard. The Deuce is good for it!
 

stilltheguru

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IMO, he can either run the ball or he can't. The issue with him is his size and that isn't going to improve in year 2 or 3. As is, he more than has the skill and speed to be an impact back. Its not like he has to learn that part of the game.

If he can overcome his size, he will be RB2 and a valuable contributor. If he can't, I'm not sure he will see the field much before being released at some point in the future.

As always:
Cowboys Nation in March: "Don't draft an RB early. You can draft an impact running back late in the draft."
Cowboys: *Drafts a high college impact back late in the draft.*
Cowboys Nation in May: "Deuce was drafted late, don't expect much from him."
That's this place in a nutshell.
 

Havic

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Great opportunity for Malik Davis to solidify the #2spot. Vaughn will be the 3
 

Techsass

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Have to prove it early, tiny man needs to show early in camp to be a threat, he can show there.
TC with Deuce showing some crazy stuff will force early season teams to pay attention.
Duece is my diamond hanging from the gold chain.
I had to cut my post short because my sister from out of town showed up. Wish I could remember what all I meant to say because it was brilliant.

Anyway I think Deuce will do more than just help. And I think he opens up a lot of options that defenses will have to consider whenever he's on the field.
 

GINeric

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Give Deuce to Kyle Shanahan, Belichick or Andy Reid and they would make him a perennial pro bowler. We have to figure how to use what he has.
 
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