2018: 23 years old; 4 years; 60 Million; 45 GTD

[DHCBF66]

I tend to agree most of the time. After all, we've had 3rd and 4th round running backs make Pro Bowl/All Pro very recently in Demarco Murray and Marion Barber III.

However. Zeke has generational type talent. We'd be out of our mind to not keep him until he's 27-28 years old.

Murray would have been a 1st rounder if not for his injury. Barber had 1 good season. Zeke won the rushing title 2 out of 3 years he has been in the league. He would have won it 3 out of 3 if not for the suspension. You do not let guys with his talent walk!

 

[TexasHillbilly]

Disagree. Like it has been stated. The RB is the most replaceable position in the league. The unique problem we have is that our golden QB who is going to get 30+ million relies on Zeke for his success.
This FO is trying to replicate the 90's SB runs, and it will end badly.

Sorry but I disagree with you sir.

Most RB's in the league are replaceable but Zeke is the exception. If he stays healthy, and does not suffer a major injury, he has several years before his body gives out.

You simply can't let him walk. The folks on here that believe Zeke should be let go are wrong. We have nobody that comes close to replacing him and he is a major contributor even when he doesn't get the ball. Defenses have to account for him no matter where he lines up.

 

[gimmesix]

Now if your going to have an average Oline and not spend the money there, them maybe you find a stud and pay him.

But since your ENTIRE offense relies on your Oline, I would spend the money there, like the Cowboys have done.

Remember 7 years ago when Jones was telling us that "with a QB like Romo, you can go cheep on the Oline". Thank goodness he woke up there.

This is also a good example of the importance of striking quickly and drafting replacements.

The Connor McGovern pick likely gives us the opportunity to replace La'el Collins at right tackle instead of giving him an expensive deal. Now, it's much harder to replace All-Pros like Smith, Martin and Frederick, which is why you ultimately end up paying them.

However, just like Jones' statement about going cheap on the line because of Romo was a failure, thinking we can go routinely replace stars at other positions because of the line is doomed for failure. Tyron Smith is already wearing down because of back issues. Frederick missed last season with GBS. We've got to strengthen the team around this line before it goes the way of other great players that team failed because of poor personnel choices or coaching.

 

[dallas72]

RB is definitely not a great place to invest a lot of money. Better to spend that money on QB, WR, and OL.

Zeke may not get paid...his off season antics every year are a mess....Dallas drafted 2 ribs for a reason

 

[CouchCoach]

Is it cowbell or bell cow? I’m cornfused.

LMAO

 

[Hadenough]

I think this is blown out of proportion. They’re still going to give him 25-30 touches a game, he’s just much more of a receiving threat.

All this says to me is there’s no point in running your 60m$ all-around RB into 1st and goal at the 1 4 times in a row. They’ll still try and get their money’s worth out of him.

That's the thing about these great RBs if you wear them out during the season they have nothing left for the playoffs. Gotta have two RBs and save your stud RB for when you really need him. No sense in hanging 40 points on the cardinals and keeping Gurley in the whole game.

 

[CouchCoach]

That is what the Rams signed up for this time last year.

And now....



The point?

RB is the most wasteful position to invest heavily in. Period.

The Rams are 1 year into a new deal for Gurley and in their heart of hearts they're counting down the days until 2022 when they can get out from under the it.

And this RB doesn't seem to be one more stupid mistake away from a time out.

 

[Tussinman]

The issue is that the difference in production between elite and just good RBs is minimal. It's pretty easy to replace elite RB production.

Especially since alot of elite RB's have multiple pro bowlers on the oline.

Looks at Bell last year. Some 3rd rounder (James Conner) comes in, only starts 12 games, and has a combined 13 Touchdowns (Bell has never had that many) and near 1500 yards from scrimmage.

Not knocking Bell but when you have 3 pro bowlers on the oline along with Pro Bowl WR/QB helping spread the field, the difference between good and elite is minimal like you stated

 

[Floatyworm]

Are you hoping Jerry secretly reads this board and will listen to you?

Well he should....giving Elliott that kind of contract is just asking for trouble. Look @ the Rams regret already. RBs are like new cars...as soon as you drive them off the lot...they begin to depreciate.

Elliott is already showing signs of wear....doesn't make people miss in the hole....or open field. If he had any shiftiness to him...he would have broke a dozen runs for scores last year. Instead...he would repeatedly get stopped for a long gain that should have been a score.

 

[Tussinman]

You and I like that but Zeke would be crazy to no hold out after this year. Just look at the Bell situation. These players want to get paid, it's just the nature of the league.

Zeke is in a weird situation where him being a top 5 pick (at a low value position) makes him one of the highest paid at his position (thats not the case with other positions like QB and DE).

He can't really hold out. He's #1 in the NFL for RB fully guaranteed and #3 for total guaranteed. He also plays in a state with no state tax and has good endorsement deals via playing for the cowboys franchise.

Worst case scenario is him making highend money now, cowboys not resigning him after the 2020 season, and he's a free agent at only 25 years old........ (that's a GOOD situation for him).


Bell situation is completely different. He was All-Pro talent making barely over 1 million a year. That's completely different then Zeke making 34 million fully guaranteed as a rookie........

 

[kskboys]

Awfully small sample given by the OP to proclaim a point.

Since I hurt my knee on Sunday, that means all 54 year olds hurt their knee Sunday, right?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Are you hoping Jerry secretly reads this board and will listen to you?

I am.

 

[BigCatMonaco]

Well he should....giving Elliott that kind of contract is just asking for trouble. Look @ the Rams regret already. RBs are like new cars...as soon as you drive them off the lot...they begin to depreciate.

Elliott is already showing signs of wear....doesn't make people miss in the hole....or open field. If he had any shiftiness to him...he would have broke a dozen runs for scores last year. Instead...he would repeatedly get stopped for a long gain that should have been a score.

For not making people miss, he sure does a great job leading the league in 10+ yard runs and yards after contact.

 

[mattjames2010]

LOL I remember during the draft people gushing over this dude when he had an obvious knee problem.

They're RBs, people. They aren't QBs, they aren't DEs, they aren't shutdown corners.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

That is what the Rams signed up for this time last year.

And now....



The point?

RB is the most wasteful position to invest heavily in. Period.

The Rams are 1 year into a new deal for Gurley and in their heart of hearts they're counting down the days until 2022 when they can get out from under the it.

They'll never break their promise or forget their vow. But God only knows that they're praying for the end of time so they can end their time with him.

 

[mattjames2010]

Some don't want to resign Dak to a big contract because its "easy to replace an average qb", yet some don't want to resign Zeke to a big contract because "the RB position is easy to replace".

So hey, let's go into the 2020 draft needing to draft a starting QB then in 2021 a starting RB. Then when it comes to their second contracts, just draft their replacements again.

THAT'S how you stay out of Cap Hell, I tell ya. Don't give ANYONE second NFL Contracts.

</sarcasm>

Accepting mediocrity will only give you mediocre results. An elite RB isn't running you to a championship and an average QB eating up a chunk of your cap space isn't bringing you Super Bowls.

 

[mattjames2010]

Name all the late round or free agent RBs in the Hall of Fame
It's like some of you don't watch football

How many of recent elite RBs won Super Bowls?

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I tend to agree most of the time. After all, we've had 3rd and 4th round running backs make Pro Bowl/All Pro very recently in Demarco Murray and Marion Barber III.

However. Zeke has generational type talent. We'd be out of our mind to not keep him until he's 27-28 years old.

Agreed, Zeke should be resigned. However, they need to have a clause in the contract to address off the field issues.

 

[reddyuta]

OP with this topic

 

[mattjames2010]

Gurley came into the league with knee issues. Zeke didn't (although we have to be concerned about his stupidity off the field).
Had Gurley not had knee issues, he likely would have been a top 5 pick. So it doesn't surprise me that he's having troubles now, especially with the load the Rams put on him.

Zeke's problem isn't that he has a major injury, it's that the wear and tear from 2016 to 2018 has obviously taken a toll. Go watch his speed from his rookie year to now. It's worse yet that it seems his workout routine never got back to what it was before the 2017 season, he's never gotten back into that shape and he's still really young - this isn't a good sign for the future.

The fact he's choosing to stuff his face with hot dogs and drown himself with alcohol in the offseason isn't exactly helping things either.