Are you okay with Zeke getting 25+ carries a game?

[ConceptCoop]

I know there are tons of Zeke threads, but thought this topic was specific enough to warrant its own.

Are you okay with Zeke getting 25+ carries a game?

I like that we're treating him as a bell cow, but don't see the need for 25+ carries. He's the more talented, explosive back and we need to get a lot of value out of him over his rookie contract to justify the investment. I get that. But losing him to injury could prove to be the difference between making and missing the playoffs in a tight NFC.

I love Morris as a back up and think he could be a very solid starter for us, but he's not a playmaker or a game changer. I think he should be getting more carries now so that Zeke is fresh and healthy down the stretch.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Absolutely!

Ride him until he drops.

 

[Doomsday101]

I expect he will get around 20 + carries a game as an avg. RB over the history say they get better as the game goes on and based on watching a lot of great RB that is true.

 

[bark]

I personally like around 18-20 for him. I'm my humble opinion, we ran Murray into the ground in 2014

 

[reddyuta]

Clearly their plan is to use him as much as possible for 5 years.

 

[Trouty]

For me, I'm most certainly fine with it. We drafted Zeke 4th overall, and as such he needs to be our featured back that gashes our opponents over the course of a whole game. Whether that's 20, 25 carries so be it.

He is being paid amazing money (relative to his position) so, for me, he needs to get those carries. He's built like a brick **** house and, like Murray, needs to be fed the ball to get his game flowing.

I will say, he shouldn't get very much more than those 25 carries, but I think 25 is where it's at for Zeke.

One thing, we need our passing game to keep clicking for those 25 carries to be effective, the last thing Zeke, or our team needs, is 25 carries for 60 yds. This is why it kills us if Dez is out for a prolonged amount of time. Dez opens it up for Zeke.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I think he should be around 20-22 carries a game with Morris spelling him for 8-10 carries to keep Zeke fresh.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I'd prefer to keep EE around 20-22 carries. Use Morris more if you have to.

 

[Sydla]

They invested the 4th pick in a TB. They should use him like that. That means I think he has to get 25 touches a game. So that means 21-23 or so carries and then 2-3 passes a game.

 

[TheCoolFan]

I'd like to see it lowered...about 18 carries per game would be ideal. It's a lot of wear and tear, even for a young guy. Marshawn Lynch, in that run-heavy Seattle offense never averaged more than 19 per game in a season. Gotta keep the RB fresh.

 

[ConceptCoop]

Clearly their plan is to use him as much as possible for 5 years.

I think that should be the plan. I just think 20-22 is plenty and 26-30 is excessive. Use him as much as possible, but make sure there's gas in the tank for the stretch run.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

I think it would be a mistake if he DIDNT get 25+ carries a game.

He's a running back. Running backs require the ball.

 

[Swanny]

I know there are tons of Zeke threads, but thought this topic was specific enough to warrant its own.

Are you okay with Zeke getting 25+ carries a game?

I like that we're treating him as a bell cow, but don't see the need for 25+ carries. He's the more talented, explosive back and we need to get a lot of value out of him over his rookie contract to justify the investment. I get that. But losing him to injury could prove to be the difference between making and missing the playoffs in a tight NFC.

I love Morris as a back up and think he could be a very solid starter for us, but he's not a playmaker or a game changer. I think he should be getting more carries now so that Zeke is fresh and healthy down the stretch.

Yes run him into the ground then let him walk then draft another Rookie RB. Repeat this forever

 

[perrykemp]

25 carries a game (400 carries per season) would be more than Emmitt Smith ever had in a single season. Emmitt's high was 377.

History tell us that RBs who have 400 carry seasons burn out.

My preference would be for 20-22 carries.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I personally like around 18-20 for him. I'm my humble opinion, we ran Murray into the ground in 2014

I am on record saying that was the most mismanaged position on the team. It allowed him to get too pricey. It prevented us from seeing what Randle could REALLY do.

 

[ConceptCoop]

I think it would be a mistake if he DIDNT get 25+ carries a game.

He's a running back. Running backs require the ball.

RBs also break down. There have been a lot of studies that show RBs have a down year after getting 370 carries the year before. 25x16 = 400.

"After crunching the numbers for running backs who topped 370 carries, Schatz had this to say: "These backs basically fall into three categories: guys who got injured the next year, guys who were never as good again, and guys who are Eric Dickerson."

 

[Trouty]

RBs also break down. There have been a lot of studies that show RBs have a down year after getting 370 carries the year before. 25x16 = 400.

"After crunching the numbers for running backs who topped 370 carries, Schatz had this to say: "These backs basically fall into three categories: guys who got injured the next year, guys who were never as good again, and guys who are Eric Dickerson."

lmao!!!

 

[ConceptCoop]

Yes run him into the ground then let him walk then draft another Rookie RB. Repeat this forever

Right, but we need to him be healthy over that span. He's not holding up for 5 years with 370+ carries in each of them.

 

[tyke1doe]

It doesn't matter to me. He's young. Besides, just because he gets 25 carries this year doesn't mean that will be his load next year.
The comparisons between Zeke and Murray are faulty in that ...
1. Murray had a history of injuries; Zeke does not.
2. Murray was in his fourth year when he got close to 400 touches a year; Zeke is in his first year.

I suspect also Zeke is getting more touches because Dak is still young and still learning the quarterbacking position. I think Zeke's touches will decrease as Dak becomes more experienced and knowledge in the passing game.

I would like to see Morris get more touches, though.

 

[tyke1doe]

RBs also break down. There have been a lot of studies that show RBs have a down year after getting 370 carries the year before. 25x16 = 400.

"After crunching the numbers for running backs who topped 370 carries, Schatz had this to say: "These backs basically fall into three categories: guys who got injured the next year, guys who were never as good again, and guys who are Eric Dickerson."

Out of curiosity, how old were the running backs who exceeded 370 carries a season? Do you have that information?