Babe Laufenberg comments on Zeke

[JoeBoBBY]

I was against getting AP, but for getting elliot.

I was for getting AP. But, we didn't. And I think EE is the better gamble.....But we sort of lost a year. I know Romo was hurt. But , my gut feeling was we weren't as good as we were the prior year... even with Healthy Romo.

The DM thing was puzzling to me. Okay , I get it, we don't think DM is worth the money he was asking, so we play it conservative. We had a lot of momentum , team chemistry, swag built up, and DM played a major role in all of that.....but okay, this guy isn't worth the money.....

..But to have a backup plan of Randle/DMC was inexcusable to me. Especially if you consider the amount of time we have left with Romo.

If we are to make any noise in the playoffs, its going to be because of the Offense....

And, the FO is making it clear. Signing Morris, drafting EE 4th overall....Jackson...... Were going to run the ball; Were going to score TDs via the running game. Were going to protect our aging, beat up, franchise QB, Tony Romo, who has had 2 back surgeries, broken his collarbone 3 different times, and god knows what else..and is showing signs of falling apart these last few years........he isn't aging well. Once that body starts that downhill decline.....its doesn't stop;

We protect Romo by running that freaking football. Letting the big boys upfront, which we have spent a lot of resources on, win the game. Let them boys fire off the ball....not retreat. And wear down that defense. Then Romo chucks it to Dez late in the 3rd qrt, winning by 7, to put the game away on a 60 yard TD pass.....

But for the most part, I wanna hear EE left, EE right, Morris for 2.

 

[jday]

http://sportsday.***BANNED-URL***/d...ott-potential-something-crazy-special-cowboys

"Elliott has a chance to honestly be something crazy special. When I was talking about Elliott and people said, 'You don't need Elliott because that offensive line would make an average back good.' But I said, 'Why not make a great back a Hall of Famer?'"

This got me thinking and of a few other things I read. I have a question.

How many of you last year was saying you would give up a first for AP...then when the team said RBBC, you disagreed and wanted the likes of Michael from Seattle...then changed to, any RB can run behind OL coming into this years draft, we don't need a RB in the 1st, but yet was willing to trade a first last year for AP....

No this is not a call out thread, I am just curious, if you will be honest and went back and forth between all of this. And there is nothing wrong with it either. Just wondering how fans change their minds and / or opinions over the course of a year.

Like I started out saying go QB, you must go QB up to a few weeks before the draft, I realized Zeke was really more of a possibility, and QB was not. Then pushed for Zeke big time.
Now fast forward to next year, I may push Defense from the get go, then change to needing another WR, or may go QB again.
But picking 32, just BPA....

This was my progression last year. I was okay with Demarco's departure considering his age and his entire career not just 2014 as compared to the price he was asking. I wanted a rb in the first round, ideally Gurley. I was never okay with the likes of McFad and Randle running the show. I wanted Christine Michael, and I'll add, I don't believe he was ever given a fair shot to steal that role. Unfortunately, you can't predict personality issues. So coming into this year, I wanted Zeke and got Zeke. So now, I couldn't be happier.

 

[zrinkill]

Someone needs to tell Babe that the running game does not matter ........ I heard it from the experts on this board.

 

[erod]

Failing that, there's not really anything inconsistent with recognizing we were good enough along the OL to get by with what we had last season. The running game was adequate and wasn't one of the many things that was getting us beat last season.

Why be "adequate?" Why spend all these first-round picks on an offensive line just to be a "pretty good" running team.

Be great at it. Maximize it. Give these linemen a reason to be champing at the bit to blow holes open for backs that can actually take full advantage of it.

Otherwise, it's like a 4-cylinder engine in a Ferrari.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I don't really care what Babe thinks. I still hate the pick. Love Zeke and can't wait to see him in action but #4 on a RB was/is too high.

 

[surfernia]

As much I respect AP for his ungodly skills in RB position but he's not a young man anymore. His body will give in soon or later. It's better to invest into something that will be our long term growth. Zeke seems to possess such characters that can generate the push into championship. Garrett have been all about, "Right attitude and right mindset." Those mindset/attitude takes time and hopefully we can finally enjoy our championships soon once the right leadership sinks in with our team. I'm only afraid that our stardom and making our players instant rock stars just because they're Dallas Cowboys player come to an end. Our team needs to have a mind make up where you have to earn the star badge before you're a rockstar. We will see if our continued patience will translate into success with this team.

 

[erod]

I don't really care what Babe thinks. I still hate the pick. Love Zeke and can't wait to see him in action but #4 on a RB was/is too high.

I don't like the term...."a running back." It assumes that Lance Dunbar is the same thing as Darren McFadden, or that McFadden is the same as Joseph Randle.

I mean, they're all just running backs, right?

Zeke Elliott is like three running backs rolled into one. He can run for power, and he can break away with his speed. He has the vision most don't, and he sees blitzers better than most backs, too. And he can catch the ball like a receiver.

That isn't "a running back." That's a three-down player that can operate in the passing game, short yardage, with a lead, and with a deficit. He is built for ALL situations, not just a few.

 

[Corso]

I don't like the term...."a running back." It assumes that Lance Dunbar is the same thing as Darren McFadden, or that McFadden is the same as Joseph Randle.

I mean, they're all just running backs, right?

Zeke Elliott is like three running backs rolled into one. He can run for power, and he can break away with his speed. He has the vision most don't, and he sees blitzers better than most backs, too. And he can catch the ball like a receiver.

That isn't "a running back." That's a three-down player that can operate in the passing game, short yardage, with a lead, and with a deficit. He is built for ALL situations, not just a few.

Exactly. Zeke is a "weapon" on the field and useful in every situation and requires attention to be paid Every Single Down.

I endorse this weapon on our team.

 

[SultanOfSix]

I didn't like the pick because I was affected by all of the "experts" who said #4 for a running back is too high. But I also knew very little about Zeke. After reading some articles and watching some highlight videos, I think he's the total package. But what sticks out to me is what appears to be excellent vision along with the physical tools. I still think the pick is too high for a running back, but him as the pick looks to be worth the risk. No one will give a damn where he was picked if he helps the team to multiple Super Bowl victories.

 

[Plumfool]

This was a weird draft. Not a lot of top 10 talent. Anyone you would have taken at #4 would have been overspending. LA and Philly way overpaid for those two QBs. SD way overpaid for Joey Bosa.

Which is why i liked the Zeke pick. At least he SEEMS to be able to be a difference maker.

 

[rynochop]

I think Zeke is going to be a big weapon on those little dump offs Tony did with demarco over the middle, esp on blitzes

 

[erod]

I didn't like the pick because I was affected by all of the "experts" who said #4 for a running back is too high. But I also knew very little about Zeke. After reading some articles and watching some highlight videos, I think he's the total package. But what sticks out to me is what appears to be excellent vision along with the physical tools. I still think the pick is too high for a running back, but him as the pick looks to be worth the risk. No one will give a damn where he was picked if he helps the team to multiple Super Bowl victories.

And he does...not....fumble.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I've been pretty consistent in not being willing to spend resources at RB, and I think we overspent for Zeke (like the player, but we overspent). Peterson was an exception, because he actually is a special back. But even then the closest I got was flirting with being willing to overspend last season using that 60th pick or whatever it was we spent on Gregory.

Failing that, there's not really anything inconsistent with recognizing we were good enough along the OL to get by with what we had last season. The running game was adequate and wasn't one of the many things that was getting us beat last season.

Overall, I think the team played it just right but crapped out in the draft when Gregory dropped and the lower round backs we liked got picked early. But missing on the risk we took on Gregory and then reaching for a RB at 4 ended up being a bad use of resources.

I hope you eat crow on your view of the Zeke pick. As for Gregory, it's still far to early to say we "missed on the risk we took". The kid is still only 23 years old and far from not being an NFL player. In two years, both of these players could be Pro Bowlers for the Cowboys.

 

[Bowdown27]

I really wanted ramsay or zeke. After looking into it and with byron moving to safety I felt zeke was a fantastic option for this team. Marinelli loved the pick and can help our defense. If romo and dez are healthy this year with zeke and morris it can do wonders for us with all the moves we made on defense. I know people don't believe it but its true. We signed new d linemen rolando will be there for beginning of the season unlike last year scandrick back and jones moved to natural position safety.

This team can do well. especially if zeke can do what everyone thinks he can do and thats lead the league in rushing

 

[ChooChoo73]

Hate that Babe provided yet another way to get a Zeke thread in.
I also don't think Zeke and AP belong in the same thread.

 

[mattjames2010]

Zeke = LeSean McCoy to me.

Not in terms of playing style, in terms of what I believe his production will be. Which, at the end of the day, will never justify a top 5 pick. If he goes on to prove me wrong, that's great.

 

[Idgit]

Why be "adequate?" Why spend all these first-round picks on an offensive line just to be a "pretty good" running team.

Be great at it. Maximize it. Give these linemen a reason to be champing at the bit to blow holes open for backs that can actually take full advantage of it.

Otherwise, it's like a 4-cylinder engine in a Ferrari.

Because it doesn't help us win more games.

And that Ferrari can pass block, too.

 

[Idgit]

I hope you eat crow on your view of the Zeke pick. As for Gregory, it's still far to early to say we "missed on the risk we took". The kid is still only 23 years old and far from not being an NFL player. In two years, both of these players could be Pro Bowlers for the Cowboys.

I fully expect Zeke to deliver.

We'll see in Gregory. You're right he could turn it around. Trajectory is not good though. It was still a risk to take him in the 2nd.

 

[TwoDeep3]

I wanted to keep Murray over the folly of AD. Part of the reason Murray is on the outskirts of Minsk and not in Dallas was the dream of the leadership that they could pry AD away from Minny. Well, even a drunken sailor would know better. And there was a wealth of people hoping for that to happen on this board, and making some wild=eyed comments during that time.

But what strikes me the most hilarious about the way the events transpired is the continued argument about any back is fine behind this line and passing is all that matters. The graphs and charts crew got their hats handed to them by the people who know the game endorsing this move. The leadership evidently read the tea leaves and went out and drafted the best back in this draft to replicate 2014. Funny how that facts is ignored when agendas are on the line.

I was for Murray then and thought he was treated horribly by both the franchise and the fans. And not one person will convince me had he stayed he would be anything but a terrific back for this franchise. Chip Kelly is an idiot and that move was to beat Dallas and Murray be damned.

It is difficult to say with any certainty what Elliott will do behind this line. However, my personal belief is Elliott will become someone to rival Dorsett - and I saw every freakin game of Tony's - and a possibility of him being the guy to nudge the legacy of Emmitt - and I saw every one of his games as well.

To break it down, if I had the Murray of 2014 or Elliott of 2016 and beyond, I think I would take Elliott.

But that does not lessen my admiration for Murray, or my regard about his ability.

 

[Idgit]

I wanted to keep Murray over the folly of AD. Part of the reason Murray is on the outskirts of Minsk and not in Dallas was the dream of the leadership that they could pry AD away from Minny. Well, even a drunken sailor would know better. And there was a wealth of people hoping for that to happen on this board, and making some wild=eyed comments during that time.

But what strikes me the most hilarious about the way the events transpired is the continued argument about any back is fine behind this line and passing is all that matters. The graphs and charts crew got their hats handed to them by the people who know the game endorsing this move. The leadership evidently read the tea leaves and went out and drafted the best back in this draft to replicate 2014. Funny how that facts is ignored when agendas are on the line.

I was for Murray then and thought he was treated horribly by both the franchise and the fans. And not one person will convince me had he stayed he would be anything but a terrific back for this franchise. Chip Kelly is an idiot and that move was to beat Dallas and Murray be damned.

It is difficult to say with any certainty what Elliott will do behind this line. However, my personal belief is Elliott will become someone to rival Dorsett - and I saw every freakin game of Tony's - and a possibility of him being the guy to nudge the legacy of Emmitt - and I saw every one of his games as well.

To break it down, if I had the Murray of 2014 or Elliott of 2016 and beyond, I think I would take Elliott.

But that does not lessen my admiration for Murray, or my regard about his ability.

It would have been interesting to have watched the season TwoDeep apparently watched last season. I wonder how we did. It sounds like we weren't very good in his world, either. Only there, it was because of the RB and not the quarterback position.