Battle Lines: RB room has a great problem

[jazzcat22]

Bwaaaa!!!

So mentioning his name isnt talking about him now?

Just like you nailed zeke and pollard right?

You get spanked yet again!

Wow, how childish of you.

 

[CowboyRoy]

why does that matter yes he had nice stretches where he pumped up his yards per carry because of his limited carries that doesn't change the fact that he's getting worn down look at how he finished the season 3.8 yards per carry no touchdowns no explosive plays 51 yards per game I mean he was only a yard better than zeke at the end of the year in the playoffs the man is not a volume blue Cal three down back most backs like him who have limited carries and have his ability to burst and speed you know what they usually call a change of pace back do usually have higher yards per carries than the guys who are touching it 25 * a game or being told to run the plays straight up the middle or within the box his plays the designs he runs different plays than zeke ran..

There's a big difference between a big power back and a back like Pollard who his entire career was a backup running back slash wide receiver he never has been the starter he has nowhere near the mileage that zeke ended up having even when he first came into the NFL zeke had back-to-back 1800 yard seasons he was breaking off 200 yard games in the college football playoffs he was the Ohio State offense then comes in and has one of the best all time rookie running back campaigns the best in Cowboys history but top five all time of course he had a lot to live up to but please stop making the comparisons on just yards per carry because Emmett Smith didn't have that kind of yards per carry he had one season at 5 yards per carry and he had a bunch of seasons at 4 yards per carry or under seriously there's a big difference between the backs like Pollard Kamara even Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin cook then there is with power backs like all along history they're gonna have a lower average typically..
As great a player that Emmett Smith was he had a low average compared to Barry Sanders and other players that were quicker and smaller and that weren't being asked to basically take the ball 30 * a game and own time of possession that's the type of offense we had and that Emmett Smith ran emmitt Smith's greatest asset was his longevity and he hardly was ever injured that he can do what they asked and he did it over a long period of time. But he definitely didn't have the yards per carry that Barry Sanders had in some of the other backs who we're just fast third down backs **** backs change of pace backs you know those names that were given those type of guys. That's why Pollard kinda fits the new age offense better because you could do running back by committee but you could take advantage of his speed but you also can't rely on him to be a true number one back by giving him excessive carries you're also not gonna ask him to run between the tackles a lot so now we're gonna have to have a guy that can do that with Pollard I think we all like Tony Pollard but I'm getting tired of hearing about his yards per carry look how he finished the season that's what happens when you finally give up back like him more carries and in the end it seemed like too many carries because he has two injuries in six weeks we simply need to be careful with him that way he can be there and available to be better in the playoffs to have that kind of yards per carry and burst and explosive plays and touchdowns in the playoffs so I hope they find the right mix here with the goal being win enough games to get in the playoffs but you need to have your better run game and your better offensive line play in the playoffs and we haven't had that against the 49ers

Zeke isnt even a good power back or whatever nonsense excuse your making. Just look at his averages his first couple years and then the last couple.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Wow, how childish of you.

Im copying you.

And who is the child that cant admit he was wrong?

 

[BrassCowboy]

That's cool everyone's entitled to their opinion but the fact is most players are judged by their stats.

that's how they get paid by production, production equals stats ,

everyone that says that they don't matter and only wins matter you can't put one of sixty players accountable for wins and losses,

This is a team game , you know I find it ironic somebody put Gayle Sayers in the Hall of Fame with his meager production, he has no playoff history or no Super Bowls, they literally saw the guys talent and put him in, thats was a mistake for one I don't think the guy deserved it somehow they gave him a cookie because what his career could have been might have been so they didn't only not use stats they used projections and said hey this guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame because he might have been one of the best players to ever play the game..HMM??

how so how is a guy get in there with half the stats zeke has and he also has no rings, no championships, and no playoff history? I mean at least Elliott has two rushing titles could have had three in a row he led the league basically for four years in scrimmage yards and right now his career he has better stats than Terrell Davis and his stats equal to what Derek Henry's done and somehow people downplay what zeke did because he tailed off at the end of his career.

wow really a running back after seven years ran out of gas, given how much mileage he got his first four years, and also given what he did two straight years at Ohio State you do realize that he was the offense at Ohio State when they were in those playoff games it was zeke that carried that offense those were scrubs at quarterback the guy had back-to-back 1800 yard seasons... then comes into the NFL and nearly puts up 1700 yards in a rushing title his rookie year and his rushing stats his rookie year or almost what Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett did to put together as a rookie.

my point is zeke was almost happened to live up to his own lofty expectations he set as a rookie and the fact that he was picked number four overall but the man had a great career it's not his fault, it's not Prescott fault either it's not Tony romo's fault... you keep bringing up 30 years like a bunch of other what seemingly are common fans that like to parrot narratives you do realize these are players that weren't even born 30 years ago or 27 years ago they were not even here 10 years ago when we were striking out in the playoffs and yet somehow they're being held to a standard oh if they can't win in the playoffs and they win the big games their careers mean nothing.

that's ridiculous expectations set by fans creating false narratives parroting things that are being heat it up around the Internet and it's just not true. zeke had a great career whether you want to admit it or not because you didn't like that he got paid everyone that seems to get giant contracts and then somehow we don't end up having great playoff runs they all suck.

then somebody comes on and says well he only had two good years no you don't put up near 8300 yards and over 60 touchdowns by having a mediocre career in two years the man nearly had three straight rushing titles right out of college and he played very well for four years and it was the team that changed the coaching schemes that changed and injuries set in to a player who was used up and spit out around here.

That's all I'm saying I think too much credits given to other players on our 90s teams, Troy Aikman would never have been Troy Aikman without Emmitt Smith, that offensive line and that coaching staff with all those Hall of Fame players that when it counted in the playoffs, the team stepped up the, coaches stepped up it is not Prescott or zeke's fault that when they got to the playoffs and met some of the better teams they fell just short as individual players they can't be blamed there were so much that went on in those playoff games those four playoff losses you can't blame a single player.

Why don't you go check out some historical archives and some videos of big games in the playoffs for the Cowboys in the 70s and 90s where Roger Staubach or Troy Aikman had to play without the benefit of a strong run game, a great offensive line, great coaching and that they were well prepared and try to limit their mistakes as a team to win more games in the playoffs and Super Bowls. Where the quarterback or an individual player was asked to do something by himself to win big games. By the way do you need any proof of that I mean as great as the Cowboys were in the 70s they only won two Super Bowls with all that success and all those chances it happens mistakes were made people dropped touchdowns people didn't make the right block people had a fumble at the very wrong time somebody missed a kick it's just how it is in the NFL and right now we're going through a drought.

Lastly biggest thing for me is I think fans are ridiculous they don't even notice this is 27 to 30 years you guys are whining about it's not even the longest drought in NFL history we've seen those it took the eagle 60 years to win one Super Bowl it took the cheese 51 years between their Super Bowls to get back where they are now it took the Bengals you don't even have a Super Bowl win 31 years between Super Bowls I mean how long has it been since Washington won a Super Bowl and I know San Francisco has been playing very well lately but how long has it been since they actually won a Super Bowl I mean there are droughts all over the place Buffalo hasn't been back to or won a Super Bowl since the 90s as a matter of fact I don't even know did they have a Super Bowl win ever but yet they're still looked at as one of the better teams right now no one keeps parroting droughts with them I don't hear all the fans complaining about how long it's been no they just stay in the current situation and hope for the best

off my soapbox

Well I give ya credit for writing your opinion in the form of a novel. Much appreciated.as for Zeke, he is not going to go broke based on what us fans think. I don't hate Zeke, and I really wasn't mad when he got the raise in pay, but I will tell ya no team should ever do that again.My opinion now is that the RB position as a sole job to be the every down guy is 4-5 year job tops. I think all teams should go running by committee.

As for Pollard, I never suggested he should be the sole running back. He is a great running by committee type rb. I like the undrafted guy we picked up to be FB, think "on paper of course" he fits the Daryl Johnston mold but I with a little more half ack talent in him.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Zeke is 3rd all time rusher for Dallas.

How bad could he be?

Good for him he had a GREAT rookie year.
He wasn't consistent, and he surely wasn't good for the team the last few years. Time to move on regardless of how many yards he tallied up in the stats book

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Zeke isnt even a good power back or whatever nonsense excuse your making. Just look at his averages his first couple years and then the last couple.

Zeke is a pretty terrific short-yardage back.

That's not exactly skillset you pay for, but he's still about as good as it gets in those situations. There simply aren't a lot of backs who are able to -1-yard runs into 1-yard gains the way Zeke does.

 

[TNCowboy]

Wear down? Yeah he got injured but who do you compare him to to make your point? Zeke had maybe 2 good years with of being a rb mixed in with allot of blah 2 yard into piles of players while there is gasping holes on both sides type of plays. The guy had very poor vision for most of his career

 

[TNCowboy]

one of the best RBs in history of franchise? a bit of an exaggeration there. he sucked his last two years. one of the worst in franchise history.

He had 10,000 total yards and 80 TDs. He is certainly one of the best RBs in franchise history. Not the last few years, but overall, undeniably.

 

[jazzcat22]

Im copying you.

And who is the child that cant admit he was wrong?

I am not wrong, but if it makes you feel better to think you are right, knock yourself out. I have better things to do then waste my time with your childish school yard games.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Zeke is a pretty terrific short-yardage back.

That's not exactly skillset you pay for, but he's still about as good as it gets in those situations. There simply aren't a lot of backs who are able to -1-yard runs into 1-yard gains the way Zeke does.

I dont agree

 

[CowboyRoy]

I am not wrong, but if it makes you feel better to think you are right, knock yourself out. I have better things to do then waste my time with your childish school yard games.

Oh yah, zeke getting cut and jobless vindicated you. Lol

And pollard making the pro bowl showed how great you are at seeing a diamond RB in the rough.

 

[BrassCowboy]

What? That was supposed to be gaping wasn't it?

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

I dont agree

I mean that's fine, but the numbers are the numbers. By DVOA, Zeke was considerably better than Taylor, Harris, Henry, Cook, Walker, Kamara, and a host of other guys. That's almost entirely attributed to his short-yardage work.
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/nfl/rb/2022

 

[blueblood70]

Well I give ya credit for writing your opinion in the form of a novel. Much appreciated.as for Zeke, he is not going to go broke based on what us fans think. I don't hate Zeke, and I really wasn't mad when he got the raise in pay, but I will tell ya no team should ever do that again.My opinion now is that the RB position as a sole job to be the every down guy is 4-5 year job tops. I think all teams should go running by committee.

As for Pollard, I never suggested he should be the sole running back. He is a great running by committee type rb. I like the undrafted guy we picked up to be FB, think "on paper of course" he fits the Daryl Johnston mold but I with a little more half ack talent in him.

First of all I don't write anything thanks to new technology that's been around a while maybe you heard of it it's called talk to text, it's a dangerous thing lol

lastly, Dallas was not the first nor the last to draft RB high and pay them market money...

I agree unless you get a generational talent at running back which recently the NFL has signed guys like zeke, johnson, gurly, and McCaffrey, cook, Saquan was offered the money, you see Kamara and other guys up there and even Henry there's very little but they all got paid and there might be some dudes that get that kind of money again but it's going to be rare so unless we find that here,

I agree running back by committees better and Tony Pollard is probably not going to be here in 2024...

 

[visionary]

So, you already know that Pollard is going to get reinjured? Why would it automatically be the OL's fault if he does? Was it their fault he got hurt in the playoff game?

I don't really know how you come to make statements like this. "Your ilk" ?

I made only simple statements about football in general.

I’m predicting right now that Pollard will not be able to get through the entire season and playoff run without injury that causes him to miss games unless we get a RB not currently on the roster

I said that about the OL beyyou already mentioned “if the OL does their job” which will be the excuse you use to excuse lack of production from our run game. I know where you’re going

 

[gimmesix]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/battle-lines-rb-room-has-a-great-problem-in-23

It's been made deathly clear by head coach Mike McCarthy that moving on from Ezekiel Elliott has nothing to do with trying to replace one of the best running backs in the history of the storied franchise. To put it plainly, it's about turning to Tony Pollard and the youth at the position and asking them to take a big leap forward in 2023.

There you have it. Now will they gear the offense running plays to Pollard skill set. Something Moore would / could not do.

Are they really counting on a RB that seem to wear down after 15 touches a game, coming off a broken leg and torn ligaments.

I think 15 to 20 touches will be the expectation with him, with another 10 to 15 touches expected from the other backs. If we end up using Luepke as a short-yardage back (which I think is possible), that will eat up a lot of those touches, with Jones, Vaughn or Davis getting the remaining 5-8.

 

[gimmesix]

Random musings on the topic (not directed toward OP in any way)

It's a shame it took them so long to utilize Pollard's skill set. He's a great weapon. Let's hope the leadership maximizes his effectiveness.

I find it funny that so many have talked ad nauseum about RB's being a dime a dozen yet when we finally appear ready to utilize a less pedigreed stable there is suddenly angst and incessant talk of who they should go get.

If our OL does their job, I think the group we have will do just fine. However, let me be clear. RB talent does matter regardless of OL performance. There is a difference between Emmitt and Eddy Lacy regardless of the blocking in front of them. There will always be times where things won't be ideal and the RB's ability to overcome can really change the situations your team faces.

I think Davis could blossom. I really don't know much about the rook's. Hopefully they justify some of the lofty expectations I have seen on this board.

Well, the problem with the dime-a-dozen mind-set is that you don't know if you are getting great value or a clunker. So there's reason for concern until they show that there shouldn't be. I'm all for as much competition as possible to make sure we find our guys. And I'm all for improving any position. But I'm also OK with seeing what we've got first before doing anything more at the position.

 

[CouchCoach]

Pollard will be the feature back but he will share carries with Jones, Davis and Vaughn. Jones is a solid back and underrated.

 

[McKDaddy]

I’m predicting right now that Pollard will not be able to get through the entire season and playoff run without injury that causes him to miss games unless we get a RB not currently on the roster

I said that about the OL beyyou already mentioned “if the OL does their job” which will be the excuse you use to excuse lack of production from our run game. I know where you’re going

Offense is always largely contingent on how the OL plays. I'd be a fool to say the running game is independent. So, yeah if the OL doesn't do their job it will be a "reason" the running game didn't produce. Reason, not "excuse". There is a difference.

 

[McKDaddy]

Well, the problem with the dime-a-dozen mind-set is that you don't know if you are getting great value or a clunker. So there's reason for concern until they show that there shouldn't be. I'm all for as much competition as possible to make sure we find our guys. And I'm all for improving any position. But I'm also OK with seeing what we've got first before doing anything more at the position.

I think that is exactly the team's position as well. If we get deep in TC and don't feel like we've got answers, then I think the team will go out and get one of the more proven guys.