Bell vs Zeke

[ringmaster]

If this is a repeat thread just disregard it. I was on Facebook earlier in the day and a poster who is not a Cowboys fan by the way posed this question about whose the better RB between Zeke and Bell? Unanimously most picked Bell over Zeke citing that same tired line about Zeke having "the best Oline in football" nonsense and how Bell is the best overall RB and Zeke is not even close garbage. I was being very complimentary about both guys and this Steelers fan debated with me that Bell runs better pass routes and is a much patient RB than Zeke so I reminded this fan that Zeke outperformed his boy Bell in the regular season game. Not trying to beat a horse but who do you guys think is the better RB honestly?

 

[pugilist]

Bell had wide open holes to run through all day today

Dumb argument to discount Zeke

 

[Texas_Pete]

Zeke is the better runner and pass blocker. So far, Bell is the better receiver. Zeke is All Pro and will improve in all aspects of his game. Give me Zeke.

 

[perrykemp]

Both are fantastic backs.

Major ding for Bell is availability (Injuries and suspensions). On the field he is a monster in both the running game and passing game.

I don't think we've seen half of what Zeke can do yet receiving.

 

[CATCH17]

Even if Bell is better you're talking about a rookie vs a 3rd year guy.

He'll wasn't near as good as Zeke at this point in both of their careers.


Also, Bell has been fortunate that he plays for the Steelers and hasn't got punished like he shouldfor failing drug test after drug test.

 

[Titleist]

Bell displays some of the most patient running I've seen in my 50+ years of watching football. It's astounding how long he'll wait for a hole to open and yet he bounces through like a bunny every time.

That said, I'll take Zeke any day.

ETA: for the more experienced folks out there, doesn't Bell's running style remind you of Gale Sayers just a bit?

 

[erod]

Bell is a unique back with great vision and patience.

Zeke is more of a Bo Jackson type with power and raw speed.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

It's Zeke. We just don't need to pass the ball as much to him. Zeke is the best pass blocker at the position and can run block like a FB. Zeke is the better runner too.

Quick question who has the longest passing TD between Bell and Zeke

 

[perrykemp]

They are both ultra-productive RBs:

Zeke ended the season with 1994 total yards in 15 games (132 yards per game)
Bell ended the season with 1884 total yards 12 games (157 yards per game)

Zeke is clearly the better pure runner. Bell looks to be the better receiver, at least at this stage of his career.

Really hard to go wrong with either guy. Given Zeke is a rookie this is a easy choice however, -- I'd take Zeke.

 

[ThreeandOut]

I guess these Bell supporters just conveniently forgot he has about half the number of rushing TD's as Zeke.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

They are so different. Bell developed that patience over time, after our second game Zeke developed patience through the first hole then he just goes.

Who knows what Zeke will develop later, but Bell makes multiple jump spots and cuts on one run....something Zeke can't do yet. Stringing together all those cuts makes Bell special. Zeke will just go, and runs much stronger than Bell will ever run right now.

I do hate to see people compare Bell to Barry. Barry was a cartoon character out there, Bell stops and goes with patience, huge difference that Zeke doesn't have yet. If I'm on the 1 yard line, I want Zeke, not close. In their careers right now, I want Zeke, unless I want to worry about another suspension from Bell.

If Zeke can eventually start stringing cuts together, that will be very very scary for everyone in the NFL.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Bell and Zeke are 1a and 1b to me. It's like arguing Peyton and Brady. As long as you have either, you're set.

 

[perrykemp]

I do hate to see people compare Bell to Barry. Barry was a cartoon character out there, Bell stops and goes with patience, huge difference that Zeke doesn't have yet. If I'm on the 1 yard line, I want Zeke, not close. In their careers right now, I want Zeke, unless I want to worry about another suspension from Bell.

I don't see the Bell - Barry Sanders comparison.

 

[robjay04]

Bell displays some of the most patient running I've seen in my 50+ years of watching football. It's astounding how long he'll wait for a hole to open and yet he bounces through like a bunny every time.

You know what?

I didn't notice it in September, October or December but I am noticing a hesitation in Zeke's runs recently.

He has been GREAT so far by part of that is our OL and his god given skill.

If he brings his patience and his tackle breaking to another level, watch out!

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Bell a better receiver imho has not been determined. Zeke looked pretty good out running those Steelers with the screen pass .......we DO NOT utilize ZEKE in the passing game like Bell is utilized......is this ZEKE lack of talent in the passing game? I suggest that is NOT the case......guess you can tell who I am partial too?

 

[DallasDomination]

Completely different runners..

Zeke= vision/speed/power in that order
Bell = patience/burst/pass catching

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I don't see the Bell - Barry Sanders comparison.

Yeah, I don't even know why they say it. I hate stupid, and it just sounds stupid. Waiting on blocks and totally disappearing from a defender is totally different.

I just want to know what Zeke will be, which he is already special. He learned that first cut early, I want the next one, and the next one. He's bigger and faster than Bell, but that vision and cut on the second level is what I'm looking for.

 

[Chuck 54]

Bell displays some of the most patient running I've seen in my 50+ years of watching football. It's astounding how long he'll wait for a hole to open and yet he bounces through like a bunny every time.

That said, I'll take Zeke any day.

ETA: for the more experienced folks out there, doesn't Bell's running style remind you of Gale Sayers just a bit?

I'm a huge Sayers fan. I think I see what you mean, but Bell has some jump cut in him. Sayers was just the smoothest runner I've ever seen, a guy who seemed he could cut back sharply or run in mud at full speed, always pulling away from tacklers and seeing angles that were still 20 yards away. He called it himself, "just give me 6 inches of daylight; that's all I need." Even in traffic, he just ran away from everyone, like he was invisible or something.

 

[alicetooljam]

Who cares? Ill take Zeke, Bell has been doing it longer. Ill let another fan have this small victory...for now.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

It's a great question, but give me Zeke because the talents are practicalLy even and Zeke isn't a pot head