News: BR: Tony Pollard: "I thought I would probably have a better year than I am now"

[CATCH17]

The replies in this thread are so cringe.

You guys think it’s because he’s the starter now or some other BS reason other than the fact we can’t run block at all.

 

[CATCH17]

The guys in the top third of the league with a crappy blocking scheme, a dink & dunk pass game, while recovering from a horrible injury.

Yeah, he sucks, honestly some of you should follow bowling or tennis.

It’s bad.. Like just shows a lot of people don’t know what they’re watching.

Imagine blaming Tony Pollard and because he’s the starter now for his struggles. Just lol.

 

[G2]

Pollard came off injury, I'll give him that. But lets not pretend the front office/staff screwed the pooch solidifying the RB roster. They had all the time in the World.

 

[Redline360]

He's not having a terrible season by any means. OL blocking is atrocious, the scheme did not improve with MM, and constantly gets hit behind the los.

I think people still have the mentality that premier backs are the norm and want early zeke level production. The CMC and Henry's are a dieing breed an an anomaly now. Henry has slowed down alot.

But yes most of us would agree we would have liked to seen more out of Pollard and Dowdell. He has looked more explosive lately however getting destroyed by holding calls on big runs

 

[G2]

The guys in the top third of the league with a crappy blocking scheme, a dink & dunk pass game, while recovering from a horrible injury.

Yeah, he sucks, honestly some of you should follow bowling or tennis.

Top third? He's average statistically.

 

[silvernblu]

Yes, Pollard gets hit often behind the line, but I also see him run into the wrong hole often. In my opinion, he lacks the natural instincts as a runner. Also, he isn't much of an asset in the passing game, when they do throw to him he usually drops the football.

He’s an open field guy. Swing outside into free space. Get him a pass a few yards downfield.

He’s not a between the tackles guy.

They are not using him to his strengths.

 

[DallasInDC]

That's a valid theory, and I suspect there's some truth to it.

As I've studied the fall-off of running backs a lot...I think it's more just his age and total carries. Rbs typically fade starting in their fourth season...it's overwhelming when you look at the data.

This may be part of it, but Pollard has had a low number of touches throughout his career including college, so there is not a lot of wear and tear on his body...which is what usually leads to the 4th year decline. I lean more to he is an excellent change of pace/2nd back/RB-by-committee type back and was never suited to be an every down back. Last year when he said his legs were done after 31 carries, I knew he wouldn't be able to carry a full time load.

 

[John813]

Yes, Pollard gets hit often behind the line, but I also see him run into the wrong hole often. In my opinion, he lacks the natural instincts as a runner. Also, he isn't much of an asset in the passing game, when they do throw to him he usually drops the football.

Have you seen a breakdown on the run blocking scheme Dallas is running this year?
Curious if they are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with Pollard.
I'm too lazy to rewatch games but it feels like the RBs this year for most inside runs are assigned gaps and not reading like they did in years past with the OZBS

I know last year they were below the NFL average for success rates running Outside zone runs(20% vs NFL 24%) last year
Barely above Inside zone (27% vs 26%)
At NFL average for Man at 28%

But with Philbin out and Solari knowing every scheme since Dinosaurs walked the earth I haven't seen an breakdown yet on splits on blocking schemes.
He has coached all sorts of blocking schemes.
And of course every team will have run calls that incorporate every scheme but lean on some more than others.

 

[CATCH17]

This may be part of it, but Pollard has had a low number of touches throughout his career including college, so there is not a lot of wear and tear on his body...which is what usually leads to the 4th year decline. I lean more to he is an excellent change of pace/2nd back/RB-by-committee type back and was never suited to be an every down back. Last year when he said his legs were done after 31 carries, I knew he wouldn't be able to carry a full time load.

That’s a cool theory and all.

But.. Have you actually watched our games and have you seen that we can’t block?

 

[805BoysInBlue]

What is this o line rated as far as Run Blocking?

 

[Staubacher]

Not used properly and coming off bad injury. Still getting 4 ypc.

The Great Zeke got 3.8 last year.

Pollard still has a chance to rewrite his 2023 season story in the playoffs. Not his fault HCs game plan is runs up the middle almost every 1st down.

 

[CATCH17]

What is this o line rated as far as Run Blocking?

Do we need a number to quantify it to manipulate what’s clearly on screen?

 

[dmq]

He left a little meat on the bone.

 

[Rowdy1]

Well he has over 900 yards so far and is averaging a bit over 4 yards per carry. Thats not exactly a slouch either. He is not Zeke 2016 but looks a lot like Zeke from 2020 to present.

 

[rags747]

CowboyRoy was wrong about a lot of things. Too bad he's no longer around to eat lots of crow. He was wrong about Tony Pollard, this Oline, Biadasz supposedly was going to make the Pro Bowl, the Cowboys would fare better without Zeke, etc.

CowboyRoy, now that you mention it where did he go?

 

[CATCH17]

CowboyRoy, now that you mention it where did he go?

Haha I blocked him and a few others awhile back. Its been nice ever since.

Dude was the king of straw man arguments.

 

[John813]

CowboyRoy was wrong about a lot of things. Too bad he's no longer around to eat lots of crow. He was wrong about Tony Pollard, this Oline, Biadasz supposedly was going to make the Pro Bowl, the Cowboys would fare better without Zeke, etc.

 

[Rack]

Have an Emmitt-like playoffs and you'll be forgiven, TP.

 

[IheartRomo]

The guys in the top third of the league with a crappy blocking scheme, a dink & dunk pass game, while recovering from a horrible injury.

Yeah, he sucks, honestly some of you should follow bowling or tennis.

Dink and dunk passing game? Have you time traveled back to 2017? This is one of the most vertical passing attacks in the league and hits chunk plays at a top 3-5 rate lol. Incredibly confused comment.

 

[noletime95]

We’ve got to get Pollard going somehow if we’re going on a deep playoff run.