BTB: What the Ezekiel Elliott suspension means for Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys

[waving monkey]

The news finally broke.

The long, drawn out NFL investigation into Ezekiel Elliott has finally reached its end point. ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced on Twitter that the 2016 rushing champion will miss the first six games of the 2017 football season. Zeke is expected to appeal the decision, but for now, the Cowboys head into the season with a hand tied behind their back.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys head into a critical stretch of games against quality opponents right out of the gate without the league’s leading rusher. Dallas opens the season with a NFC East showdown versus the New York Giants on a primetime stage. After that contest, the Cowboys are set to travel to Denver and Arizona before opening October against the Rams and Packers back home in Jerry’s World. The Cowboys then have a bye week before traveling back to San Francisco for the second straight season.

link/https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...means-for-dak-prescott-and-the-dallas-cowboys

 

[Shinaoi]

His job just got a lot harder. I think we will still do damage with running game no matter who is back there. We can run the wheels off the guys we got. I just don't know how much opposing defenses are going to gameplan without the fear of Elliot.

 

[stilltheguru88]

People making this a bigger deal than it should be

 

[LittleD]

This case if far, far from over and I don't think 6 games will hold up in the end after appeal and court. Even still, the Cowboys have 4 RBs on the team and if the OL can be
synced, they will win some games. Everything depends now on that "best" OL in the league to come together and get their "mean" on.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

His job just got a lot harder. I think we will still do damage with running game no matter who is back there. We can run the wheels off the guys we got. I just don't know how much opposing defenses are going to gameplan without the fear of Elliot.

I see more use of the slot wr offense that Patriots use. With Switzer and Beasley together more, along with Dez on the field. We still have success running the ball with Morris/McFadden, even Dak, but the long runs Zeke provided is what will be missing. Reason I see more of Switzer on the field more now with Zeke gone.

 

[Shinaoi]

Zeke did help the defense a lot keeping them off the field.

 

[ologan]

I see more use of the slot wr offense that Patriots use. With Switzer and Beasley together more, along with Dez on the field. We still have success running the ball with Morris/McFadden, even Dak, but the long runs Zeke provided is what will be missing. Reason I see more of Switzer on the field more now with Zeke gone.

I see where you're coming from, with the mention of the missing long runs that EE would provide. With a switch to the slot wr offense scenario, along with shorter runs by the RB's we have, we could actually see an increase in TOP for the 'Boys, which could be a very good thing, especially for the defense. Just a thought.

 

[cowboyblue22]

nfl defenses fear zeke they know he can go the distance every time he touches the ball the don't fear the other rb like that they will try to stop the pass and takeaway the offensive ability to score points if you cant score the running game don't really matter zeke scored 15 touchdowns last season after tony was hurt in 15 that is how they played the cowboys the cowboys still had a thousand yard back and won 4 games

 

[VACowboy]

If there was ever a second-year QB set up to avoid the dreaded "sophomore slump," it's Dak Prescott. First of all, it's just who he is. He's poised way beyond his years, works as hard as anybody and prepares meticulously. His goal since he entered the league was to be the best quarterback ever to play the game, and everything he does is predicated upon that kind of high-level success as a player and as a leader of his team. He's cool and unflappable, and that's never going to change, no matter how much film the league's defensive coordinators watch. And it's not like Prescott hasn't spent the off-season studying NFL defenses. Secondly, the Dallas offense, unlike other offenses around the NFL, is not built upon disguise and trickery. The Cowboys line up and kick your ***. It's that simple. Everyone already knows what's coming. They have for years, and with the current personnel on the Dallas side of the ball they just can't stop it. Last but certainly not least, Dak is just good, and he's going to prove it once and for all come September.

 

[Pants]

so they average 27/game instead of 30...defenses fearing the Zeke? They should fear the DAK!

 

[pugilist]

more Switz magic

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

It's a lot to put on a young QB in his second year. I don't care what anyone says Zeke was a major part of our offense. He kept the team moving. Without him we'll pass more which means that defense will more likely be on the field more.I have no faith in our current RBs unless someone emerges during pre-season. That's one thing during pre-season we better look for.

 

[cowboyblue22]

defenses don't fear the other running backs dallas has they will play pass defense and take away there ability to score points the running game wont matter much then in 2015 they had a 1000 yard running back and they still went 4 and 12

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

defenses don't fear the other running backs dallas has they will play pass defense and take away there ability to score points the running game wont matter much then in 2015 they had a 1000 yard running back and they still went 4 and 12

Running game wasn't the problem in 2015. Team ran for 1,890 yds, 4.6 yd average. Defenses didn't respect any of the qb's. Dak has weapons, more wr weapons than last year. Dez, Beasley, Witten, TWill, Switzer, Butler, even te's Swaim/Hanna/Gathers.

 

[Tabascocat]

I see more use of the slot wr offense that Patriots use. With Switzer and Beasley together more, along with Dez on the field. We still have success running the ball with Morris/McFadden, even Dak, but the long runs Zeke provided is what will be missing. Reason I see more of Switzer on the field more now with Zeke gone.

You have more faith than I do thinking that Garrett/Linehan will actually implement that. It is right there staring them in the face, but can they see it?

 

[NeonNinja]

Beasley and Switzer will be difficult to stop in slot.