Cowboys and Short-Yardage Backs

[Cowboys5217]

"Short yardage back" is no different from "cold weather kicker". It is bs designed to sell you on bad contracts.

 

[Silly]

I don't know. Just from what I recall, I remember Zeke getting stuffed a lot on 3rd down. I don't think he was a good short yardage back. Look to Jerome Bettis if you want a model of a short yardage back.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't know. Just from what I recall, I remember Zeke getting stuffed a lot on 3rd down. I don't think he was a good short yardage back. Look to Jerome Bettis if you want a model of a short yardage back.

I think Elliott was good on rushes inside the 5 yard line last year.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/redzone-rushing.htm

 

[Cowboyny]

He will meet someone in the hole soon and hurts will learn to turn around and hand the ball off. I remember when we had (safety) Roy Williams, he would sniff those up the gut runs out and come down hill in the hole and it made a very special sound when he collided with them.

Hasn't happened yet and they are changing a rule cause of his success.

 

[glimmerman]

Hasn't happened yet and they are changing a rule cause of his success.

What are they changing. No longer allowed to touch a running qb until he reaches the second level. Lol.

 

[Cowboyny]

What are they changing. No longer allowed to touch a running qb until he reaches the second level. Lol.

Backs can no longer push the QB forward in short yardage.

 

[Creeper]

I don't disagree with this. Zeke was successful in short yardage situations because he ran between people not over them. When he ran directly into the back of his blocker he get stuffed like every other back.

 

[blueblood70]

In the past year we've repeatedly heard Zeke described as a "Short-Yardage back" or "Short Yardage Specialist." Many here argue that every team needs such a big, bully back, esp. the Cowboys. They want that big 225-240lb guy who can hit the wall of the defense yet still bully his way for a yard or two.

I suggest we look at what top NFL coaches think about this subject and how they are building their Running Back rooms. What are their views on the "Short-Yardage Specialist"?

Before we look at the RBs of top teams, let's chew on what Running-Game Guru thinks.

49er Head Coach Kyle Shanahan says:

tell KM about not running into pile over and over and over and over, lol he ruined zekes last few seasons,

 

[blueblood70]

Backs can no longer push the QB forward in short yardage.

BUT OL can??

 

[Cowboyny]

BUT OL can??

Yes, but they are usually in front of him blocking.

 

[blueblood70]

Yes, but they are usually in front of him blocking.

not on short yardage, the eagles lived on basically Getting hurts in a scrum lifting his feet off the ground and walking him inLOL

 

[OmerV]

In the past year we've repeatedly heard Zeke described as a "Short-Yardage back" or "Short Yardage Specialist." Many here argue that every team needs such a big, bully back, esp. the Cowboys. They want that big 225-240lb guy who can hit the wall of the defense yet still bully his way for a yard or two.

I suggest we look at what top NFL coaches think about this subject and how they are building their Running Back rooms. What are their views on the "Short-Yardage Specialist"?

Before we look at the RBs of top teams, let's chew on what Running-Game Guru thinks.

49er Head Coach Kyle Shanahan says:

I started saying this last year about Pollard and Zeke - that despite not being as big or strong, Pollard appeared to be as good a short yardage guy as Zeke because he was better at finding seams to get that extra yard. I also felt he was better at keeping his legs churning after contact.

That said, I like the idea of a bigger, stronger RB to pair with Pollard for several reasons. First, even though he might not be better, he may be able to take more of the punishment that goes with fighting for the tough extra yards with big bodies hitting and piling on. Second, it's a change of pace, and a different challenge for opposing defenses. Some defenses may be better or worse at stopping different kinds of RB's. Third, that kind of RB may have value grinding out yardage and time when trying to run out the clock with a lead.

 

[CowboyRoy]

A look at the Super Bowl teams.

Do we see big power backs? "Short-Yardage" specialists?

-Isiah Pacheco, 5'11, 215 lb... 170 carries (I doubt he weighs even that much)
-Jerick McKinnon, 5'9 201... 72 carries
-Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 5'8 209... 71 carries

No power backs.

Eagles?
Miles Sanders, 5'11, 211... 259 carries
Boston Scott, 5'6, 203...54 carries
Kenneth Gainwell, 5'9 200 ...53 carries



Eye test on Pacheco - Real weight?
https://www.ksn.com/wp-content/uplo...2333572824494.jpg?w=1752&h=986&crop=1[/image]

Eye test on Sanders - Real weight?
https://cdn.profootballrumors.com/files/2020/10/USATSI_15047165.jpg

Only zeke apologists talk about short yardage backs and blocking backs.

 

[diamonddelts]

Broken tackles were a disappointment but believe me he was punishing. When he runs in the pile everyone feels it. He just can’t reach that second level. Sure was a quick drop off wasn’t it.

Punishing? NFL lineman feel him in the pile? NFL lineman felt the power of a 220 pound back? LMAO. I don't know what games somebody of you guys are watching.

I think most here don't remember what a large runningback is. And they definitely have not seen the previous generations of runningbacks with real power.

 

[glimmerman]

Punishing? NFL lineman feel him in the pile? NFL lineman felt the power of a 220 pound back? LMAO. I don't know what games somebody of you guys are watching.

I think most here don't remember what a large runningback is. And they definitely have not seen the previous generations of runningbacks with real power.

Those RBs no longer play the game. No more earl cambell types.

 

[conner01]

Shanahan might be regarded as the best mind amongst coaches when it comes to the run game.

His lead backs this year:
McCaffrey, 159 carries...5'11 205 lbs
Jeff Wilson, 92 carries...6'0 194
Elijah Mitchell, 45 carries...5'10, 200 lbs

Big and powerful? Nope. Any "Short-yard specialists"? Nope.

The smart thing he does is limit the carries but still get touches for CMC
CMC avg 14 carries a game
But he got the ball in space as part of the passing
That’s the blueprint for pollard
Get the ball in his hands in space not pounding him between the tackles all game

 

[T-RO]

You got bad memory, Zeke had 12 TD on the season not from long break away runs but runs up the gut often vs stacked lines.

I remember lots of 1 yard dive TDs.
Don't remember him knocking guys silly.
Don't remember him running over anyone

 

[T-RO]

tell KM about not running into pile over and over and over and over, lol he ruined zekes last few seasons,

Yes we are aware of your narrative that Kellen Moore conspired to keep Zeke from all-pro production

 

[Doomsday101]

I remember lots of 1 yard dive TDs.
Don't remember him knocking guys silly.
Don't remember him running over anyone

More than 1 yard but none the less the topic was short yardage, when defense stack the line they know what is coming. Zeke always managed to drive forward and pick up the yardage. Having said that I agree with the Cowboys releasing him but I am not going to sit on here and dump on the guy. Zeke has always ran tough

 

[T-RO]

More than 1 yard but none the less the topic was short yardage, when defense stack the line they know what is coming.

Zeke's 2022 TD's by yardage
1
14
1
1
6
4
2
10
1
1
1
1

As his career nears the end...the dude could still fall forward. Props for that.