Cowboys may have their short-yardage solution in UDFA Hunter Luepke

[nalam]

Cowboys may have their short-yardage solution in UDFA Hunter Luepke
reidhanson
Sun, May 7, 2023

The Cowboys raised some eyebrows when they signed North Dakota State’s Hunter Luepke as UDFA following the draft. Widely regarded as the top FB in the class, Luepke embarks on the difficult task of convincing Dallas the position still has a place in today’s NFL.

Given Mike McCarthy’s respect for the position over the years in Green Bay, and the current state of the Cowboys running back room, this may not be difficult hill to climb for the 230-pound rookie.

The Cowboys are embarking into some unfamiliar territory this coming season. For the first time in seven years they don’t have an obvious answer for short-yardage situations.

Since joining the club in 2016, Ezekiel Elliott had nobly served that role (and more) in Dallas. But after the Cowboys and Elliott decided to part ways this past offseason, the all-important task is up for grabs.

Tony Pollard, the unquestioned RB1 in Dallas, isn’t an ideal option. He’s capable and willing to pick up the tough yards but it doesn’t play to his strengths as Pollard is best utilized in space. Besides, his game-breaking ability could be diminished if asked to take on the wear and tear of high-impact, short-yardage runs.

Read much more: https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-may-short-yardage-solution-220035617.html

Is it me or that uniforms looks like GB? LOL

 

[DuncanIso]

Tap the breaks a tad. No one is going to mistake this guy and Zeke when it comes to, well, much of anything.

Prime Zeke was a beast. Then he got paid, got hurt and started making business decisions.

Like Tony Pollard hurt?

Zeke made 72 million. I think he’s good.

 

[DuncanIso]

As long as Hunger Loepke continues being a productive addition to the C'boys, he'll have a place on this team. His talent speaks for itself.

To be fair, it’s a struggle for him to even make the team.

Maybe PS. After he’s cut.

 

[xwalker]

Cowboys may have their short-yardage solution in UDFA Hunter Luepke
reidhanson
Sun, May 7, 2023

The Cowboys raised some eyebrows when they signed North Dakota State’s Hunter Luepke as UDFA following the draft. Widely regarded as the top FB in the class, Luepke embarks on the difficult task of convincing Dallas the position still has a place in today’s NFL.

Given Mike McCarthy’s respect for the position over the years in Green Bay, and the current state of the Cowboys running back room, this may not be difficult hill to climb for the 230-pound rookie.

The Cowboys are embarking into some unfamiliar territory this coming season. For the first time in seven years they don’t have an obvious answer for short-yardage situations.

Since joining the club in 2016, Ezekiel Elliott had nobly served that role (and more) in Dallas. But after the Cowboys and Elliott decided to part ways this past offseason, the all-important task is up for grabs.

Tony Pollard, the unquestioned RB1 in Dallas, isn’t an ideal option. He’s capable and willing to pick up the tough yards but it doesn’t play to his strengths as Pollard is best utilized in space. Besides, his game-breaking ability could be diminished if asked to take on the wear and tear of high-impact, short-yardage runs.

Read much more: https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-may-short-yardage-solution-220035617.html

He was a RB, not FB in college.

He reminds me of Charbonnet with +15 pounds.

Maybe he should drop 10 pounds to play RB...

 

[xwalker]

He reminds me of Larry Csonka.

That's not good because Csonka is 76 years old.

I think Luepke is more 60-ish Csonka...

 

[big dog cowboy]

They didn't give him 200k for nothing.

 

[Rayman70]

They didn't give him 200k for nothing.

I agree, but we have seen this before. We did that last couple years with UDFA's. Then we cut em. His odds may be a bit better but by no means is he a lock.

 

[rambo2]

I agree, but we have seen this before. We did that last couple years with UDFA's. Then we cut em. His odds may be a bit better but by no means is he a lock.

I'll go on record. He will make the team as long as he is healthy.

 

[Rayman70]

I'll go on record. He will make the team as long as he is healthy.

Hope your right. I like him. We need a FB/HB hybrid like him.

 

[Buzzbait]

He reminds me of Larry Csonka.

I like that! Larry Csonka was one of my all time favorites. The Csonk wasn't a flashy speedster, but he was extremely reliable. When they needed that 1st down, they gave it to the Csonk.

 

[rambo2]

Hope your right. I like him. We need a FB/HB hybrid like him.

Have you checked out his pass receiving abilities?

 

[offlimits]

They didn't give him 200k for nothing.

THIS ^

 

[big dog cowboy]

he will be challenged to make the team.

Pollard
Vaughn
Jones
Davis
Dowdle

It's getting crowded. Luepke has a fight but it wouldn't surprised me if he kicks someone in that group off the 53. The Cowboys love him. My guess is Dowdle.

 

[BlindFaith]

Like Tony Pollard hurt?

Zeke made 72 million. I think he’s good.

Not sure what this means

 

[BlindFaith]

I'll go on record. He will make the team as long as he is healthy.

Kiss of death. Way to curse his career.

 

[plasticman]

I'm reading all this and I'm shocked a team didn't scoop him up in the 1st round.

"Gives something the Cowboys desperately need"

"Better than Czonka"

Wow, Elliot and Czonka were both top ten overall picks and we get somebody better in free agency?

Think how devastating it would have been if some other team drafted him in the 7th round with a compensatory pick.

 

[rambo2]

I'm reading all this and I'm shocked a team didn't scoop him up in the 1st round.

"Gives something the Cowboys desperately need"

"Better than Czonka"

Wow, Elliot and Czonka were both top ten overall picks and we get somebody better in free agency?

Think how devastating it would have been if some other team drafted him in the 7th round with a compensatory pick.

He can be better than Csonka...

He is a better athlete than Csonka was, but that was a much different era.

 

[rambo2]

Riggins is a better comparison.

 

[plasticman]

Riggins is a better comparison.

Another top ten draft pick. The Cowboys personnel have certainly mastered the area of rookie free agents.

So the next great FB/RB for the Cowboys can't be found in the top tier of the NFL draft like all previously mentioned players, he's among the group that you typically fill practice squads with. What are the odds?

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Also been compared to Alstott, fwiw.

Surprised how typically anyone seems to write about the player and fail to mention he's still rehabbing from a season-ending shoulder injury. It's only been local Fargo ND media that appears to have been aware.

At least it wasn't a leg or knee injury, so not too concerned. Put more padding on it. But even with Zeke the last couple of years it has been difficult to convert those 4th and 2. I think the below average C and LG play has had a lot to do with it. Not much push. Defenses knew they were coming and so did we. MM will need to be more diverse in his short yardage calling and not always just try to power it up the middle. Not with this OL.