Does Zeke Need More Carries?

[JD_KaPow]

Zeke had 7 touches in the first half and our offense struggled with inconsistency...as was the case against Pittsburg. It's not a mystery that we flipped the script and became dominant in the 3rd when we got back to the formula that makes us great...particularly when we get the ball to him in space in the passing game instead of Dunbar.

It was more that he got few touches because the offense was inconsistent, not the other way around. First drive: run for 1, run for 2, incomplete. Later: pass to Zeke for -1, Zeke run for 0, incomplete. Later: Zeke run for 3, called back by holding penalty, 1st-and-20 (that ended up being a Zeke-free TD drive). The lack of Zeke touches was more situational than a deliberate choice not to use him.

(Also, with no Jimmy Smith back there and a very strong run defense, more passing was called for.)

 

[MagicMan]

25 average in carries per game is about right for Zeke. Since he is a 3 down back and used as a blocker as well as a receiver there are much more than 25 collisions for him in that game. Let him take a few blows in between when he wants. Actually I would not mind if they would bring in DMac to take some carries as well. Morris has not been gaining as many yards as I thought he would----he may be the type that needs carries to get in the flow.

As for Zeke hitting a wall----remember he did play a maximum amount of games per season at Ohio State going deep into the tournament and winning a title. So there weren't many 12 games only seasons for him.

 

[cowboys1981]

He slowed down yesterday. Don't be fooled. Zeke is feeling the effects of his workload this year. We have 6 more games plus playoffs. He needs help.

That's what happens when you face the true number one defense in the league. Baltimore is physical. Stop over thinking it. Quit comparing two different eras. TC back then allowed for proper game day conditioning. Zeke will be fine.

 

[cowboys1981]

Zeke taps out of games frequently. Emmitt never did that, ever.

His carries need to be limited. He's never played more than 13 games before, and most of those were against powderpuffs. There are none of those in the NFL.

If he's going to play 18 or 19 games, you've got to save him.

Wow, let's find that one thing and run with it. Zeke is fine.

 

[Risen Star]

Yes. Like a true workhorse RB ala Emmitt. Pay no mind to the sissy thought of saving players. Use your talent.

 

[JD_KaPow]

25 average in carries per game is about right for Zeke. Since he is a 3 down back and used as a blocker as well as a receiver there are much more than 25 collisions for him in that game. Let him take a few blows in between when he wants. Actually I would not mind if they would bring in DMac to take some carries as well. Morris has not been gaining as many yards as I thought he would----he may be the type that needs carries to get in the flow.

As for Zeke hitting a wall----remember he did play a maximum amount of games per season at Ohio State going deep into the tournament and winning a title. So there weren't many 12 games only seasons for him.

Ack, 25 carries per game is 400 per season, and that's far too many. Almost all RBs in NFL history who've had that many carries in a season have ended up hurt or ineffective the next year (and often beyond). How much are we willing to gamble that Zeke is an exception?

(Not to mention that we have the playoffs to think about).

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Zeke taps out of games frequently. Emmitt never did that, ever.

His carries need to be limited. He's never played more than 13 games before, and most of those were against powderpuffs. There are none of those in the NFL.

If he's going to play 18 or 19 games, you've got to save him.

Well Zeke and Emmitt have different running styles. Probably Emmitt's best trait was avoiding a hit, something Zeke actually seeks on alot of plays.

We thought it was cool when Barber was a warrior and such, but its not cool, makes for a short career. At least Zeke knows it, and can realize it with that big head of his (yeah thats Stephen A, but its still funny).

We thought we were going to lose this game for a long time, gave him 25 carries, which is the max for the regular season to me. Emmitt, wasn't really a max for him, he was different. Zeke, needs a max.

 

[robbieruff]

It was more that he got few touches because the offense was inconsistent, not the other way around. First drive: run for 1, run for 2, incomplete. Later: pass to Zeke for -1, Zeke run for 0, incomplete. Later: Zeke run for 3, called back by holding penalty, 1st-and-20 (that ended up being a Zeke-free TD drive). The lack of Zeke touches was more situational than a deliberate choice not to use him.

(Also, with no Jimmy Smith back there and a very strong run defense, more passing was called for.)

Agreed...we allowed the situation to dictate how we chose to attack them until we decided otherwise in the second half. We allowed the Ravens to dictate to us and then we decided to dictate to them starting in the 3rd quarter...EXACTLY MY POINT!

 

[GIFTS86]

There are alot of good points in this thread. Either way I'm fine with everything to this point. Come playoff time I really hope they unleash him in the passing game. Just another threat to try to cover.

 

[kevm3]

Zeke doesn't need more carries. Our goal isn't to get Zeke to break Eric Dickerson's record. That's what a mediocre to bad team will do since they don't have anything else to play for. Our goal is to bring back a superbowl to Dallas, so we will have to be very careful about running Ezekiel Elliott into the ground. Next year, I look at drafting another runningback as high as two just to have a nonstop potent offensive attack.

 

[Doomsday]

I think he would of gotten a few more carries if they had converted a few more of those 3rd downs in the first quarter.

I would like to see what McFadden can do in Morris' place as well.