Down playing Zekes importance

[408Cowboy]

They also never take into account that Zeke is an exceptional pass blocker, he can literally do anything you ask him to do and if they had a legit QB they would've beaten the Rams.

Utter ********. A legit defense kept us from beating the Rams.

 

[Ranching]

I'm sorry

 

[Whirlwin]

Without Zeke, Dak was whack.

You couldn't be more wrong.

 

[AsthmaField]

Don't care about contract talk right now, but I keep reading how Murray, Randle, McFadden and Morris were just as good as Zeke with our line.
First off, Murray played with Romo and Dez and a prime Witten where Romo was the player teams game planned for.
The other backs mentioned were never the focus of the offense and never commanded an extra man on the box they got the yards against 7 or 8 in the box.
Zeke goes against 8 or 9, allowing receivers to play man to man. Our receivers this year and Dak should flourish with Zeke and when they pull that extra man Zeke will tear them a new one.
No doubt our other backs will play well with our stud line, but will defenses respect our play action against them like they do against Zeke?

Exactly right.

Dallas needs him... which is why they’ll make sure he’s playing.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I just googled them and watched them all in the last half hour!!!

You are dedicated. lol

 

[Ranching]

You couldn't be more wrong.

Depends on how he used the word whack. It could have been Dak was whack or, Dak was whack. Which was it??? Hmmmmmm?

 

[Ranching]

Not sure if it's been said but the only thing I would change is that in 2015 the running game was the focus. They still produced admirably considering the crap we put out at QB.

I haven't watched any of those games recently so not sure what d they were up against. Playing prevent against ****** QBs and a solid run game seems to go against the grain.

@xwalker would be the one to answer this.

 

[Whirlwin]

Depends on how he used the word whack. It could have been Dak was whack or, Dak was whack. Which was it??? Hmmmmmm?

You're absolutely right I have no idea what he think that word means. I know what others think the word means but not this particular person. Co Cowboys LOL

 

[Cowboy4ever]

In the NFL, having a good to great running game is a huge plus. Especially if you QB is not elite. So we have two questions that we need to answer:

1. Is Dak an elite QB - from his reported contract requests, it seems to indicate that he thinks he is and if the team is willing to pay him that kind of money, they must think he is as well. If that is the case, you don't need a back like Zeke. But you still benefit from a good run game.
2. Is Zeke the only back that will produce a good to great run game with our OL and QB?

While I do not think that Dak is elite by any means, I do think we can win with him as long as we have a good run game and a solid D. I do not think that Zeke is the only back that can make our run game good. We do have a good to great OL depending on the health of Fred and Martin. So I would not cave into Zeke's demands. He can play or not, we would move forward and see what we have with the other backs and any FA we could get. If this teams fails because Zeke is out, then I wouldn't sign Dak to the contract he wants.

 

[America's Cowboy]

No one ever always gets a hole in one. You are comparing a proven #4 pick barring suspension his 2nd year could have the league rusher since he’s been here. Sure he needs to stay on the field but when he has, he’s played and got it done. Sure players picked later can be something but Are you not tired of waiting for potential? That #1 rb we have already gets it done

(in bold ^^^) Like Zeke "got it done" when it mattered most during the playoffs at the Rams???

 

[Lutonio]

Our passing game was to blame for that. That's why we traded a first round pick for Cooper. Does that ring a bell?

That's absolutely my point though. Maybe the thread should be about not under estimating the impact of Amari Cooper.

Of course I would much rather have him than not, but I just don't think hyper elite RB is as much of a requirement.

 

[408Cowboy]

@xwalker would be the one to answer this.

Or @percyhoward

 

[HellCrowe]

(in bold ^^^) Like Zeke "got it done" when it mattered most during the playoffs at the Rams???

But let’s hope pollard and Weber, 2 rookies get it done. Doesn’t make sense

​

 

[Ranching]

That's absolutely my point though. Maybe the thread should be about not under estimating the impact of Amari Cooper.

Of course I would much rather have him than not, but I just don't think hyper elite RB is as much of a requirement.

I think think Zeke and Cooper both benefitted from playing with each other. Cooper's numbers exploded when he came to Dallas. Maybe it was Gruden or maybe he wasn't happy at Oakland, or maybe the single coverage made him more dangerous.

 

[AsthmaField]

Depends on how he used the word whack. It could have been Dak was whack or, Dak was whack. Which was it??? Hmmmmmm?

I think he meant whack as in whack.

 

[Ranching]

I think he meant whack as in whack.

I hope not Whack as in the Sopranos Whack!!

 

[AsthmaField]

I hope not Whack as in the Sopranos Whack!!

Whatareyagonnado

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

The issue for me is that I don’t think we need a back as good as Zeke.

Guys like AdamJT and @percyhoward have produced compelling evidence that the team scores at a higher rate when we let Dak air it out (late in the first half, and late and close in the 4th quarter and OT) rather than relying so heavily on the run game.

More generally, the historic evidence is that success running the ball isn’t particularly correlated with winning.

We implemented a run heavy, ball control offense to protect what was for many years a porous defense. Our defense appears to have improved and our air attack is much better than it’s generally given credit for.

So why not try going back to relying more on an efficient passing attack, which has historically proven to be more successful in this league?

 

[HellCrowe]

The issue for me is that I don’t think we need a back as good as Zeke.

Guys like AdamJT and @percyhoward have produced compelling evidence that the team scores at a higher rate when we let Dak air it out (late in the first half, and late and close in the 4th quarter and OT) rather than relying so heavily on the run game.

More generally, the historic evidence is that success running the ball isn’t particularly correlated with winning.

We implemented a run heavy, ball control offense to protect what was for many years a porous defense. Our defense appears to have improved and our air attack is much better than it’s generally given credit for.

So why not try going back to relying more on an efficient passing attack, which has historically proven to be more successful in this league?

Let’s look at the past two Super Bowl champs. The more balanced team won and I would say still relied heavily on the running attack.

Eagles
27 attempts for 6.1 yards per rushing attempt
29/44 for 8.5 yards per pass attempt

Patriots
32 attempts for 4.5 yards per rushing attempt
21/35 for 7.5 yards per pass attempt

My whole argument is you have a running back better than everyone elses. The time to win is now. All of a sudden, 2 rookies and an Alfred Morris is all it takes? Pass what you guys are smoking!!

Some people want to pitch in Jay Ajayi (still in the market for a reason) and Duke Johnson (who has never rushed more than 500 yards in a season).

Let’s split the time between 4 rbs/1fb. How many running backs do you plant to take into a game?

After over 20 years we have a good thing going and some of us want to put our chances on the “potential” of 2 rookies + Alfed Morris because it’s better than Ezekiel Elliot. lol like what!?

 

[TwoDeep3]

I think he's a fantastic player but let's also remember the team was still 3-5 even with him at the break last season. And no passing game

I fixed this for you.