Elliott's going to average 4.5 YPC

[RonnieT24]

I can see that as a posibility. The most relieved person is probably Dak because of Zekes blitz and pass protection......one of those other jag running backs could get Dak a visit to the ER.

Yeah when I watched Zeke last year in NE I saw two things.. 1) He was getting zero blocking and 2) even with no blocking he was a load to bring down. One other thing I saw though was when they threw him the ball and got him in space he could do thangs. That 70+ yarder that got called back brought back memories of young Zeke because he just hit the accelerator and outran the secondary to the end zone. I never thought we would see that out of Zeke after the two straight seasons of knee injuries but there it was. Even though it got called back for a VERY iffy holding call that took place behind the play I was impressed seeing it. I was similarly impressed with the hurdle TD against the Steelers. That told me that some of the pep was back in Zeke's step. But I don't believe for one second he can do that for 20 carries a game week in an week out. Father Time don't work that way. That puts the onus on McCarthy and Schottie to pick their spots with Zeke. Maybe DON'T start him.. Let Freeman or Dowdle soften the defense up THEN hit 'em with a fresh and hungry Zeke. I was actually excited to see what that might look like with him and Pollard swapping roles in Dallas.. but this way might work just as well. I envision Zeke in that Marion Barber role of coming in and tearin the defense a new one without regard for his own body. Just 10-12 carries of violent running and then handing it over to him if we have a lead and need to close the game out.

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah when I watched Zeke last year in NE I saw two things.. 1) He was getting zero blocking and 2) even with no blocking he was a load to bring down. One other thing I saw though was when they threw him the ball and got him in space he could do thangs. That 70+ yarder that got called back brought back memories of young Zeke because he just hit the accelerator and outran the secondary to the end zone. I never thought we would see that out of Zeke after the two straight seasons of knee injuries but there it was. Even though it got called back for a VERY iffy holding call that took place behind the play I was impressed seeing it. I was similarly impressed with the hurdle TD against the Steelers. That told me that some of the pep was back in Zeke's step. But I don't believe for one second he can do that for 20 carries a game week in an week out. Father Time don't work that way. That puts the onus on McCarthy and Schottie to pick their spots with Zeke. Maybe DON'T start him.. Let Freeman or Dowdle soften the defense up THEN hit 'em with a fresh and hungry Zeke. I was actually excited to see what that might look like with him and Pollard swapping roles in Dallas.. but this way might work just as well. I envision Zeke in that Marion Barber role of coming in and tearin the defense a new one without regard for his own body. Just 10-12 carries of violent running and then handing it over to him if we have a lead and need to close the game out.

I don't. I see him out with the starters but getting a few more breaks than he did before. If we had someone else that we could trust with the starting role, maybe it would be different, but if we think he's still a starting back, a No. 1, which I think the Joneses do, then you are going to want your best personnel on the field to give you a chance at building a lede. The only real difference I see is that they will want to keep him fresh throughout the game.

Frankly, I'd prefer he not be the closer. We brought in Freeman as a big back, let him pound defenses when we have a lead. Maybe Dowdle also would be fine for that role. Limit Zeke to when we are trying to build a lead to protect, if we truly believe he's still a No. 1 back.

 

[diamonddelts]

Yeah when I watched Zeke last year in NE I saw two things.. 1) He was getting zero blocking and 2) even with no blocking he was a load to bring down. One other thing I saw though was when they threw him the ball and got him in space he could do thangs. That 70+ yarder that got called back brought back memories of young Zeke because he just hit the accelerator and outran the secondary to the end zone. I never thought we would see that out of Zeke after the two straight seasons of knee injuries but there it was. Even though it got called back for a VERY iffy holding call that took place behind the play I was impressed seeing it. I was similarly impressed with the hurdle TD against the Steelers. That told me that some of the pep was back in Zeke's step. But I don't believe for one second he can do that for 20 carries a game week in an week out. Father Time don't work that way. That puts the onus on McCarthy and Schottie to pick their spots with Zeke. Maybe DON'T start him.. Let Freeman or Dowdle soften the defense up THEN hit 'em with a fresh and hungry Zeke. I was actually excited to see what that might look like with him and Pollard swapping roles in Dallas.. but this way might work just as well. I envision Zeke in that Marion Barber role of coming in and tearin the defense a new one without regard for his own body. Just 10-12 carries of violent running and then handing it over to him if we have a lead and need to close the game out.

Until he fizzles out. And Ronnie goes M.I.A. again when he is out of 3 paragraph excuses for Zeke mid season.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Until he fizzles out. And Ronnie goes M.I.A. again when he is out of 3 paragraph excuses for Zeke mid season.

You are free to root against cowboys players if thats how you rolĺ. But why target zeke.

What players have helped us win a super bowl? Do you root against other cowb
oys who arent that great.. or do you just hate zeke and ronnie?

You can go ahead and call out insult other good fans / forum members...be the best human you can be.

 

[shabazz]

handing it over to him if we have a lead and need to close the game out.

The main question is that are the majority of games being closed out by him in the WIN or LOSS column?

I looking just at those tough AFC North defenses they have to face and not feeling as confident as some.

I have no issue with Zeke being here because I think I know what the FOs real goal is.........some things have to get worse before getting better.

 

[RoboQB]

I predict at least 800 yards, 4 yards per carry, and 10 td's if given the load.

I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, a John Riggins-like season for Zeke could be possible. A throwback to
1985ish football.
"Riggo" never averaged more than 3.8 ypc with the
Red skins. He also scored 62 tds in 5 years.
So, I like your predictions. I'll say 750 yards 3.7 ypc
and 11 tds. Probably a surprising number of catches
(51 in NE with a popgun arm QB tossing it around).

Also, see Marcus Allen's stats as a Chief and OJ Anderson as a Giant.

 

[diamonddelts]

You are free to root against cowboys players if thats how you rolĺ. But why target zeke.

What players have helped us win a super bowl? Do you root against other cowb
oys who arent that great.. or do you just hate zeke and ronnie?

You can go ahead and call out insult other good fans / forum members...be the best human you can be.

I am sure Ronnie is a good man. However, he chooses to do a Houdini act rather than admit when he's wrong.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I am sure Ronnie is a good man. However, he chooses to do a Houdini act rather than admit when he's wrong.

What has he beèn wrong about?

 

[RoboQB]

Yeah when I watched Zeke last year in NE I saw two things.. 1) He was getting zero blocking and 2) even with no blocking he was a load to bring down. One other thing I saw though was when they threw him the ball and got him in space he could do thangs. That 70+ yarder that got called back brought back memories of young Zeke because he just hit the accelerator and outran the secondary to the end zone. I never thought we would see that out of Zeke after the two straight seasons of knee injuries but there it was. Even though it got called back for a VERY iffy holding call that took place behind the play I was impressed seeing it. I was similarly impressed with the hurdle TD against the Steelers. That told me that some of the pep was back in Zeke's step. But I don't believe for one second he can do that for 20 carries a game week in an week out. Father Time don't work that way. That puts the onus on McCarthy and Schottie to pick their spots with Zeke. Maybe DON'T start him.. Let Freeman or Dowdle soften the defense up THEN hit 'em with a fresh and hungry Zeke. I was actually excited to see what that might look like with him and Pollard swapping roles in Dallas.. but this way might work just as well. I envision Zeke in that Marion Barber role of coming in and tearin the defense a new one without regard for his own body. Just 10-12 carries of violent running and then handing it over to him if we have a lead and need to close the game out.

Agreed. NE was horrid. I think they lost three consecutive games with the opponent scoring 10 points or less.
(The winning team scored 10 points or less!?!...smh)

 

[RonnieT24]

Agreed. NE was horrid. I think they lost three consecutive games with the opponent scoring 10 points or less.
(The winning team scored 10 points or less!?!...smh)

Yeah NE was REALLY hard to watch last year because of the horrible line play and the dawg poop QB play. But I watched because I wanted to see what Zeke had left. I think he fumbled twice in the first two games which had me worried but then never fumbled again. Like I said that 70 yard dash with that screen pass told me a lot. He also had a 30-something yard TD called back for holding in another game. Both replays showed the calls to be ticky tacky at best. Especially the one on the screen play. Zeke was 5 yards beyond the LB and TE when they threw the flag. People look at the numbers (3.5 ypc) and conclude Zeke showed nothing. They obviously didn't watch. Given the circumstances he showed me plenty. If he gets decent blocking this year in Dallas he will flirt with 1000 yards and will exceed 4 ypc. More importantly he will not fumble and he will keep our QB out of traction. I don't think he's going to challenge for a rushing title or anything because McCarthy isn't going to give him 300 carries. Nor should he. You don't run an older back that many times. I just think our running game will be more consistent and reliable with a healthy Zeke back. Maybe fewer chunk plays but a lot fewer negative plays too.

 

[RonnieT24]

What has he beèn wrong about?

Well remember when I predicted Zeke would be signed by a team in training camp last season?
Oh wait..
Well I predicted Zeke would outgain and out TD whoever the Cowboys had at RB2 in 2023 and that was wr....
No that was correct too.
I predicted Pollards ypc average would fall precipitously and we would lose his big plays when he became RB1..
I missed that one by a mile.. Uh no..

Well I'm sure there was something I said about how things would play out that I was wrong about.. I just can't think of it at the moment.

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah NE was REALLY hard to watch last year because of the horrible line play and the dawg poop QB play. But I watched because I wanted to see what Zeke had left. I think he fumbled twice in the first two games which had me worried but then never fumbled again. Like I said that 70 yard dash with that screen pass told me a lot. He also had a 30-something yard TD called back for holding in another game. Both replays showed the calls to be ticky tacky at best. Especially the one on the screen play. Zeke was 5 yards beyond the LB and TE when they threw the flag. People look at the numbers (3.5 ypc) and conclude Zeke showed nothing. They obviously didn't watch. Given the circumstances he showed me plenty. If he gets decent blocking this year in Dallas he will flirt with 1000 yards and will exceed 4 ypc. More importantly he will not fumble and he will keep our QB out of traction. I don't think he's going to challenge for a rushing title or anything because McCarthy isn't going to give him 300 carries. Nor should he. You don't run an older back that many times. I just think our running game will be more consistent and reliable with a healthy Zeke back. Maybe fewer chunk plays but a lot fewer negative plays too.

I've seen the replay of the 70-yard play and I wouldn't call the holding ticky-tacky. The defensive back fights off the tight end's block and comes around to make a play on Elliott, but the tight end grabs and pulls him back. Maybe Zeke breaks the tackle without that hold, but the defender was in position to try to make a play.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I watched New England several times last year and thought Zeke sucked.

At the first of the year I thought he might have a chance because he did look like he lost some weight and was in better shape, but then he showed to be the broken down back he was here.

 

[RonnieT24]

I've seen the replay of the 70-yard play and I wouldn't call the holding ticky-tacky. The defensive back fights off the tight end's block and comes around to make a play on Elliott, but the tight end grabs and pulls him back. Maybe Zeke breaks the tackle without that hold, but the defender was in position to try to make a play.

Yeah I would have to go back and watch that play again but in the moment I thought that guy had no chance of making a play on Zeke.. but maybe my Cowboy colored glasses shaded my view!

Okay I just youtubed the highlight and I stand by my assertion that the flag was bogus. The DB who drew the flag was engaged with the tight end and had his back to Zeke when Zeke ran by. He had zero chance of making that tackle and was in the process of being pancaked anyway. Still if Zeke had maintained his path down the sideline and kept the tight end between him and the DB instead of cutting back in I don't there would have even been a chance of a flag. But the fact that the flag isn't thrown until he'd run another 20 yards bothered me then and still bothers me now 8 months later.

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah I would have to go back and watch that play again but in the moment I thought that guy had no chance of making a play on Zeke.. but maybe my Cowboy colored glasses shaded my view!

Okay I just youtubed the highlight and I stand by my assertion that the flag was bogus. The DB who drew the flag was engaged with the tight end and had his back to Zeke when Zeke ran by. He had zero chance of making that tackle and was in the process of being pancaked anyway. Still if Zeke had maintained his path down the sideline and kept the tight end between him and the DB instead of cutting back in I don't there would have even been a chance of a flag. But the fact that the flag isn't thrown until he'd run another 20 yards bothered me then and still bothers me now 8 months later.

I can't agree with that assessment. The DB was pushing Hunter Henry toward the sideline, so Zeke cut it back inside because he didn't know if the DB was going to win that battle and cut him off. The DB tried to disengage with Henry to make the tackle, getting an arm on Zeke, but he had no chance because Henry, who was toward the sideline, was pulling the DB that direction. A clear hold. Would Elliott have been able to break the tackle if Henry had not held the DB and allowed him instead to get both arms on Elliott? Hard to say.

 

[Chasing6]

Yes, that's my wild-hair predication with nothing to base it on. Cooper Beebe is going to win the starting center job and with Tyler and Martin at guard, we're going to pound on defenses between the tackles when we run the ball.

I don't drink and I don't smoke, so no, I'm not drunk or high. Just having a little fun. Zeke's going to party like it's 2-0-1-9.

Hard to do as a short yardage back and he will get a majority, if not all of those carries. Rico most likely will have an equal or better average.

 

[gimmesix]

Hard to do as a short yardage back and he will get a majority, if not all of those carries. Rico most likely will have an equal or better average.

I do agree that one reason backups often have a better average, unless they are the short-yardage back, is because they are not in there in short-yardage situations. Those can drop an average.

I am curious on Freeman's role, if we see him as a goal-line/short-yardage back or if after picking up Elliott, that maybe he's just here for when we are trying to pound the ball to run out the clock. I don't know if the plan was to get him and possibly get Elliott or if we just got him and then the possibility of getting Elliott came up later, kind of negating our reason for signing Freeman.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

He's good for 2 yards.

If this oline is as good as it should be, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to get 3-4 imo.

 

[mcmvp]

Both would be fun to watch.

I would gladly suffer through a Zeke renaissance season if it meant the former would happen lol. I just don't see it. He was the prefect example of what not to do in regards to 2nd RB contracts. If you're going to draft them that high, then run them hard for a few years - Dallas did. Just don't extend them after - Dallas did.

That said, at a reasonable cap number he still has a role he can play to help a team - and he's a great pass pro RB.

 

[Chasing6]

I do agree that one reason backups often have a better average, unless they are the short-yardage back, is because they are not in there in short-yardage situations. Those can drop an average.

I am curious on Freeman's role, if we see him as a goal-line/short-yardage back or if after picking up Elliott, that maybe he's just here for when we are trying to pound the ball to run out the clock. I don't know if the plan was to get him and possibly get Elliott or if we just got him and then the possibility of getting Elliott came up later, kind of negating our reason for signing Freeman.

Need RB's just to get through camp and just in case of injuries.