ESPN: Jaworski's Best Value

[bayeslife]

It's hard to believe there seems to be people who don't get he's immediately the starter. When you're an offensive player drafted at #4, you are immediately a starter and one of the faces of the franchise. There's no dicking around at that draft spot.

Haven't seen you in awhile! Missed the 2nd best avatar on CZ.

 

[SDCowboy]

Haven't seen you in awhile! Missed the 2nd best avatar on CZ.

haha Yeah I usually lay low after a season ends until the draft comes around again.

 

[jobberone]

Just out of curiosity, how would you determine who is running best that day without shuffling each in and perhaps ruining a game plan as you divine what running back should be toting the rock?

They're going to rotate in. And when whomever is calling the plays sees a RB that is in a zone they will often start calling their number although I admit they at times forget what is working and 'stay on 'the game plan de jour'. You aren't likely to see a lot of Morris, Zeke and McFadden on a given day but you might. My guess is McFadden and Zeke will rotate the most but injuries will play a big role. I'm just going off my experience watching teams that use a RBBC approach. You'd expect Zeke to outclass the other two but don't count McFadden out of the picture. Or Morris in certain situations.

Zeke will make more of a mark with his pass catching than his running although I expect a difference in the running game from him. He's got some things to learn before he tears the league up. JMO.

 

[viman96]

From everything I've read about him, he's a student of the game. Much like Romo. He will pick up the playbook no problem. Isn't there only like 5 plays anyway?

Not much learning the running and passing plays. It is the blitz pickups coaches and QBs are the most concerned about. A RB must know their blocking assignments like it is second nature.

 

[TwoDeep3]

They're going to rotate in. And when whomever is calling the plays sees a RB that is in a zone they will often start calling their number although I admit they at times forget what is working and 'stay on 'the game plan de jour'. You aren't likely to see a lot of Morris, Zeke and McFadden on a given day but you might. My guess is McFadden and Zeke will rotate the most but injuries will play a big role. I'm just going off my experience watching teams that use a RBBC approach. You'd expect Zeke to outclass the other two but don't count McFadden out of the picture. Or Morris in certain situations.

Zeke will make more of a mark with his pass catching than his running although I expect a difference in the running game from him. He's got some things to learn before he tears the league up. JMO.

I believe McFadden wore out a dozen rabbit's feet last year posting his yardage and staying healthy. Further, my opinion is this year he will come crashing back to earth like a space shuttle with a broken O ring.

I also believe this offensive line will get Elliott to the second level and then what happens isn't what he has to learn, but what he was blessed with when he was born.

 

[jobberone]

I believe McFadden wore out a dozen rabbit's feet last year positing his yardage and staying healthy. Further, my opinion is this year he will come crashing back to earth like a space shuttle with a broken O ring.

I also believe this offensive line will get Elliott to the second level and then what happens then isn't what he has to learn, but what he was blessed with when he was born.

There will be that at times....you can count on it.

 

[JoeKing]

I don't know how you know that he'll get used up fast and cast aside. And I don't know how you know how his body will respond. Everyone is different, man. And....I didn't say he'll get a 2nd contract because he was a #4 pick, only. I said, if he's a beast like we all hope that he is and he will still be young AND he's the #4 pick. If he doesn't perform, then of course he won't get a 2nd contract, but.....I put my money on that he'll get a second contract.

Throwing your money away. You'll never be rich.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

he is a perfect 1st and 2nd down back. He should play a couple of series a game. He will eat carries and eat clock. He will get you 4 yard. Runs low to the ground..falls forward. Zeke has never played 16 games plus playoffs. The Cowboys are not some also ran. We are built to make a run. Teams will bring there A game when they play us. Zeke will get the bulk of the load...but he still needs to be managed. You do not spend the #4 overall pick on a guy and toss him after 4 or 5 years. We knew when we drafted him that the shelf life of a RB is short. But you also want a #4 pick to be around 7 or 8 years. So I hope we approach him with the thought of "how do we get 7 or 8 good yeas out of this guy"

Well if that's the case then we shouldn't have drafted him then. This move was sold to us as a guy who can breakaway from the defense and is the best blocker to come out of the draft at running back in awhile as if this was done to prolong Romo's career. So if that's the case.....he should be out there for the majority of the game. I don't care how many yards or carries he gets. But I do believe he should be out here ESPECIALLY on this down.

 

[IrishAnto]

I saw that. My only hope is that Jason grows in the department of player management. Just because he is good and just because he was the #4 overall pick..that does not mean you work him like a mule. You want someone picked that high to be with you 7/8 years. So Alfred Morris should still be used. The way we used Murray his last year was a disaster on many levels...and culminated with us not being able to afford him. Zeke is a great young talent. And I hope he is here for as long time.

Agreed.

I'd hope they would use Morris and/or McFadden more in the early part of the season and keep Elliott fresher for the latter part of the season.

We could do some serious "pounding" in December if that was the case.

 

[JsnSA]

There's people that actually believe he isn't the starter? Lol

I don't think anybody has said that.

 

[Dorsett33]

Throwing your money away. You'll never be rich.

For all you know, I could be rich now. And negative energy won't get you anywhere.

 

[JsnSA]

Well if that's the case then we shouldn't have drafted him then. This move was sold to us as a guy who can breakaway from the defense and is the best blocker to come out of the draft at running back in awhile as if this was done to prolong Romo's career. So if that's the case.....he should be out there for the majority of the game. I don't care how many yards or carries he gets. But I do believe he should be out here ESPECIALLY on this down.

I don't think anyone is saying he shouldn't be out there the majority of the time. Just that we shouldn't wear him out unnecessarily. Give Morris or McFadden or whoever a carry here and there to preserve him. He can still be on the field when that happens. And in games where we are clearly ahead, let Morris, McFadden or Jackson finish the game off as long as we have it in hand.

The main reason we didn't resign Murray wasn't that we don't value RBs. I don't understand why people keep saying this. The reason we didn't sign him was because stats show that typically a RB at Murrays age and with as many carries as he has logged over the years is not worth the contract we would have to pay in order to beat the Eagles offer. Maybe he then has a shot at having an Emmit or AP shelf life. If we can manage Elliott's carries better then maybe he is worth paying a premium for another few years after his rookie contract is up. Just be smart about it is all we are saying.

 

[BlueNSilver88]

I saw on snapchat today that Zeke is already beginning to study the playbook! I like, I like very much!

 

[JoeKing]

For all you know, I could be rich now. And negative energy won't get you anywhere.

You could be... but you're not. Betting on low odds doesn't fit the profile of someone with an abundance of money.

I apologize if I come off as a negative energy emitter, I'm not always like that. Thank you for pointing it out.

 

[marchetta]

Alfred Morris at the very least should be the "closer" like Marion Barber. It would be nice to use him as the short yardage back as well to prevent unneeded contact on Elliott.

Morris can't return kicks or catch out of the backfield. Morris is a 1-trick pony, and won't be active on gameday, if he's still on the roster. Actives: Zeke, McFadden (also has ability to KR), FB, and possibly Dunbar (But with Zeke's catching ability Dunbar may not make the team or be activated). JMO

 

[tyke1doe]

It's hard to believe there seems to be people who don't get he's immediately the starter. When you're an offensive player drafted at #4, you are immediately a starter and one of the faces of the franchise. There's no dicking around at that draft spot.

The Cowboys play the Giants on Sunday Night Football, right? He'll be the starter.

 

[Beast_from_East]

When you take a RB in the top 5, unless he is hurt or got to take a piss, he dam well better be on the field the entire game for $26 million guaranteed.

If its in the 4th quarter and Morris is in the game and Zeke is guarding the water bucket, Garrett should be fired on the spot.

 

[Techsass]

I don't remember them limiting Emmitt's carries and he got a 2nd contract. Of course he had to hold out 2 games to get it, but you get my point. We've never gone easy on RBs and I don't expect them to now. If Zeke is the baller we're hoping, there's no way they take him out of a game for more than a series of downs.

 

[speedkilz88]

Morris can't return kicks or catch out of the backfield. Morris is a 1-trick pony, and won't be active on gameday, if he's still on the roster. Actives: Zeke, McFadden (also has ability to KR), FB, and possibly Dunbar (But with Zeke's catching ability Dunbar may not make the team or be activated). JMO

Morris was signed because he is an excellent zbs runner. They had to change up to man last year because DMC was struggling with the reads. He ain't long for Dallas with that problem.

 

[dallasdave]

This.....Elliott is the starting running back of the Dallas Cowboys. Make no mistake. At 26 million guaranteed. He's starting.