Video: Ezekiel Elliott Not The No. 1 Running Back Yet | First Take | June 27, 2017

[adbutcher]

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Without listening to all of this, I think the operative word is "yet".

People will just point to his line as a reason to discredit Elliott just like they did with Emmitt back in the 1990's. It can't be helped.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

He does a good job of ignoring touches per game when he's talking about Johnson.

Zeke sat out the last game of the season......shut up Herm.

 

[mattjames2010]

I still think Johnson is the most complete back in the league and due to his versatility, he could fit into any system. Just a rare back

Johnson

293 carries, 1,239 yards, 4.2 average, 16 TDs
80 receptions 879 yards, 11.0 average, 4 TDs

I think Zeke may go on to become a better pure runner, not sure Zeke will be as good a receiver though.

 

[Jerryrage]

Good fuel for Zeke going into this year.

 

[robjay04]

I still think Johnson is the most complete back in the league and due to his versatility, he could fit into any system. Just a rare back

Johnson

293 carries, 1,239 yards, 4.2 average, 16 TDs
80 receptions 879 yards, 11.0 average, 4 TDs

I think Zeke may go on to become a better pure runner, not sure Zeke will be as good a receiver though.

He's already a better pure runner and his receiving ability will go as far as Dallas lets him. He was a great receiver in college and he was fine last season...we are just a run first team with a lot of mouths to feed at receiver.

Johnson played on a team playing from behind quite a bit with a QB that was struggling most the year. I'm not taking anything away from him but that can inflate receiving numbers for a running back quite a bit.

Bell on the other hand...he is on another level as far as being a receiver. He is a better pure runner as well at this point. Zeke has only been playing for one season but I believe Zeke is a more durable back though.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I still think Johnson is the most complete back in the league and due to his versatility, he could fit into any system. Just a rare back

Johnson

293 carries, 1,239 yards, 4.2 average, 16 TDs
80 receptions 879 yards, 11.0 average, 4 TDs

I think Zeke may go on to become a better pure runner, not sure Zeke will be as good a receiver though.

I understand, but Johnson was targeted 120 times, only catching 80 of them.

I believe Zeke could catch at a higher rate, and he did that with the few opportunities he had last year.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I still think Johnson is the most complete back in the league and due to his versatility, he could fit into any system. Just a rare back

Johnson

293 carries, 1,239 yards, 4.2 average, 16 TDs
80 receptions 879 yards, 11.0 average, 4 TDs

I think Zeke may go on to become a better pure runner, not sure Zeke will be as good a receiver though.

We are gonna see a lot more of him this season as a wr. Should be fun with his speed.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

He does a good job of ignoring touches per game when he's talking about Johnson.

Zeke sat out the last game of the season......shut up Herm.

Sat out the second half of the Lion's game as well.

 

[Galian Beast]

I should have skipped it given it is ESPN pushing a dramatic angle.

That a former NFL coach would ignore blocking is unfathomable. He's playing a character, I'm sure.

 

[mattjames2010]

I understand, but Johnson was targeted 120 times, only catching 80 of them.

I believe Zeke could catch at a higher rate, and he did that with the few opportunities he had last year.

I'd have to see the throws, too much of a raw stat. I do know Johnson runs a lot more WR-like routes, even plays out of the slot. Not really Zeke's game.

 

[mattjames2010]

He's already a better pure runner and his receiving ability will go as far as Dallas lets him. He was a great receiver in college and he was fine last season...we are just a run first team with a lot of mouths to feed at receiver.

Johnson played on a team playing from behind quite a bit with a QB that was struggling most the year. I'm not taking anything away from him but that can inflate receiving numbers for a running back quite a bit.

Bell on the other hand...he is on another level as far as being a receiver. He is a better pure runner as well at this point. Zeke has only been playing for one season but I believe Zeke is a more durable back though.

I'm trying to find the percentage of times he was lined up in the slot and such - most of what I've seen is of him running normal RB routes, screens and such and gaining big yards that way.

Johnson lines up in the slot and even outside at times - I think it makes his receiving far more impressive, especially in terms of route running.

 

[Hardline]

Johnson didn't have a coach taking him off the feild on 3rd downs like Zeke did. Zeke doesn't have Johnsons receiving stats because he didn't have passing plays called to him. I'll take Zeke's blocking and blitz pick up over Johnsons also.

 

[Galian Beast]

I'd have to see the throws, too much of a raw stat. I do know Johnson runs a lot more WR-like routes, even plays out of the slot. Not really Zeke's game.

Arizona has no legit WR2... it's apples and oranges.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

 

[mattjames2010]

Arizona has no legit WR2... it's apples and oranges.

Not apples and oranges at all

Many teams don't have a WR2, and their RB isn't racking up big time numbers as receivers. Most RBs aren't even considered for it due to not having the route running ability, the hands to do it.

I'm not trying to take anything away from effective screen and dunk plays, but there is more to lining up as a WR and getting catches. It makes a back even more valuable and you can create a playbook around them.

 

[baltcowboy]

Herm seems to have an issue with Zeke. Is he still butt hurt about what Drew Pearson said on draft night about his beloved Eagles?

 

[DFWJC]

Zeke, Bell, Johnson....all great.
Glad we have Zeke

 

[haleyrules]

Ha!! Elliott may not be the best RB in the NFL...But I am sure glad he is a Cowboy.

 

[Trouty]

Zeke is the best RB in the league.

Pretty simple to say.

Don't fight it.