I think he's lost a little top end because he's bulked up a little, but I think that will serve him better long term. Having a running back who can absorb those hits and keep going for the life of a contract is more important to me than top end speed.
I tend to think the same in regards to the team having him more bulked up more, as well as the wear/tear pounding they placed on him last year
I thought that strategy was pushing the button way more than what he should be asked.
With so many touches (run, pass, blitz-block) and then coupled that he had ZERO help from Rod Smith, who obviously lacked run instincts so badly when he had to spell/relief zeke,
and i never saw that Elliott wave himself out of the game from fatigue as much as I did last year - but sadly Rod was so useless ( running up the backs of OL, dancing/hesitating in the backfield and missing holes, etc.) but zeke had to be forced back in as soon as possible.
At one point during the 2018 season, I believe I read where zeke admitted he was bruised up and sore. So you had to think
weary legs had to take a toll on his burst in '18.
That brought the urgency to get a far more productive, dependable playmaking backup RB in the selection of Tony Pollard. Now with Pollard looking every bit of a pure instinctive runner,
and producing when he is the game, zeke can finally go back to getting his breathers.
