Hoping for the look of old

[erod]

Jalen Ramsey might be an elite safety in a year or two. Joey Bosa might be an elite pass rusher in 2-3 years. Paxton Lynch might be an elite quarterback in 3-4 years.

Ezekiel Elliott might be the best back in football in September.

Thus is the dilemma about the decision this Thursday. Should Dallas take the player that can most help Tony Romo and this team right now? Or should they take the player that will help the most for the next decade? It's possible that could be the same guy, but only if that's Elliott. What should they do?

The fact is, most rookies make very little impact. You get a JJ Watt or Randy Moss now and again, but usually it's a fairly lengthy process. There is so much to learn, so much to acclimate to, and so much that most guys bodies have to grow into. It's a process.

Except.......for running backs. They hit the ground running. See it, and go. And when they're already excellent pass blockers and receivers, even more so.

I'm torn. Ask me today, and I might say Ramsey could be Dallas' future Darren Woodson, and that's harder to find. Ask me tomorrow morning, and I might say Paxton Lynch should be the logical pick if they think he'll be special one day at the hardest position to fill. Ask me tomorrow at lunch, and I'll tell you Joey Bosa makes the most sense and could be the edge guy most desperately needed. And by Wednesday, Laramy Tunsil is just too good to pass up regardless of position.

I'm going to accept whomever they take because, let's be honest, what do we know? You have to let it play out. The fact is, you don't know crappola, and nor do I. Gotta see it through.

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't quietly and selfishly hoping for Elliott. I love running backs and the run game. I see the 2016 version of Emmitt and that 90s offensive line....reincarnated.

It'd be like Christmas. Oh what fun it is to ride a one-horse open play. (Sorry, lol.)

The cat just kind of looks like Emmitt, my favorite Cowboy of all time. He's built like him, and seems to play the game like him. He shows the same versatility, with perhaps more burst. Emmitt. Elliott. Eazy E. Zeke. It all just kind of has a parallelism to it.

Take him, and put #22 on his back while you're at it. Can you imagine 22 and 88 running around out there together? How much fun that would be.

 

[jazzcat22]

Excellent post...couldn't agree more.
I have the feel about Zeke in this draft as I did with Emmitt in 1990.

And Jimmy almost didn't get Emmitt, twice...but fate fell his way.

 

[jazzcat22]

And know exactly what you mean, I think Zeke is the best pick for now and long term. But then I think, well if they take Bosa or Ramsey, we need to see how the rest of the draft plays out. then see how they do over the next few years.

 

[DBOY3141]

Would love Zeke, but I think we trade out with Dolphins and they take him. We then look at either Lawson or Lynch.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

Jalen Ramsey might be an elite safety in a year or two. Joey Bosa might be an elite pass rusher in 2-3 years. Paxton Lynch might be an elite quarterback in 3-4 years.

Ezekiel Elliott might be the best back in football in September.

Thus is the dilemma about the decision this Thursday. Should Dallas take the player that can most help Tony Romo and this team right now? Or should they take the player that will help the most for the next decade? It's possible that could be the same guy, but only if that's Elliott. What should they do?

The fact is, most rookies make very little impact. You get a JJ Watt or Randy Moss now and again, but usually it's a fairly lengthy process. There is so much to learn, so much to acclimate to, and so much that most guys bodies have to grow into. It's a process.

Except.......for running backs. They hit the ground running. See it, and go. And when they're already excellent pass blockers and receivers, even more so.

I'm torn. Ask me today, and I might say Ramsey could be Dallas' future Darren Woodson, and that's harder to find. Ask me tomorrow morning, and I might say Paxton Lynch should be the logical pick if they think he'll be special one day at the hardest position to fill. Ask me tomorrow at lunch, and I'll tell you Joey Bosa makes the most sense and could be the edge guy most desperately needed. And by Wednesday, Laramy Tunsil is just too good to pass up regardless of position.

I'm going to accept whomever they take because, let's be honest, what do we know? You have to let it play out. The fact is, you don't know crappola, and nor do I. Gotta see it through.

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't quietly and selfishly hoping for Elliott. I love running backs and the run game. I see the 2016 version of Emmitt and that 90s offensive line....reincarnated.

It'd be like Christmas. Oh what fun it is to ride a one-horse open play. (Sorry, lol.)

The cat just kind of looks like Emmitt, my favorite Cowboy of all time. He's built like him, and seems to play the game like him. He shows the same versatility, with perhaps more burst. Emmitt. Elliott. Eazy E. Zeke. It all just kind of has a parallelism to it.

Take him, and put #22 on his back while you're at it. Can you imagine 22 and 88 running around out there together? How much fun that would be.

That's what I want, to dust off that 22 jersey and have them both running around, his attitude and hating to loose is everything this team needs. If you saw what Irvin had to say he is right and he knows something I'm more than sure.

 

[gmoney112]

*checks watch*

*24 hours since last post on EE by erod*

Right on schedule.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Here is another thing to consider with Zeke vs the we can take a RB later scenario.

Zeke is the complete back in this draft. He can run it, he can catch it but what is really good about him as a rookie is that he can Pass block and can read the defenses. There was a write up that said he was actually coming over and telling his coaches what he was seeing and what they should call to defeat the defense.

I also say this...This team will not use a Rookie Running back much if they do not trust his pass protection skills. Think of Joseph Randle his rookie year. Heck how about Turbin or Michaels last year...they were not rookies and they still did not trust them to run much and I think it had to do with pass protection.
This team will also only use a RB with specific skills for specific tasks and by doing so will be a cue to the defenses.
They put in Morris...he is going to run it or protect but highly doubt he is going to be a threat in the passing game because he was not used that way and probably for good reason...he is just not good at it.
If Dunbar is in...chances we are going to pass it too him
If McFadden is in he is the most complete back we have on the roster but I don't think anyone thinks he is going to be better than Zeke...who knows maybe there are here who feel that but I think it is no contest and right now you have to take last year as an anomaly for McFadden because he played in so many games without being pulled for injury.

One other thing that someone pointed out in another thread....35 games for Ohio State and they knew he was going to run it or catch it.....zero fumbles.

And for those that said we have RB covered and are ok with McFadden....look at how many TDs he had last year. They will tell you that he had 1k+ yardage with a injured Romo and Dez...but look at the TD numbers our RBs achieved...It might shock you. I bet Zeke could match those total numbers by himself.

 

[erod]

To BPs point, Morris and McFadden had 5 total TDs last year. Elliott had 23.

 

[Jarv]

Zeke vs.Ramsey...Last time in a while I'm truly stumped as to who to pick. Can we get them both?

 

[erod]

Zeke vs.Ramsey...Last time in a while I'm truly stumped as to who to pick. Can we get them both?

Either way, it wouldn't be hard to be excited about the player. I just think Zeke could be our next Dorsett or Emmitt.

The Cowboys should always have a big name running back.

 

[Idgit]

The problem with this argument is, there are RBs in the 3rd round who might be in competition to be the 'best' RB in the league come September.

Let's take the defender at #4.

 

[erod]

The problem with this argument is, there are RBs in the 3rd round who might be in competition to be the 'best' RB in the league come September.

Let's take the defender at #4.

How many RBs in the draft did not fumble once in college? Elliott didn't.
How many RBs in college are ready to pass protect right now? Elliott is.
How many RBs in college catch the ball like a WR? Elliott does.
How many RBs in college are built for power, acceleration, and speed? Elliott is.

I understand your point, but understand, there is no RB in this draft remotely like Elliott in terms of a complete package.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Elite RBs play at a high level for usually 5 years while elite players at other positions play at a high level for 10 or more years. We had a 26 year old RB coming off a rookie contract who just set the single season franchise record and we didn't want to pay him big money. What makes you think we'd want to retain Elliott after his rookie contract even if he is the best RB in the league? I'm not against taking RB. I just think this is something people don't bring up. Sure, RBs usually produce early in their careers while other positions take a few years to develop. But RBs usually only last a fraction of the time and aren't usually worth giving a second contract. Are you okay with renting Elliott for 5 years?

 

[erod]

Elite RBs play at a high level for usually 5 years while elite players at other positions play at a high level for 10 or more years. We had a 26 year old RB coming off a rookie contract who just set the single season franchise record and we didn't want to pay him big money. What makes you think we'd want to retain Elliott after his rookie contract even if he is the best RB in the league? I'm not against taking RB. I just think this is something people don't bring up. Sure, RBs usually produce early in their careers while other positions take a few years to develop. But RBs usually only last a fraction of the time and aren't usually worth giving a second contract. Are you okay with renting Elliott for 5 years?

Elite running backs play much longer than five years. Maybe not 10-12, but not just five years.

And the truly elite ones make a much bigger impact than guys at defensive positions. Especially guys that never fumble, pass protect, catch the ball, and run inside and outside like Elliott.

He's like three backs in one.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

To BPs point, Morris and McFadden had 5 total TDs last year. Elliott had 23.

Yes. What a fair comparison.

Also I prefer rbs who are cheaper that you can get later verses a large investment (picks and dollars) in a better but singular back.

This is a violent sport. Running backs break. Did you follow the position last year? It was a disaster.

And yes Charles is an elite talent. But Spencer Ware and Chandrick West were fantasy darlings last year in their own right. We'll be able to run just fine.

Just say no to Zeke.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Elite running backs play much longer than five years. Maybe not 10-12, but not just five years.

And the truly elite ones make a much bigger impact than guys at defensive positions. Especially guys that never fumble, pass protect, catch the ball, and run inside and outside like Elliott.

He's like three backs in one.

We know when the rb position peaks. It's much earlier than other positions. This is just fact.

Taking Zeke at 4 you'd have to believe that he's the exception rather than the rule on longevity. And this is not something you can know today.

Let someone else overpay Zeke on his 2nd contract.

 

[CATCH17]

Is this an Adrian Peterson talent? Oh it's not? Then why on earth would you pick a overhyped RB that belongs mid to end of the first round at pick 4?

 

[jday]

Jalen Ramsey might be an elite safety in a year or two. Joey Bosa might be an elite pass rusher in 2-3 years. Paxton Lynch might be an elite quarterback in 3-4 years.

Ezekiel Elliott might be the best back in football in September.

Thus is the dilemma about the decision this Thursday. Should Dallas take the player that can most help Tony Romo and this team right now? Or should they take the player that will help the most for the next decade? It's possible that could be the same guy, but only if that's Elliott. What should they do?

The fact is, most rookies make very little impact. You get a JJ Watt or Randy Moss now and again, but usually it's a fairly lengthy process. There is so much to learn, so much to acclimate to, and so much that most guys bodies have to grow into. It's a process.

Except.......for running backs. They hit the ground running. See it, and go. And when they're already excellent pass blockers and receivers, even more so.

I'm torn. Ask me today, and I might say Ramsey could be Dallas' future Darren Woodson, and that's harder to find. Ask me tomorrow morning, and I might say Paxton Lynch should be the logical pick if they think he'll be special one day at the hardest position to fill. Ask me tomorrow at lunch, and I'll tell you Joey Bosa makes the most sense and could be the edge guy most desperately needed. And by Wednesday, Laramy Tunsil is just too good to pass up regardless of position.

I'm going to accept whomever they take because, let's be honest, what do we know? You have to let it play out. The fact is, you don't know crappola, and nor do I. Gotta see it through.

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't quietly and selfishly hoping for Elliott. I love running backs and the run game. I see the 2016 version of Emmitt and that 90s offensive line....reincarnated.

It'd be like Christmas. Oh what fun it is to ride a one-horse open play. (Sorry, lol.)

The cat just kind of looks like Emmitt, my favorite Cowboy of all time. He's built like him, and seems to play the game like him. He shows the same versatility, with perhaps more burst. Emmitt. Elliott. Eazy E. Zeke. It all just kind of has a parallelism to it.

Take him, and put #22 on his back while you're at it. Can you imagine 22 and 88 running around out there together? How much fun that would be.

I will be extremely disappointed if they come away from this draft minus Zeke. Like you, I see him as an immediate impact player, whereas everyone else, like you said, will have to grow within the system before they can make any type of impact whatsoever. But I also recognize the folly of taking a win-now approach to decision making. It can hurt a team in the long run as well the short if said player is not able to make the switch from college to pro's. However, that cautionary tale could apply to anyone, including Tunsil and Ramsey, who many would suggest is the actual BPA, if it comes down to Zeke and the aforementioned players.

 

[jazzcat22]

Elite RBs play at a high level for usually 5 years while elite players at other positions play at a high level for 10 or more years. We had a 26 year old RB coming off a rookie contract who just set the single season franchise record and we didn't want to pay him big money. What makes you think we'd want to retain Elliott after his rookie contract even if he is the best RB in the league? I'm not against taking RB. I just think this is something people don't bring up. Sure, RBs usually produce early in their careers while other positions take a few years to develop. But RBs usually only last a fraction of the time and aren't usually worth giving a second contract. Are you okay with renting Elliott for 5 years?

Elliott can do it all and not fumble...Murray fumbles...ran out of bounds quite often, has injury issues.
Ellit can be worth that money in 5 years. That is a chance that is a good one to take.
Elliott puts points on the board, someone like Ramsey doesn't.

Yes need defense, but scoring points still win.

Can't worry about the money....worry about the player that will help you now. Worry about the rest of it in 5 years, on any player. Any thing can and will happen in 5 years.

 

[erod]

We know when the rb position peaks. It's much earlier than other positions. This is just fact.

Taking Zeke at 4 you'd have to believe that he's the exception rather than the rule on longevity. And this is not something you can know today.

Let someone else overpay Zeke on his 2nd contract.

OK, but let's five glorious years of him now, before concussions and lawsuits start to fray this league into a shadow of its former self.