How is it that zeke lost his explosiveness

[blueblood70]

You can say his first seasons weren't but not his. Henry>>>>> Elliott

Zeke was twice the runner his first 3 seasons then Henry was his first 3..titans opened up their run game and made henry a beasts like we were from 2016-2018

while we went to pass happy throw first offense and dak got better..stop the BS get out of here with that nonsense.. carreer wise its about even right now..if zeke was on the titans, browns, or Ravens hes still be Zeke..got it scheme and OL changes all with OC philosophy has hurt zekes career going forward..not zekes decline..smh ignorant fans cant see what need to be seen..hate all you want Zekes still been great Cwoboy and if you want tom trash his you are SORRY Fan..

 

[jwitten82]

Zeke was twice the runner his first 3 seasons then Henry was his first 3..titans opened up their run game and made henry a beasts like we were from 2016-2018

while we went to pass happy throw first offense and dak got better..stop the BS get out of here with that nonsense.. carreer wise its about even right now..if zeke was on the titans, browns, or Ravens hes still be Zeke..got it scheme and OL changes all with OC philosophy has hurt zekes career going forward..not zekes decline..smh ignorant fans cant see what need to be seen..hate all you want Zekes still been great Cwoboy and if you want tom trash his you are SORRY Fan..

Lol you don't know football if you can't see Zeke's decline in skills

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So warm ups over. Here comes zeke. He does usually start off slow.

Yep....they'll see. Always starts off a little slow.

 

[Scotman]

He ALWAYS starts out the season slow. Let’s see how he does against the Eagles, he usually eats vs. the division and teams are going to start playing back (like the Charges did today) anticipating Dak throwing for 500 yards. If you re-watch the Buccaneers game, they had 7, 8, 9 in the box just about every play. Pollard will push him to be better as well

I agree. Besides, I thought he's played pretty well in both games. His first game was outstanding at doing what he was asked to do. In game two, I feel like the game plan originally had him helping Steele, who didn't end up needing it. I feel like, raw yardage aside, this has been Zeke's best start in several years.

 

[Havic]

My own opinion is the vast majority of running backs start to show signs of losing their burst right before or slightly after they sign their big second contract. Unless you are an Adrian Peterson or Frank Gore, you are out of the league by age 30-31 completely.

 

[SiCk_DiAbLo]

Maybe it's me, but have ya seen Zeke on the sidelines sitting there, like he's lost...

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

 

[3rdEyewarrior]

Zeke was never explosive. In 2016 the holes were so big that he looked better than he was. Zeke is a good back but he isnt what he used to be and neither is the line. Moore is doing the obvious thing. Thank heavens Garrett is gone.

Cut it out. Zeke had speed and power. He still has power and good speed. He’s not slow. He’s been one of the few work horse backs the last few years. I promise if pollard touches the ball as much as zeke for even two mo the, he’ll start looking slower.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Maybe it's me, but have ya seen Zeke on the sidelines sitting there, like he's lost...

So you get that from some random TV coverage?

Seen a lotta QB sitting their appearing to be lost too. When they should be on the field.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Cut it out. Zeke had speed and power. He still has power and good speed. He’s not slow. He’s been one of the few work horse backs the last few years. I promise if pollard touches the ball as much as zeke for even two mo the, he’ll start looking slower.

Ah, yes, through the power of positive thinking Zeke will be fast.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Cut it out. Zeke had speed and power. He still has power and good speed. He’s not slow. He’s been one of the few work horse backs the last few years. I promise if pollard touches the ball as much as zeke for even two mo the, he’ll start looking slower.

Zeke has marginal speed for a RB. Watching Pollard and then watching Zeke is night and day. Pollard has better power than expected. Moves the pile and breaks tackles.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Cut it out. Zeke had speed and power. He still has power and good speed. He’s not slow. He’s been one of the few work horse backs the last few years. I promise if pollard touches the ball as much as zeke for even two mo the, he’ll start looking slower.

He is a hater///don't bother.


We should appreciate having both guys.....but haters will hate. Deep down they know....Pollard would get worn down if not destroyed by what Zeke accomplished. but the facade needs built.

They are both great to have on this team let's ROLL!

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Zeke has marginal speed for a RB. Watching Pollard and then watching Zeke is night and day. Pollard has better power than expected. Moves the pile and breaks tackles.

And yet Pollard doesn't get carries between the tackles to TRULY compare.

Because THEY...are SMARTER than you.. They know Pollard will get HAMMERED carrying that load.

Luckily...they are smarter than you and we will use both to their strengths.

 

[RonnieT24]

From the NFL play by play the Tampa game:


2 13:49 3 3 DAL 12 Tony Pollard left tackle for no gain (tackle by Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul)


To his credit Pollard is doing a better job of not getting caught in the backfield than what we saw last year. Gotta give him props on improving that aspect of his game. I enjoyed watching him work yesterday. The way he attacked the hole was wonderful. That acceleration was awesome to watch. I hope he keeps it up because the ability to move the ball on the ground is an absolute necessity for this team and having two guys who can do it makes us that much harder to defend.

 

[john van brocklin]

even though he’s the lightest in years and he’s never been hurt? He’s clearly in fantastic shape and worked hard in the offseason.

Wear and tear at the RB position takes its toll.
Makes Emmitt Smith's longevity truly amazing.

 

[CATCH17]

And yet Pollard doesn't get carries between the tackles to TRULY compare.

Because THEY...are SMARTER than you.. They know Pollard will get HAMMERED carrying that load.

Luckily...they are smarter than you and we will use both to their strengths.

He returns kickoffs lol. I don’t think they’re too worried about his toughness.



Also, several nice runs between the tackles and let’s not forget.. He’s 6’0 215.

 

[RonnieT24]

Zeke has marginal speed for a RB. Watching Pollard and then watching Zeke is night and day. Pollard has better power than expected. Moves the pile and breaks tackles.

I don't know about this.. Zeke was sub 4.5 which is good (not great speed for a running back) at the combine and even if he had slowed down the last few years he clearly has regained his speed with the more intense offseason training. What he may never get back and probably never really had is elite acceleration to and through the hole or to bounce it outside. He didn't do much of that early in his career no matter what people's memories try to fashion. He has always been a downhill one cut north south runner.. What they are asking him to do now does not suit him and never will. If they want the most out of him they need to go to power run formations and pound him at the defense. That would allow him to beat the defense into submission with repeated body blows which would lead to the dam breaking late in games. The problem is that aside from Martin and Tyron, none of the guys currently blocking for him can power block. It also does not appear that Moore wants to be a power running team.. If he did he would not make 90% of his run calls from shotgun. It is what it is and it's not likely to change.. so as fans all we can hope for is that the guys make it work.

 

[jnday]

even though he’s the lightest in years and he’s never been hurt? He’s clearly in fantastic shape and worked hard in the offseason.

Zeke appears to have lost his explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss. If you remember, he was great at hurdling defenders and he was able to break away for some big gains. He has now been reduced to being a straight ahead power RB.

 

[quickccc]

Th

That's not slowing Derrick Henry down

This should have been Zeke too ... homerun hitters ...splash plays ...splash runs .....

 

[Thomas82]

Don't write Zeke off just yet.