CFZ How Zeke in a new role would help us WIN more

[glimmerman]

He will heal up. Block for him and he will be fine. And use him on screens but slip him out. Hit in the run not used as a last option check down every time. Oh yeah. QUIT RUNNING EVERY PLAY UP THE MIDDLE. Not to hard to get exotic and run off tackle. Last sentence was sarcasm.

 

[OmerV]

So what in your estimation are the backs doing on those 45-50 snaps a game when the Cowboys drop back to pass?

They averaged 38 passes a game last year, which is still more than the 28 rushing attempts per game, but obviously blocking isn't the only thing the RB's could have been or were doing on pass plays. The RB's were also targets on 7 passes per game, other times they ran pass routes out of the backfield where they weren't thrown to, and at least occasionally the Cowboys played with an empty backfield.

 

[G2]

The average career for an NFL running back is 2 and 1/2 years. Even Pollard isn't going to have many years left unless it's part time. Elliott is only going to show the wear & tear more and more, not less. The odds are against him. Sure he's 26 yrs old, soon 27 but 322 (2016) attempts will put him in the hospital.

We need fresh legs. Just keep cycling them through every couple of years.

 

[eromeopolk]

Zeke Elliott will never again be what he once was. Ever. BUT- he’s probably just got one more year here and accepting who Zeke is now and understanding how he could still help us WIN is a good step forward. So let’s look at why Zeke has declined and how he can still help us.

WHY ZEKE HAS DECLINED:

• His body has endured a ton of touches since college.
  • This goes all the way back to his days at Ohio state. He had 650 touches- rushing and receiving at OSU in 3 years.
  • In 6 seasons of NFL games, he has an additional 1938 total touches- that’s a whopping 2,588 which averages out to nearly 300 touches a year for 9 straight seasons.

That’s a tough load for anyone’s body. He’s no longer capable of 350 touch season that gives us what we need to win. We need to accept him having a lesser role.

HOW CAN ZEKE STILL BE USED TO HELP US WIN:

• Zeke has evolved from an explosive quick strike back to a slower, methodical power back. It makes zero sense for the Cowboys to pretend he is ever going to be what he was in 2016-19.
• Here’s how we can use him and help us win. Use Zeke as a power back and situational receiver who needs about 12-15 touches a game- MAX. Using Pollard MORE helps this team have more chances for a big play. Keeping Zeke at 20 touches a game reduces our big play chances.
• He needs to be in a RBBC. Using Zeke, Tony Pollard and perhaps another back is a great way to have a better situational running game. We just need him to be part of helping this team win.
• He would make an excellent goal line and short yardage runner. Maybe even a great close out runner in the role Marion Barber played about 15 years ago. But his load needs to be managed carefully. He doesn’t have a productive 20-25 carry game left in him IMO.

With all that’s been said above, I fully expect Zeke to be in his usual role because of Jerry. JJ always plays his players based 100% on how much he’s paying them as opposed to how much he helps the TEAM. Tony Pollard should be at least 12 touches a game himself.

Zeke Elliott can still help this team win. But he would give us a better chance by reducing his role.

I disagree. Everyone thought that about Emmitt (remember they signed the Seahawks RB), Dorsett (his best years was in seasons 5+), George Rodgers (Super Bowl RB), Demarco Murray (Pro Bowl Titans), Adrian Peterson (Nuff Said), Otis Anderson (Super Bowl RB), Marcus Allen (Raider and KC legend), Legarette Blunt (Super Bowl RB twice), and Frank Gore (Nuff Said). RBs of a certain caliber don't stop running. NFL teams just get tired of marketing them and paying them.

You run Zeke for his money's worth. Let him have a great start, then make a Herschel Walker deal. I forgot these are the Jonesboys not the Cowboys...Jerry will probably resign him.

So just have him heavily involved until the wheels fall off then put in Pollard. Pollard is not a workload RB as using him more ended with an injury worse than Zeke.