Even if one concedes Elliott is the better player (which he is, obviously) the Cowboys aren't getting the corresponding level of production from Elliott compared to Pollard when you factor in playing time, cap hit, etc.
That's the point. You guys simply just want to bury your heads in the sand here on Elliott thinking he's some elite, game changing back being let down by everyone around him.
Since there's not much Dallas can do about the cap hit Elliot has, why even bring that up? If a player is playing badly does that mean you keep him, just pay him less money? What he gets paid has zero bearing on how he plays, the money's there one way or the other. So what do fans want to do? Sit him? That's great, let's waste 15 million dollars this year because he's not tearing the league apart.
As far as playing time goes, whether the coaches have listened to fans, or whatever, the fact is Pollard has gotten more playing time recently. In his first 5 games this season he had 13 carries. The last 5 games, 37 carries, nearly 3 times as many. But in his last 3 games, when teams could assume he'd get more carries, his ypc has been 3.00, 2.75 and 3.55. His first 3 games were he had 2 games with over 5 ypc. Think teams now don't game plan a bit more for Pollard now than earlier? And maybe he's not better than Zeke, if he was, then why, when he does play more, does he and the team's running game not improve greatly?
Elliot's ypc is certainly not a lot better, being 3.20, 4.28 and 4.00. But it is better.
Pollard does have value, just look at the 2 long kick returns. That's great. And no doubt he is quicker, as seen in the td in this last game. Clearly he can help the offense if used properly, and I'm not saying that he is being used properly, doesn't look that way to me.
But if you're talking running the football, Elliot is clearly still the better choice, and that's not even factoring in things like blocking, which at 209 lbs. vs Elliot at 228 lbs is not something you want Pollard to do. With the o-line not at full strength, you need all the blocking help you can get to keep your backup qb playing.
We all get it, Zeke isn't doing what he did in 2016, but that's THIS year. Last year he had 1,357 yards, 12 rushing tds and a 4.5 ypc. THAT'S EXCELLENT.
As far as burying your head in the sand, taking this one year and ignoring the previous years is exactly the same, some act like 2016-2019 never happened. Can't we at least give Elliot next year to "right the ship", with a full (probably) off season program, something other than a patchwork offensive line and maybe some defensive help to give the offense better field position? And so what if he does indeed need a very good offensive line to be really great, should the Cowboys not try to do that? Or should they try to get a back like Earl Campbell, great for a few years then get reduced to shell of himself due to being beat to death trying to run the ball 30 times a game? If Elliot is really good, with a very good offensive line we could see a return to the 2016 Elliot, and wouldn't that be a great thing? In other words, have a good line AND a great back?
I know, I'm wasting my time, nobody is going to change their mind, unless Zeke gives back 1/2 of his salary he'll never get any respect, and my friends, that's NOT happening....
