I want Zeke back next year

[MyFairLady]

Zeke as the 4th overall pick started off with a bang. It looked like a sure fire success story. It has turned into a failure. Without any kind of playoff heroics this year it is time to move on.

 

[IslandCowboy]

He better be cheap if he is back otherwise, why? We need depth on the defense next year and Dak ain't going anywhere so I don't see money coming from anywhere else.

 

[quickccc]

I've seen a lot of the Plays Pollard gets blown up on. Alot of those plays come when their substituting and it kills the Element of surprise because the play calls are so predictable. Esp the passes to Pollard. He's got guys on top of him before the ball even arrives. Substitution kills some plays w sure Predictability

Pollard is an NFL Starting RB capable of taking it to the House running or passing from anywhere on the field and Zeke is just a spell back in situational play calling because he's just a North and south (runner only) whose longest run all year is 27 yards.

I'm not downplaying Zeke's contribution to the team whatsoever. He's a better goal line back and blocker.

I think y'all are undervaluing the "pro bowler" that has more dimensions to our running and Passing attack.

If Zeke gets cut tomorrow he'll have a hard time finding a team to land on.

If Pollard gets cut tomorrow he'll have a Starting job and a top NFL RB Salary.

I'll leave it at that.

Our run game scheme and design under Kellen is so simplistic and bland, and predictable that teams can easily anticipate and sniff out our run game.
He still kills me with running that draw play ball out of shot gun formation and eliminating play action with shotgun formation.

- It’s not that he uses that formation, but how frequently KM will go to using that formation.
Why would LBs and safeties feel the need to guess run, if we are lined up in pass formation ?

- There’s little deception in the designs, no pull trap, and little to zero “ Misdirection “.. ..
As a result, Defenders do not have to “ guess’ it out - and that makes it easier for teams to cheat.
On rare occasions (too rare) ..Kellen will throw monkey wrench in a different, Mis-direction look that works effectively, -
- such as the reverse sweep run with Pollard scoring the first TD vs Houston Texans.

But i totally disagree with you with " Zeke having hard time to find another NFL team " ... there will be teams wanting a Mark Ingram type role, at the very least
.

 

[CowboysExchange]

Our run game scheme and design under Kellen is so simplistic and bland, and predictable that teams can easily anticipate and sniff out our run game.
He still kills me with running that draw play ball out of shot gun formation and eliminating play action with shotgun formation.

- It’s not that he uses that formation, but how frequently KM will go to using that formation.
Why would LBs and safeties feel the need to guess run, if we are lined up in pass formation ?

- There’s little deception in the designs, no pull trap, and little to zero “ Misdirection “.. ..
As a result, Defenders do not have to “ guess’ it out - and that makes it easier for teams to cheat.
On rare occasions (too rare) ..Kellen will throw monkey wrench in a different, Mis-direction look that works effectively, -
- such as the reverse sweep run with Pollard scoring the first TD vs Houston Texans.

But i totally disagree with you with " Zeke having hard time to find another NFL team " ... there will be teams wanting a Mark Ingram type role, at the very least
.

Our last two playoff games

Vs SF
Zeke 12 carries 31 yards

Vs Rams
Zeke 20 Carries for 47 yards

But we're gonna win three straight playoff games and go to the Superbowl without a Trio at wr. lmao

Zeke went home hungry

 

[quickccc]

I think Zeke will likely have a chance to return under a much more reduced salary – why would Cowboys continue to pay him out as among highest paid RBs as such,
- plus to add that Pollard becomes top priority to re-sign, now that making the Pro Bowl (not alternate or injury replacement) officially recognized him around the NFL as one of the premiere backs,
one of the most explosively dangerous RBs in the entire NFL, ….

- Zeke is still one of the very best RBs at the goal line. His sheer tremendous leg drive and lower body power and knack for the goal line end zone flat out continues to make
him very difficult to stop in that situation..
But you just cannot commit such big dollars for a mere Goal line/short yardage runner.

Here's the Question of the Day,. ..what if Zeke refuses to take a pay cut ..?

 

[quickccc]

Zeke as the 4th overall pick started off with a bang. It looked like a sure fire success story. It has turned into a failure. Without any kind of playoff heroics this year it is time to move on.

It would have continued to be a Hall of Fame career, .. if not for the Garrett regime bulking him up ...and pounding- beating him up to a decline.

 

[CowboysExchange]

I think Zeke will likely have a chance to return under a much more reduced salary – why would Cowboys continue to pay him out as among highest paid RBs as such,
- plus to add that Pollard becomes top priority to re-sign, now that making the Pro Bowl (not alternate or injury replacement) officially recognized him around the NFL as one of the premiere backs,
one of the most explosively dangerous RBs in the entire NFL, ….

- Zeke is still one of the very best RBs at the goal line. His sheer tremendous leg drive and lower body power and knack for the goal line end zone flat out continues to make
him very difficult to stop in that situation..
But you just cannot commit such big dollars for a mere Goal line/short yardage runner.

Here's the Question of the Day,. ..what if Zeke refuses to take a pay cut ..?

If he shows up with stats in the playoffs like he did

He better be cheap if he is back otherwise, why? We need depth on the defense next year and Dak ain't going anywhere so I don't see money coming from anywhere else.

They're just gonna cut Parsons and the 2-3 guys below him are just gonna get better on defense ha ha ha

 

[starfan1]

Sorry. I must assume their silence on the matter is telling.

Yes...I know there are people who claim Dak makes too much for his performance. There are also a lot of people silent about Dak accepting less money. It's not talked about as much as Zeke.

Just my opinion...I see no need to fight about it.

Not fighting just discussing . Dak will take less money as they will restructure it will however piss off the replace now crowd. Hopefully he and zeke will be here for awhile. I’d like to keep pollard but I think he’ll price himself out of our ability to sign him.
Unless of course they franchise him . JMO

 

[starfan1]

Zeke as the 4th overall pick started off with a bang. It looked like a sure fire success story. It has turned into a failure. Without any kind of playoff heroics this year it is time to move on.

I’m not a zeke apologist and I’ve been pretty vocal that I think it was a stupid pick.
The reason for zekes success is we had the best line in football from 14-18 . Many backs could have put up his numbers

When they regressed he did as well plus his injuries took a toll. Some say his bout with covid significantly impacted him as well. Not sure I buy that but it’s possible
I just think the amount of carry’s from college on through his first 6 years have taken its toll.
All RBs go through it
I’m ok keeping him at a big reduction but I’m also ok losing him
I’d hate to lose both he and Tony though

 

[RonnieT24]

It wouldn't be a surprise if Pollard has as many backfield loss yardage as Zeke .. .Why ?

- When Defenses sees No.20 Pollard lined up in the backfield , that screams instantly “ Red Alert “ all systems go as a Defense.

- When they see Pollard, it puts them immediately on pins and needles, knowing they cannot let up one single gap or BOOM he’s gone !
and that forces them to hurry and get an " guess' jump on him earlier ..and often as possible before he can gain any momentum room to break one big.

Game breaking playmakers do that .. they frighten the hell outta defense... That's how much pressure they place on defenses.

It is not "as many as Zeke." It's double the amount. And it has been that way since his rookie season when opposing DCs didn't even know his name.. He was just "that number 20..." What I will never understand is why it's so hard for people to just accept weaknesses in a guy's game. Zeke's weaknesses are lack of explosiveness and no wiggle in the open field, though he has displayed more of the latter this year. Other than that there are no holes in his game. Pollard's weaknesses are not a good blocker and less effective in short yardage though he has improved in both areas this year.

- With Zeke .. they can live with another day with his 6 yard run. .as he’s a lumbering, .methodical bell cow nowadays vs the glory days where HE use to frighten defenses
because of his great breakaway burst he came into the league in 2016. .and It’s no secret that he simply just no longer presents that fear any more.

This is an interesting argument given that up until maybe last season when Zeke got hurt every DC they talked to about the Dallas offense mentioned "we gotta stop Zeke" within the first 30 seconds of their interview. I agree that Pollard is now the guy they fear most but don't get it twisted. Teams know that if they let Zeke get rollin it's church for them because it gives the line life, beats down their defense and allows the Cowboys to dictate the game. Fortunately for the other teams, Kellen Moore has no interest in really letting either guy really get rollin.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Unless of course they franchise him . JMO

This is exactly what I expect them to do and draft another one in the Zeke mode ( big complete RB ). Just me, but I don't see Zeke coming back. Think about it, we have Lamb, Parsons, and Diggs contracts right around the corner. I hate to say it coz I've always been one of his strongest supporters but he basically now a part-time player for us.

 

[starfan1]

This is exactly what I expect them to do and draft another one in the Zeke mode ( big complete RB ). Just me, but I don't see Zeke coming back. Think about it, we have Lamb, Parsons, and Diggs contracts right around the corner. I hate to say it coz I've always been one of his strongest supporters but he basically now a part-time player for us.

Valid points I mean Malik Davis isn’t bad either

 

[RonnieT24]

This is exactly what I expect them to do and draft another one in the Zeke mode ( big complete RB ). Just me, but I don't see Zeke coming back. Think about it, we have Lamb, Parsons, and Diggs contracts right around the corner. I hate to say it coz I've always been one of his strongest supporters but he basically now a part-time player for us.

If that's the case we better hope TP learns how to average more than 2 yards per carry against good defensive fronts.. His totals against Tampa, Washington and Philly were 25 carries for 58 yards. Zeke outgained him by 130 yards in those games and averaged almost 2 yards per carry more. At some point if the Cowboys are indeed going to hitch their wagon to Pollard he's got to show up against a tough defense instead of piling up numbers against bottom feeders like The Giants, Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago. Those teams are all in the bottom 7 in run defense. Four of Pollard's five best games came against those guys though the Giants bottled him up the second time around 18 carries for 60 yards 3.3 ypc. . Zeke's four best games came against the Eagles, Bucs and both games against the Giants. Zeke also banged out 50 tough yards against the Ratscums.. while Pollard gained.. er.. 6 on 8 carries. That's 27 inches per carry.

The bottom line is it's great that Pollard can go off against chumps.. but if he's going to become "the guy" he can get 2 feet per carry against a good defense. He's gotta at least bang out 2.5 to 3 yards per carry. That's at least enough to make the defense honor the run. .75 ypc aint.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I think Zeke is smart enough to realize his place on this team and what the market for RB's is. He should be amicable to restructuring his contract and staying here. The Cowboys can then franchise Pollard and keep this backfield intact for another year.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

If that's the case we better hope TP learns how to average more than 2 yards per carry against good defensive fronts.. His totals against Tampa, Washington and Philly were 25 carries for 58 yards. Zeke outgained him by 130 yards in those games and averaged almost 2 yards per carry more. At some point if the Cowboys are indeed going to hitch their wagon to Pollard he's got to show up against a tough defense instead of piling up numbers against bottom feeders like The Giants, Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago. Those teams are all in the bottom 7 in run defense. Four of Pollard's five best games came against those guys though the Giants bottled him up the second time around 18 carries for 60 yards 3.3 ypc. . Zeke's four best games came against the Eagles, Bucs and both games against the Giants. Zeke also banged out 50 tough yards against the Ratscums.. while Pollard gained.. er.. 6 on 8 carries. That's 27 inches per carry.

The bottom line is it's great that Pollard can go off against chumps.. but if he's going to become "the guy" he can get 2 feet per carry against a good defense. He's gotta at least bang out 2.5 to 3 yards per carry. That's at least enough to make the defense honor the run. .75 ypc aint.

My gosh you’re a blathering bag of air.

 

[RonnieT24]

Valid points I mean Malik Davis isn’t bad either

Davis is good but he needs an offseason in the weightroom and with the Cowboys training staff to put on another 10-15 pounds of muscle. As it stands he's too small to be the every down replacement for Zeke. Durability was his main issue in college and at his size it will continue in the pros if he doesn't muscle up a bit.

 

[Sydla]

I know everyone is always trying to get rid of him but he has done his job and has done it well!

I love 21 and I hope he comes back next year

He's like a 17 million cap hit next year.

It would be dumb to bring him back at that number. He needs to take a pay cut.

 

[Sydla]

Yeah good luck convincing the people that hate of that. Yes they need to reduce his salary and his cap hit.. but the whole crusade to run him out of Dallas is just dumb. The guy's a good and complete football player who is unselfish and tough as nails. You can never have enough of that type of player.

Huh?

The reason most people want him out of Dallas is because of his ridiculous cap hit. If Zeke had a cap hit of $5MM next year, you'd get WAY less people saying he needs to go. LOL, you yourself admit the cap hit is too high and that he would need to take a pay cut.

 

[RonnieT24]

My gosh you’re a blathering bag of air.

The third grader returns to his stalking ways.. Welcome back.. You don't like what I write.. There's a really simple solution. (hint: whinin about it like a lil ***** aint gonna work. )

 

[Sydla]

zeke's not going anywhere.
he'll be back on a restructured deal.
but no way they'll trade or release him.

To be clear here, a restructured deal would mean they converted his large base to a bonus and kicked cap hits into the future.

That would be dumb.

He needs to take a pay cut and significantly reduce his base salary. Would he? I have no idea.