Of Crystal Balls and Tea Leaves Part III

jday

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Starting late March, as I read any and all things draft related, I came to the conclusion that the Cowboys should/would draft Zeke…had to draft him. In the scheme of things, it just made the most amount of sense that the Cowboys would recognize the approaching expiration date of Romo and make one final push to get it done, by giving him the ultimate weapon – an all-around excellent Running Back who is a threat to take it to the house on any given play at any given point on the field, by any means of ball distribution – toss, pass, handoff, screen, etc. That teamed with Romo, Dez, Witten, Beasley, etc would give opposing defensive coordinators too much to stop in one game.

Whereas, had the Cowboys drafted to please the so-called experts, they would have drafted a QB and defense and possibly a WR late. The latter draft, however, would have been a draft that essentially would tell Romo, “you had a nice run kid, but we are moving on.”

Why?

Because drafting defense regardless of where you take them typically do not contribute in any significant way in their first year. Sure, there are exceptions to that rule, but those exceptions are rare…and I’m not even sure that immediate impact player was available in this draft. At least, not a guy who will fix what was broken on the Cowboys defense.

So, I made the prediction that should they draft Zeke, they will go to the playoffs. I further stated that they would give Zeke the #22 and that in an effort to be trite, Jerry would say something to the extent of, “When you put 88 with 22, you are going to get 110 percent.” Just sounds like something Jerry would say.

So let’s review: The Cowboys did draft Zeke and I shango’d all over myself. I ran around the house yelling “yes, yes, yes.” Leading up to the draft, I consistently heard the commish in my head saying, “With the fourth overall pick of the draft, the Dallas Cowboys select…(pause for effect)…Ezekiel Elliot Running Back Ohio State.” I heard it bouncing around my head over and over and knew that that was what I was going to hear when it actually happened. And then it happened. For the first time in my draft watching life, the Cowboys picked my pet cat.

Now, granted, I understand it’s not like I just guessed the winning lottery numbers. The odds in my favor of being right were somewhat decent, despite the supposed rule against drafting running backs in the first and the fact that they had already addressed the position in Free Agency with Alfred Morris. Furthermore, the Cowboys have yet to give the man #22, though, I am holding out hope that they will do so at some point prior to the season…no offense to the purist out there that are against ever seeing that number worn again. So, on that prediction, we are still in wait and see mode.

For the fun of it, though, I have yet another prediction to make:

As I was driving home in tumultuous weather last night and mulling over all the various arguments against Zeke that have sprouted up, a future Nike/other sports brand commercial popped in my head. One that is by no means in existence to my knowledge, but something I expect to see at some point in the playoffs following the upcoming season:

We hear Zeke narrating over a series of highlights from the past season. He starts with: They said I’m not AP. They said I’m not Todd Gurley. They said I’m not Emmitt Smith. They said I’m not worthy of the fourth overall pick. Everything they said…(pause for effect)…was right. I’m Zeke and I should have gone first overall.”

Blast away!
 

darthseinfeld

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By mid-October, exactly 100 percent of our fan base will claim they wanted Zeke with the No. 4 pick.

Cowboy fans are conveniently malleable like that, and the internet is a cesspool of sudden expertism.

Ill stay on record as being against Zeke at #4. I didnt get my way. Instead of pouting in a corner and tolling every Zeke thread Ive moved on and embraced a player I hope makes me feel ridiculous for not wanting to draft him.

I didnt want Zach Martin either. I was a Barr/Donald/Mosely guy. I wanted Mosely when they were on the board
 

Doomsday101

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I think Dallas would have taken the QB had Philly not moved ahead of them as we saw they also tried to trade with Seattle to get Lynch so I do think it was in their plans to look beyond just this coming season. I don't think that move would have said things were over for Romo and we were moving on. Even without zeke I think expectation for the Cowboys heading into this year is to show that it was more about injury last season and with a healthy Romo and Dez they could win. I think bringing in Morris a proven RB along with DMac before the draft was an indicator that they were looking to improve the run game. Adding of Zeke I think will be a big help to that but I don't know if the plan all along was to get zeke, the Philly move created the situation
 

erod

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Honestly Id rather see Zeke popularize another number as opposed to 22. 22 and 33 are already immortalized. Lets try and immortalize another number

22 was immortalized by Bob Hayes before Emmitt Smith

54 was immortalized by Chuck Howley before Randy White

88 was immortalized by Drew Pearson before Michael Irvin and Dez Bryant

Here's some triplets fun:

Troy (8) + Emmitt (22) + Irvin (88) = 118

Romo (9) + Zeke (21) + Dez (88) = 118
 

erod

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I think Dallas would have taken the QB had Philly not moved ahead of them as we saw they also tried to trade with Seattle to get Lynch so I do think it was in their plans to look beyond just this coming season. I don't think that move would have said things were over for Romo and we were moving on. Even without zeke I think expectation for the Cowboys heading into this year is to show that it was more about injury last season and with a healthy Romo and Dez they could win. I think bringing in Morris a proven RB along with DMac before the draft was an indicator that they were looking to improve the run game. Adding of Zeke I think will be a big help to that but I don't know if the plan all along was to get zeke, the Philly move created the situation

I will be very interested to watch the careers of Wentz and Lynch. Hopefully, the Cowboys dodged bullets with both.

And wouldn't it be hilarious if Prescott turned out better than both of them? Doubtful, but that would be funny.
 

tyke1doe

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By mid-October, exactly 100 percent of our fan base will claim they wanted Zeke with the No. 4 pick.

Cowboy fans are conveniently malleable like that, and the internet is a cesspool of sudden expertism.

I was among the fans who wanted Ezekiel Elliott, but I wanted the Cowboys to trade down and pick up him. But, absent a suitable trade down offer, I evolved to the point where I was okay with Elliott at 4.

I've liked him since I saw him devastate the Alabama defense and noticed not only his power and speed but how he handles the ball as he runs through the hole.

I know what everyone says about the value of a running back, but I think a complete back is worthy of a top 5 pick. And since we are basically operating on Romo's time clock, then you get him as much help as you possibly can. And I believe a back like Elliott helps Romo, our offensive line and our defense.
 

tyke1doe

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Honestly Id rather see Zeke popularize another number as opposed to 22. 22 and 33 are already immortalized. Lets try and immortalize another number

Maybe he'll take Street's number after training camp concludes.
 

darthseinfeld

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I will be very interested to watch the careers of Wentz and Lynch. Hopefully, the Cowboys dodged bullets with both.

And wouldn't it be hilarious if Prescott turned out better than both of them? Doubtful, but that would be funny.

I dont think Prescott is veiwed as more then a backup. They only have him for 4 years and they really value the 5th year option for that QB of the future.

Prescott could impress them enough for them to veiw him as the future, but I dont think the pick was made with that in mind
 

Supercowboy1986

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If gurley could be drafted injuried and be productive I don't see how EE can't be productive when drafted healthy.

If EE has at least 1000 yards rushing we can call it a great rookie season.. Anything else is just the icing on top.

I can't fault the boys trying to recreate 2014 with EE, it worked.
 

Irvin88_4life

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I will be very interested to watch the careers of Wentz and Lynch. Hopefully, the Cowboys dodged bullets with both.

And wouldn't it be hilarious if Prescott turned out better than both of them? Doubtful, but that would be funny.

Actually it's not doubtful. .....Lynch needs the most development and Wentz needs experience.

Prescott has Romo as a mentor.

Lynch and Wentz have Sanchez and Bradford.

Prescott can sit and learn for a few years. ....

Lynch and Wentz most likely become starters this season cause Sanchez and Bradford aren't very good.
 

Doomsday101

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I will be very interested to watch the careers of Wentz and Lynch. Hopefully, the Cowboys dodged bullets with both.

And wouldn't it be hilarious if Prescott turned out better than both of them? Doubtful, but that would be funny.


Now that Wentz is in philly I am hoping his career is not that good lol. I still think both are good prospect but that is water under the bridge they are not here and Zeke is so my attention turns to what we have and who we have. I think Zeke has shown himself in college to be a great all around RB and I think he will be a very big part of this offense.
As for Prescott? Hard to say, I like his athletic ability and I like the fact that he will have time to sit and learn behind a great QB in Romo. Prescott will not face the immediate pressure of leading an NFL team he will be able to get a grasp of the speed and complexity of NFL style defenses and I think that can only benefit him
 

erod

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Actually it's not doubtful. .....Lynch needs the most development and Wentz needs experience.

Prescott has Romo as a mentor.

Lynch and Wentz have Sanchez and Bradford.

Prescott can sit and learn for a few years. ....

Lynch and Wentz most likely become starters this season cause Sanchez and Bradford aren't very good.

OK, so when does Garrapolo get good, and why did Denver give up on Osweiler? Farve wouldn't even talk to Rodgers.

I think Goff, Wentz, and Prescott will amount to Schaub, Foles, and Hoyer.
 

erod

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Now that Wentz is in philly I am hoping his career is not that good lol. I still think both are good prospect but that is water under the bridge they are not here and Zeke is so my attention turns to what we have and who we have. I think Zeke has shown himself in college to be a great all around RB and I think he will be a very big part of this offense.
As for Prescott? Hard to say, I like his athletic ability and I like the fact that he will have time to sit and learn behind a great QB in Romo. Prescott will not face the immediate pressure of leading an NFL team he will be able to get a grasp of the speed and complexity of NFL style defenses and I think that can only benefit him

The problem is, Romo can't teach Prescott to think at that level. Very, very few quarterbacks can.
 

Doomsday101

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The problem is, Romo can't teach Prescott to think at that level. Very, very few quarterbacks can.

Sure you can to an extent, you can show him on any given play what you were seeing and how you made the adjustment based on what you were seeing. Romo can't teach him instincts when things break down and pressure is coming but you know even Romo had to learn those things in doing so we saw Romo int to TD ratio improve.
 
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