Overreliance on Zeke Elliott

[Tabascocat]

I just don't agree that Zeke was the reason behind going 13-3. And in any case it was a mirage. We weren't much better this year with him than without. The real split in our production happened when we had Tyron go out verses when he was in.

RB just isn't very important. And Barnwell did an analysis on how defenses were playing us with and without Zeke. The difference amounted to with Zeke we faced one more stacked box a game. One.

RBs just don't matter as much as you think. Glittery stats. But it was our Oline. We know this because Murray, Demarco.

I think we are arguing and kind of agreeing in a circle. In theory, yes I would have drafted a corner or DE that early. It is insane to draft a RB in the top five.

Can you agree that we have a poor designed offense? Can you agree that said offense depends on a strong/elite running game?

For this team to have any kind of success, it needs that elite run game. We saw it in 2014 as well as 2016. Now, the OLine is a huge part of that, maybe most of it. But, it takes that special back to make it dominant. DeMarco was that same special back for that one season.

I just think Dallas would have never went 13-3 with Jalen or Bosa because I suspect we would have seen some scrubs running behind that line. Other teams gameplan around Zeke, not so much any other RB's in that draft.

Again, for THIS Dallas team, Zeke was the right call IMO. Maybe there is another young guy that could garner the respect of opposing defenses but have yet to see it other than Zeke.

For most other teams, I get your point and strongly agree, just not for this inept offense.

 

[Redball Express]

So now Dak sucks, and Elliott is a liability. Love these threads. Only 7 months to go. Yay!

Yeah..

And take these threads about Jerrah and Garrett needing to go with you.

Jerrah was just put in the HofF..

and Garrett was coach of the Year in 2016.

Please.

 

[Galian Beast]

A late 1st plus a 3rd equals a mid-first.

Whatever the reason, you attempted to use the Patriots to prove a point but but neglected a critical detail.

The Pats have also drafted TEs and signed a lot of free agent WRs over the years including Randy Moss.

Context is key, but you're ignoring it.

The Patriots from time to time will try to get a wide receiver for Brady, but they don't like to overspend for them.

They didn't sign Moss, they traded for him for a 4th round pick. They've also traded for Corey Dillon (3rd rd pick). When you trade lower picks for a known commodity, especially an affordable one, you win big.

They traded a 1st and a 3rd for Cooks and a 4th rounder so that they could get an elite WR for very cheap.

Gronkowski is the last time they drafted a tight end in the top 3 rounds and that was back in 2010. That didn't stop them from picking up Bennett as a free agent and winning a super bowl with him...

This comment was about the draft, but the Patriots have also been shrewd with their free agent signings.

 

[Verdict]

They need to add a Zeke LITE RB to pair with Zeke and a burner that can catch the ball at RB. They also need to fortify the OL and run the hell out of the ball.

 

[xwalker]

Context is key, but you're ignoring it.

The Patriots from time to time will try to get a wide receiver for Brady, but they don't like to overspend for them.

They didn't sign Moss, they traded for him for a 4th round pick. They've also traded for Corey Dillon (3rd rd pick). When you trade lower picks for a known commodity, especially an affordable one, you win big.

They traded a 1st and a 3rd for Cooks and a 4th rounder so that they could get an elite WR for very cheap.

Gronkowski is the last time they drafted a tight end in the top 3 rounds and that was back in 2010. That didn't stop them from picking up Bennett as a free agent and winning a super bowl with him...

This comment was about the draft, but the Patriots have also been shrewd with their free agent signings.

Your claim was that the Patriots spend more resources on defense.

You were wrong.

 

[aikemirv]

It's a joke Garrett runs this guy 30 times a game. All it's getting us is a shortened career for Zeke.

When your QB is nit getting it done, that is what you are forced to do

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

When your QB is nit getting it done, that is what you are forced to do

Then what was the excuse for driving Murray into the ground? When you have a vanilla offense and a poor defense that's what you do.

 

[aikemirv]

Then what was the excuse for driving Murray into the ground? When you have a vanilla offense and a poor defense that's what you do.

Seems they knew they were not paying Murray the next year and they got great use out of him and he was rewarded handsomely for it. Vanilla offense was not the reason but poor defense may have been.

 

[Galian Beast]

Your claim was that the Patriots spend more resources on defense.

You were wrong.

Except I wasn't, but thanks for playing

 

[xwalker]

Except I wasn't, but thanks for playing

From your OP:
"Reality is we need to focus on defense"

"We keep dumping resources into the offense to cover up for Garrett's awful scheme and then complain when individualplayers underperform or aren't healthy. That needs to end."

 

[TheCoolFan]

The Garrett Offense requires an elite RB like it's the 90s

 

[Galian Beast]

From your OP:
"Reality is we need to focus on defense"

"We keep dumping resources into the offense to cover up for Garrett's awful scheme and then complain when individualplayers underperform or aren't healthy. That needs to end."

Where do you see us spending more resources on defense than the Patriots?

 

[xwalker]

Where do you see us spending more resources on defense than the Patriots?

Your point was that the Patriots spend their resources on defense more than offense but you neglected the Cooks trade and other issues.

 

[Galian Beast]

Your point was that the Patriots spend their resources on defense more than offense but you neglected the Cooks trade and other issues.

The cooks trade doesn't negate that fact that the patriots spend CONSIDERABLY more on defense...

Not sure how you came to that ridiculous conclusion...