PFF Highest-graded running backs

[ShortRound]

 

[thunderpimp91]

And none of them 1st round picks....I was a fan of the Zeke pick but we learn time and time again to not take RBs high, and dont give them record setting contracts.

 

[fivetwos]

I'm not thinking production is dictating playing time in Dallas at the RB spot.

 

[thunderpimp91]

By comparison Zeke is a 66.3 on PFF.

To be fair to Zeke though PFF does not grade RBs in pass protection, which is an area Zeke excels in.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Makes perfect sense to keep one of the highest rated RBs on ice all game.

 

[Creeper]

And none of them 1st round picks....I was a fan of the Zeke pick but we learn time and time again to not take RBs high, and dont give them record setting contracts.

I did not like the Zeke pick from day 1. I would have taken Ramsey in a second. RBs are just not worth what they once were and you can find them in the middle rounds. I'd rather draft offensive line. The Eagles lead the league in rushing. Miles Sanders is a 2nd round pick (21st pick) and the rest of their RBs are 5th and 6th rounders. The top 4 rushing teams this year do not have a RB selected in the 1st round. The 5th highest rushing team, the Ravens, are getting it done with guys they picked up off the street.

Running the football requires only 2 things. 1. An offensive line and TEs that can block - WRs too if you can get them. 2. A commitment to run the football the entire game. RBs can be found all over the draft and many teams have proven this to be true.

Then Jerry compounded the mistake of drafting Zeke by giving him an absurd contract. Now we are stuck with him for another year and maybe more if Jerry does the dumb thing and restructures Zeke to make CAP room.

 

[charron]

If Zeke is a better blocker than some of our TE's then maybe using a 2 back set and letting Zeke block for Pollard would be better use of what he does best.

 

[ShortRound]

Classic example of Jerry dictating playing time via payroll, vs. ability.

And what did Zeke say himself? You'll have to carry him off the field?

 

[john van brocklin]

Makes perfect sense to keep one of the highest rated RBs on ice all game.

And don't run him wide either ...grrrrrr

 

[thunderpimp91]

If Zeke is a better blocker than some of our TE's then maybe using a 2 back set and letting Zeke block for Pollard would be better use of what he does best.

Different type of blocking

 

[Starforever]

Means absolutely nothing with the Cowboys. For all the accolades certain players receive, it does not lead to team chemistry. Each of the other players are used within a team concept. Pollard is doing it in spite of the team. The individuality of the Cowboys stand out.

They played like a team earlier, but now they are whining, not communicating and having numerous mental errors. The coaching staff has to galvanize these guys, or this unexpected year will have an expected end. Let's Go Boyz!

 

[charron]

Different type of blocking

I don't care if he lines up in the backfield and blocks or if they try to put him on the line like a TE to block, anything might be better than what they are doing now. Personally i'd leave him in the backfield, that's what he does best and allows you to also fake it to him and some other misdirection type plays.

 

[perrykemp]

Dillon is an absolute tank. Just don't see many 250 lb tailbacks in the NFL anymore.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Tony Pollard is the key to fixing this offense:

OL run blocking is good (#7th in the league). However, the running game is predictable (middle runs, mostly) and Zeke is ineffective. To improve, they need utilize Pollard on 90% of snaps and to incorporate more off-tackle, pitches, etc. to spread out the defense—they are not worried about setting the edge right now.

OL pass blocking is really bad (23rd in the league). I believe this is why we see Zeke in the backfield so much. He is a much better pass protector than Pollard (that should be apparent after last week). This is a self-fulling prophecy, though: Zeke makes the running game ineffective, so safeties can play deep & runs typically get just a few yards putting us in 3rd and long where again the terrible pass-blocking will not allow us to convert.

Defenses are disguising coverage and Dak is audibling out into the wrong option. He is having real trouble diagnosing the defense pre-snap which he was very good at early in the season. The hot run play is up the gut and getting stoned almost every time. He's not getting the ball out fast enough and WRs are getting covered. He also has the yips from the constant pressure and is not being carful with the ball at all. He looks desperate and frazzled. He needs to have some pressure taken off him.

Kellen Moore is trying to fix these issues with short passing game and WR screens. He see’s the safeties playing to take away the deep ball and his solution is short passing and WR screen. Not a bad response, but he is abandoning the run because of its inefficacy (which he creates by not utilizing Pollard enough and only running middle).

To fix this offence, we need to see Pollard as the staple. Utilizing outside run, pitches, etc. Give Dak some different audibles as the middle run is not working. Once we start having success in the run game the safeties to run support and we can start hitting the deep passing game again. Play action will give Dak a little more time to contend with the pass rush. Add in some deigned QBs runs if you have to, roll Dak out—anything to avoid being one dimensional and get him comfortable again.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I don't care if he lines up in the backfield and blocks or if they try to put him on the line like a TE to block, anything might be better than what they are doing now. Personally i'd leave him in the backfield, that's what he does best and allows you to also fake it to him and some other misdirection type plays.

Ahhhh I think i'd rather have an actual TE or 6th OL in the game to block on the line. Zeke is great in pass protection, but I dont want him playing a fullback type of role. lead blocking, really run blocking in general is a different animal. You can absolutely have Zeke & Pollard both in the backfield to keep the defense guessing, but thats about the extent of that advantage.

 

[blueblood70]

3 for 9 man we missed out! 12 total carries and somehow its zekes fault and pollards 3ypc were so great he should have got more carries..IT MOORE AND THE OL , period..just stop the nonsense.

 

[Denim Chicken]

3 for 9 man we missed out! 12 total carries and somehow its zekes fault and pollards 3ypc were so great he should have got more carries..IT MOORE AND THE OL , period..just stop the nonsense.

Zeke was 9 for 16. 1.78 avg!

 

[G2]

Classic example of Jerry dictating playing time via payroll, vs. ability.

And what did Zeke say himself? You'll have to carry him off the field?

I would agree with you, but explain Jaylon Smith.

 

[ShortRound]

I would agree with you, but explain Jaylon Smith.

Good point, you think the coaches have any sway to affect Zeke's status like Jaylon? I am assuming the coaches finally had enough with JS.

 

[G2]

Good point, you think the coaches have any sway to affect Zeke's status like Jaylon? I am assuming the coaches finally had enough with JS.

Nothing would surprise me this year, lol.