RB rotation

[xwalker]

I absolutely hate how we use our running backs when it comes to rotation. We always send Pollard in for a full series or two, with Zeke on the bench (we’ve done the same thing in previous seasons with other backups so it’s not just a Pollard thing). I get the fact that we need to use Pollard and give Zeke some breathers, but why doesn’t the staff sprinkle it in throughout the game rather than take Zeke our for entire possessions. It’s just not very smart to keep your best player on the bench for full possessions when you generally only get 10-12 per game.

You have no factual basis for preferring the backup RB to be "sprinkled" into the game vs playing a full series.

The best way to rest a starter from a rest perspective is to give him an entire series off the field.

They had Pollard and Zeke in the game together on some plays in this game.

 

[xwalker]

Like to see more plays with both backs in the game at the same time.

They've been doing that more. They did it several times in the Eagles game and more than once in this game.

 

[xwalker]

Why can't we have BOTH on the field at the same time on some plays?

They did that more than once in this game and several times in Eagles game. They've done it a few times before the Eagles game.

 

[xwalker]

Not really. He’s a backup RB and a specialty player. That’s his role. I know you’re one of the Zeke haters, but he’s going to get 85% of the carries, so you might as well just accept it.

Zeke played 57 snaps and Pollard played 15 snaps.

They were in the game together a few times.

That does not leave many snaps for Pollard to have kept Zeke on the bench.

 

[BourbonBalz]

You have no factual basis for preferring the backup RB to be "sprinkled" into the game vs playing a full series.

The best way to rest a starter from a rest perspective is to give him an entire series off the field.

They had Pollard and Zeke in the game together on some plays in this game.

it’s not about rest. It’s about having your best player around which the offense is built on the bench for a full possession. I don’t think it’s smart. You can disagree, but it won’t change my opinion.

 

[xwalker]

I absolutely hate how we use our running backs when it comes to rotation. We always send Pollard in for a full series or two, with Zeke on the bench (we’ve done the same thing in previous seasons with other backups so it’s not just a Pollard thing). I get the fact that we need to use Pollard and give Zeke some breathers, but why doesn’t the staff sprinkle it in throughout the game rather than take Zeke our for entire possessions. It’s just not very smart to keep your best player on the bench for full possessions when you generally only get 10-12 per game.

I just re-watched all Cowboys offensive snaps.

You are complaining about something that did NOT happen.

The primary drives that Pollard played some snaps:

Drive X
Zeke played 8 snaps then Pollard played the remaining snaps on that drive.

Drive Y
Zeke played a few snaps, came out limping, Pollard played a few then Zeke returned.

Drive Z
Pollard played a few snaps then Zeke finished out the drive.


There were 2 +/- 1 snaps with Zeke and Pollard together.

 

[BourbonBalz]

It’s not about this one game. It’s how the substitution pattern has been handled the last 2-3 years.

 

[KMY_Amber]

I agree. Don't like the rotation scheme much.

I wish Pollard came in more on 3rd downs, and even on some 1st and 2nd downs, sprinkled in. The one-RB-plays-the-entire-drive isn't always effective, especially when they're pounding Zeke and he gets a little winded. His fatigue could affect his pass blocking too.

Pollard needs more touches, and we need some formations when they're both in the game, maybe sending Pollard past Dak instead of Austin on that side-to-side sprint forward pitch play. And I mean both in the game, and the play is designed for them to both be threats to run or catch, based upon the matchup.

And what happened to the screen game? I rarely see them any more. Maybe the offensive line is no longer good out in open spaces, with the threat of holding calls. Oh well.