Running Back Observations

[jterrell]

This is going to sound harsher than I mean it but nonetheless these types of posts are the worst.

Start with an agenda, play on emotional drama and let er rip with false equivalencies.
It's a facebook meme claiber post.

RB in pre-season mean less than zero. No team plays good RB during pre-season going back to us not playing Emmitt.
The Cowboys have tried any number of pre-season superstars over the years and exactly 0 have worked out in an actual season.

Drafting Zeke at 4 was a bad use of an elite pick due to positional value. But Zeke did his part and has stayed on the field contributing at a high level ever since.
He leads the NFL in rushing yardage since he was drafted. If anything he is a success story that beat the odds.
His contract was far from good value but it is also overblown. He's really on a 4 years 50M deal. And the team was ALWAYS going to pay 20M for the first 2 years regardless.

So all this crying is over 2 years at 30M.
And let's be clear Zeke could absolutely get 30M actual dollars on the open market TODAY.
It may take a 4-5 year deal to do so with cap relief offloads much like he has in place now but a lot of teams would be interested in Zeke for his all-around RB game and durability.

I like Dowdle. He knows the offense, he runs hard and he is a great value.
I also like Davis who is similar to all the above.
But Dallas may well cut them both and then resign one after IR'ing people because they are close in ability to each other and 10 other RBs who'll face waivers.
They are not in the same conversation with Zeke who would obliterate 2nd string defenses running behind Tyler Smith and Matt Farniok.

 

[jazzcat22]

True, but most pundits agree with CowboyRoy on both Dak and Zeke. You are the one that is alone in your thinking that Zeke is an elite RB worth his salary that should continue to dominate the touches over Pollard.

Like with Garrett, Heath, Taco and other players that continue to hurt this team, I will NEVER STOP!!! Its my right as a Cowboys fan to put the team in front of the player. I support the team, not the player.

And last time I checked, this wasnt a FAN CLUB, but a discussion forum.

 

[CowboyRoy]

You seem to have no clue about what the NFL landscape thinks of Pollard and Zeke. Do you not read? LOL

RB rankings and countless articles talking about Zeke need to play less and Pollard needing to play more.

Here, enjoy just a small sample size of the reading:

https://sportsnaut.com/time-for-dallas-cowboys-start-tony-pollard-over-ezekiel-elliott/

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-of-touches-running-game-over-ezekiel-elliott

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/fast-5-does-pollard-need-more-of-zeke-s-carries

 

[Jipper]

NO, his number of carries do. Most of his statistics do not. His RB ypc averages and efficiency statistics some of them are in the 30's when compared to other backs.

Only thing elite about Zeke is how many times our coaching staff hands him the ball. There are very few backs anymore that actually get 230 or more carries a year. Most RB's operate in a RB by committee.

Anyone watching the Cowboys sees that even Pollard is the better runner when given the chance.

come on dude, look at last years numbers, your argument does not hold water - and of the 6 rbs in front of zeke, 5 of them had over 230 carries so....

In 2021, zeke was 7th in overall rushing yards with an average of 4.2. Of the 6 players in front of him 3 had a higher yard per carry. In terms of attempts he had 237 which was less than all 6 in front of him except chubb. He also was 3rd in tds within the same group.

Again, zeke is on the fringe of of elite and your argument that he has a disproportionate amount of carries to his peers does not stand looking at last years numbers in terms of touches....so keep feeling how you feel but maybe look at recent history and the numbers eh?

 

[jazzcat22]

You seem to have no clue about what the NFL landscape thinks of Pollard and Zeke. Do you not read? LOL

RB rankings and countless articles talking about Zeke need to play less and Pollard needing to play more.

Here, enjoy just a small sample size of the reading:

https://sportsnaut.com/time-for-dallas-cowboys-start-tony-pollard-over-ezekiel-elliott/

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/202...-of-touches-running-game-over-ezekiel-elliott

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/fast-5-does-pollard-need-more-of-zeke-s-carries

Cherry picked opinion pieces. I already read that type of garbage.

 

[CowboyRoy]

come on dude, look at last years numbers, your argument does not hold water - and of the 6 rbs in front of zeke, 5 of them had over 230 carries so....

In 2021, zeke was 7th in overall rushing yards with an average of 4.2. Of the 6 players in front of him 3 had a higher yard per carry. In terms of attempts he had 237 which was less than all 6 in front of him except chubb. He also was 3rd in tds within the same group.

Again, zeke is on the fringe of of elite and your argument that he has a disproportionate amount of carries to his peers does not stand looking at last years numbers in terms of touches....so keep feeling how you feel but maybe look at recent history and the numbers eh?

LOL..........buddy all your doing is saying Zeke gets a lot of carries so he gets a lot of yards. His YPC is garbage as is all his efficiency stats.

Any fool can take a handoff, its what you do with it once you get it.

Zeke averaged 3.6 ypc the 2nd half of last year. He averaged 3.9 in all of 2021.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...spns-top-10-rb-rankings-voted-by-nfl-insiders

 

[CowboyRoy]

Cherry picked opinion pieces. I already read that type of garbage.

cherry picking? They are all over the internet buddy.

Heck, 70% of the fans on here want more Pollard.

 

[jazzcat22]

cherry picking? They are all over the internet buddy.

Heck, 70% of the fans on here want more Pollard.

Yeah, I want to see more Pollard as well, but more so in the passing game. Get him into space. He can be more dangerous that way.

 

[McKDaddy]

Ramsey would have been a bust here in Marinelli's defense, and would not have got a 2nd contract IMO.

No matter how he fared, I think its clear he would have been looking for a way out, a huge contract or both. He is all about getting paid. Not saying he isn't a good CB but I'm not sure spending a high pick and then have the player create drama before they complete the rookie contract and force their way out of town is a good return on investment.

You can only draft the "talent". If you have concerns they are a "me first" person, I would be concerned trying to build a team around them.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Yeah, I want to see more Pollard as well, but more so in the passing game. Get him into space. He can be more dangerous that way.

I would prefer a 50/50 split in the running or hot hand approach, and for Pollard to dominate the reps in the passing game.

I am fully aware that will NEVER happen with Jerry in charge and Moore being his puppet.

 

[jazzcat22]

I would prefer a 50/50 split in the running or hot hand approach, and for Pollard to dominate the reps in the passing game.

I am fully aware that will NEVER happen with Jerry in charge and Moore being his puppet.

I don't care if a 50/50 split the carries, as long as it works and we win.
Moore needs to figure out to formulate a game plan, and make the proper adjustments as the game unfolds.
However, I do not have confidence in Moore to do that. This is where MM needs to step in. But will / can he.

Yes Pollard needs more reps in the passing game on these split touches. He is faster, quicker, and more elusive in the open field. Therefore more dangerous and a scoring threat.

I do think a 60 / 40 or a little less split on actual carries works best for Zeke, as his bigger size and strength works on wearing down the defense. Therefore opening up big runs for both himself and Tony in the 4th quarter. I know that is old style as to today's passing game. But that is just me.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I don't care if a 50/50 split the carries, as long as it works and we win.
Moore needs to figure out to formulate a game plan, and make the proper adjustments as the game unfolds.
However, I do not have confidence in Moore to do that. This is where MM needs to step in. But will / can he.

Yes Pollard needs more reps in the passing game on these split touches. He is faster, quicker, and more elusive in the open field. Therefore more dangerous and a scoring threat.

I do think a 60 / 40 or a little less split on actual carries works best for Zeke, as his bigger size and strength works on wearing down the defense. Therefore opening up big runs for both himself and Tony in the 4th quarter. I know that is old style as to today's passing game. But that is just me.

With Zeke's lack of speed and inability to get to the edges, teams stack the middle and it makes our running game predictable. Its part of the issue when he is in there. Everyone knows he is running up the middle. That isnt a Moore problem, that is a Zeke problem.

 

[Jipper]

LOL..........buddy all your doing is saying Zeke gets a lot of carries so he gets a lot of yards. His YPC is garbage as is all his efficiency stats.

Any fool can take a handoff, its what you do with it once you get it.

Zeke averaged 3.6 ypc the 2nd half of last year. He averaged 3.9 in all of 2021.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...spns-top-10-rb-rankings-voted-by-nfl-insiders

I am not doing that at all, in fact i pointed out to you that he had the 4th highest ypc out of the top 7 rbs in yards and only 1 person in that group had more attempts than him last season so you must have glossed over that part.

Also he did not average 3.9 in 2021, he averaged 4.2 - 1002 yards on 237 carries in 17 games

You keep trying to spin it but the black and white numbers do not support what you are saying. Furhter more, you are totally discounting his abilities in pass protection which make him a more complete back.

Back to my original point, he is questionable as elite which means statistically speaking he is in the 3-5 range in the major categories which he is. Not sure what you have against him and the numbers, hes been very good, gotten tough yards and gets dismissed bc his contract sucks but statistically speaking its still a very good story with him.

 

[jazzcat22]

With Zeke's lack of speed and inability to get to the edges, teams stack the middle and it makes our running game predictable. Its part of the issue when he is in there. Everyone knows he is running up the middle. That isnt a Moore problem, that is a Zeke problem.

Not true at all. It is your problem against Zeke.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I am not doing that at all, in fact i pointed out to you that he had the 4th highest ypc out of the top 7 rbs in yards and only 1 person in that group had more attempts than him last season so you must have glossed over that part.

Also he did not average 3.9 in 2021, he averaged 4.2 - 1002 yards on 237 carries in 17 games

You keep trying to spin it but the black and white numbers do not support what you are saying. Furhter more, you are totally discounting his abilities in pass protection which make him a more complete back.

Back to my original point, he is questionable as elite which means statistically speaking he is in the 3-5 range in the major categories which he is. Not sure what you have against him and the numbers, hes been very good, gotten tough yards and gets dismissed bc his contract sucks but statistically speaking its still a very good story with him.

So he was below average of the only 7 backs that get that many carries? LOL

Tell me how that doesnt support my case?

A guy on his own team under the EXACT same conditions as Zeke typically averages a full yard more per year. When Zeke was averaging 5.5 ypc the first 6 week, Pollard was leading the NFL with 6.8 ypc.

As far as pass protection...........great, let him play fullback. RB's get paid to run and catch. Thats why they are called "running" backs.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Not true at all. It is your problem against Zeke.

What exactly are you saying is not true? This is the part where you usually cop out and start getting offended.

 

[gimmesix]

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen this is why you don't draft a RB with the 4th pick and then give in to them by paying them a record breaking second contract.

Our free agent RB's have looked very good for cheap this preseason.

Meanwhile how's that contract for Zeke looking now?

Not saying the backups are as good as Zeke, but when you compare their contracts to their abilities

I would take the rookies.

You could take the salary difference and shore up other areas of the team.

The Cowboy's situation at RB really shores up the notion that you don't draft RB's early and or give them

enormous second contracts.

I don't think undrafted FA running backs doing well in the preseason is justification for not spending the fourth pick and a record-breaking contract on a running back. Would some of you seriously not have wanted us to draft Emmitt Smith in the first round or make him the highest-paid RB in the league in 1993? Based on how some seem to feel about being able to find RBs anywhere at any time, you would have let Smith walk (or continue sitting out) and played Lincoln Coleman.

I'm not saying Elliott is proving worthy of his deal, like Smith did. I just don't get the cavalier attitude toward running backs. We have been at our best when we've had a top-notch one (Dorsett, Smith). Yes, it's more of a passing league now, but when you've got a running threat that defenses see as the No. 1 thing they have to stop, then it makes your passing game that much more effective. It also helps your defense when you can run the ball well.

 

[Jfconrow]

Zeke is a really good running back.

 

[CowboyFanInLexKy]

Facts don't fly with these fans.

See, when I watch a football game, I watch a football game. I don't want to look at stats. Play 1) Zeke ran for 2 yards... Play 2) Zeke ran for 2 yards, Play 3) Zeke ran for 2 yards. Play 4) Zeke ran for 10 yards... OK that equals 16 yards, you divide by 4 it equals 4 yards per carry.... We all know this... But when I'm watching a game, I am constantly only seeing 2 yard gains from Zeke...

 

[jazzcat22]

What exactly are you saying is not true? This is the part where you usually cop out and start getting offended.

This is the part you realize others are right and you are wrong, and start thinking others get offended when they don't.