The evidence of a Zeke decline

[aria]

I think something that could really help Elliott is seeing a sports psychologist. He is definitely in his own head with the fumbling issue.

God knows there’s more than enough room, I bet the psychologist would charge double.

 

[baltcowboy]

Don’t forget about pulling up a girls shirt in public while being investigated for DV against a WOMAN and then knocking out a DJ in Dallas after being suspended for domestic violence. Then he tried to fight another DJ in Vegas, had to be restrained by teammates and was permanently banned from the club.

None of this was his fault of course, just a victim.

Also Jerrah bent over and gave him his money, defended him against Roger Goodell and the other owners. Zeke needs to sit his buttocks down.

 

[baltcowboy]

what is a "stan"?
The only thing this post is missing is you spelling boy as boi.

The age and IQ level of the board may be dropping again today.

Ok hill billy grandma. You need to get off the board if you don’t know what Stan means.

 

[catiii]

Honestly, I also think Dak not being there is messing with his head even more. The OL isn't helping either.

Da pooow baby....give you paycheck back Zeke and man up.

 

[Whyjerry]

The numbers don’t lie. Ezekiel Elliott is showing multiple signs of a decline in the performance most people assumed wouldn’t happen until for at least 2-3 more seasons before declining. He’s only 25, but he has a ton of touches on his tire treads. It’s hard not to wonder if he will never again have that magnetic playmaking ability he had at the beginning of career.

When Zeke hit the scene in 2016, he showed an incredible combination of power, speed and playmaking ability. Behind that once great OL, Zeke was clearly the best RB in the league from 2016-18. But the last two seasons, his burst and ability to break a big run has dropped precipitously.

Here is some of the stat evidence:

• Yards per carry- 2016: 5.1, 2017: 4.1, 2018: 4.7, 2019: 4.5, 2019: 4.1
• Yards per game- 2016: 108, 2017: 98, 2018: 95, 2018: 95, 2019: 85, 2020: 69
• Yards after contact: only have numbers since 2018 but he has finished 4th, 6th and 7th the last 3 seasons in yards after contact.

And the fumbles....Omg...Zeke has the most fumbles of any RB since he came in the league- specifically 22 fumbles since he came in the league, but he’s had 14 fumbles in just the last two seasons, losing 7. And you can’t say it’s because he has more touches. Because Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, and Joe Mixon have comparable touches, but have much fewer fumbles. Henry and McCaffrey have had 5 fumbles each, while Joe Mixon has only had one fumble the last two years!

I believe Zeke still has talent and can be a big contributor. But it is no longer in doubt, he has not what he used to be. And with this makeshift OL in front of him now, he is almost on his own.

And he has a big contract.

Signing him and Lawrence, drafting Hill, LVE, Gregory and Jaylon Smith will hurt the Cowboys for a decade. All terrible moves.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

what is a "stan"?
The only thing this post is missing is you spelling boy as boi.

The age and IQ level of the board may be dropping again today.

You would be a stan.

Your schtick is to run from thread to thread trying to defend Zeke’s honor and don’t provide a shred of credible counter argument.

Blaming it all on the o-line ain’t it stan.

 

[bigE79]

Heck,give me Emmitt right now,he might not get much yards anymore but at least he wouldn't fumble the game away..lol

 

[CouchCoach]

The miles on a RB are not all the same just like the miles on tires on different vehicles aren't the same, all depends on how and where they're driven.

Elliott is a contact back and the shelf life on those is quite a bit shorter. Just contrast the running style of Elliott with Dorsett or Smith, he doesn't protect himself like they did. Look at Derrick Henry, the biggest and baddest back in the league and he doesn't initiate contact unless it's necessary. He prefers to use his stiff arm, as Emmitt did so well, to keep the tackler away from him. Elliott uses his head and shoulders too much. He is also a good blocker, more wear and tear.

Today as you move around wherever you are, instead of walking around walls and opening doors go ahead and ram into it first, then go around it or open it. How ya feeling at the end of the day?

I think Elliott and his agent were smart and knew this might be coming so he held out a year earlier than others had done. I think Elliott knows his running style is a career shortening issue but that's the only way he knows now to run.

BTW, his RBC should have already addressed that "Tiki Barber Syndrome" with how he's carrying the ball. Those fumbles are by design from the defense because they've seen film of him carrying the ball low and outside instead of high and tight. They fixed Barber's issue quickly with that one change.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

his fumbles are inexcusable but they are an anomaly , unfortunate

but hes not declined to the tone of this board..im sick of the idiots who cant see its more of coaching and OL that changed not zeke..Kellen Moore and the OL issues have caused a decline in or run game which is and should be our identity..

zeke angered me this year with the fumbles but his production is still there of you take into account the OL issue and play calling..KM is the worst run scheming OC over ever witnessed here..its like hes a pass Coordinator and doenst know how to integrate blocking schemes and disguises , motion that helps the run game..

He's got 19 fumbles in less than 4.5 years. Not an anomaly in my book.

 

[blumayne38]

The numbers don’t lie. Ezekiel Elliott is showing multiple signs of a decline in the performance most people assumed wouldn’t happen until for at least 2-3 more seasons before declining. He’s only 25, but he has a ton of touches on his tire treads. It’s hard not to wonder if he will never again have that magnetic playmaking ability he had at the beginning of career.

When Zeke hit the scene in 2016, he showed an incredible combination of power, speed and playmaking ability. Behind that once great OL, Zeke was clearly the best RB in the league from 2016-18. But the last two seasons, his burst and ability to break a big run has dropped precipitously.

Here is some of the stat evidence:

• Yards per carry- 2016: 5.1, 2017: 4.1, 2018: 4.7, 2019: 4.5, 2019: 4.1
• Yards per game- 2016: 108, 2017: 98, 2018: 95, 2018: 95, 2019: 85, 2020: 69
• Yards after contact: only have numbers since 2018 but he has finished 4th, 6th and 7th the last 3 seasons in yards after contact.

And the fumbles....Omg...Zeke has the most fumbles of any RB since he came in the league- specifically 22 fumbles since he came in the league, but he’s had 14 fumbles in just the last two seasons, losing 7. And you can’t say it’s because he has more touches. Because Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, and Joe Mixon have comparable touches, but have much fewer fumbles. Henry and McCaffrey have had 5 fumbles each, while Joe Mixon has only had one fumble the last two years!

I believe Zeke still has talent and can be a big contributor. But it is no longer in doubt, he has not what he used to be. And with this makeshift OL in front of him now, he is almost on his own.

And he has a big contract.

This is the most upsetting thread ever. Zeke plays with the most tenacity on this team and more heart then any other player. He had a bad game on a big stage. O well. This organization as a whole is a huge landfill.... I have never seen a team this bad. Or a More irrelevant head coach. A delusional owner. This is pathetic.

 

[Bobhaze]

This is the most upsetting thread ever. Zeke plays with the most tenacity on this team and more heart then any other player. He had a bad game on a big stage. O well. This organization as a whole is a huge landfill.... I have never seen a team this bad. Or a More irrelevant head coach. A delusional owner. This is pathetic.

Just to be clear. I’m not blaming this dumpster fire of a team on Zeke. The real culprit for our ire is sitting the owner’s box with his kids. And they all have lifetime contracts regardless of how bad it gets. What could possibly be wrong with that system? Lol!

 

[bigE79]

I kept telling people his success was more of a result of the O line than anything he does individually. His stats have always proven that which is why he has historically been mostly average to below average in yards after contact, yards after catch, broken tackles, elusiveness, etc.

But nope, I was told the O line had nothing to do with it, he and Barkley were playing on an equal field. Now he’s getting a taste of what Barkley and other RB’s have been tasting for years.

Doesn’t taste good ewok, does it? You don’t look so hot now, do you Mr. Respect Me?

I agree but they all benefited from that ol...2016 was an anomaly,a perfect storm.If zeke and Dak would have started out with this line, they'd be out of the league by now,or just backups somewhere.

 

[blumayne38]

He's got 19 fumbles in less than 4.5 years. Not an anomaly in my book.

Never has been a issue with zeke until this season and it’s more of a offense as a whole that has turnover issues. When it rains...

 

[JustChip]

The bigger decline between 2016 and 2020 is the offensive line.
I know today is bash Zeke day on the zone. But being honest. Zeke may be 80% of what he was.
The offensive line is about 20% of what they were.

While this is absolutely true, the offensive line isn’t responsible for his fumbles. He was avoiding contact after coming back in post fumbles last night, running out of bounds instead of trying to make a move to pick up more yards.

 

[cowboyec]

why can he not keep his balance?
too many times he comes thru the line slipping and sliding on the sides of his feet.
why?
does he need to change shoes?
stop using tape?
why is he always slippin' and slidn'.
WHERE ARE YOU ZEKE

 

[Big_D]

Rams figured out you can’t pay RB, how long will it take the Cowboys? No doubt Henry will get paid and he should get paid. Thats the exception not the rule! But Elliott 2 years early. Just a joke at this point that will hinder opportunities to improve!

 

[Aviano90]

He's got 19 fumbles in less than 4.5 years. Not an anomaly in my book.

Yup. The major difference this year is we are losing most of the fumbles instead of recovering them so they stick out more.

 

[cowboyec]

Najee Harris,RB-Alabama

 

[blueblood70]

He's got 19 fumbles in less than 4.5 years. Not an anomaly in my book.

i get it but as much as he handles the rock he had 3 last year and 1 in 2017... so its not all the time they seem to come in spurts..not making excuses but this season is the worst given we arent even at half way point..

so give hes had entire years at 3 and 1 this years an anomaly..


btw Daks had 34 in case you are keeping count and that doesnt count 40 INts so do we view Dak as TO prone, most would say no but these mistakes come in bunches at times are anomalys.... like i said this years an anomaly. He met his career worst this early is an anomaly..

so Daks at 74 Turnovers and zeke 19?hmm lets be fair here they need to stop but it happens tpo many payers at some points in their careers..

 

[blumayne38]

While this is absolutely true, the offensive line isn’t responsible for his fumbles. He was avoiding contact after coming back in post fumbles last night, running out of bounds instead of trying to make a move to pick up more yards.

But the fumbles are part of a larger offensive issue...zeke has been trying to do too much. Winning solves everything, this teams just needs to WIN. The names behind the jersey they don’t matter anymore. Not to me. Whoever is in there, needs to play. Play to win. Cashing checks is all it’s been about for some of these players.