The evolution of Zeke

[Cowboy Brian]

For some reason that I will never comprehend, some people in this community still like to blame Zeke, of all people, he is not the problem. He is our best player.

Let's look at his evolution over the past few seasons, emerging now as one of the most deadly receiving RBs in the league as well.

Let's start off with some key stats -

1. Zeke leads the league in all-purpose yards
2. Zeke leads the league in rushing yards
3. Zeke is on pace to comfortably surpass 2k all-purpose yards
4. In 2016 Zeke had 32 receptions, in 2017 Zeke had 27 receptions, so far in 2018 he has a monster 72 receptions, 21 of which have gone for first downs.
5. Zekes AVG YPC over his career stands at 4.66, in 2016 he hit 5.07 (behind an elite line), regressing to 4.06 in 2017, and bouncing back, despite the joke of a line we have, to 4.72 this season

 

[Cowboys22]

Seriously, who is blaming Zeke for anything? The only thing remotely close is the thread wondering why he never breaks a long TD run.

 

[KLJ]

i literally haevn't seen anyone blame zeke. if a few people have, it's because this is the internet and there are yahoos on the internet.

 

[texbumthelife]

My only knock on Zeke is that I think he carries a little too much weight and has lost some wiggle. That said, I think that extra weight has also allowed him to take more punishment and you can't make the team from the tank.

The guy is an elite player, one of the best in the league and one of the best runners to wear the star--which is saying a lot. The only thing he really needs to improve from this point, is being a more vocal leader. That's a DNA issue and something that's hard to just develope.

 

[Corso]

This is not the player to complain about.


I don't think this is the player to complain about guys...

 

[Cmac]

Zeke is best player on this team....hopeful his workload doesn't hamper his shelf life.....because the scheme is already messing with that.

 

[Bobhaze]

The biggest thing holding Zeke back is the unimaginative offensive scheme. Todd Gurley is not better than Zeke, but Gurley gets more “creative” opportunities.

Put it another way. Before Sean McVea came to LA, Gurley mostly ran 2-3 yard dive plays between the tackles. Now the whole field from sideline to sideline is his palette. He can line up anywhere. Zeke is limited by this scheme, not empowered by it.

 

[The Realist]

I think he has evolved off the field as a leader but he always had what he’s doing on the field. For some reason we just didn’t use him in the passing game until ~7 games back.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

i literally haevn't seen anyone blame zeke. if a few people have, it's because this is the internet and there are yahoos on the internet.

There have been a handful, probably a half dozen posters on here that have found ways to somehow blame Zeke, be it long-runs, not being fast enough, or not making enough plays.

Statistically, he's the best in the league, this is not the player to complain about.

 

[Thomas82]

The biggest thing holding Zeke back is the unimaginative offensive scheme. Todd Gurley is not better than Zeke, but Gurley gets more “creative” opportunities.

Put it another way. Before Sean McVea came to LA, Gurley mostly ran 2-3 yard dive plays between the tackles. Now the whole field from sideline to sideline is his palette. He can line up anywhere. Zeke is limited by this scheme, not empowered by it.

You hit the nail on the head. In fact, they were starting to call Gurley a bust before McVay came along.

 

[cern]

Maturation, not evolution. But no denying he's aces. Our best player.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

You hit the nail on the head. In fact, they were starting to call Gurley a bust before McVea came along.

Agreed as well.

McVay is a great schemer, it helps out Gurley.

Garrett and Linehan decide to basically exclude Cooper from the game-plan and force the ball to Hurns the week after Cooper goes off for 220 yards and 3 TDs...... the scheme here works against Zeke.

If Zeke were a Ram, he'd be closing in on 2,500 all-purpose yards.

He is the best back in the league. We are one of the worst coached teams in the league.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Maturation, not evolution. But no denying he's aces. Our best player.

The role in the receiving game is evolution, that goes beyond what you expect out of a player simply progressing. He has become a legitimate top 3 receiving back, he is the top overall running back without question.

 

[nate dizzle]

There have been a handful, probably a half dozen posters on here that have found ways to somehow blame Zeke, be it long-runs, not being fast enough, or not making enough plays.

Statistically, he's the best in the league, this is not the player to complain about.

They are just looking to change the station from Dak Radio. They know they can't really defend Dak so they attack Zeke to try and deflect the spotlight.

In politics they call this whataboutism.

 

[cern]

The role in the receiving game is evolution, that goes beyond what you expect out of a player simply progressing. He has become a legitimate top 3 receiving back, he is the top overall running back without question.

Point well taken.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

They are just looking to change the station from Dak Radio. They know they can't really defend Dak so they attack Zeke to try and deflect the spotlight.

In politics they call this whataboutism.

Could be, but even so, of every player you could attack, the best RB in the league despite all he is up against with his supporting cast and the scheme? It is nonsense

 

[nate dizzle]

Could be, but even so, of every player you could attack, the best RB in the league despite all he is up against with his supporting cast and the scheme? It is nonsense

Of course it is. That's why it's so effective. If somebody came in trying to blame Blake Jarwin for all of the offenses problems, nobody would waste the energy to type a response. It's not crazy enough and most people don't even know who he is.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Zeke is like Romo was to the offence in past years - the major contributing offensive player keeping this team in games.

 

[CF74]

He’s a beast

 

[Aviano90]

Evolved from a home run hitter to a doubles hitter.