Tony Pollard was never the Problem

[Captain43Crash]

Not 100% back, but getting close now.

Very close, if not there.

 

[817Gill]

Sorry bro but you're absolutely wrong here.

Let's look at the starting RBs around the league

ATL - Robinson 1st rounder
AZ - Connor 3rd rounder (#105)
Baltimore - Dobbins 2nd rounder (#55)
Buffalo - Cook 2nd rounder (#67)
Carolina - Hubbard 4th rounder (#126)
Chicago - Forman 3rd rounder (#89)
Cincy - Mixon 2nd rounder (#48)
Cleveland - Chubb 2nd rounder (#35)
Dallas - Pollard 4th rounder (#128)
Detroit - Gibbs 1st rounder
Denver - Williams 2nd rounder (#35)
Green Bay - Jones 5th rounder (#182)
Houston - Pearce 4th rounder (#107)
Indy - Taylor 1st rounder
JAX - Etienne 1st rounder
KC - Pacheco 7th rounder (#251)
LA Chargers - Ekeler UDFA
LA Rams - Freeman 3rd rounder (#71)
LV - Jacobs 1st rounder
Miami - Mostert UDFA
Minny - Mattison 3rd rounder (#102)
NYJ - Hall 2nd rounder
NYG - Barkley 1st rounder
NE Pats - Stevenson 4th rounder (#120)
NO Saints - Kamara 3rd ronder (#67)
Philthy - Swift 2nd rounder (#35)
Pitt - Harris 1st rounder
SFO - CMac 1st rounder
Seattle - Walker 2nd rounder (#41)
Titans - Henry 2nd round (#45)
Tampa - White 3rd rounder (#91)
Wash - Robinson 3rd rounder (#98)


By my count that 8 drafted in the 1st round, 7 in the 2nd round and 8 in the 3rd round. I also come up with 22 of the 32 starters drafted in the first 100 picks. In summary your statement that most starters are drafted in the late rounds is complete bunk. You owe my friend KSK an apology.

Lol c’mon man 8 in the first round is minuscule compared to the RB heydays. You proved my point for me much appreciated!

To go back 4-5 years and only 8 firsts rounders? That’s my point exactly. You have a much better chance finding a capable RB in rounds 2-4 than round 1. Round 1 value RB’s are so rare and you literally proved it for me right then and there. How many guys you listed are game changers, 1/2?

Really thanks for doing the research and making it clear and obvious. Half those guys have a late round pick equivalent who’s just as good. Thanks again for doing the research bud, there’s a reason Ksk shut up after my post. It’s cause he knows RB’s can be found anywhere in the draft.

 

[Captain43Crash]

It helps that they stopped trying to run up the gut all game.

The scheme was pathetically simple.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Tony Pollard looked fast, strong, and elusive today.
It really helps when the O line gives him good blocking too. Pollard has never been the problem this year!

I've been saying that all along. All off season it was HE IS COMING OFF MAJOR SURGERY or HE CAN'T BE COUNTED ON TO STAY HEALTHY or THE COWBOYS ARE STUPID IF THEY ARE COUNTING ON HIM THIS YEAR. Remember of those threads? I'll say the same thing today that I did back in January, February and March. He will be fine. The Cowboys have much bigger issues.

 

[BobSacamano]

The problem was trying to make Pollard and the running game the identity of the offense. Now that the offense runs through Lamb everything is opening up. Cooks and Ferguson have emerged. Even Pollard himself is more productive.

This game, the Commodes were bracketing and doubling Lamb so Dak had to spread the ball around. Dak had completions to 10 different receivers. Lamb stuck it out and emerged in the second half for some key plays.

This team is playing at a very high level.

This times a thousand. Shotty stated he wanted to run more but then realized Dak is what makes the offense go, not the other way around.

 

[kskboys]

Lol c’mon man 8 in the first round is minuscule compared to the RB heydays. You proved my point for me much appreciated!

To go back 4-5 years and only 8 firsts rounders? That’s my point exactly. You have a much better chance finding a capable RB in rounds 2-4 than round 1. Round 1 value RB’s are so rare and you literally proved it for me right then and there. How many guys you listed are game changers, 1/2?

Really thanks for doing the research and making it clear and obvious. Half those guys have a late round pick equivalent who’s just as good. Thanks again for doing the research bud, there’s a reason Ksk shut up after my post. It’s cause he knows RB’s can be found anywhere in the draft.

Or, he was busy and hasn't been on the boards since then.

You should prolly quit doubling down on looking foolish.

All players can be found anywhere in the draft. That's a big ol' DUH for you. The point you are trying to make has not been made, and has been torn completely apart.

 

[Loso86]

He had crappy blocking early in the year. Constantly getting hit at or near the LOS.

Ahoe string tackles, no burst, poor vision is all on him. Yes the line could have been better bit that was 50/50

 

[JohnsKey19]

Starting o-line has been back together for 4 games now and it shows. Just hope they can stay healthy and keep working together.

Agree. And they have switched up the blocking schemes and play calls in recent weeks. Tip of the cap to the staff to figuring things out and adjusting.

 

[Captain43Crash]

Ahoe string tackles, no burst, poor vision is all on him. Yes the line could have been better bit that was 50/50

I think it was more like 80% crappy blocking and scheme and 20% Pollard coming off an injury.

Pollard was consistently getting hit at the LOS early in the season. No creativity in the run game with 80% of the runs inside the tackles.

 

[817Gill]

Or, he was busy and hasn't been on the boards since then.

You should prolly quit doubling down on looking foolish.

All players can be found anywhere in the draft. That's a big ol' DUH for you. The point you are trying to make has not been made, and has been torn completely apart.

Or, you can do your research like Ronnie did and see how pointless drafting a round 1 back is.

You’re literally arguing against facts. Where have you been? Did you miss running backs campaigning for contracts? Do you think they asked for better deals because they had it made or because they are a dime a dozen?

Where have y’all been this offseason? RB’s do not matter lmaooooo. Quick, name the last rushing champ to win a SB, I’ll wait.

Why in the world would these guys hold a meeting for better contracts if they were deemed important? They literally had to fight for 11M a year lmao. No one pays RB’s and enjoys it other than 1/2 players

Are y’all ok? Do you live in the twilight zone or maybe in 2004? RB’s get ran through and replaced. It’s 2023 fellas, it’s a passing league. There’s never been fewer 1st round RB’s than now. It’s over, done, finished. No one cares about star RB’s because no data at all links them to winning a SB.

We don’t care about your feelings boys, accept it. I don’t care if you are busy for 5 years. RB’s are not important at all, no more than 1/2 are drafted in round 1 in recent history. They can be found in round 2-undrafted. If your OL can block 99% of the time your RB will be effective.

I find myself thoroughly confused by some of y’all. Are you really watching modern NFL football and saying “RB’s are the solution!”? It’s a passing league lol it’s not 1999. Get over it.

“Paying RBs doesn't equal successYou've probably heard this before, RB isn't a premium position in a passing league. Those positions would be the players who throw the ball (QB), catch the ball (WR), protect the passer (OT), rush the passer (EDGE) and those who defend passes (CB).”

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...en-devalued-and-how-we-got-to-this-point/amp/

“As running backs fell through the cracks of a new financial model, a running back's job, in and of itself, also became less important than ever. Passing supplanted running as the dominant football strategy because coaches have realized the average pass goes 7 yards and the average run goes a little over 4.”

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/...nning backs fell through,goes a little over 4.

“ Running backs don't matter. Well, for fantasy teams they do. But for NFL franchises making a push to the playoffs, there is no worse position to ...”

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2022/10/24/running-back-least-important-position/amp/

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/pla...lue-is-less-draft-bijan-robinson-jahmyr-gibbs



https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...g-backs-devalued-next-2023-free-agency-future

 

[817Gill]

Or, you can do your research like Ronnie did and see how pointless drafting a round 1 back is.

You’re literally arguing against facts. Where have you been? Did you miss running backs campaigning for contracts? Do you think they asked for better deals because they had it made or because they are a dime a dozen?

Where have y’all been this offseason? RB’s do not matter lmaooooo. Quick, name the last rushing champ to win a SB, I’ll wait.

Why in the world would these guys hold a meeting for better contracts if they were deemed important? They literally had to fight for 11M a year lmao. No one pays RB’s and enjoys it other than 1/2 players

Are y’all ok? Do you live in the twilight zone or maybe in 2004? RB’s get ran through and replaced. It’s 2023 fellas, it’s a passing league. There’s never been fewer 1st round RB’s than now. It’s over, done, finished. No one cares about star RB’s because no data at all links them to winning a SB.

We don’t care about your feelings boys, accept it. I don’t care if you are busy for 5 years. RB’s are not important at all, no more than 1/2 are drafted in round 1 in recent history. They can be found in round 2-undrafted. If your OL can block 99% of the time your RB will be effective.

I find myself thoroughly confused by some of y’all. Are you really watching modern NFL football and saying “RB’s are the solution!”? It’s a passing league lol it’s not 1999. Get over it.

“Paying RBs doesn't equal successYou've probably heard this before, RB isn't a premium position in a passing league. Those positions would be the players who throw the ball (QB), catch the ball (WR), protect the passer (OT), rush the passer (EDGE) and those who defend passes (CB).”

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...en-devalued-and-how-we-got-to-this-point/amp/

“As running backs fell through the cracks of a new financial model, a running back's job, in and of itself, also became less important than ever. Passing supplanted running as the dominant football strategy because coaches have realized the average pass goes 7 yards and the average run goes a little over 4.”

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/7/18/23798560/nfl-running-back-market-saquon-barkley-josh-jacobs-franchise-tag#:~:text=As running backs fell through,goes a little over 4.

“ Running backs don't matter. Well, for fantasy teams they do. But for NFL franchises making a push to the playoffs, there is no worse position to ...”

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2022/10/24/running-back-least-important-position/amp/

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/pla...lue-is-less-draft-bijan-robinson-jahmyr-gibbs



https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...g-backs-devalued-next-2023-free-agency-future

https://www.quora.com/Has-running-back-become-the-least-important-offensive-position-in-the-NFL

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...g-backs-devalued-next-2023-free-agency-future



https://syndication.bleacherreport....ame-the-nfls-most-worthless-position.amp.html

 

[817Gill]

https://www.quora.com/Has-running-back-become-the-least-important-offensive-position-in-the-NFL

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...g-backs-devalued-next-2023-free-agency-future



https://syndication.bleacherreport....ame-the-nfls-most-worthless-position.amp.html

“Running backs don't matter” is an all-too-familiar adage in the NFL analytics landscape. There are a few variations to the phrase”

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-runnin...ve-back-into-the-popular-nfl-analytics-phrase

https://www.seasidejoe.com/p/running-backs-nfl-dont-matter-salary-cap-saquon

“Running backs are disposable. Their bodies break down quickly. There's no shortage of decent backs. But even the very best backs don't mean much”

https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-running-backs-just-arent-that-important-in-todays-nfl/

 

[817Gill]

“Running backs don't matter” is an all-too-familiar adage in the NFL analytics landscape. There are a few variations to the phrase”

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-runnin...ve-back-into-the-popular-nfl-analytics-phrase

https://www.seasidejoe.com/p/running-backs-nfl-dont-matter-salary-cap-saquon

“Running backs are disposable. Their bodies break down quickly. There's no shortage of decent backs. But even the very best backs don't mean much”

https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-running-backs-just-arent-that-important-in-todays-nfl/

https://www.the33rdteam.com/running-back-is-no-longer-premier-position-it-once-was-in-nfl/

https://www.bigblueview.com/platfor...matter-analytics-explained-analysis-ny-giants

https://forums.footballguys.com/threads/running-backs-dont-matter-101.808258/

https://www.vsin.com/running-backs-rarely-affect-nfl-point-spreads/

https://www.fieldgulls.com/platform...ont-matter-as-much-in-todays-nfl-lets-be-real

https://www.fieldgulls.com/platform...ont-matter-as-much-in-todays-nfl-lets-be-real

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-running-backs-are-in-a-bind-without-recourse-185442133.html


Lmaoooooooooo


Like what? Y’all are so off this is so strange like do y’all watch the NFL? Are y’all stuck in the 90’s? Like it’s not even close man. There’s pages and pages of analysis on how RB’s are a dime a dozen. It’s not even remotely an argument. I feel bad for y’all man. So out of touch it’s actually funny.

 

[plasticman]

I agree on the oline getting better

But I suspect he may have been getting 100 percent healthy as the season has progressed

He looks close now to where he was last year

I think you are absolutely correct.

I go back to 1989 when Michael Irvin was injured midseason. he was just coming on, catching 5-6 ball a game in his 2nd season.

Michael didn't return until the 5th game of 1990 season. He did not look the same. He didn't just pick up where he left off. He averaged 2 catches a game for 10 games.

I specifically remember in the following preseason, Joe Theisman commenting that the Cowboys still hoped he would make a good backup. They got far more than that. It was as if the injury and subsequent year never happened. That season, in 1991, Micharl Irvin had his breakout year with 93 catches for 1523 yards and 8 TD's.

Remember how Dak looked before his 2022 injury? In 2021 he looked great, 104 rating, 37TD's to 10 INT's,etc. Then Dak gets hurt and is out for 5 weeks. When he came back, he didn't just pick it up again, something was wrong. I submit that he rushed his recovery and, although he was given clearance, he never seemed ready. He had all those INT's, he didn't want to scramble, he seemed hesitant, etc I also believe there is a mental aspect to recovering from a tough injury involving confidence in your body.

Now look at Dak. I think it takes a longer period of time to "recover" than most fans understand. With free agency and the size of contracts, I wouldn't doubt that there was a little pressure from the top to get on the field.

This is the season that Pollard has to prove he is an elite runner and, coming off injury, he had some difficulty. Again, look at him now. I did see the same old burst on Thursday. He was hitting those holes, he was dragging defenders, he was heading to the goal line as if he refused to be stopped.

The Diggs injury aside, it does look as if thing are beginning to come together for the Cowboys and Pollard is definitely part of that equation.

 

[DuncanIso]

When Rico started to play more Pollard got better.
That's the key to the Cowboys running game.

I think the draft cleans this up.

They need an elite RB.

Lael is finally off the cap (8.x million in 2023) and Tony is UFA.

They still have Zeke dead cap to pay (5-6 mill 2024)

But there will be $$$ to draft a RB in the 1st.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

It’s like people have forgotten his foot was turned the opposite direction of his body a relatively short time ago.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Luuuulz, this guy still thinks Zeke is elite.

Nope...never said that.

What I am saying...and have said for a coupel years now...the O-line couldn't block for ship.

Last year tony had to :show case is speed to the outside"....to keep from getting blasted at the line. He was pretty good at it it before injury.

So now the line seems to be playing good and suddenly Tony is running good again...hmmm INTERESTING!


Never said "zeke is still elite"...no need to lie about it. I'm sure there are plenty of other things you can find just to argue and beat your chest about.

 

[blueblood70]

A lot of idiot fans were saying Pollard was the issue with the running game. I called BS! I was saying the blocking was the issue with the running game.

I say it was a bit of both..

 

[blueblood70]

Tony Pollard had the most yards per carry last year of any back in the NFL, but he is just average? Okay. You and 1% of fans believe that.

first of all i said he was an average player this year as a STASRTER and you're making excuses for the guy.... he finished last year 3.8 yards per carry 51 yards per game no touchdowns...2 injuries yes average as starter the more carries the less production.,. its all in black and white.. blaming the OL is precious, Zeke never got hat excuse.

he's a lot better at under 15 carries that not stater material, THATs A GREAT LEADER OF A TRUE rbbc FACRS hurt i know but 10mil for 4.2 ypc and that him improved over the last 2 weeks was at 3.8.. sorry zeke did that on one leg. I like TP hes an average stater at best,.. yup look all over the league guys like Forman and sanders swift all making a 3rd of that in the same production wheelhouse.

Great change of pace guy but overused he's average, not to say hes bad but those are dime dozen types seriously that been said for years around here( calling Zeke washed on one leg to finish seasons with the same numbers) and its time for 3-4th rounder to be our starter next year, TP GONE

 

[blueblood70]

Last year Tony was way more explosive than Zek and it wasn’t even close!

as a change of pace backup!! HUGE differed more he carried it the more he was just average.

I hate to break it to you but go look at 2021 and 2022 first eight games of the year. Now go at Tony pollard's first eight games of the year virtually the same offensive line... Zeke was better pre injury.ie more tds clse to 5 YPC

last year Pollard literally finished at 3.8 yards per carry no touchdowns 51 yards per game no explosive plays whatsoever it started out this year the same way...FACTS hurt?