What if Morris is better than Elliott?

[SuspectCorner]

I love that the presence of a capable but still relatively young Alfred Morris (5TH NFL season) allows the Cowboys to ease the touted rookie Elliott into action. Dallas appears to have it very good at the RB position. It appears they may be flush in the backfield. Sweeeeeeet.

 

[Proof]

To me, Elliot is Morris with bunches more quickness and speed.

Won't surprise me if Morris starts game one, but only because of hamstring concerns.

I loved the Elliot pick when it happened and Morris doesn't change that. The idea of two elite-quality RBs splitting 35 touches a game with the best OL in football blocking and Tony Romo throwing sounds like a fantastic plan to me. They both stay fresh and are trucking DBs all the way into February.

I hadn't really looked at it from this perspective. Get so caught up in the knee jerk reactions and focus on the opportunity cost and diminishing returns that I can't see the Forrest from the trees.

Would have loved to have a stud defender with Morris running capably but man you're right, with the RB depth behind this line their should really be minimal fatigue or drop off for a full four quarters. ****, that is a very scary and exciting prospect

 

[VACowboy]

I hadn't really looked at it from this perspective. Get so caught up in the knee jerk reactions and focus on the opportunity cost and diminishing returns that I can't see the Forrest from the trees.

Would have loved to have a stud defender with Morris running capably but man you're right, with the RB depth behind this line their should really be minimal fatigue or drop off for a full four quarters. ****, that is a very scary and exciting prospect

I just think there's more than one way to skin a cat. In an era where teams are loading up on coverage safeties and pass rush specialists, I'm happy for my team to be featuring the best OL in football and a stable of stud RBs.

 

[JDSmith]

I just think there's more than one way to skin a cat. In an era where teams are loading up on coverage safeties and pass rush specialists, I'm happy for my team to be featuring the best OL in football and a stable of stud RBs.

Exactly, which of those safeties and extra corners are going to want to take on the 220 lbs RB rotation all game long? It's fine if it's a hit or two, but they add up and we can spread them out.

 

[casmith07]

Hypothetical? What do you do as the GM, if the running back coaches tell you that Morris is better than Elliot. What if Morris outperforms Elliot? Do you still keep Zeke at no.1 rb because of the draft investment or do you let the best players play?

Morris had a bad year last year, but prior to that he was a stud, and he's still young. Just curious what the CZ zone couch GMs would do.

Then we'll win a lot of games.

 

[jobberone]

Injuries dictate and u play the hot hand more as well. Both will get their snaps.

 

[iceberg]

then i'll get ready to start my chip n dales dancing career at 50.

about the same chance of that happening.

 

[MSCowboyFan]

It might be a bit before we find out. As of right now, Morris is my week 1 starter, he earned and deserves that role. Zeke has yet to see the field and if he doesn't play next week, then he should be eased in.

I see no reason to throw Zeke right into it against the Giants with little to no pre-season IMO.

Yep...the vet has more than earned it. Plus, Zeke will be KILLER out of the backfield on screens, rub routes and you can even get him some work in the slot as well. His flexibility is tremendous and Morris can carry the load for the first few weeks at RB.

 

[fairviewfarmer]

Hypothetical? What do you do as the GM, if the running back coaches tell you that Morris is better than Elliot. What if Morris outperforms Elliot? Do you still keep Zeke at no.1 rb because of the draft investment or do you let the best players play?

Morris had a bad year last year, but prior to that he was a stud, and he's still young. Just curious what the CZ zone couch GMs would do.

Play them both. Its a long season, they both could end up with at least 900 yards or more.......It would be neat if they both ran for 1000 yards, and it would take a lot of pressure off Romo and more importantly, our defense.

 

[BigStar]

Right now, we know absolutely little about Elliott. Our limited information so far is that he is injured and can't play but looks like he is having a great time on the sideline smiling all the time.

Elliott gets nothing given to him from me right now. For all I know he can be another Trent Richardson. We don't even know if he is as good as Darius Jackson. I know it is not popular but I would have Elliott as 3rd string right now. He has to earn it. We don't need some RB thinking he was drafted with a silver spoon in his mouth.

His wallet will take care of that You don't draft a TB in the top 5 against conventional wisdom (3 OL in the 1st on top) and then also not play him. I understand injury concern, but he has to show us why he was drafted so high. Morris will be a great way to relieve/clean up. Rb's are rare in that they can display if they "got it" early and do very well their rookie years as many posters have pointed out. He busts, we have Morris as a great plan B.

 

[stiletto]

It doesn't matter who is better. We will need both of them. The biggest thing about Morris is the guy is just so dependable. He never gets hurt (knock on wood) and I think late in the season that will help us. Elliot's durability is unproven at this level. We know what McFadden is, when healthy, he is dangerous. Dunbar likewise but they seem to have problems all the time. Morris will always be ready to go, Elliot (might be), McFadden (iffy), Dunbar (fragile wheels). So given what we know Morris is going to be a key factor along with Elliot and the rest. Someone will get hurt...

 

[ufcrules1]

Some of you guys have zero knowledge I swear. Morris is looking good behind our line just like Murray, Randle, DMC and others have. Our line is what is help making them look good. Zeke is on a whole other level than Morris. Also, Zeke has excellent hands as well.. unlike Morris who you can't count on to catch the ball. Zeke can also take it to the house at anytime. Zeke will 100% be the starter in the first game and will get 20+ carries too. Get real. Morris is nothing more than the backup here. Same with DMC.

 

[Proof]

Some of you guys have zero knowledge I swear. Morris is looking good behind our line just like Murray, Randle, DMC and others have. Our line is what is help making them look good. Zeke is on a whole other level than Morris. Also, Zeke has excellent hands as well.. unlike Morris who you can't count on to catch the ball. Zeke can also take it to the house at anytime. Zeke will 100% be the starter in the first game and will get 20+ carries too. Get real. Morris is nothing more than the backup here. Same with DMC.

Ehhh. Its the conclusion you're taking issue with, not the knowledge. We are talking about a guy who's produced @ league leading levels the majority of his career. Looks like it's carrying over here, and having the line we do should make it that much easier to sustain.

Facts are that we've got a pro bowl running back looking like a pro bowl running back and a highly touted rookie on the shelf with an injury that could potentially be nagging / lingering.

There's easily a case to be made for easing our prized pick in slowly considering we've got a more than capable plan b in hand.

May not be the popular move but certainly could prove prudent. We're all just speculating here anyway, and unless your football credentials include more than "fan, message board poster" how bout you ease up a bit

 

[ufcrules1]

LOL at the fans saying "Zeke has to show me what he has" Oh, he will show you when he has week 1 when he is killing the Giants. He could have played through the injury he has, the Cowboys are purposely holding him back because they know the massive workload he will be getting starting week 1.

 

[Proof]

Yeah I agree. He's going to be a stud, and I can't wait.

 

[ufcrules1]

Ehhh. Its the conclusion you're taking issue with, not the knowledge. We are talking about a guy who's produced @ league leading levels the majority of his career. Looks like it's carrying over here, and having the line we do should make it that much easier to sustain.

Facts are that we've got a pro bowl running back looking like a pro bowl running back and a highly touted rookie on the shelf with an injury that could potentially be nagging / lingering.

There's easily a case to be made for easing our prized pick in slowly considering we've got a more than capable plan b in hand.

May not be the popular move but certainly could prove prudent. We're all just speculating here anyway, and unless your football credentials include more than "fan, message board poster" how bout you ease up a bit

Just because he had one pro-bowl season doesn't make him a pro-bowl running back the rest of his career. He has had several mediocre unimpressive non pro bowl years as well. Zeke's injury is not nagging or lingering.. in fact he said if it were during the season he could easily play through it. The Cowboys are being overly cautious which is perfectly fine.

He will not be eased into action. He is the best player BY FAR at the position. He will 100% be the week 1 starter and be the centerpiece of our offense.

Next thing some of you are going to say is we should give Dak the starting role now at QB because he has outplayed Romo at QB in the preseason/at practice.

 

[Nightman]

Just because he had one pro-bowl season doesn't make him a pro-bowl running back the rest of his career. He has had several mediocre unimpressive non pro bowl years as well. Zeke's injury is not nagging or lingering.. in fact he said if it were during the season he could easily play through it. The Cowboys are being overly cautious which is perfectly fine.

He will not be eased into action. He is the best player BY FAR at the position. He will 100% be the week 1 starter and be the centerpiece of our offense.

Next thing some of you are going to say is we should give Dak the starting role now at QB because he has outplayed Romo at QB.

only 34 RBs have ever gained over 1613 yards in a season and Morris is one them.....he doesn't need to be shortchanged to make Elliott look better....he was a great signing

 

[Proof]

Just because he had one pro-bowl season doesn't make him a pro-bowl running back the rest of his career. He has had several mediocre unimpressive non pro bowl years as well. Zeke's injury is not nagging or lingering.. in fact he said if it were during the season he could easily play through it. The Cowboys are being overly cautious which is perfectly fine.

He will not be eased into action. He is the best player BY FAR at the position. He will 100% be the week 1 starter and be the centerpiece of our offense.

Next thing some of you are going to say is we should give Dak the starting role now at QB because he has outplayed Romo at QB in the preseason/at practice.

He's made the pro bowl twice in a four year career, and I didn't say it carries over for a full career, just that he's looking every bit the back that performed at those levels, and has our line now to boot.

You may be right, zeke may be carrying a full workload week 1 and this will all be for naught, but as it stands, he's seen zero preseason action , has never played in an NFL game, is nursing the type of injury that is notorious for lingering (and brings up bad memories here) and the season is right around the corner.

I've never heard of a qb by committee so I'm not sure where that silly dak/romo strawman analogy comes from either.

But hey man, beat your chest. King of opinions. Crown em

 

[Proof]

Also forgot to mention, I don't think anyone on the board doesn't recognize zeke is the superior talent. The point is that since Dallas is being "overly cautious" with him, that could extend out a bit too if it is in the teams best interest.

I'm really not interested in whether a player States he could play or not but whether coaching and staff think he should. Dez and Romo could play last year too and we saw the results. This team has been snake bitten too many times to think that they don't give extra thought to these types of decisions

 

[Jstopper]

Also forgot to mention, I don't think anyone on the board doesn't recognize zeke is the superior talent. The point is that since Dallas is being "overly cautious" with him, that could extend out a bit too if it is in the teams best interest.

I'm really not interested in whether a player States he could play or not but whether coaching and staff think he should. Dez and Romo could play last year too and we saw the results. This team has been snake bitten too many times to think that they don't give extra thought to these types of decisions

Good debate. But I disagree imo there is no way Morris starts over a healthy Zeke in the first game. Just can't see it happening.