Why did Zeke's abilities nose dive?

[jwitten82]

You are not my boss, nor can tell me what to do.

I suggest you go

 

[jazzcat22]

I suggest you go

Not taking the suggestion.

 

[ConstantReboot]

In Zeke's first two seasons, he was one of the best, or maybe the best, running back in the league. It was all downhill after that. In his last season, he was just a basic running back who could block pretty well and get you some short yardage when you need it. Other Cowboys running backs were productive way longer than Zeke. Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, and Emmitt Smith helped their teams way, way longer than Zeke did. Zeke was productive probably about as long as DeMarco Murray was.

What happened? I know some fans say that he got paid a bunch of money and then just got lazy. However, his play last season didn't look lazy to me. It looked like he was working really hard, but he just wasn't anywhere near as good as he used to be. Did his body just wear out? Or did he do a poor job training? Did the pandemic slow him down? What happened?

After he got paid he got fat and lazy and took the NFL for granted. He probably thought he can turn it back on being his old self without having to put the work in.

Now he has no desire or intentions to be the best because there is no incentive.

Can't wait to finally get him off the team. He may not be a cancer. But he holds the team back by occupying a slot.

 

[Hadenough]

I think Zeke was physically talented but not sure if he trained in the off season. It wasn't long before he gained weight and he was saying he needed to bulk up to handle the punishment. I think he was partying and enjoying himself a bit. Then you add in the 400 touches a season and it took its toll real quick. He really looked good in 2016 and was never really the same guy since.

 

[noshame]

Well in the 1st 2 years he had an amazing run blocking offensive line and dak being mobile was a huge help in creating holes.
Zeke had just enough quickness that LBs were trying to arm tackle him as he was going by them. There was a little drop off after year 2, the OL, Dak, and he never seemed to prepare as hard until last season, even then he was still a half step slower.
Honestly I blame Jerry as much as Zeke for his decline.

 

[817Gill]

I don’t consider 3 runs of 40+ yards a lot of long runs in a season. It’s a waste of time arguing opinions. BTW, I never disputed his speed entering his rookie season.

It’s not really an opinion lol. Contextually, 3 is a lot. If 4 is the high, then 3 would be a lot.

3 isn’t a lot when it comes to plenty of things, but when it comes to something in which 4 is the most then logically 3 would be a lot.

Just cause you feel like it’s not a lot doesn’t mean that’s the reality. Don’t need to go back and forth any further but simple logic dictates that if 4 is the most, then 3 would be a lot.

Context matters. The number 50 is not much when it comes to money but 50 is a lot when it comes to hamburgers for example. A number doesn’t hold the same value in every aspect, therefore you can’t treat it that way. Just because 3 isn’t a lot in many aspects doesn’t mean that holds the same value when it comes to 40+ yard runs.

To judge what “a lot” is, it must be compared to what your peers do. 3 was tied for second, therefore that would make that “a lot” compared to what the status quo is for the achievement.

 

[CowboyFrog]

Huge work load, injuries, I'm not sure this is a huge question if your not shedding the logic involved. 30 carry a game RB's are not playing into their 30's much these days....

 

[eromeopolk]

In Zeke's first two seasons, he was one of the best, or maybe the best, running back in the league. It was all downhill after that. In his last season, he was just a basic running back who could block pretty well and get you some short yardage when you need it. Other Cowboys running backs were productive way longer than Zeke. Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, and Emmitt Smith helped their teams way, way longer than Zeke did. Zeke was productive probably about as long as DeMarco Murray was.

What happened? I know some fans say that he got paid a bunch of money and then just got lazy. However, his play last season didn't look lazy to me. It looked like he was working really hard, but he just wasn't anywhere near as good as he used to be. Did his body just wear out? Or did he do a poor job training? Did the pandemic slow him down? What happened?

COVID.

 

[CCBoy]

I think that instead of focusing on final product, Zeke Elliott was situationally lazy in that he trusted on early performances and was not really focused at the neccessary commitments to continue to improve over time. He preferred to invest in more of a transitory feeling where his product was affected by just being a team member.

Jim Brown didn't miss a start for nine seasons...and answered the whistle on the same talent levels each and every game.

Head to head collissions are as demanding on any period's time zone...now or then.

Zeke could again commit and offer to reprove himself now. He wouldn't again merit being paid with 1,000+ yards in the now?

In college, I was told by a Viet Nam Little All American offensive guard at A&I, that even he was not guaranteed his position but he had to earn that each and every year that he was on the team.

 

[CCBoy]

It’s not really an opinion lol. Contextually, 3 is a lot. If 4 is the high, then 3 would be a lot.

3 isn’t a lot when it comes to plenty of things, but when it comes to something in which 4 is the most then logically 3 would be a lot.

Just cause you feel like it’s not a lot doesn’t mean that’s the reality. Don’t need to go back and forth any further but simple logic dictates that if 4 is the most, then 3 would be a lot.

Context matters. The number 50 is not much when it comes to money but 50 is a lot when it comes to hamburgers for example. A number doesn’t hold the same value in every aspect, therefore you can’t treat it that way. Just because 3 isn’t a lot in many aspects doesn’t mean that holds the same value when it comes to 40+ yard runs.

To judge what “a lot” is, it must be compared to what your peers do. 3 was tied for second, therefore that would make that “a lot” compared to what the status quo is for the achievement.

I don't know about just a number. During the Cold War 10 to 1 meant a lot to us guarding initial invasion threat at the Fulda Pass in Germany.

 

[Kwyn]

He got that bag and that was his only objective. Jones should have realized this when he held out with two years on his contract.

No other explanation makes any sense.

This was just a fan take and based on nothing.

His teammates and observations from reporters who attend camp and practices spoke often about him doing the work.

 

[leeblair]

In Zeke's first two seasons, he was one of the best, or maybe the best, running back in the league. It was all downhill after that. In his last season, he was just a basic running back who could block pretty well and get you some short yardage when you need it. Other Cowboys running backs were productive way longer than Zeke. Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, and Emmitt Smith helped their teams way, way longer than Zeke did. Zeke was productive probably about as long as DeMarco Murray was.

What happened? I know some fans say that he got paid a bunch of money and then just got lazy. However, his play last season didn't look lazy to me. It looked like he was working really hard, but he just wasn't anywhere near as good as he used to be. Did his body just wear out? Or did he do a poor job training? Did the pandemic slow him down? What happened?

He gained weight.

 

[calicowboy54]

He got that bag and that was his only objective. Jones should have realized this when he held out with two years on his contract.

No other explanation makes any sense.

or he knew his knees were bad and wanted to get paid before he could not

 

[john van brocklin]

No it does not.

Dude wanted to get paid. Dude got paid. Mission accomplished. Checked out. Went through the motions after that.

We paid for an Emmitt and got mediocre in return.

I choose to give our players the benefit of the doubt.
There is no way we can get into a players head and determine their motives.

 

[Ranching]

Fans do give him credit. That doesn't seem to be good enough without blowing smoke about how great he is and what he can still bring to the team and making every excuse in the book. Denial is real. He was a very good RB but still way overvalued and overpaid. Some can't seem to accept that. Players decline in this league and Elliott has declined. Now the offense should no doubt be moving in another direction. That's not hate.

I know he was overpaid, but any man that doesn't want too get his check, is not a man.

 

[KJJ]

It’s not really an opinion lol. Contextually, 3 is a lot. If 4 is the high, then 3 would be a lot.

3 isn’t a lot when it comes to plenty of things, but when it comes to something in which 4 is the most then logically 3 would be a lot.

Just cause you feel like it’s not a lot doesn’t mean that’s the reality. Don’t need to go back and forth any further but simple logic dictates that if 4 is the most, then 3 would be a lot.

Context matters. The number 50 is not much when it comes to money but 50 is a lot when it comes to hamburgers for example. A number doesn’t hold the same value in every aspect, therefore you can’t treat it that way. Just because 3 isn’t a lot in many aspects doesn’t mean that holds the same value when it comes to 40+ yard runs.

To judge what “a lot” is, it must be compared to what your peers do. 3 was tied for second, therefore that would make that “a lot” compared to what the status quo is for the achievement.

Three runs of 40+ in an 16 game season isn’t a lot, that’s your opinion If you want to waste your time nitpicking over what’s considered “a lot” go ahead. Lol

 

[817Gill]

Three runs of 40+ in an 16 game season isn’t a lot, that’s your opinion If you want to waste your time nitpicking over what’s considered “a lot” go ahead. Lol

It’s a lot when no one gets more than 4 lol. So if someone has a 50 point basketball game it’s not a lot because that’s my opinion? If the top averages are in the high 20’s no amount of opinion can make 50 not a lot of points.

Numbers aren’t opinions lol. One step under the highest total is counted as a lot. Not a lot would be something multiple levels lower. Pretty simple stuff.

 

[KJJ]

It’s a lot when no one gets more than 4 lol. So if someone has a 50 point basketball game it’s not a lot because that’s my opinion? If the top averages are in the high 20’s no amount of opinion can make 50 not a lot of points.

Numbers aren’t opinions lol. One step under the highest total is counted as a lot. Not a lot would be something multiple levels lower. Pretty simple stuff.

Apparently someone doesn’t have a lot to do today. Lol

 

[817Gill]

Apparently someone doesn’t have a lot to do today. Lol

 

[Jarntt]

In Zeke's first two seasons, he was one of the best, or maybe the best, running back in the league. It was all downhill after that. In his last season, he was just a basic running back who could block pretty well and get you some short yardage when you need it. Other Cowboys running backs were productive way longer than Zeke. Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, and Emmitt Smith helped their teams way, way longer than Zeke did. Zeke was productive probably about as long as DeMarco Murray was.

What happened? I know some fans say that he got paid a bunch of money and then just got lazy. However, his play last season didn't look lazy to me. It looked like he was working really hard, but he just wasn't anywhere near as good as he used to be. Did his body just wear out? Or did he do a poor job training? Did the pandemic slow him down? What happened?

I think it was a lot of things. Every year we read how this was going to be the year he came into camp in shape, healthy and whatever else that was going to lead to a bounce back (and based on the other thread we know some believe literally everything positive they hear in camp). Then, Every year he looked slow and not elusive In the games. Was it extra weight? Being out of shape? Wear and tear? Just getting a little older? Injuries? I have no idea but he just wasn’t able to be as effective and just looked like he had no explosion. I don’t think it was not playing hard. I think he played through pain and injuries and gave it his all. He just lost whatever made him so good. I can’t blame the OL because Pollard consistently looked better and better behind the same OL.

I hope a team gives him a shot to come back and he succeeds, heck maybe even us if we get hit with injuries and/or he’ll play for the vet minimum, but I don’t think it is going to happen.