Why did Zeke's numbers just drop off a cliff?

[Saltycowboy]

I have been trying to research if number of carries early in career are an indicator of declining production earlier on but have found no correlation. When you see the top two players Barkley and Henry performing and in Henry’s case he is older than Zeke how do you explain Zeke going from elite to bum so quickly?

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

We abused him hard for one. Do you see those other guys blocking D-linemen and LBers? No...not like that.

An example of our disrespect? Being the whole entire o-line hiking the ball on a stupid hail mary? Would Barkley or Henry do that? Would they even ask them to? Of course not. Unbelievable but it does make for some good jokes for people.

But Zeke always did everything they asked...including playing hurt. Barkley? Hangnail he sits. Good business decision.

Even in college Zeke is a guy who would use carries to beat down the D. He's not the change of pace back (um...in the way we NORMALLY think of it. ) that gets you the splash plays on a couple sub carries. Establish the run game and beat them down with it. He'll get more yards on the back side of 20 carries than the front. But you gotta stick with it...and not cry a river at 2-3 yards the first couple.

And yes...his running style didn't help. Not the kind of RB to step out or fall down.

And finally...the o-line broke down, and MM/Jerry wanted their big money QB to win games. I had hoped Zeke would at least HELP this team, but what ever his health is, added to MM early season run game scheme/o-line suckage...well it was indeed a wasted roster spot.

 

[MyFairLady]

This is so simple and if you don't understand it then it is because you do not want to. The man got his bag. Plain and simple. He was incredible. He got paid. He got worse and worse and worse every single year after that. Physically he doesn't even look like the same human. The man wore a belly tux to the draft and looked like a greek god. Within a year after getting paid he looked like he was walking around in a fat suit.

He doesn't try hard. He doesn't prepare hard. He is a terrible team mate. He is human garbage. The only people who defends him are Jerry and Dak. That should tell you everything you need to know.

 

[Section446]

Fat

 

[J_Allen]

He got paid and started partying. You could see it, he gained weight and lost a lot of burst. He was always 10/10 on Blitz pickups but he was never the same player after that second contract, but most people aren't around here.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Number of carries is absolutely correlated to RB drop off. There are some obvious exceptions in physical freaks in Adrian Peterson and Derrick Henry but its rare. Zeke also had a massive workload in college along with a very violent running style. Mix that in with his reputation for loving fast food and its not a great combo. Not saying Zeke didn't take care of his body, pro athletes can get away with bad eating habits, but RBs and athletes in general who have these extended careers take it next level. If you ever hear Derrick Henry talk about his offseason workouts and diet plan it's next level.

 

[noshame]

Zeke was only effective when he was totally cut and got off the ball very quickly.
A 1/2 a step slower, makes a big difference.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I have been trying to research if number of carries early in career are an indicator of declining production earlier on but have found no correlation. When you see the top two players Barkley and Henry performing and in Henry’s case he is older than Zeke how do you explain Zeke going from elite to bum so quickly?

Barkley and Henry are maniacal in how they take care of their bodies and have done so consistently. That doesnt guarantee long term success like Henry/Barkley, but it gives you a chance as a high usage RB to survive and excel as long as they have. Zeke has never been known to take care of himself in that way. In fact, the rumors are the exact opposite.

Also, the prime years of a high usage bigger RB like Zeke run anywhere from 3-6 seasons in most cases. They are usually great for 2 seasons, maybe good for another 1-2 and before you know it, they are out the league. It happens. The Cowboys should have just left things alone when they released him after 2022.

 

[Xeven]

He runs worse than his health. I think he closes his eyes reactively and just can’t see where to go.

 

[CyberB0b]

Running backs age like vinegar, not wine.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

He completely carried the offense for 3 solid years.

 

[big dog cowboy]

He had a ton of miles before he got to the Cowboys.

We all saw what happened after the first 3-4 years.

 

[Cmac]

I have been trying to research if number of carries early in career are an indicator of declining production earlier on but have found no correlation. When you see the top two players Barkley and Henry performing and in Henry’s case he is older than Zeke how do you explain Zeke going from elite to bum so quickly?

We ran him in the ground early and for two years kept feeding him though knee was hurt. Not it's commendable that Zeke tried to compete while injured, but the fact is.......he got too many carries. The very same is happening to Cee Dee right now. This is the NFL.....men hitting men. I don't fault Zeke on bit for coming back.....that's Jerry's big mistake. Jerry did the same with Witten, that prevented of stifled development for a younger TE (Blake Jarwin) and the next year the Raiders showed exactly how that move should have been handled on the field.

 

[gimmesix]

I have been trying to research if number of carries early in career are an indicator of declining production earlier on but have found no correlation. When you see the top two players Barkley and Henry performing and in Henry’s case he is older than Zeke how do you explain Zeke going from elite to bum so quickly?

Injuries were the main culprit. The last couple of years he was with us before going to New England, he suffered some pretty serious knee damage, including a partial tear that he tried to power through. It seemed to take his legs out from under him.

 

[cowboyec]

because its over.
and he was never the same back post-suspension.

 

[stinkface]

The average career of a running back is 5 years. Zeke is where most are. I think it's probably 4 years for a power back like Zeke. They are hardly never worthy of a second contract unless they are fanatics in the weight room.

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s a combination of him not taking care of his body (compared to a guy like Derrick Henry) and a ton of wear and tear on his tires.

Zeke came into the league with a ton of carries on his body at OSU, followed by the Cowboys loading him up with a huge workload for several years, coupled with his lack of commitment to the kind of lifestyle it takes to remain a RB with something left in his tank. That is the story. It’s that simple.

 

[MonsterD]

Fat

You joke but anyone looking at Henry and Barkley knows how hard they work to stay in shape off season and are extremely meticulous and thorough. Elliott liked to party and be a spazz, so pretty natural as he got older he was declining more rapidly.

 

[b0xZZ]

He wanted one last contract and got it by the team dumb enough to sign him. End of story.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

The difference between Zeke vs. Barkley/Henry is simple -- those guys live(d) in the gym. They are physical freaks/workout warriors. Zeke was that guy at one point, maybe in college and as a rookie. He got out of shape, gained weight, and everything fell apart.

Henry and Barkley took care of their bodies, and now their bodies are taking care of them.