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

[stiletto]

RB's often fall of cliffs. Happens to them all the time. It's more rare they don't like Emmitt.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Did anyone see Zeke put his hands on his hips near the goal line I think it was like damn!! His lips are always ashy like he's tired and needs water badly

 

[diamonddelts]

Did anyone see Zeke put his hands on his hips near the goal line I think it was like damn!! His lips are always ashy like he's tired and needs water badly

 

[RonnieT24]

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.

The main difference has been style of offense. And style of runner. I said when he came in that if Zeke didn't adjust his running style from always seeking out contact and trying to "set the tone" it would shorten his career. Still I think more than anything the worst them to happen to Zeke's career was Kellen Moore. Once Moore took over there was never any rhythm to the running game and Zeke pretty much got relegated to basic up the middle carries out of the shotgun. Instead of letting him attack the line of scrimmage downhill the running game became "stand there until you get the handoff." Zeke aint built for that. Both in terms of his body or his mindset. He's a downhill runner. This offense favors jukin and dodgin. Which has never been his style. Put him in something like the Shanahan system and watch what happens. I think even at this advanced age if we traded him to the 49ers he'd average 80 yards a game and 4.5 ypc in that system. This offense is a bad fit for his running style. It is what it is and it's not going to change in 2024.

 

[Praxit]

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?

.... Zeke's decline, to me has also been bewildering. Yeah, its like he hit a cliff just fell over.

Your right, Henry being older and still relevant. Must be genetic.

 

[diamonddelts]

I think even at this advanced age if we traded him to the 49ers he'd average 80 yards a game and 4.5 ypc in that system.

You definitely live in bizarro world.

 

[Praxit]

The main difference has been style of offense. And style of runner. I said when he came in that if Zeke didn't adjust his running style from always seeking out contact and trying to "set the tone" it would shorten his career. Still I think more than anything the worst them to happen to Zeke's career was Kellen Moore. Once Moore took over there was never any rhythm to the running game and Zeke pretty much got relegated to basic up the middle carries out of the shotgun. Instead of letting him attack the line of scrimmage downhill the running game became "stand there until you get the handoff." Zeke aint built for that. Both in terms of his body or his mindset. He's a downhill runner. This offense favors jukin and dodgin. Which has never been his style. Put him in something like the Shanahan system and watch what happens. I think even at this advanced age if we traded him to the 49ers he'd average 80 yards a game and 4.5 ypc in that system. This offense is a bad fit for his running style. It is what it is and it's not going to change in 2024.

..good points, Ronnie. He fared pretty good with NE last year. Then came here, bottom fell out again.

McCarthy's offense not good fit.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

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.

What evidence do we have he didn't take care of his body? Aside from tmz.

I also recall some word the Cowboys bulked him up. No source just iirc

 

[CWR]

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?

Henry spends 240k on his "body maintenance" plan. He's 100% committed. Zeke isn't period. The greats are just built different.

 

[EPL0c0]

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.

2016: 322 carries (15 games)
2017: 242 carries (10 games) (on pace for 350+)
2018: 304 carries (15 games)
2019: 301 carries (16 games)

He was a workhorse for sure.

Saquon's highest season total was 295
Henry has 3 seasons with 300+ carries (303, 378, 349)
Josh Jacobs has 1 season with 300+ carries (340)

 

[CWR]

What evidence do we have he didn't take care of his body? Aside from tmz.

I also recall some word the Cowboys bulked him up. No source just iirc

His night life is pretty well documented. I'm sure he takes care of himself, but not to the extent he could prolong his career. It takes a special player to work those details consistently. Zeke doesn't appear to have ever had that mentality.

 

[Coogiguy03]

looks just like him during the game when he's sucking for wind after 1 play

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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?

he got paid. he got fat. he stopped caring and he stopped playing.... and then he got old really fast. too much partying.

 

[baltcowboy]

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?

Zeke was a product of the best offensive line in football from the 2014 through the 2017 seasons Big head enjoyed 2 1/2 seasons with it and got a big extension before the line started declining. It is what it was. He was a product of a great offensive line.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

His night life is pretty well documented. I'm sure he takes care of himself, but not to the extent he could prolong his career. It takes a special player to work those details consistently. Zeke doesn't appear to have ever had that mentality.

I'm not convined that is 100% true. Also not convinced other guys don;t go out and party. Zeke was in the limelight and got tailed.

I also think Zeke had some er...conditions like ADD or something. That people hid. Every see ANYONE else eat the ticker tape?

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

he got paid. he got fat. he stopped caring and he stopped playing.... and then he got old really fast. too much partying.

Yeah...blocking D-lineman and blitzing lbers for a porous o-line and most carries in the season had absolutely nothing to do with him wearing out fat...I mean fast.

 

[nightrain]

He's done....about 7 years ago.

 

[nightrain]

I'm not convined that is 100% true. Also not convinced other guys don;t go out and party. Zeke was in the limelight and got tailed.

I also think Zeke had some er...conditions like ADD or something. That people hid. Every see ANYONE else eat the ticker tape?

I saw a dude eat horse apples off the ground in Philly.

 

[CWR]

I'm not convined that is 100% true. Also not convinced other guys don;t go out and party. Zeke was in the limelight and got tailed.

I also think Zeke had some er...conditions like ADD or something. That people hid. Every see ANYONE else eat the ticker tape?

I believe if he was committed to the highest level we'd read about it. Those guys and their regiment get noticed.

I've never once seen any publicity on Zekes training routine, diet, lifestyle etc. Ive seen quite a bit on the greats though. Henry, Brady, Rice, those type of guys are infamous for the work they put in. It's an unreasonably high bar, but it's the cost of longevity.

I dont believe Zeke ever came close to committing to that level, and his body wore down just like a million other rbs.

Look at him now, he can't even show up to team meetings or practice on time.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I saw a dude eat horse apples off the ground in Philly.

But....philly.