Will Dak and Zeke Tire Out?

[ringmaster]

I'm not too concerned about Dak getting tired because he's pretty selective about when he runs (unlike say RG3) but it is something to think about with Zeke. The good news is they are both so young which is a wonderful thing!

Exactly JJ there are some people not any here at the zone that is comparing Dak's rookie year to RG3's rookie year imo there is no comparison as you stated RG3 ran with reckless abandonment and didn't know how to slide while Dak OTOH not quite the athlete RG3 was he only runs when nothing is there and knows how to slide to avoid injury unlike RG3 and on top of that is a much better passer than RG3 ever was.

 

[JJHLH1]

Exactly JJ there are some people not any here at the zone that is comparing Dak's rookie year to RG3's rookie year imo there is no comparison as you stated RG3 ran with reckless abandonment and didn't know how to slide while Dak OTOH not quite the athlete RG3 was he only runs when nothing is there and knows how to slide to avoid injury unlike RG3 and on top of that is a much better passer than RG3 ever was.

Yes, I never understood the comparison other than they both had outstanding rookie years. Their games are very different. I'd much rather have a Dak Prescott who is primarily a pocket passer who will run only if protection breaks down or if there is a clear opportunity to make a big play without too much risk. Exposing yourself to hits is damaging, to the player as well as the team, as RG3 unfortunately found out.

 

[Macnalty]

They will tire out opposing defenses.

If that happens we have two former pro bowl replacements in Alfred Morris and Tony Romo. Not bad for depth while the young pups recover. Not sure another team could recover so easily.

 

[ringmaster]

I'm kind of concerned about Zeke. Dickerson and Ladainian Tomlinson said their bodies wore down in the last quarter of the season, and it took them a long time to recover from games. Not sure if they played the preseason before their rookie start. We hid Zeke a few weeks.

Well the wear and tear is going to happen for any player during the rigorous 16 week season as for Zeke he has the help of Morris in his pocket who is a very capable RB that will take some of the carries away from him which is a good thing as for preseason LT never played in preseason neither did Peterson to conserve their play for the regular season as for your concern Zeke's body will wear down but that doesn't mean he won't be effective that football being so physical.

 

[KJJ]

We are being led by two rookies who are used to 12 game seasons. The NFL season is a long haul not to mention postseason if we get there. Does anybody think Dak and Zeke might run out of gas? I know they're young and healthy and hungry, but it's something to think about.

Not concerned about Dak wearing down but Zeke could. Got to keep finding spots to spell him. If Morris was producing more they would leave him in longer but he's averaging under 4.0 a carry. Murray started tiring out late during the 2014 season.

 

[dogunwo]

I would think on their days off, they are using it just to relax and recover. Stuff like actually sleeping, massages, etc. and other things they could/should be doing. Maybe they could borrow those wax recovery pits from the movie "Wanted"

 

[Jarv]

Zeke is on pace for around 386 carries, which is a lot. Dak, I have no worries. Maybe its time to bring in Darren.

 

[Blackspider214]

The last I checked, Zeke is 21. Did you guys hear what I just said? He's only 21. At 21, you don't get sick, you don't get tired, you don't lazy, you are full of life and energy, and Dak is only 23. I still can't believe that out of 32 teams, Dak and Zeke actually fell right into our laps on rookie contracts for 4 years. Jerry must be on his knees every day thanking his God.

Actually Zeke will be 5 years if we decide to pick up that team option for the 5th year.

 

[lkelly]

For several of those carries/receptions against Pittsburgh, we should be thankful that the goal line got in the way so he didn't get more tired.

Don't give him the ball inside our own 20 to save wear and tear on his body.

 

[Redball Express]

We are being led by two rookies who are used to 12 game seasons. The NFL season is a long haul not to mention postseason if we get there. Does anybody think Dak and Zeke might run out of gas? I know they're young and healthy and hungry, but it's something to think about.

I worry more about the OL.

Smith is not healthy..

neither is Free.

Our backups Greene and Collins so are still out.

Martin had some sort of injury against the Steelers..

This team depends on them more than DAK and Zeke.

Anymore OL injuries and we are in big trouble.

 

[Sepia]

Well the wear and tear is going to happen for any player during the rigorous 16 week season as for Zeke he has the help of Morris in his pocket who is a very capable RB that will take some of the carries away from him which is a good thing as for preseason LT never played in preseason neither did Peterson to conserve their play for the regular season as for your concern Zeke's body will wear down but that doesn't mean he won't be effective that football being so physical.

Noted. It's just a concern vet players in that position have voiced, having been through it. Their production seems to have tapered off towards the end of those seasons. I think the backups will be important factors this season.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I worry more about the OL.

Smith is not healthy..

neither is Free.

Our backups Greene and Collins so are still out.

Martin had some sort of injury against the Steelers..

This team depends on them more than DAK and Zeke.

Anymore OL injuries and we are in big trouble.

Good points. I hope they heal as we go along.

 

[Maxmadden]

Unfortunately I do think they will wear down.

We saw it with Demarco in 2014. These guys have never had an NFL offseason to get in tip top shape and they are asked to go play 16 games.

This is part of the reason I think the BYE week is so huge for our team.

There was a series or 2 that I thought Zeke was slowing down toward the end of the game.

As long as it wasn't the last series.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Yes I know it does not compare...but they do train year round....that counts for something....it is not like they are sitting on their couch eating chips and dip....

You don't get hit by oopposing teams wanting to hurt you in the same way in training.

 

[jazzcat22]

You don't get hit by oopposing teams wanting to hurt you in the same way in training.

This is true for even a 10 year vet player.....this is about conditioning as opposed to what it used to be.
What don't you understand about that.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

This is true for even a 10 year vet player.....this is about conditioning as opposed to what it used to be.
What don't you understand about that.

I understand that Dak and Zeke will have never had this kind of load before.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Zeke is on pace for around 386 carries, which is a lot. Dak, I have no worries. Maybe its time to bring in Darren.

No he's not. Zeke's on pace for 352 carries. He's on pace for another 32 receptions, so maybe you meant touches. But the research on RBs indicates that receptions aren't that big a deal: it's the rushing attempts that wear them out and wear them down. Still, 352 carries is a lot for anyone.

The rookie wall is a real thing. Will they hit it? None of us knows, even (especially?) those talking like they do.

Of course, the likelihood that Zeke'll get to take game 16 off should help.

As far as Dak, I know I'm alone on this, but I love the idea of having Romo start vs. Baltimore (if he really is ready) and Dak on Thanksgiving. We get to see where Romo is in a non-conference game, and Dak plays on (more than) full rest against the 'Skins on Turkey Day.

 

[Longboysfan]

We are being led by two rookies who are used to 12 game seasons. The NFL season is a long haul not to mention postseason if we get there. Does anybody think Dak and Zeke might run out of gas? I know they're young and healthy and hungry, but it's something to think about.

Good thought here by you.

I don't think that Dak will tire out. He seems to be loving all of this.

Zeke is being given off a lot of time during the games. I would think he did not play in 1/3 of the offensive snaps this past week.

 

[Clove]

I worry more about the OL.

Smith is not healthy..

neither is Free.

Our backups Greene and Collins so are still out.

Martin had some sort of injury against the Steelers..

This team depends on them more than DAK and Zeke.

Anymore OL injuries and we are in big trouble.

It's good to have a team full of great linemen. You can replace a couple, but anymore than that could be trouble.

 

[windjc]

No he's not. Zeke's on pace for 352 carries. He's on pace for another 32 receptions, so maybe you meant touches. But the research on RBs indicates that receptions aren't that big a deal: it's the rushing attempts that wear them out and wear them down. Still, 352 carries is a lot for anyone.

The rookie wall is a real thing. Will they hit it? None of us knows, even (especially?) those talking like they do.

Of course, the likelihood that Zeke'll get to take game 16 off should help.

As far as Dak, I know I'm alone on this, but I love the idea of having Romo start vs. Baltimore (if he really is ready) and Dak on Thanksgiving. We get to see where Romo is in a non-conference game, and Dak plays on (more than) full rest against the 'Skins on Turkey Day.

Can we subtract the carries where Zeke doesn't get touched and ends up in the endzone? If so, his "carries" go down significantly.