Zeke can be all pro again

[Sydla]

Zeke has value, if you can re-do his contract to make him worth the reduced number of carries. After all, he got 12 rushing tds last year, tied for 3rd in the league. Last I looked, tds are important. And for all of Pollard's good play, he had one td per about 21 rushes, Zeke one per about 19 rushes.

IF he can avoid injury, he's still a better running back than half of the league, even dealing with a knee brace a lot of last year he had some good runs. The ability to get the tough 2-3 yards for first downs is an asset to the team.

He won't ever be the Zeke of 2018 but not many backs are.

It will all come down to the cap, as is often the case....

The TD thing comparison is silly as Pollard didn’t get as many opportunities near the goal line. It’s not really an apples to apples comparison.

 

[Sydla]

Two back rotation is here to stay.

Pollards leg is wrecked. He might not even get a contract offer from Jerry before the deadline this Summer.

Zeke has been around 230 rushes the last two seasons.

This helps extend his career.

The #ZekeHate on here is strong.

If Pollard is wrecked then it was dumb to tag him. Because once Pollard signs there is nothing the Cowboys can do about it.

So if Jerry has no intention of giving him a long term deal because Pollard’s leg is “wrecked” then whew boy, they had better rescind that tag fast before Pollard signs it.

 

[Sydla]

Um...almost.

You tell me what other elite, NFL rushing champion running back had to also play offensive lineman and fullback.

You won't respond...you will cower. and hide.

Because there isn't one who did more than Zeke. And you treat him like sheet for it. Curbstomp his teeth.


To be fair...I am still trying to research the stats.....What rb....especially an "elite" #1 NFL rushing champion....has the most blocks. This would include "chips" while still getting handoff or pass. It would have a weight factor for blocking O line or tiny DB. It would include any double blocking....2 or more "chips" "diversions" or "pancakes" on any given play.

How many did Barry Sanders have?

Cower.

I have you in my Top Three of biggest Elliott fanboys.

 

[Kingofholland]

He was probably beat up at the end of the year as he looked much better earlier in the season. I think Zeke's all-pro days are over though, l just don't see him shift into a higher gears quickly as he hits an open hole. It doesnt mean he cant be a productive back as part of committee, but he's not going to get 300+ carries.

 

[Patrick]

An All-Pro fullback? Absolutely!

 

[Sydla]

Link: Pollard leg surgery

What’s this article supposed to prove? It basically says he had one type of surgery and should be healed and good to go well before training camp.

What am I missing?

 

[The Quest for Six]

Pollards leg is trashed.

a fracture is nothing

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Link: Pollard leg surgery

So let's see - Dak tore up his leg, had surgery, was he in top health this year? No.
Gallup had surgery, was he in top health this year? No.

But now a running back has leg surgery and "yeah he'll be good as new".

Well the history ain't there. Better hope Pollard's the exception. And don't forget, he's 14 pounds ligher than Zeke, and we expect him to hold up physically, despite never having been the "bell cow" running back, either in college or the NFL.

Hey, I like Pollard, he's very good, and I wish him every bit of success he can get. But I'm not sold on him being Zeke in 2016-2018, or Emmit in 1990-1995. He's got to do it, not just think he can.

We'll see....

 

[Whyjerry]

This is the dumbest take so far this year.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

The TD thing comparison is silly as Pollard didn’t get as many opportunities near the goal line. It’s not really an apples to apples comparison.

No, but then again teams knew Zeke was getting the ball near the goal line, and there's a lot less room to run to get into the end zone, basically Zeke has to plow straight ahead into a mass of bodies to score, Pollard can juke and dance and cut to get across the line.

I'm just saying Zeke can fill a needed role on the team, unlike others here who delight in running down players as soon as their production drops off...

 

[Sydla]

So let's see - Dak tore up his leg, had surgery, was he in top health this year? No.
Gallup had surgery, was he in top health this year? No.

But now a running back has leg surgery and "yeah he'll be good as new".

Well the history ain't there. Better hope Pollard's the exception. And don't forget, he's 14 pounds ligher than Zeke, and we expect him to hold up physically, despite never having been the "bell cow" running back, either in college or the NFL.

Hey, I like Pollard, he's very good, and I wish him every bit of success he can get. But I'm not sold on him being Zeke in 2016-2018, or Emmit in 1990-1995. He's got to do it, not just think he can.

We'll see....

Different injuries. Pollard has broken bones which are an easier recovery. Dak had a compound fracture but also ligament damage due to dislocation. Gallup had an ACL and MCL.

Just look at projected recovery times for all three. Pollard’s was projected to be shorter than the other two.

 

[Sydla]

No, but then again teams knew Zeke was getting the ball near the goal line, and there's a lot less room to run to get into the end zone, basically Zeke has to plow straight ahead into a mass of bodies to score, Pollard can juke and dance and cut to get across the line.

I'm just saying Zeke can fill a needed role on the team, unlike others here who delight in running down players as soon as their production drops off...

Zeke can fill a role if he was a 3 million cap hit. He’s gonna have like an 7-8-9 million cap hit.

That’s the problem.

 

[bark]

Well the question of “does Jerry post here”has finally been answered

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Different injuries. Pollard has broken bones which are an easier recovery. Dak had a compound fracture but also ligament damage due to dislocation. Gallup had an ACL and MCL.

Just look at projected recovery times for all three. Pollard’s was projected to be shorter than the other two.

Oh, I know, but every player and every injury is different. That's why I said, "we'll see".

Certainly would be great news if Pollard returns 100, or even 98% to what he was before the injury. But that's only hope at this point....

 

[alicetooljam]

Link: Pollard leg surgery

Was this missed in the article? "Pollard should be at full strength well before training camp."

 

[Pass2Run]

Look at him before the knee injury. He was fast abd explosive. Plus we all know he had power and blocking. He just needs to sit out when hurt I like pollard to avoid putting out bad take. He also needs a better running scheme abd left guard. I predict pollard will diss a pint with more Carrie’s this year and zeke will be fresh in the second half if the year fir the first time in years and play great.

For the record, I'm in the cut Zeke and draft new, young backs camp. But if Zeke ends up being on the team, and Pollard is on the team, we should just roll with a 3-headed monster, and roll with 3 backs.

I think teams will start using more 3-back systems, too, in the future, just to try to add some longevity to RBs careers. Players like Pollard can play 7-8 years, if they split the carries.

If they plan on keeping Zeke, honestly, I can even see them drafting someone like Achane.. He's going to be like a little Sproles for some team. But the back I really like is Abinikanda.

 

[kumizi]

I hope for your sake you are trolling.

If not, get some help.

 

[Pass2Run]

Wow. The disrespect for Zeke here is amazing. Dude really sacrificed his body for us. He played hurt and at times was only in to provide great pass protection ... something hardly any #1 backs do anymore.

Y'all angry about his hold out? Seems like RBs got no choice after year three because if the team sits on them they may be done after the 5th year option is up.

Mr. Beta,

It's not about hating Zeke or being mad about his hold out. It's about moving the team in the right direction, and not holding the team back over an emotional attachment.

Some of us want to see what Dak can do without the distraction of his little sidecar sidekick.

Dak may be an entirely different player without Zeke.

In fact, I would like to conduct an analysis to find out how well Dak did when Pollard was playing versus when Zeke was playing during 2021-2023. If anyone can do that, I would be impressed. We need to have a tip jar for providing answers like that. Tip me on the suggestion later...

In any event, I really do have some interest in seeing what kind of QB Dak could be without the, sort of, awkward distraction of Zeke. My theory is that Zeke has a substance abuse problem and hasn't been himself in recent years, because of it, sort of a Hollywood Henderson, Michael Irvin kind of guy, just in his own way.. at least, that's how I see Zeke, and my gut is rarely wrong on that stuff.

If you look close, it's there, and his teammates know it, too.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Zeke can be all pro again​

Not in this league.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Was this missed in the article? "Pollard should be at full strength well before training camp."

"Should" be. Right, a slam dunk guarantee! NO chance he won't be the same. Let's add to death and taxes "Tony Pollard recovers 100%"

But don't forget, Pollard has never been "the guy" for an entire season. What if Dallas cuts Zeke and Pollard tears up a knee? Who's going to take over?
Davis? Dowdle? Neither has set the league on fire in their limited action.

Again, I like Pollard, but he, like ANY OTHER PLAYER, has to prove he can handle the demands of the no. 1 rb. I hope he gets 2,500 yards and 30 rushing tds. Call me negative Nancy or a worry wart or a pessimist if you want, but NOTHING is guaranteed in the NFL....