CFZ Zeke needs some Respect

Pass2Run

Well-Known Member
Messages
10,870
Reaction score
12,220
I honestly have the utmost respect for Zeke. I've never seen this as some sort of paradigm. I've always thought they should split carries 50/50. Based on the YT analytics, it doesn't look like many people have seen the interview this week, which shows that TP and Zeke actually have a good friendship, as teammates. Some may be surprised to hear Zeke articulate why he's perfectly fine sharing the carries. In fact, both are aware of the fact that each player helps the other be great, in terms of the end goal of the team.

That's why I love these RBs, because I'm usually not one to worship RBs. I liked DeMarco Murry before he was great, and I knew Barber would be good. Liked Choice, and even saw a ton of talent in Joseph Randle. But I think the best team guys we've ever had during my time as a fan are Zeke and Pollard. I remember Tony Dorsett, Herschell Walker, etcetera. But I can't say I was a big fan of theirs back in those days because I started out an Oilers fan in my earliest years.

Anyway, figured I'd share this since fans love to try to divide the team with manufactured false dilemmas.

I look at it this way, Zeke is still better right now than Jerome Bettis ever was. And Bettis is in the Hall of Fame, just like Zeke will be.

Also, think about it. The Houston Texans have not a single player in the NFL Hall of Fame, during their entire existence. So we're lucky to have Zeke. I think he ends up making the HOF, too — and he'll do it as a Cowboy.

If you pay attention, it looks like Zeke is more of a team guy than some would assume. As in, he seems to understand the concept of being a team guy. And may consider restructuring when it gets to that point, although you have to read between the lines. Remember, people say one thing.. .but mean another. Almost always.

Also, Zeke is not a #2 back. We have a system where backs split carries. That's the way it should be. Don't let the other team know which one is preferred when or where, and we're more difficult to predict.

Playoffs, here we come!

 
Last edited:

fredp22

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,117
hes making 18mm. he plays like a 4mm runner.
he wants my respect play to his salary.That fact that u have to beg for respect confirms hes not. His cap hit next year would be 16mm. I'm willing to bet we dont pay it even taking into account your bullet points
 

PAPPYDOG

There are no Dak haters just Cowboy lovers!!!
Messages
18,933
Reaction score
32,608
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
No he doesn't and he's not the lead dawg. Zeke signed a huge deal and has never stayed dedicated. The days of showing off the abs have long been gone since his rookie season and since then he hasn't been much of an impact. He's lost 2-3 steps and will be gone next year.
Love Zeke but no reason to keep him when the season ends.
 

SteveTheCowboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
18,824
Reaction score
13,345
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Zeke’s not the guy he was in 2016. No argument there. He’s 27 now and has taking a beating. He’s had some minor injuries that have hampered him the last year or so. 27 is getting up there for a RB but 27 is still young. It’s all about how you take care of your body. Hell, Brady’s 42 and still competing at a high level.

What Zeke has morphed into later in his career is a ground and pound short yardage machine. When was the last time you saw Zeke get stopped on 3rd and 1? It’s happened, but it’s been awhile. If you have a ground and pound RB who can get that 1st down on 3rd and 1 then you have something. The defense knows it’s coming, yet Zeke gets it done. And the key to that statement is that he’s done it with great offensive lines and bad offensive lines. You may not like the nose rings, the fro, the “Feed Me”, but the dude balls out on Sunday’s. We’re lucky to have him. Now his next contract is not going to be anything close to his 1st contract, but I for one hope the Cowboys extend him at a Cowboy friendly contract next year. He’s a huge part of the offense.
It seems Zeke has had some transformation. It's unfortunate people still hold him to an exceptional and rare rookie 2016 season. He's had to adjust his game and his mindset. Some players might become bitter at their reduced role (and perhaps some physical abilities!), Zeke has embraced it and even sheering it on.

Wish our fans would do the same.
 

SteveTheCowboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
18,824
Reaction score
13,345
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
No he doesn't and he's not the lead dawg. Zeke signed a huge deal and has never stayed dedicated. The days of showing off the abs have long been gone since his rookie season and since then he hasn't been much of an impact. He's lost 2-3 steps and will be gone next year.


You have GOT to be kidding...right?

The guys has busted his ARSE for this team...doing things other superstars would never do.
 

jterrell

Penguinite
Messages
33,576
Reaction score
15,747
I often forget that message boards and twitter aren't representative of real life.

The Zeke calls last week were so amazing. There are good fans and this fan base can be a good one.
It doesn't have to be all agenda and hate.
 

shabazz

Well-Known Member
Messages
16,872
Reaction score
31,099
1. 1st three seasons arguably the best back in football. Initiated contact at every opportunity

2. Demanded new fat contract and received it.

3 Got screwed by Goodell who went against the advice of the female NFL advisor that said there not enough evidence to support a suspension

4. Started taking himself out of games and started showing sign of decline in some aspects of his game, avoided contact and seeked the sideline whenever possible

5. Still a supreme blocker and short yardage specialist now on the downward slope of his career.

6. Recently showed new found maturity but admitting that Pollard is a special back that should be featured early and often

7. Zeke renegotiates next season and still contributes at a level more commensurate with his salary…..and remains a fan favorite
 

DTK

Active Member
Messages
735
Reaction score
86
Zeke clearly isn't what he was his first few years in this league. However, he is still a quality back that does many things well. He has also turned into one of the leaders of this team. The guy plays injured and does whatever is asked of him. I have great respect for him and hope there's some way we can keep him around next year, at a lower salary of course.
 

Havic

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,366
Reaction score
6,913
Zeke needs to go unless he wants to be paid around 3-4 mil a year.
 

blueblood70

Well-Known Member
Messages
38,717
Reaction score
27,001
Zeke’s not the guy he was in 2016. No argument there. He’s 27 now and has taking a beating. He’s had some minor injuries that have hampered him the last year or so. 27 is getting up there for a RB but 27 is still young. It’s all about how you take care of your body. Hell, Brady’s 42 and still competing at a high level.

What Zeke has morphed into later in his career is a ground and pound short yardage machine. When was the last time you saw Zeke get stopped on 3rd and 1? It’s happened, but it’s been awhile. If you have a ground and pound RB who can get that 1st down on 3rd and 1 then you have something. The defense knows it’s coming, yet Zeke gets it done. And the key to that statement is that he’s done it with great offensive lines and bad offensive lines. You may not like the nose rings, the fro, the “Feed Me”, but the dude balls out on Sunday’s. We’re lucky to have him. Now his next contract is not going to be anything close to his 1st contract, but I for one hope the Cowboys extend him at a Cowboy friendly contract next year. He’s a huge part of the offense.
still one of my favorite players,

if fans ware watching both 21 and now this year before injury hes found his cut back, jumping over players, and seems a bit quicker.. he looks good to me, not worth his 2023 cap hit, so we shall see how they work it out but for now the man does deserve respect.. HIs DC Career has been great regardless of what hater believe.

Ive always been a fan of his, the hate is undeserved. Hes 3rd al time on the DC RB list 2 rushing crowns and should have been 3 straight out of college and still since 2016 is leading the league in yards and scrimmage yards, that impressive ..the offense changed around zeke more than Zeke changed.,. Some fans don't want to or cant understand this.
 

RonnieT24

Well-Known Member
Messages
13,559
Reaction score
21,644
Didn't he get stuffed for a 2 yard loss on a fourth and one recently?

Actually he gained one yard but needed two.. But one defender came in completely unblocked and the second one threw our tight end aside like he was a little purse dog .. It was a dumb decision to go for it in that situation that early in the game and then was compounded by poor execution up front.
 

RonnieT24

Well-Known Member
Messages
13,559
Reaction score
21,644
Some of these people will never respect Zeke or what he brings to this team. Fortunately his coaches and teammates do.. Which is far more important..
 

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
57,924
Reaction score
38,930
Zeke’s not the guy he was in 2016. No argument there. He’s 27 now and has taking a beating. He’s had some minor injuries that have hampered him the last year or so. 27 is getting up there for a RB but 27 is still young. It’s all about how you take care of your body. Hell, Brady’s 42 and still competing at a high level.

What Zeke has morphed into later in his career is a ground and pound short yardage machine. When was the last time you saw Zeke get stopped on 3rd and 1? It’s happened, but it’s been awhile. If you have a ground and pound RB who can get that 1st down on 3rd and 1 then you have something. The defense knows it’s coming, yet Zeke gets it done. And the key to that statement is that he’s done it with great offensive lines and bad offensive lines. You may not like the nose rings, the fro, the “Feed Me”, but the dude balls out on Sunday’s. We’re lucky to have him. Now his next contract is not going to be anything close to his 1st contract, but I for one hope the Cowboys extend him at a Cowboy friendly contract next year. He’s a huge part of the offense.

Short yardage backs are a dime a dozen. And we certainly dont need to pay 18 million for them. Pollard is the real talent in the run game and is the engine that makes this offense as deadly as it is. Zeke is nothing more than a filler back these days. Some short yardage and mop up stuff. Any number of 40 backs could do his role. Davis could do it.

Zeke has been forced to share the spotlight he was very very reluctant to share. The team is much better for it. We can only wonder at how much better the Cowboys might have been last year had the coaches benched Zeke like they should have.

You can dream all you want about Zeke staying here. He is gone!. So wave goodbye to your hero. I know personally I will be happy as a clam when he is no longer here. His hold on Jerry has been an anchor for this team for 3.5 years.
 

john van brocklin

Captain Comeback
Messages
38,428
Reaction score
43,351
Zeke’s not the guy he was in 2016. No argument there. He’s 27 now and has taking a beating. He’s had some minor injuries that have hampered him the last year or so. 27 is getting up there for a RB but 27 is still young. It’s all about how you take care of your body. Hell, Brady’s 42 and still competing at a high level.

What Zeke has morphed into later in his career is a ground and pound short yardage machine. When was the last time you saw Zeke get stopped on 3rd and 1? It’s happened, but it’s been awhile. If you have a ground and pound RB who can get that 1st down on 3rd and 1 then you have something. The defense knows it’s coming, yet Zeke gets it done. And the key to that statement is that he’s done it with great offensive lines and bad offensive lines. You may not like the nose rings, the fro, the “Feed Me”, but the dude balls out on Sunday’s. We’re lucky to have him. Now his next contract is not going to be anything close to his 1st contract, but I for one hope the Cowboys extend him at a Cowboy friendly contract next year. He’s a huge part of the offense.
I hope we keep Zeke for the reasons you stated.
Its all going to come down to if he is willing to take a pay cut to stay.
 

CowboyRoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
57,924
Reaction score
38,930
Actually he gained one yard but needed two.. But one defender came in completely unblocked and the second one threw our tight end aside like he was a little purse dog .. It was a dumb decision to go for it in that situation that early in the game and then was compounded by poor execution up front.

Yep, so he got stuffed.
 

Dakota

Well-Known Member
Messages
691
Reaction score
401
Hate to say it, but he's hit his expiration date. Sorry.
 
Top