CFZ Zeke needs some Respect

[phildadon86]

Didn't he get stuffed for a 2 yard loss on a fourth and one recently?

The Giants game I think.

 

[RonnieT24]

Even without the goal line carries, Zeke is going to average less because he doesn't break many runs over 10-12 yards.

Perhaps that's true but if you have a lot of carries where the MOST you can get is one or two yards (because it's a touchdown) it's going to have an effect on your average. No I don't think Zeke is ever going to be a 5 ypc type back. But this team doesn't need a 5 ypc type back. It needs a "successful" type back. On Zeke's 40 short yardage and goal to go carries he has 22 first downs and 7 touchdowns. That's a 72.5% success rate. On Pollard's 25 he has 13 first downs and 3 TDs. A success rate of 64%. That's certainly not bad.. but it's not as good as Zeke. Pollard offsets that with more big runs.. which is great.. Pollard actually has a better ypc average even on those plays, owing to having broken a couple of long ones in those situations. But again, he has failed to get the needed yardage 36% of the time to Zeke's 27.5% of the time. Barry Sanders had a lot more big runs than Emmitt Smith.. but Emmitt's chain moving running style was more conducive to winning football.

That's really all it boils down to for me. Explosive plays are great.. but moving the chains is the meat and potatoes of any offense. I prefer winning over highlight reels. But that's just me.. to each his own. To his credit I think Pollard has gotten MUCH better at the chain moving runs this year. But he still has a ways to go. He's never going to be as powerful as Zeke and Zeke is never going to be as quick and explosive as TP. The Cowboys are blessed that they have them both. I'm not interested in this whole "we gotta git rid of one or the other" narrative.. Why the hell do I need to break up a winning combination?

 

[JBond]

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

We can hope....

 

[UncleRico]

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.

hes also been a great leader in the locker room and very selfless. The blocks he throws and other things on the field show that. He’s not a great as he once was but we are lucky to have him.

 

[Cowboys93]

People complain about his salary as if it’s being garnished from their personal wages. He leveraged his position and cashed out as literally anyone else would in a professional setting. He’s become a leader of this team and more than welcoming of another top dawg at his position. I have literally no complaints about him.

 

[UncleRico]

Brady is 45. The next current oldest player is our very own Jason Peters. At 40.

Vinny played to 44. DeBerg too. In the modern NFL, only Kickers have played older than Brady.

Brady is obviously a freak of nature and doesn't play RB.

I give Zeke plenty of respect for how he has handled becoming #2. And I see some returning burst in him.

But ... he's older and his long term trend has been downhill. Everyone but the QBs have better yards per carry than Zeke. The improved run blocking makes it an easy row to hoe.

Respect him for the man he's grown into. But accurately evaluate him as a player. He's a competent RB well past his prime on the decline long term. We should move on to make room for younger RBs. Time to draft some next year, franchise Pollard, and let Zeke go.

Brady is obviously using PEDs too. I don’t personally care, do what you do Tom but people that act like he is this unicorn are insane. Your arm doesn’t get stronger as you get older into your 40’s, it isn’t physically possible.

and to edit- PEDs doesn’t necessarily mean steroids like in body builders. He’s likely using TRT, HGH, SARMS, and new age PEDs overseen by a doctor that increase stamina and flexibility, strength and recovery. I know what I’m talking about.

 

[UncleRico]

People complain about his salary as if it’s being garnished from their personal wages. He leveraged his position and cashed out as literally anyone else would in a professional setting. He’s become a leader of this team and more than welcoming of another top dawg at his position. I have literally no complaints about him.

Well said.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

People complain about his salary as if it’s being garnished from their personal wages.

His inflated salary means there is less available to pay other talent.

He leveraged his position and cashed out as literally anyone else would in a professional setting.

I'd say at least 50% of people would honor their contract and not jump the queue in an effort to get paid. But you might be more misanthropic than I.

 

[RonnieT24]

hes also been a great leader in the locker room and very selfless. The blocks he throws and other things on the field show that. He’s not a great as he once was but we are lucky to have him.

Amen brother.. We should also take note that since returning from the knee injury he has 33 carries for 169 yards (5.12 ypc) and 2 TDs. In those same two games TP has 30 carries for 151 yards (5.03 ypc) and 2 TDs. Maybe a healthy Zeke more effective than he is given credit for. Just a thought. Plus I have been told ad nauseum that the back with the better ypc average is clearly the better back. I read it here every day.. So it kinda seems like over the last two games the better back has been _______ .

 

[Rockport]

People complain about his salary as if it’s being garnished from their personal wages. He leveraged his position and cashed out as literally anyone else would in a professional setting. He’s become a leader of this team and more than welcoming of another top dawg at his position. I have literally no complaints about him.

Emmitt held out for part of a season.

 

[UncleRico]

Amen brother.. We should also take note that since returning from the knee injury he has 33 carries for 169 yards (5.12 ypc) and 2 TDs. In those same two games TP has 30 carries for 151 yards (5.03 ypc) and 2 TDs. Maybe a healthy Zeke more effective than he is given credit for. Just a thought. Plus I have been told ad nauseum that the back with the better ypc average is clearly the better back. I read it here every day.. So it kinda seems like over the last two games the better back has been _______ .

Zeke has actually ran the ball great this year it’s just that Pollard has been incredible. It’s a great problem to have. Compliment each other so well

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Emmitt held out for part of a season.

Emmitt played out his contract. He and Jerry didn't agree to terms on a new contract before the 1993 season started. That's not the same as a holdout.

 

[Rockport]

Emmitt played out his contract. He and Jerry didn't agree to terms on a new contract before the 1993 season started. That's not the same as a holdout.

What ever it was he held out for 4 or 5 games and it took Haley busting a hole in the locker room wall screaming “sign Emmitt” before Jerry caved. I think they were 2-3 at that point.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

What ever it was he held out for 4 or 5 games and it took Haley busting a hole in the locker room wall screaming “sign Emmitt” before Jerry caved. I think they were 2-3 at that point.

Two games. 0-2. That Haley storey is one of my faves.

 

[blueblood70]

He actually has picked things up over the last 2 games 77 yard and 92 for 4.5 and 5.8 respectively and 8 TD on the season.

hes had at least FIVE games with over 5.0 yard per carry one over 6 this year .. hes done this over the last 2 seasons had plenty more than "recently" picked it up start of 2021 was great avreged over 5 firt 8 games ,. knee injury slowed him up, start to 2022 also been great Knee injury slowed him but now since this returns hes picked up where he was pre injury.

 

[Whirlwin]

I think he gets the respect he deserves by people who understand what’s happening

 

[blueblood70]

Perhaps that's true but if you have a lot of carries where the MOST you can get is one or two yards (because it's a touchdown) it's going to have an effect on your average. No I don't think Zeke is ever going to be a 5 ypc type back. But this team doesn't need a 5 ypc type back. It needs a "successful" type back. On Zeke's 40 short yardage and goal to go carries he has 22 first downs and 7 touchdowns. That's a 72.5% success rate. On Pollard's 25 he has 13 first downs and 3 TDs. A success rate of 64%. That's certainly not bad.. but it's not as good as Zeke. Pollard offsets that with more big runs.. which is great.. Pollard actually has a better ypc average even on those plays, owing to having broken a couple of long ones in those situations. But again, he has failed to get the needed yardage 36% of the time to Zeke's 27.5% of the time. Barry Sanders had a lot more big runs than Emmitt Smith.. but Emmitt's chain moving running style was more conducive to winning football.

That's really all it boils down to for me. Explosive plays are great.. but moving the chains is the meat and potatoes of any offense. I prefer winning over highlight reels. But that's just me.. to each his own. To his credit I think Pollard has gotten MUCH better at the chain moving runs this year. But he still has a ways to go. He's never going to be as powerful as Zeke and Zeke is never going to be as quick and explosive as TP. The Cowboys are blessed that they have them both. I'm not interested in this whole "we gotta git rid of one or the other" narrative.. Why the hell do I need to break up a winning combination?

Henry had 2-4 games under 3YPC this year.,,so fans need to keep perspective on how different type of backs do different things..

 

[CowboyRoy]

Pollard has 25 short yardage (3 yards or less to go) and goal to go carries this season.
Zeke has 40 such carries.. even after missing two games he has near double the number.

But never allow the facts to get in the way of a good narrative.

So pollard has GL or short yardage? Thanks for proving me right . OP intimated pollard didn’t have those.

surprised you open your mouth. Seeing how badly you’ve lost the zeke pollard debate.

 

[RonnieT24]

So pollard has GL or short yardage? Thanks for proving me right . OP intimated pollard didn’t have those.

surprised you open your mouth. Seeing how badly you’ve lost the zeke pollard debate.

You and your ilk are the only ones who considers it some kind of debate. For me it has always been about winning games and always will be and never about one vs the other. We have two good backs.. we need to use them.

Yes Pollard has goal line and short yardage carries.. and he is successful on a lower percentage. That is an undeniable fact. Spin it however you want.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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 would put his vision and footwork on par with Emmitt, but Emmitt was a workhorse who never slowed down despite all the pouding. Zeke's vision is incredible, except he just can't do what he was able to do in 2016-18.