I don't think anyone has said he can't run between the tackles. He's just slithery and slippery enough that he can slip through tiny holes for positive yardage most of the time. He's certainly much better now than he was three years ago. I was really referring to the frequency with which you could theoretically do it and not beat him down to the point of losing the explosive plays. That doesn't show up over the course of one or two games but over the season it absolutely will. Some of those poorly blocked interior runs weren't getting any yards no matter who you were handing it to.
- But Zeke turns them into positive yards more often than not while Pollard gets trapped for losses at a higher rate than Zeke does. That's not "opinion" that's a documented fact. In a game like last night, where the offensive line had its hands full you have to make the defense defend the whole field. That includes between the tackles. We saw later in the game that some of the shorter runs started busting for a little longer ... All that was because of the inside runs taking a toll on the defensive front. That's not just Zeke though.. It's the 325 pound big uglies pounding on the defense too. It's playing the long game. And it works.. I was impressed that Moore stayed with it as well as he did last night.. That was really good to see.
And as those that want to keep throwing out that “ Pollard gets more negative loss yardage than Zeke “ … I’ll have to keep reminding that is because
opposing defenses are more geared and revved up to stop Pollard in his tracks than Zeke.
- With the breakaway types like Pollard, .. you simply cannot afford to let them gain momentum and build up acceleration. Otherwise they’ll break it big on you.
- With plodder types like Zeke, you can afford the subtle 3-5 yards …and live to see another down or drive series.
Pollard far more presents the bigger threat to a defense - and thus those teams have to jump the gun early to attend to him.
It's not like the OL blocking is different for Pollard vs Zeke.
