Old-Angry-Cowboy-Fan
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- Messages
- 57
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- 87
I'm not complaining. Zeke and LVE won the game last night... but something drives me nuts.
Emmitt used to do it all the time. He would take himself out of games. Just walked off the field when he was tired. With no Emmitt you told the opponent you would not be running and they instantly went into a nickel or dime and all hell broke loose. I always said to myself, "Why the hell can't he just line up and be a decoy. Stay on the field so the THREAT is there. Rest on the field" It was never a huge deal because we always managed to win when it mattered back then. He was the best running back on the planet (well, the most successful one, maybe the best, respect to Barry Sanders) and he was always walking off the field and it made me nuts.
It brings me to last night. 3rd Q. Zeke for 15, then Zeke for 35! We're on the Eagle 25! Then Zeke walks off the field. Not for one play. FOR TWO! We ran for 2 yards to Smith, OK. Then we threw inc to a defensive back (Lewis). Still trying to figure that out. Then, when Zeke comes back it's 3rd and 8, you have to throw and Dak fumbles, gets it back, and throws the deep inc out of bounds. Line up for a 42 yarder and miss it. If Zeke comes back after one play off does he run on 2nd and 8? Is it a more manageable down?
Next drive. SAME THING! The only difference this time is they completed the ball to Beasley for 15 yards and Smith ran for 6 afterwards. If he needs a break fine, but two plays? He is the best back in the league. He needs to stay on the field. If just to be a decoy. If just to fall in front of a blitzer. The mere threat of Zeke will keep people in straight up defenses. I think these young players think it's cool to take themselves out of games whenever they want. If I were the coach no one would come off the field unless I said so (but I'm old and angry).
There's my small rant. Not a huge complaint because Zeke was awesome last night, but I don't think they realize how important he is and how he needs to be on the field.
Emmitt used to do it all the time. He would take himself out of games. Just walked off the field when he was tired. With no Emmitt you told the opponent you would not be running and they instantly went into a nickel or dime and all hell broke loose. I always said to myself, "Why the hell can't he just line up and be a decoy. Stay on the field so the THREAT is there. Rest on the field" It was never a huge deal because we always managed to win when it mattered back then. He was the best running back on the planet (well, the most successful one, maybe the best, respect to Barry Sanders) and he was always walking off the field and it made me nuts.
It brings me to last night. 3rd Q. Zeke for 15, then Zeke for 35! We're on the Eagle 25! Then Zeke walks off the field. Not for one play. FOR TWO! We ran for 2 yards to Smith, OK. Then we threw inc to a defensive back (Lewis). Still trying to figure that out. Then, when Zeke comes back it's 3rd and 8, you have to throw and Dak fumbles, gets it back, and throws the deep inc out of bounds. Line up for a 42 yarder and miss it. If Zeke comes back after one play off does he run on 2nd and 8? Is it a more manageable down?
Next drive. SAME THING! The only difference this time is they completed the ball to Beasley for 15 yards and Smith ran for 6 afterwards. If he needs a break fine, but two plays? He is the best back in the league. He needs to stay on the field. If just to be a decoy. If just to fall in front of a blitzer. The mere threat of Zeke will keep people in straight up defenses. I think these young players think it's cool to take themselves out of games whenever they want. If I were the coach no one would come off the field unless I said so (but I'm old and angry).
There's my small rant. Not a huge complaint because Zeke was awesome last night, but I don't think they realize how important he is and how he needs to be on the field.
