Zeke talked to coaches regarding the lack of red-zone opportunities

[Chuck 54]

On the one hand, I'm sure they intended to use Dak in exactly those situations.
However, Dowdle had gotten hot. In the 4th quarter, he was running with vision and patience, yet breaking tackles and making moves. I feel they probably felt he deserved the TD. I also feel he got a little excited and tried to dive in, maybe even predetermined, instead of using that patience and following his blocks. If he'd stayed with Lupke, he would have walked in, but I'm sure lots of RBs would have done what he did.

 

[starfan1]

If they insist on keeping Zeke around then I agree with him he should be used more in red zone.That said the dowdle fumble play was blown up and zeke would have been stopped as well. He may not have fumbled but it still would have been 4th down.

 

[HungryLion]

Famous last words. Would you....would you really LOVE to be proven wrong?

doubt it....you'd rather be right, right?

No. I would rather the cowboys win a Super Bowl. I just have basically zero reason to believe it’ll happen this season.

 

[Denim Chicken]

On the 6” line last week that should have been a Dak sneak.

Agree, and if you dont make it repeat until you're in.

 

[Kevinicus]

Just on the eye test. I'd rather Zeke get carries than Dowdle.

Sure Dowdle's average has been higher overall, but looking at the actual plays and blocking, Zeke looks better to me.
I think if he got the opportunities and was able to get in a rhythm, he'd definitely be better than Rico.

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

That's a great way of putting it....better, than dismissing him and calling him big and fat. That was obtuse, probably not intentional though.

I did not call him big and fat. Maybe another poster did, but don't project it on me.

I called him "big and slow", which is a reasonable assessment of where he is as a player at this point in his career.

 

[RonnieT24]

Dumbfounded? You aren't any good anymore.

Dumbfounded was Clarence Hill's wording. Zeke never said any such thing. He said he doesn't understand what's going on and went to them to talk about it. Nick Eatman said on his radio spot this morning that he was standing right next to Zeke during the locker room "interview" and the conversation was very upbeat, positive and professional. And at no time did Zeke look , act or sound angry, sad, fed up or "dumbfounded." But incendiary language gets clicks. "Zeke remains professional and upbeat after speaking with coaches about his role" doesn't sell. It is what it is.

 

[DuncanIso]

On the one hand, I'm sure they intended to use Dak in exactly those situations.
However, Dowdle had gotten hot. In the 4th quarter, he was running with vision and patience, yet breaking tackles and making moves. I feel they probably felt he deserved the TD. I also feel he got a little excited and tried to dive in, maybe even predetermined, instead of using that patience and following his blocks. If he'd stayed with Lupke, he would have walked in, but I'm sure lots of RBs would have done what he did.

Rico fumbled.

At the 1.

With the game on the line.

Epic fail.

 

[DuncanIso]

Just on the eye test. I'd rather Zeke get carries than Dowdle.

Sure Dowdle's average has been higher overall, but looking at the actual plays and blocking, Zeke looks better to me.
I think if he got the opportunities and was able to get in a rhythm, he'd definitely be better than Rico.

Zeke = rushing titles

Rico = scrub

 

[RonnieT24]

Just on the eye test. I'd rather Zeke get carries than Dowdle.

Sure Dowdle's average has been higher at the actual plays and blocking, Zeke looks better to me.
I think if he got the opportunities and was able to get in a rhythm, he'd definitely be better than Rico.

I wholeheartedly agree. I've stated many times.. some guys can come off the bench and some count. I said as far back as when TP was here that Zeke would need to adapt his approach to carries if he is going to come off the bench. Only time will time if he will be able to do it. So far he hasn't. If he can't figure it out the Cowboys will need to replace him with a guy who CAN excel in that role. But until I see them try it and fail I will always believe the Cowboys best chance of having a viable running game is through Zeke. All I know is the Cowboys are undefeated in the games Zeke started! Not to mention that first half against Cleveland was the best first half of running the ball this team has put out there.

 

[RonnieT24]

On the one hand, I'm sure they intended to use Dak in exactly those situations.
However, Dowdle had gotten hot. In the 4th quarter, he was running with vision and patience, yet breaking tackles and making moves. I feel they probably felt he deserved the TD. I also feel he got a little excited and tried to dive in, maybe even predetermined, instead of using that patience and following his blocks. If he'd stayed with Lupke, he would have walked in, but I'm sure lots of RBs would have done what he did.

Not a lot of experienced backs but yeah guys with under 200 career carries absolutely. It was rookie mistake on his part.. but the bigger mistake was not using the hammer you had standing on the sideline in a situation tailor made for his skillset. I do agree with you that during the second half Rico got it going and they should have stuck with him for most of the half as they did. But any time they get inside the 10 he needs to come out of the game. Zeke has proven over the years to be one of the best in the game at finding paydirt from close range. Not using him there was a colossal coaching blunder IMHO. They prioritized pumping up Rico's ego over trying to win the game. Yes it would have given him tremendous confidence had he been able to punch that one in. But if the defense recovers that fumble it might have broken him. And it certainly would have his teammates giving him side eye for the foreseeable future.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I personally think zeke looked good when given the ball

How many years ago?

 

[DuncanIso]

On the one hand, I'm sure they intended to use Dak in exactly those situations.
However, Dowdle had gotten hot. In the 4th quarter, he was running with vision and patience, yet breaking tackles and making moves. I feel they probably felt he deserved the TD. I also feel he got a little excited and tried to dive in, maybe even predetermined, instead of using that patience and following his blocks. If he'd stayed with Lupke, he would have walked in, but I'm sure lots of RBs would have done what he did.

Zeke brought here to help the team win.

not watch Rico fumble at the 1. He tried to extend the football.

epic failure.

Big Mike has an agenda.

 

[DandyDon52]

One step forward Two steps back.
Hopefully HC Jerry doesn't step in to appease Zeke as he always has.

But again it was Jerry who brought him back in the first place so it would not surprise me.

Well some people say jerry doesnt interfere when it comes to who plays or how much.Even fish said this.
But I think he does, so it will be interesting if E is the feature rb against detroit.

 

[DandyDon52]

watch Rico fumble at the 1. He tried to extend the football.

no he didnt, he got hit in backfield by flying player, ball came out.,

 

[BigD_95]

He feels he can contribute more.......I think he can too( in the red zone )

MM handing the ball off at the goal line to any RB other than Zeke was just a foolish call. It should have been a QB sneak but if you are running it there it should have been Zeke. Lucky Dak hit that 4th & goal TD pass and bailed out MM.

 

[Vtwin]

That many?

That's what they're saving him for. A worn out Zeke would get you 30yrds on 20 carries.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Dak needs those TD throws in the red zone to justify that contract. No time for running the ball.

 

[HungryLion]

Dak needs those TD throws in the red zone to justify that contract. No time for running the ball.

They literally tried to run the ball in and it didn’t work…..

 

[HungryLion]

That's what they're saving him for. A worn out Zeke would get you 30yrds on 20 carries.

Yeah but they’ll be “tough, dirty” yards.