Is something up with Zeke?

[jarntt]

I'm not defending Zeke's play the last couple of weeks or in the NO game, but i can't think of a play where I said 'damn Zeke you should have gotten through that hole when he didn't.

As far as slowing down or burst goes, that was never a strong point for Zeke. It was his vision and patience that allowed him to find the holes and the holes aren't there.

I pointed this out the other day that there are not in fact teams loading the box to stop Zeke (used by some as a way to discredit Dak's success but what else is new) and someone pointed out that they thought while there are not 8 plus guys in the box very often, the ones that are in the box seem to be more focused on run than usual. Perhaps that is true.

I also wonder if the % is down as compared to prior years at least in part because we are scoring from further out than we have in the past (at least that is how it appears to me) so we don't have a lot of carries inside the 10 yard line where teams would be stacking the box

 

[TheRangerDude]

I'd say it may have something to do with all that preseason "training" in Cabo and his focus shifting some to how he's going to spend his new salary. Hopefully he'll hit a stride at the right time, although the line might have something to do with it too.

 

[GNG]

I don't know why they are down, but I'd bet that if Elliott wasn't playing Pollards averages drop.

Are you sure of that?

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

The fat contract he got?

 

[Manster7588]

Are you sure of that?

Yes, I'm sure.

 

[SteelersPride]

Yes, I'm sure.

Pollards numbers were higher I believe , without zeke.

 

[jarntt]

Pollards numbers were higher I believe , without zeke.

Pollard is a rookie and Zeke hasn't missed a game

 

[SteelersPride]

Pollard is a rookie and Zeke hasn't missed a game

Yeah don’t mind me. I have pneumonia, not thinking right.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I'm sure there are multiple reasons for Zeke to be having a off season per say. Think he'll be just fine. That being said it amazing how many players have a down year after getting paid big.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I covered Zeke's season in my column on Monday, when I noted how he has created far fewer big plays and hasn't been as efficient in 2019. The arguments that Dak Prescott needed an effective Elliott to move the ball as a passer weren't supported by past evidence and look downright foolish now.


Elliott isn't holding the Cowboys back by any means, but they have actually been slightly more efficient on offense with backup Tony Pollard on the field than him. Elliott has been on the field far more frequently, but the offense has generated 0.21 points of additional expected points per play with Pollard on the field and 0.17 points with Elliott in the lineup.


That doesn't sound like much, but over the course of a full game's worth of snaps, it factors out to about 2.6 points for the Cowboys. That stat doesn't tell the whole story, but the most expensive back in football should look more productive than a rookie fourth-rounder who will make $3.2 million over the next four years. (Elliott, by comparison, is penciled in for just over $50 million over that same time frame.)

Pollard is a very good player but you start Pollard and play him 16 games and see if the Cowboys are better. It's comparing apples to oranges.

 

[GNG]

Pollard is a rookie and Zeke hasn't missed a game

Pollard has been impressive in a limited role.

 

[GNG]

That being said it amazing how many players have a down year after getting paid big.

They lose motivation.

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

Pollard is not a bell cow back. He never was in college and probably will never be in the PRos. He is a nice change of pace guy and could be a good 3rd down back.

 

[PDay8810]

Pollard has been impressive in a limited role.

YEP...that is why we drafted him. Pollard was also impressive in his limited role in college. Pollard is what he is and that will never be a bell cow

 

[PDay8810]

Pollard is not a bell cow back. He never was in college and probably will never be in the PRos. He is a nice change of pace guy and could be a good 3rd down back.

great minds think alike...

 

[GNG]

great minds think alike...

Comedy Gold...

 

[PDay8810]

4.3 yards per carry sucks! Trade him lol

agreed....back in the day, 1000 yards in a 14 game season was considered pretty darn good. In the old days, 1000 yards in a 12 game season was great. As most say, it's a passing league and Dallas was late to the party. Doesn't mean something is wrong with Zeke....mater of fact, I'm proud of the way Zeke has taken the criticism, everything he say's is team over individual and that is never a bad thing

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

I'm not defending Zeke's play the last couple of weeks or in the NO game, but i can't think of a play where I said 'damn Zeke you should have gotten through that hole when he didn't.

As far as slowing down or burst goes, that was never a strong point for Zeke. It was his vision and patience that allowed him to find the holes and the holes aren't there.

I pointed this out the other day that there are not in fact teams loading the box to stop Zeke (used by some as a way to discredit Dak's success but what else is new) and someone pointed out that they thought while there are not 8 plus guys in the box very often, the ones that are in the box seem to be more focused on run than usual. Perhaps that is true.

I also wonder if the % is down as compared to prior years at least in part because we are scoring from further out than we have in the past (at least that is how it appears to me) so we don't have a lot of carries inside the 10 yard line where teams would be stacking the box

Good point. And I’m glad we are scoring from further out. We seem to bog down in the red zone. Everyone wants to be more explosive and I think you are seeing that with Dak. He has matured so much and is reading defenses like never before. Amari has been great , as well as the other WRs. All seem to be great route runners and Dak has been excellent hitting them and spreading it around.

 

[SteelersPride]

4.3 yards per carry sucks! Trade him lol

Good enough for 25th in avg this year.

 

[GNG]

I've always been a fan of Zeke's but he doesn't have the usual explosiveness.