If they go that route we would need to find an every down back who can handle Zeke's workload. As replaceable as the position is, Zeke is the engine for the whole offense and touches the ball 300+ times a year with no injury issues. If they use a pick in the first 3 rounds on the position next year I guess we will have our answer
Definitely could be the case. I hope they offload some of his touches to Pollard this year so that he isnt so gassed all the time. I will be out at Training Camp this year so I am interested to see what Moore's new offense looks like from a scheme and player utilization perspective. Reportedly Pollard has gotten a good number of first team touches so maybe Zeke will catch a little bit of break this time around
Not saying this is the norm, but Emmitt was a workhorse and his body held up pretty damn good for a very long time.
when he was injured he just said fuck it and drug a bunch of Giants around the field for around 200 yards.
This is an interesting take I hadn’t really thought about wrt Zeke creating his own offense...but you don’t just find a Cooper in every draft IMO https://syndication.bleacherreport....rity-for-dallas-over-prescott-cooper.amp.html Execs Say Ezekiel Elliott Must Be Top Priority for Dallas over Prescott, Cooper MIKE FREEMAN JUNE 28, 2019 The question was a simple one: Of the three Cowboys stars in quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott and receiver Amari Cooper, which one do you prioritize paying, since it's difficult (virtually impossible) to pay all three top-dollar? Three team executives were asked what they'd do, and their answers, frankly, were both surprising and unified. The answers also showed that while the NFL still values quarterbacks above all others, there are a handful of players at other positions who areviewed by some teams as equally potent. The arguments from these executives went like this: Prescott is good, and talented, but he won't ever be great (their view, not mine). Cooper is good, and talented, but it's still easier to find receivers with his capabilities in the draft, and they'd be cheaper (their view, not mine). Elliott is seen as different. To these executives, and others, he is potentially a transformational back. One said he already is. They see him as practically unstoppable because he can create his own openings when holes in the line aren't there. They say he's mostly durable, extremely productive and, at just 23 years old, has a minimum of five good years left at a high level. In three years, he's amassed 4,048 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. It is Elliott who makes Prescott and Cooper, not the other way around. Again, this is somewhat surprising because of how teams value quarterbacks, but the general belief of these executives—and this is key—is that Elliott is the only one of the Dallas trio who can truly consistently create his own offense, and do so in a spectacular way. This is the view stated by a few people from across the huge corporation that is professional football; it's not a thorough survey. Yet, I don't think these executives are alone. I think this is becoming (or already has been) a common belief. The team executives note one huge caveat with Elliott, and that's his off-field conduct. Elliott has churned out those on-field numbers despite missing six games in 2017 after being suspended by the league for alleged domestic violence. In a statement at the time, the NFL said, "The commissioner determined that the credible evidence established that Elliott engaged in conduct that violated NFL policy." Elliott's suspension, and an incident at a concert recently in which he was handcuffed, gives some of these executives pause. But, one said, it's "a minor pause." They don't believe Elliott has any type of serious problem, though no one really knows if that's accurate. What's clear is that the Cowboys have the 21st-century Triplets with their own modern versions of Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith. They have offensive weapons in a league that caters to offense. There are valid arguments that say the Cowboys could potentially pay them all (including this one from Joel Corry at CBS Sports). But there is massive disagreement about this. Some teams believe it is both nearly impossible and highly impractical for a team to pay three offensive stars top-dollar. Could the Cowboys do it? Yes. Would it be smart? No, teams tell me. It would just be too much money assigned to three players. Really incredible players, but still just three, and all of them on offense. The Cowboys will have to make some tough choices. Actually, some brutal ones. They may have to choose which one to pay the most. That player just might be Elliott.
I definitely think Zeke is special and that there is not a Zeke in every draft or even every other draft but I could definitely see him not being the priority. My guess is Dak gets a contract before camp, Amari 50/50 on the same, and Zeke/Byron will be evaluated next offseason
i don’t think that necessarily shows how the front office views quarterbacks. i think that shows how the front office views dak zeke is just the much better option right now
Not sure how to read into that. Could be a "ok i talked to the commish and heres my public admission that I fucked up, now we move forward" or "yeah that went poorly, better start the PR now" lol
I am not too worried about it. As mentioned, he doesnt really need a full training camp. I totally get not wanting to risk injury without a long term deal in place but the front office has gotten a lot better in recent years about being tighter with the purse strings. I head out to camp on August 2nd. Itll be interesting to see if Zeke is there
Sifting Through The Zeke Rumors https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/sifting-through-the-zeke-rumors Of course, that’s just the beginning of Elliott’s stint in the news this week. A report surfaced Monday afternoon that the All-Pro running back was considering a holdout as the Cowboys prepare to report to training camp next week. That report led to another report from Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, indicating that the situation wasn’t dire, but that this upcoming week before training camp would be crucial in determining Elliott’s course of action. If Elliott were in fact to hold out, the logic is fairly obvious. Even as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Elliott has easily outplayed his rookie contract. He has led the league in rushing twice in three years, earning All-Pro honors twice and going to two Pro Bowls. Despite that, he is currently 10th among NFL running backs in both contract and average salary, trailing the likes of Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson and Jerick McKinnon. With more than 5,000 yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns in three seasons, there’s no denying Elliott’s importance to the Cowboys’ offense – as team chief operating officer Stephen Jones admitted himself. "He’s the straw, if you will, that stirs our drink. He’s a key part of what we’re about,” Jones said back in May. Despite that, Elliott has admittedly remained in the background during this offseason full of contract talk. That’s largely because the 23-year-old still has two years remaining on his rookie deal, while Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper are set to hit free agency after this season, making them larger priorities at this moment. Obviously, if arguably their most talented player were to refrain from reporting to training camp, the Cowboys’ priorities could change in a hurry. The front office drafted two running backs – Tony Pollard and Mike Weber – this past spring, but it seems unlikely those two would be able to replace Elliott’s production on their own. In fact, if Elliott were to no-show, the Cowboys would have just 61 NFL carries on their current roster – and 55 of those belong to fullback Jamize Olawale. If the Cowboys did not have Elliott, for whatever reason, it seems likely they’d need to address the position somehow moving forward. Obviously, that’s premature. The only thing that seems concrete is that Elliott wants to talk about his contract. Everything else remains to be seen. Suffice to say, it all combines to add plenty of intrigue to the Cowboys’ preparations to leave for Oxnard, Calif., next Thursday.
Sup boys. Me and the cohost of the podcast I put out are out in Oxnard for Training Camp. Here is our rundown of practice yesterday: www.soundcloud.com/bwbb2017/bwbb-season-3-live-from-oxnard-night-1 If you guys want an update on anything while we are here (practice today and the blue/white scrimmage tomorrow) drop it in this thread and I will get you guys a first hand account!
MRI came back with nothing of concern. Will be on the lookout for him to rejoin practice today So far hes been used sparingly. Saw him take a toss the distance yesterday (his speed and cutting ability is very impressive vs the other backs) but hes not being used as THE running back with any of the units so far. Hope to see more of him today
Have been reading encouraging things about Xavier Woods as well as the way Connor Williams has bulked up (handled Maliek like a boss a day or to back) Trying to not get expectations too high, but crossing fingers this is the year
Gonna be interesting to see how Conner fairs with Travis and Zack not out there to assist. Malik got some revenge yesterday
Am really trying to stay optimistic that Zeke will be back soon, haven't been able to find any numbers on what his "ideal" price would be.... Keep thinking about the year Emmitt held out, and we blew the first 2 games
Definitely agree. My biggest takeaway from training camp last weekend was that we better get Zeke and Amari signed asap because Dak without them looks horrific
amari is my number one priority if i am jerry. the offense changed completely once he was added to the team. zeke is good but he is a shit head. dak sucks
Really want Zeke signed to maybe a 3 year deal with mutual option. Paint it like he can play the market at that point when in reality he could be on the downhill slide. Make it 90% guaranteed
Yeah thats just the reality of the situation. Like it or not, Dak is gonna get 30+. The truth is all these contracts only look big in the moment. Deandre Hopkins contract looked big but now that time has passed, D Hop for 16 mil a year looks like the steal of century. With the players we have (8-9 of the top 100 players in the league) we have a limited window to make a run at this thing. I fully expect all 3 guys on offense to get paid
If we signed Zeke to a 3 year extension on his current deal that included an out for us 3 years in to the deal and a behavior clause that protects the team a little bit id be very very happy with that. By the end of that contract (assuming he keeps chugging along and maybe is helped by a reduced workload via Pollard etc) he is 28-29 by the time its up. I would be comfortable with that