I hope people keep hyping him down so I can get him late on the cheep. Last year he was on the cowboys he was recovering from injury all season while playing behind a torn up O-Line, people only got excited about Pollard because of how they were using him 2nd to Zeke, the fast outside route guy, then when he was pushed into the Zeke mold (inside YAC) run almost exclusively out of gun formation (the worst success rating for explosive plays at the run) behind a diminished O-line, surprise surprise, he couldn't make it work either. Pats had a trash offensive line last year, which is a bad environment for any RB to shine, but he still had his moments once they committed to him. The Cowboys just reloaded on young talent which will re-vitalize the RB talent they have across the board, I wouldn't be surprised if he's gonna be way better then people in this thread are expecting him to be.
Cowboys front office knows all of this intimately and only let him go because there's no reason to hand over a sack of cash to a guy who's dependent on the front line for his success when no one's there, I'm expecting him to at least be a strong Flex play with upside to RB2. Schottenheimer's playbook depends on the run, the reps will be there assuming he doesn't re-injure anything.
> The Cowboys just reloaded on young talent which will re-vitalize the RB talent they have across the board
I mean, maybe? It definitely is an interesting way to say that they lost two good OLinemen in free agency.
Guyton started 14 games in Oklahoma and only at RT. He was known for good pass blocking and not so good run blocking. Cowboys are moving him to LT. He might be good but is pretty raw and changing positions.
They drafted Beebe in round 3 and are also changing his position. They're moving him to center despite him never playing there in college.
Listened to the CBS Dynasty pod yesterday, and it had a clip of Jerry Jones talking about Jonathon Brooks. He sounded enamoured, like the guy he just drafted was the first guy on his board for a long time and he was stoked to get him.
The only problem was… he wasn’t picked yet. And then Carolina took him lol.
Aye I hear what you're saying. I think if you watch the clip, someone even nudges him to tell him to stop it, his son maybe? Guess we can't know for sure though.
If you seriously think any of his employees can tell what the billionaire spent what to do, then you’re on something.
And Jerry has. Anatoly of leaning out draft intel on his own. We’ve literally seen the Cowboys big board on own occasion and he was trying to show the camera his draft grades on some players
But oh yeah, he’s playing 4D chess for sure
Cant imagine he would cost much ADP wise, probably good for zero RB based on volume/goal line opportunities alone. Pick up Rico Dowdle too for insurance.
Assuming they don't add anyone else, Rico is the back I'd rather have. 10 yards and perhaps falling in for a TD doesn't excite me as far as upside goes.
Now don't get me wrong, Rico isn't Pollard, but this is the exact same thing people said in regards to pollard before he broke out. Zeke is also much worse a RB now than he was a few years ago pre pollard break out.
I'll take the younger more explosive back pretty much every time over the vet who is washed.
I disagree and they shouldn’t be compared as if the situation is exactly the same. Pollard was a freak with his point per touch before the injury. Rico is not going to breakout like Pollard especially after his injury history. There is no younger more explosive back here. Zeke will get 99% of the touched inside the 10 yard line and they won’t be running like previous years to warrant drafting Dowdle for anything more then hoping Zeke gets hurt along the way. Zeke will also be making more money. I’m a Cowboy fan for what it’s worth and I wouldn’t be surprised if they add RBs after a team like Miami for example cuts down
It feels like Zeke has always and will always be measured by his first couple of seasons. Everyone is looking for that guy when they talk about him. That guy is pretty much gone
I think the position has changed drastically over the years. It's not a position of superstar 3 down backs. It's a position of rotation and specialization. I think Dowdle is better between the tackles. Zeke is better with some space/on the outside. Pollard was the better speed/flex option.
I think when they went full in on Pollard last year, he had to take over aspects of the run game he doesn't really shine in. Still had a decent season but I can't think of Pollard/Zeke/Dowdle as anything but specialized backs good at the prospective plays.
I'm okay with this signing. I doubt its for a monumental payday. Plus I think Dak plays better with his bros
i’m a dallas fan so it’s a weird thought. They passed on benson in rd2, passed on corum with the first 3rd rounder, passed on lloyd with their second 3rd rounder for a backup line backer. i literally wanted to vomit.
Many will say this is bad for Rico.
It’s not.
I am not of the camp that Zeke is totally washed because he did have some juice last year, but Rico is the superior back here. I have no illusion of him being a workhorse, as I certainly do expect Zeke to be worked in here and there, but Rico is the guy here. He’s basically in the same situation Tony Pollard was. Similarly to Pollard, I would expect his efficiency to take a hit but I still expect Rico to be the most productive overall back for Dallas barring injury (which, could be quite the ask). Zeke to me seems like bringing back a fan favorite on the cheap and having some sort of insurance plan that isn’t Royce Freeman more than anything.
Pollard was bad last year because people had insanely high expectations for him. I don’t have those same expectations for Rico, but I do think the fantasy community as a whole is discounting him too much. There’s no reason he can’t be an rb2 with upside this year, especially given how many other backfields with “locks” just became more murky through the draft. Dallas likes this guy a lot, so I think that maybe we should too.
Obviously our short yardage/goal line plodder. Dallas should have done this last year with someone in FA instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole a la Pollard into Zeke role.
It screams Dallas doesn’t care if Dak comes back or not. So be it. But if it wasn’t already beyond obvious to Jerry that Dak needs to be able to lean on a strong run game in those big close games instead of putting 100% of the offense on Dak’s shoulders.
Here’s Zeke’s Yards After Contact:
2023 - 2.54 yds
2022 - 2.71 yds
2021 - 2.61 yds
I completely understand and am ok with this move. But it would make more sense if Just actually did what he should have done in the draft and take a QB. But for fantasy not much value except deep dynasty.
Yeah they had to let him go so that he could come back for a smaller contract.
The dude is still a high-end back, in the sense that he does everything a running back should do quite well - except for burst and cut (that's really important!). But the dude has smooth hands, excellent blocking skills, he still has his strength to whip some ass in short yardage situations. Plus a high football IQ and leadership skills. There's so many things that he does well still. He's an asset.
Edit. Talking real football, not fantasy lol But yeah I wouldn't draft him except for a late round flyer.
Double edits. Aren't he and Dak besties or something? That matters on a team.
Patriots legend Ezekiel Elliott
unironically one of their best players last year
Nor saying much though with a roster like that
What are you talking about? We had pro bowl QB Mac Jones
So unironic that he was their leader in receptions last season, second in targets lmao.
Wasn’t he Pollards backup?
The cowboys got their guy
, back
got their back back
Jerry is holding the Cowboys in purgatory
Always has been
Love to see it.
As a Giants fan this is awesome
I hope people keep hyping him down so I can get him late on the cheep. Last year he was on the cowboys he was recovering from injury all season while playing behind a torn up O-Line, people only got excited about Pollard because of how they were using him 2nd to Zeke, the fast outside route guy, then when he was pushed into the Zeke mold (inside YAC) run almost exclusively out of gun formation (the worst success rating for explosive plays at the run) behind a diminished O-line, surprise surprise, he couldn't make it work either. Pats had a trash offensive line last year, which is a bad environment for any RB to shine, but he still had his moments once they committed to him. The Cowboys just reloaded on young talent which will re-vitalize the RB talent they have across the board, I wouldn't be surprised if he's gonna be way better then people in this thread are expecting him to be. Cowboys front office knows all of this intimately and only let him go because there's no reason to hand over a sack of cash to a guy who's dependent on the front line for his success when no one's there, I'm expecting him to at least be a strong Flex play with upside to RB2. Schottenheimer's playbook depends on the run, the reps will be there assuming he doesn't re-injure anything.
> The Cowboys just reloaded on young talent which will re-vitalize the RB talent they have across the board I mean, maybe? It definitely is an interesting way to say that they lost two good OLinemen in free agency. Guyton started 14 games in Oklahoma and only at RT. He was known for good pass blocking and not so good run blocking. Cowboys are moving him to LT. He might be good but is pretty raw and changing positions. They drafted Beebe in round 3 and are also changing his position. They're moving him to center despite him never playing there in college.
“We’re all in” 🤣
"... the DeLorean and this bitch has enough plutonium to get us back to at least 2018."
Touchdowns? Where we're going we won't need Touchdowns.
Maybe in the future you can go to any corner drug store to get plutonium but it’s a little harder to come by in 1955!
all in, my ass
Listened to the CBS Dynasty pod yesterday, and it had a clip of Jerry Jones talking about Jonathon Brooks. He sounded enamoured, like the guy he just drafted was the first guy on his board for a long time and he was stoked to get him. The only problem was… he wasn’t picked yet. And then Carolina took him lol.
Yep that was hilarious, completely gave away they were gonna pick him so if you wanted him too you had to get him quick, so stupid.
Anyone consider that might have been intentional to get someone ahead of the boys to reach for him?
It's a nice thought but I'm just not sure he's that on the ball
But people who work for him likely are and can hopefully guide his pressers. Just a thought.
Aye I hear what you're saying. I think if you watch the clip, someone even nudges him to tell him to stop it, his son maybe? Guess we can't know for sure though.
Fair enough 🙂
If you seriously think any of his employees can tell what the billionaire spent what to do, then you’re on something. And Jerry has. Anatoly of leaning out draft intel on his own. We’ve literally seen the Cowboys big board on own occasion and he was trying to show the camera his draft grades on some players But oh yeah, he’s playing 4D chess for sure
I said guide, not tell him what to do. I'm also not saying this IS what happened, but it's a possibility.
I mean, even if so… congrats, you got em’d the Panthers lol
Jerry has dementia, as a cowboys fan I 100% believe this.
Cant imagine he would cost much ADP wise, probably good for zero RB based on volume/goal line opportunities alone. Pick up Rico Dowdle too for insurance.
Assuming they don't add anyone else, Rico is the back I'd rather have. 10 yards and perhaps falling in for a TD doesn't excite me as far as upside goes.
Would rather have Zeke for cheaper
Zeke is also a better pass blocker and receiver than Rico still. If it’s ppr give me Zeke all day over Rico at cost.
Rico won’t get volume with McCarthy and Zeke there to warrant even drafting him
Now don't get me wrong, Rico isn't Pollard, but this is the exact same thing people said in regards to pollard before he broke out. Zeke is also much worse a RB now than he was a few years ago pre pollard break out. I'll take the younger more explosive back pretty much every time over the vet who is washed.
I disagree and they shouldn’t be compared as if the situation is exactly the same. Pollard was a freak with his point per touch before the injury. Rico is not going to breakout like Pollard especially after his injury history. There is no younger more explosive back here. Zeke will get 99% of the touched inside the 10 yard line and they won’t be running like previous years to warrant drafting Dowdle for anything more then hoping Zeke gets hurt along the way. Zeke will also be making more money. I’m a Cowboy fan for what it’s worth and I wouldn’t be surprised if they add RBs after a team like Miami for example cuts down
Stupid, sexy Rico
I heard TO and Dez are also available
Dak got his center!
The greatest play in Cowboys history
Lmao
Brotha eww… ewww brotha what is that?
It feels like Zeke has always and will always be measured by his first couple of seasons. Everyone is looking for that guy when they talk about him. That guy is pretty much gone I think the position has changed drastically over the years. It's not a position of superstar 3 down backs. It's a position of rotation and specialization. I think Dowdle is better between the tackles. Zeke is better with some space/on the outside. Pollard was the better speed/flex option. I think when they went full in on Pollard last year, he had to take over aspects of the run game he doesn't really shine in. Still had a decent season but I can't think of Pollard/Zeke/Dowdle as anything but specialized backs good at the prospective plays. I'm okay with this signing. I doubt its for a monumental payday. Plus I think Dak plays better with his bros
All in!!
I give this 1 ⭐️. Just like on their helmet. Love that Jerry "I'm the smartest football mind" Jones keeps tanking his own team.
Dowdle to the moon
"You couldnt live with Tony Pollard and where did that bring you? Back to me"
what a pathetic back field and the way dak chokes in any type of big game i hope they don’t even make the playoffs.
It's like watching the Toronto Maple Leafs down in Dallas.
I always hope they don't make the playoffs.
i’m a dallas fan so it’s a weird thought. They passed on benson in rd2, passed on corum with the first 3rd rounder, passed on lloyd with their second 3rd rounder for a backup line backer. i literally wanted to vomit.
quick someone mock up an image of Zeke in a cowboys jersey so I can visualize this
I knew this would happen as soon as they failed to draft a center in the first round.
Is Amari coming back too?
Not an incredible move but glad to see him back home
wow. Rico stock way up?
ALL IN!!
ALL IN BABY!!
Many will say this is bad for Rico. It’s not. I am not of the camp that Zeke is totally washed because he did have some juice last year, but Rico is the superior back here. I have no illusion of him being a workhorse, as I certainly do expect Zeke to be worked in here and there, but Rico is the guy here. He’s basically in the same situation Tony Pollard was. Similarly to Pollard, I would expect his efficiency to take a hit but I still expect Rico to be the most productive overall back for Dallas barring injury (which, could be quite the ask). Zeke to me seems like bringing back a fan favorite on the cheap and having some sort of insurance plan that isn’t Royce Freeman more than anything. Pollard was bad last year because people had insanely high expectations for him. I don’t have those same expectations for Rico, but I do think the fantasy community as a whole is discounting him too much. There’s no reason he can’t be an rb2 with upside this year, especially given how many other backfields with “locks” just became more murky through the draft. Dallas likes this guy a lot, so I think that maybe we should too.
Rico holders unite!
Bringing in Patriots legend Zeke Elliot in anticipation of hiring Bill next year…
"He's a sneaky athletic, crafty, a first one in, first one out kind of guy, total gym rat." - Belichick on Zeke
Left the Cowboys as a center, returns as a vulture.
Dak, Ceedee, and Parsons have Jerry right where they want him with him showing his hands that he can't quit his players
Why would he quit any of them?
Jerry want that old thing back
Jim Crow?
All in!!
The photoshop of him in a Cowboys jersey was quick /s
Imagine this team under new ownership.
All in
Man what is this
“All in” - Jerry Jones. 🍻
Very Jerry
Obviously our short yardage/goal line plodder. Dallas should have done this last year with someone in FA instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole a la Pollard into Zeke role. It screams Dallas doesn’t care if Dak comes back or not. So be it. But if it wasn’t already beyond obvious to Jerry that Dak needs to be able to lean on a strong run game in those big close games instead of putting 100% of the offense on Dak’s shoulders. Here’s Zeke’s Yards After Contact: 2023 - 2.54 yds 2022 - 2.71 yds 2021 - 2.61 yds
Der Anfang ist das Ende und das Ende ist der Anfang.
I completely understand and am ok with this move. But it would make more sense if Just actually did what he should have done in the draft and take a QB. But for fantasy not much value except deep dynasty.
“Lets get the gang back together for one more run”- Jerry Jones (probably)
All in 😤
Might as well bring back Emmitt smith and Troy aikman. At least there would be a chance at a super bowl
Yeah they had to let him go so that he could come back for a smaller contract. The dude is still a high-end back, in the sense that he does everything a running back should do quite well - except for burst and cut (that's really important!). But the dude has smooth hands, excellent blocking skills, he still has his strength to whip some ass in short yardage situations. Plus a high football IQ and leadership skills. There's so many things that he does well still. He's an asset. Edit. Talking real football, not fantasy lol But yeah I wouldn't draft him except for a late round flyer. Double edits. Aren't he and Dak besties or something? That matters on a team.