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RB Ezekiel Elliott, LAC (4 Viewers)

Cowboys S Barry Church believes the addition of Ezekiel Elliott "helps out the defense a lot."
Church believes the suspensions to Rolando McClain, Demarcus Lawrence, and Randy Gregory will be tough to deal with, but he thinks Elliott will help by keeping the defense off the field. "That also happened in 2014 when we had DeMarco Murray," Church said. "He was punishing defenses and we were three-and-out here, three-and-out there and we were fresh in the fourth quarter." The 2014 blueprint is the Cowboys' best shot at success this year, and their selection of Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick suggests they know it. Elliott has a great shot to crack 275 carries as a rookie.

 
 
Source: SiriusXM NFL Radio
Jul 11 - 12:00 PM

 
 

Appearing on RotoViz Radio, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Drew Davison suggested Ezekiel Elliott could see 300 or more carries this season.
"I think he's going to get a lot of carries," said Davison. "You don't use the fourth overall pick on (a running back) you don't plan to ride hard. With that said, I don't see him coming close to DeMarco Murray's 392 carries from two years ago. But I still think he should get close to 300, if not 300-plus carries ... because they're definitely going to focus on the running game, kinda go back to the Ground-N-Pound team they had in 2014." Davison later noted Darren McFadden (elbow) is questionable for Week 1, stating the team "feels like he's a good backup to Ezekiel Elliott" when healthy and calling Elliott the Cowboys' "clear No. 1 back."

 
 
Source: RotoViz Radio 
Jul 18 - 3:45 PM

 
WTF is up with Footballguys sending a *BREAKING!* email 6 hours after the story actually broke.  The dude already issued a statement.  I appreciate the breaking updates, but please simmer down. 

 
MMQB's Peter King said Ezekiel Elliott "better be ready" for 375 carries.
This is likely more of a statement on how much the Cowboys will lean on Elliott than a prediction of his final carry total, but it is not a completely insane number. DeMarco Murray had 392 carries just two seasons ago, and Darren McFadden averaged over 18 carries a game after he took over last year. The Cowboys likely do not want to ride the rookie like they did Murray in 2014, but 300-attempts is well within the realm of possibilities.

 

Source: MMQB 
Jul 25 - 9:08 AM
 
Why wouldn't they run him into the ground? They took a RB 4th overall because they thought it was the best pick to maximize Romo's shrinking window--help the offense, control the clock, keep opposing defenses honest, keep their defense off the field. This wasn't a pick made with the future in mind, it was a win now pick by a team that thinks they got unlucky and aren't as "bad" as 4th overall would suggest. And maybe they're right. But they didn't pick Elliott to manage his carries because it's not about how he'll play at 28...it's about trying to win a SB in the years Romo has left.

 
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:goodposting:

I think the plan is to run him into the ground and let another team sign him away after his rookie deal expires. 

 
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Someone talk me out of it.

I'm beginning to question if I should actually take Zeke at 1.01, and trade it for some future 1sts in 2017.  As of this moment I like 2RB's more than Zeke next year and I'm questioning if Zeke is even that good.  It's a horrible draft class, except for Ezekiel Elliott right?  

 
Someone talk me out of it.

I'm beginning to question if I should actually take Zeke at 1.01, and trade it for some future 1sts in 2017.  As of this moment I like 2RB's more than Zeke next year and I'm questioning if Zeke is even that good.  It's a horrible draft class, except for Ezekiel Elliott right?  
I assume your talking about Fournette and Chubb?  I like both those guys a lot too but Chubb's coming off a pretty nasty injury.  Plus I couldn't imagine either of those guys going to a better situation than Elliot has this year.  Also you run the risk of the teams you're trading with having a better year thus those 2017 1st rounders being worse.  Unless you get a boatload now I'd take EE at 1.01 and you can always trade him for one of those guys you like next year.

 
Someone talk me out of it.

I'm beginning to question if I should actually take Zeke at 1.01, and trade it for some future 1sts in 2017.  As of this moment I like 2RB's more than Zeke next year and I'm questioning if Zeke is even that good.  It's a horrible draft class, except for Ezekiel Elliott right?  
Talk you out of what?  Taking him 1.01?  Is it a startup or rookie draft?  No way you don't take him in a rookie draft.  Talk you out of trading him?  Pipes put it pretty well, you better get a massive haul if you are moving him.  2017 picks aren't even close to enough for me.  I got Julio for him, I saw him and 1.14 (rookie) get traded for Gurley and Hilton.  I say you need at least a top 20 player plus 2017 picks.  I wouldn't take Moncrief/Cooks/Hilton level players for him with picks.  It would need to be Jeffrey+.

 
:sehorn:

Curious  to see how things develop in training camp and with the abuse stuff.  Kid has an incredible opportunity here. 

 
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:sehorn:

Curious  to see how things develop in training camp and with the abuse stuff.  Kid has an incredible opportunity here. 
What is the sehorn reference? All I can think of is Jason Sehorn the old Seahawks DB. 

 


What is the sehorn reference? All I can think of is Jason Sehorn the old Seahawks DB. 
Super old message board reference for tagging a thread for future reading.  On one of the old versions of football guys forums when you replied in a thread you would see that thread tagged with a little icon that looked like a box with a white corner.  It was often referred to as sehorn in reference to one of the few white corners in the league. 

 
Super old message board reference for tagging a thread for future reading.  On one of the old versions of football guys forums when you replied in a thread you would see that thread tagged with a little icon that looked like a box with a white corner.  It was often referred to as sehorn in reference to one of the few white corners in the league. 
Really? I like that. Thank you. 

 
Adam Schefter‏ @AdamSchefter

Cowboys Exec VP Stephen Jones told @toddarcher that RB Ezekiel Elliott will miss "some time" with his hamstring injury.Aug 3, 2016, 2:13 PM

 
 I have some questions about the Dallas cowboy strength and conditioning coaches.  Coincidence or not, there's been a heck of alot of injuries over the past few years.

 
The heat on this guy seems to be cooling. I wonder if he ends up being a guy that starts slipping into the 2nd.

 
One nice preseason run and the heat will pick back up.
Agree. I've been saying a nice preseason game or heck even run and he might end up a top 5 pick everywhere. I am still not sure what to do with him. I know he is much much better player, but I still have a bit of Monte Ballsitis so Zeke leaves me a little uncomfortable. 

 
I was a bit surprised in the first preseason game to see Morris struggle behind that Dallas O-line.  I know its one preseason game but I thought the first unit would be a bit more effiecent with Morris.  I need to see Zeke play at least one down in the preseason or I probably wont own him this year.   If he plays in the 3rd preseason game and looks good he will move up my board again.

I also have work load concerns for the early part of the season.  I worry they bring his carries up slowly over the first 4-6 games.  I have him ranked similar to Bell currently in the second tier of RB's.  

 
One nice preseason run and the heat will pick back up.
Worked for Ameer Abdullah last season...

Not directed at you personally (I agree with your analysis) but it always amazes me how sensitive ADP is to single plays in preseason.  Some 2nd string LB gets out of position and suddenly a RB jumps up several spots.

 
I was a bit surprised in the first preseason game to see Morris struggle behind that Dallas O-line.  I know its one preseason game but I thought the first unit would be a bit more effiecent with Morris.  I need to see Zeke play at least one down in the preseason or I probably wont own him this year.   If he plays in the 3rd preseason game and looks good he will move up my board again.

I also have work load concerns for the early part of the season.  I worry they bring his carries up slowly over the first 4-6 games.  I have him ranked similar to Bell currently in the second tier of RB's.  
Morris didn't struggle.  Two runs to the left that StL completely sniffed out and stuffed, so I don't think that was really on him. One was a stretch play to the left and there was about 5 defenders closing on him from different angles. The other run, Zach Martin completely misses his block (almost falls down) on Ogletree and Ogletree reads and fills the hole. He gets just enough to trip up Alf. 

His only other run was a 9 yard gain. Plus, he caught a pass for 12 yards. It's pretty difficult to say that he was struggling based off of 3* plays. 

*He had another that was a three yard gain on 3rd and 1, which he converted. Called back for holding. 

I'm not saying that Alf is amazing but this idea of the "Dallas O-line" has gotten to the point of mythical legends. They are a very good group but they are still within the realm of other OLs. McFadden averaged his 3rd best ypc with the Cowboys, not his best, on less attempts per game than those seasons. Again, I'm not saying that these guys aren't great but  expectations that they perfect and Rich Eisen should be able to step in and rush for 5 yards per carry, used to be hyperbole. I'm not even sure if someone don't actually think this now. This comment is directed specifically at you. Just got on a bit of a rant. 

 
Morris didn't struggle.  Two runs to the left that StL completely sniffed out and stuffed, so I don't think that was really on him. One was a stretch play to the left and there was about 5 defenders closing on him from different angles. The other run, Zach Martin completely misses his block (almost falls down) on Ogletree and Ogletree reads and fills the hole. He gets just enough to trip up Alf. 

His only other run was a 9 yard gain. Plus, he caught a pass for 12 yards. It's pretty difficult to say that he was struggling based off of 3* plays. 

*He had another that was a three yard gain on 3rd and 1, which he converted. Called back for holding. 

I'm not saying that Alf is amazing but this idea of the "Dallas O-line" has gotten to the point of mythical legends. They are a very good group but they are still within the realm of other OLs. McFadden averaged his 3rd best ypc with the Cowboys, not his best, on less attempts per game than those seasons. Again, I'm not saying that these guys aren't great but  expectations that they perfect and Rich Eisen should be able to step in and rush for 5 yards per carry, used to be hyperbole. I'm not even sure if someone don't actually think this now. This comment is directed specifically at you. Just got on a bit of a rant. 
I think I worded my post poorly. I was surprised that the o-line did not give Morris more room to produce better. I didn't think Morris did bad with what he was given. 

I agree that the Dallas o-line hype has gotten a bit much.  And I think Zekes price has gotten a bit high because of it. 

 
 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) participated in Cowboys practice Monday and "appears set" to play in Dallas' third preseason game Thursday night against Seattle.
The Cowboys have been taking it easy on Elliott since he went down on August 3. He's participated in walkthroughs, but has been kept out of team drills up until this point. Meanwhile, Lance Dunbar (knee) has been activated off active/PUP and Alfred Morris has parlayed 16 preseason carries into 96 yards (6.0 YPC) and a touchdown. Elliott can reassert himself as the Cowboys' intended workhorse back by playing Thursday night and doing so effectively.

 
 
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter 
Aug 22 - 5:58 PM

 
He went 5 in draft this past weekend. Grain of salt though - 2 big Dallas homers, and the guy that drafted him reaches a lot.

I thought he was getting to me at 10.

 
In play for me at #4 overall, RB#1.  Talent, situation, workload, schedule, Oline.  Please talk me out of it.  It feels dangerous.
  • He hasn't had a single carry in the preseason, this is either the hammy injury is more serious than let on or he is not ready (old man Forte is already back and probably going to play in the preseason this week)
  • He is a rookie
  • There are two other capable backs on the roster
  • Why would Dallas rush him back?  Morris is likely going to be good enough for a while.  First 3-4 weeks could be low volume.
  • Is Elliot going to know the pass protection after not being a full participant in practice?
  • Recency bias with Gurley is clouding reason here.  The Rams had nobody else on there roster that is good and any position in the offense.  Not the case for Dallas.
  • The Dallas Defense could be terrible and they could be forced to throw more than expected.  
  • Dallas had a time share to start last season and only went away from it due to injury.  Wouldn't be surprised to see the same this year.
HTH

 

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