For some reason, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is trying to figure out who is the best player on his 2-7 team.
Based on his analysis, that player is Ezekiel Elliott.
It could be Jerry’s way of justifying the huge contract; Zeke is in the second year of his six-year $90 million deal.
And his stats have not been great in 2020.
Here’s what Jerry told 105.3 The Fan On Friday:
“Well, I think we’re selling him short. You say, ‘Well, numbers don’t sell anything short.’ But I think you’re selling him short. I know the impact he has on opposing defenses. I know what I see him do relative to the kind of thing he brings to football. His physicalness, his enthusiasm, his ability to just his innate — he’s our best football player. He’s our best one. And having said that, we just got to have more chances to expose him to the defense, and we’re going to do that.”
Zeke’s 2020 In Comparison To Previous Seasons
Through 9 games, Zeke has rushed for 572 yards averaging 3.8 yards per carry.
He has 5 TDs and 4 fumbles.
Of those 4 fumbles, 3 resulted in turnovers.
In the best years of his career, 2016, 2018, and 2019, he rushed for between 1,357 yards and 1,631 yards.
Zeke has not had the spring in his step in 2020.
ON THIS DAY in 2016 — Cowboys beat the Steelers 35-30 thanks to a go-ahead 32 yard touchdown from Ezekiel Elliott
— Cowboys extended their winning streak to 8
— Zeke reached the 1,000 yards mark
— Cowboys had the best record in the NFL
Those were the days 😢 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/cr0GXnEhJy
— T̷R̷O̷Y̷ ̷H̷U̷G̷H̷E̷S̷ (@TommySledge) November 13, 2020
Some will argue that losing Dak and other injuries in the offensive line have affected his performance.
That’s true.
But another factor is Tony Pollard.
Tony Pollard
In his second season, Pollard has rushed for 206 yards, 4.4 yards per carry and 1 TD.
Jerry may not realize it, but the Cowboys may be more successful with a running back by committee strategy instead of continuing to push the workload on Zeke.
On 105.3 The Fan last Friday, he talked about Pollard’s role.
“Tony’s not a Johnny come lately to our appreciate for what he can bring to us. It always was exponential his potential here to help us, not though, let me emphasize, not though, at the diminished times we get the ball in the hands of Zeke or get Zeke involved in the offense in a way that he influences the offense so we can make big plays. All of this is all around what we’re trying to do with our key spot at quarterback. I would say no in answer to any role that Pollard is being considered that would diminish anything that we’re doing with Zeke.”
Other Candidates For Best Player On Cowboys
If injured players are allowed in the discussion, certainly Dak Prescott should be strongly considered.
The team has not looked the same or been able to settle upon a starting quarterback since he left.
(To be clear, Andy Dalton did suffer a horrific head-to-head concussion injury that sidelined him, but he was not playing that great prior to the injury.)
Guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and wide receiver Amari Cooper could enter the discussion also.
There is a lot of football to be played yet this season, and the NFC East is wide open.
NFC East standings after 10 weeks:#Eagles 3-5-1#Giants 3-7#Washington 2-7#Dallas 2-7
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 15, 2020
So the discussion of who is the best Cowboy player should be revisited in a few weeks.
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