Are you impressed with him so far? I'm not and think the Cowboys did us a huge favor taking him at #4 (of course that may be balanced out by getting Dak in the 4th).
I don't see anything elite about him. Not speed, not burst, not COD, not power or balance. He'll produce behind that OL, but I think at 4 he was an overdraft. He reminds me a little of Ryan Mathews.
I don't think he's a more talented runner as guys in the class before him (Gurley, maybe even Coleman and Gordon) or the guys that will be coming out of this class (Fournette, cook, possibly Mccafrey, although I think Mccaffrey is very similar to Zeke). But I get the Cowboys picking him at 4. They essentially get Demarco Murray at $12M a year less or whatever it is he's making. It'll make little sense if they let him walk after 4 years but if there are no injury concerns early in his career I don't see why they'd try to replace him.
Taking a RB that high is not a smart play.
It was the Bears
They had a great line then too and Emmitt lined up in the backfield many times behind Daryl Johnston and you knew with alost 100% certainty they were going to run the ball, yet there was very little chance you had to stop them.
it was demoralizing. It seemed like when you stopped Emmitt Smith as the line he'd fall forward for 5 yards. I'd scratch my head, Giants run into the line it's no gain, they make what seems like a great play on Emmitt for a change and it's 2nd and 5.
Nothing takes over a game like being able to run the ball at will.
I believe with Elliott eventually this is what the Cowboys could have. I like the fact the Giants got them early, because rather than underestimating his speed like noted above, Collinsworth explained in the first quarter that Elliott was being impatient and sprinting every time he touched the ball as soon as he touched the ball and the OL couldn't get to their blocks and the Giants DL was too stout for Elliott on his own to beat anyone.
The debate about where to take a RB is separate, but if Elliott keeps improving at this rate and the Cowboys OL stays healthy they'll be tough to stop against the run.
Not saying I'm scared of them, or the team can't be beat, because their D is suspect and the passing game can be controlled, but against the run, they will be very tough to stop and I've seen that before against Dallas and it's not fun.
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clearly, he's already improving from the first game. All of this talk about not needing him, if anyone watched the game last night, and saw his ability to pick up blitzes, and give his QB extra time in the pocket, was extremely impressive for any running back, let alone a rookie.
It was the Bears
Yes it was, and he did what he was supposed to do.
I get what they were thinking - pair an elite RB behind an elite OL. Just think that draft pick was better spent somewhere else particularly when you lack talent on D.
I'm also relieved the Redskins took Scherff over Leonard Williams last year. An excellent RG is not worth a dominant DL.
The Chargers were the bullet.
Can u imagine Dallas defense next year with a healthy. Jaylon Smith and Myles Jack
I know it's a big if.