Relax. Ezekiel Elliott is Doing Just Fine
By Reid Hanson
Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t made the splash many were hoping he would, two games into the regular season. Is it cause for alarm?
The fumbles not withstanding, the Dallas Cowboys shiny new toy, Ezekiel Elliott, is doing just fine two games into his career. He’s not dominating like many of us hoped/expected he would but he’s clearly not a bust either, and he’s sure as hell not worthy of being benched.
The Dallas Cowboys made waves this spring when they selected running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Elliott was the total package. He had size, speed, agility, patience, elusiveness, and blocking ability.
Standing 6’0” 225lbs, Elliott had the kind of size that made him both a goalline weapon and a potential workhorse. Considered by many to be the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson, Ezekiel Elliott fell into an ideal situation in Dallas.
Despite the Cowboys 4-12 record in 2015, they were regarded as one of the best offensive teams in the NFL, when fully healthy. Running behind the Cowboys highly regarded offensive line, it seemed Zeke and the Cowboys were a match made in heaven.
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Until the season began…
You see, Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t had the impact many were hoping he would. Two games into the season, many in Cowboys Nation are calling for his replacement in the starting lineup. Alfred Morris, the Cowboys #2 RB, has found success where Zeke has found stone walls. Morris’ opportunities have been less but his yards per carry is more than Elliott’s.
And when the game was on the line last week, it was Morris who dropped the hammer and scored the game-winning TD. The only thing Ezekiel Elliott dropped was the ball. Twice.
Two games into the very green 2016 season, Ezekiel Elliott has logged 41 carries for 134 yards. Throw in a pair of touchdowns and Zeke is sporting a fairly respectable stat line. Heck, he’s eighth in the NFL in rushing so he can’t be doing too bad, right?
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But if we’re being honest, the only thing that’s keeping Zeke in the NFL’s top-10 is the sheer amount of touches he’s getting. His 41 are more than 5 of his RB peers in the top-10. Only Matt Forte’s 3.8 YPC is worse than Zeke’s 3.3. And to find someone with a worse YPC, you’ll have to go all the way down to Todd Gurley at #25 (2.7).
While his yards per carry are troubling, we have to keep in mind, so are Alfred Morris’. He’s posting posting a career low himself at 3.5 YPC. The running game just isn’t working in Dallas and it’s not necessarily any one person’s fault.
The Offensive Line and Play-Calling
We talked earlier today about how the offensive line is under-achieving. They aren’t doing terrible but they aren’t dominating at the line either. The reality is, for as good as Dak Prescott has been, he’s still a step down from Romo at this point in his career.
Defenses are stacked against the run and until the Dallas Cowboys make them pay with big play counter attacks, they will continue. The good news is if the Cowboys can sprinkle in some big plays, opportune screens, and flat passes, things will fall into place.
Next: Is the Cowboys Offensive Line Failing?
Don’t worry about Ezekiel Elliott. He’s going to be just fine. Be patient and things should get on track.