Dallas Cowboys: Facing suspension, can Zeke be replaced?

The NFL is considering suspending Dallas Cowboys running back, Ezekiel Elliott, this season. Can the team survive his loss and who’s to gain?

According to ESPN’s Adam Shefter, the NFL is nearing the end of their year-long investigation into a domestic violence situation involving Dallas Cowboys running back, Ezekiel Elliott. Shefter indicated the Cowboys are bracing for a short suspension to start the 2017 season and should hear at some point soon.

Shefter clarified nothing has been determined as of yet, but he did indicate one or two games as a likely outcome. Forget for a moment the absurdity of suspending a player for being on the wrong side of a good ol’ fashioned “he said, she said” situation. And try to look past the general ugliness of any and all domestic violence situations. We could talk for days about this ugly issue and never find common ground. Case in point: Greg Hardy.

Instead, let’s look past the incident and focus on the impact of the suspension. Can the Dallas Cowboys survive the loss and who’s to gain if Zeke is sidelined for a couple weeks?

Can the Cowboys Replace Zeke?

The Dallas Cowboys are good enough to realistically win any game on their schedule in 2017. They certainly aren’t going undefeated but they will never be outmatched. Even without Zeke in uniform, they stand to compete against all of their upcoming opponents.

the idea that any running back can have success behind this line is misguided.

Being the only team the Cowboys could not beat last season, the New York Giants represent the most difficult of challenges. Sadly, they are going to be the Cowboys week one opponent so a difficult task just became that much more difficult, sans Zeke.

The Giants finished the 2016 season as the NFL’s second best run stopping team. Zeke had his worst performance of the season against them in week one, rushing for only 51 yards on 20 attempts. Clearly, he was still developing a feel for the game but the performance illustrated that offensive line alone will not get the job done. So the idea that any running back can have success behind this line is misguided.

In week two things get substantially easier as the Cowboys face the Denver Broncos. The Broncos may be one of the most talented teams in the NFL, but they generally stink against the run. Last season they finished 28^th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. It’s reasonable to think that even without Zeke, the Cowboys could find success running the ball in Denver. Throwing the ball in Denver is the real challenge but that’s a topic for another day…

Who replaces Zeke?

If Ezekiel Elliott is indeed suspended, the Dallas Cowboys need someone to step up and fill his shoes. The obvious name that comes to mind is Darren McFadden. Last season, McFadden supplanted Alfred Morris as the primary backup to Zeke. Additionally, McFadden is entering his third year with the Cowboys so his familiarity with the system is second to none.

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As a former lead back himself, McFadden is the odds on favorite to gobble up Zeke’s snaps. But it may not be so easy to get the job done. I’ve condemned the Cowboys-McFadden marriage ever since his first season with the ‘boys. He appears to be a poor fit for the Cowboys zone/trap blocking scheme they primarily employ and he lacks the vision and patience necessary to become a force.

Alfred Morris, on the other hand, is a natural zone runner. He may be a terrible option as a traditional backup and/or change-of-pace back, but he’s a great grinder if given the chance. No player has more to gain than Morris because before news of a possible suspension, many had Morris as a preseason roster cut.

If Zeke is suspended, there’s no way in Hades the Cowboys are cutting Morris. At least not until Zeke returns.

Can the Cowboys win without Zeke?

Winning without Zeke is a tall order. The falloff in talent between Elliott and the McFadden/Morris pairing is significant and that’s not something Dallas can afford against the likes of New York. How formidable Denver proves to be will likely come down to the Broncos quarterback play. If it’s a low scoring affair, I like the Cowboys’ chances with Darren McFadden leading the way. But if Denver is able to put up points, and the Cowboys are forced to pass, I’m not sure Dak Prescott and the passing game can get it done alone.

The potential loss of Ezekiel Elliott, for even two weeks, is much more concerning than many are admitting.

At this point I’d be more shocked if the Dallas Cowboys walked away with two wins than if they were handed two losses.

Next: Could Jamaal Charles Join the Dallas Cowboys?

Starting the season 0-2 is not what the Dallas Cowboys envisioned in this season of such high expectations. Yet, that’s exactly what could be facing them if the NFL suspends Ezekiel Elliott. Time to pay close attention to possible camp casualty, Jamaal Charles…

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