NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys fans might be split on the news today that Ezekiel Elliott will most likely be a post-June 1st cut. This move has been debated and wanted by so many. I am going to simply say this, Elliott did his job as well as he could over seven seasons. Thank you, Zeke.
The Rookie
Right from the moment Ezekiel Elliott was drafted fourth overall out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL draft, the fanbase was divided. I don’t care about anyone’s perceived positional value, a second contract, and all the other arguments people make. My bottom line was from the get-go the Cowboys had decided Elliott would make a positive impact. His impressive run through the 2014 Big Ten Championship and the first college playoff alone is unmatched in NCAA history. Three straight games with over 200 yards rushing. He followed that up with another impressive 2015 season. So of course, that drew the interest of one Jerry Jones who loves new shiny toys. Remember folks Elliott did not control where he was selected. The Cowboys selected him and he did not disappoint. 1,631 yards later, the NFL rushing title was his. Between Elliott and some other rookie named Dak Prescott Cowboys fans had hope. They were entertained.
Controversy
The NFL investigated Elliott before the 2017 season over domestic violence allegations. Despite the league’s own investigator (Kia Roberts) saying she felt the situation did not warrant a suspension, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled otherwise and Eliott was suspended for 6 games. Court battles ensued and in the end, Elliott played in ten games only. This of course was at a time the league was under a lot of pressure for their handling of other cases of domestic abuse allegations against players. You better believe Elliott became the poster boy for all of us who have felt for decades the league will always treat anything Dallas Cowboys-related more harshly than they ever would for other teams.
Bounce Back
In the 2018 season, Elliott returned to form and won his second NFL rushing title. The Dallas Cowboys won their division and made it to the second round of the playoffs. Two rushing titles in three seasons and the Cowboys were contenders (yes haters more pretenders blah blah blah) There was no doubt Elliott was a major reason why Dallas was a tough opponent for anyone. There was one major difference for the Dallas Cowboys that season. Center Travis Frederick missed the season due to Guillaume Barre Syndrome. This will be a factor later on. However, Elliott had the ability to bounce around and make something out of nothing still. That would change.
The Holdout
Prior to the 2019 season, the Cowboys exercised their 5th-year option on Elliott as you can do with any first-round pick. Here’s where everything went up in smoke. Elliott and his agent decided that wasn’t good enough and he wanted a contract extension he was eligible to receive. Long story short a massive 90 million dollar contract with 50 million of that guaranteed was the end result. In 15 games Elliott still rushed for over 1300 yards and 12 rushing TDs. I would say he once again was doing his job. Frederick made a return to the Cowboys as well and Zeke often was able to run up the middle for big gains.
The Decline Begins
Travis Frederick retired because of GB Syndrome. This is where Elliott’s production began to decline and a huge reason was when then OC Kellen Moore would call for an A gap run instead of Frederick who could move defensive players and get to the second level as dominant as any center in the game (5 Pro Bowls) rookie Tyler Biadisz was now the center. Simply put those holes weren’t as big anymore. Folks can blame Elliott all they want, they simply don’t even think about the play calls and those teammates on the field with Elliott at that time. This was also the season the Cowboys had more injuries than you could care to count, especially to Dak Prescott. Was any of that Elliott’s fault? Of course, not but the talk was starting that he was overpaid and not producing.
The PCL Season
Everyone knows that Elliott played through an injured PCL ligament in 2021. Most players wouldn’t have made it onto the field let alone play week after week. Was he wrong for playing with the injury? The team doctors said he could do no further damage and it was a pain management issue. So Elliott put on his helmet and did what he could. That’s dedication and perseverance if you ask me. At this time more and more often Tony Pollard was making bigger plays furthering the case against Elliott. Oh, and Kellen Moore kept calling plenty of those A-gap runs for minimal gains, Elliott took a beating physically.
The Final Season?
It was more of the same in 2022. Elliot’s body was of course no longer what it was in 2016-2020. Tony Pollard continued to shine and all that anti-Zeke noise reached a crescendo in 2022. Kellen was still using him in the same way and I’m sorry folks when the offensive line isn’t moving defenders and creating holes what is an again back supposed to do? The bounce was gone and Elliott no longer could bounce outside to make something from nothing. Again the way a player is used matters. Elliott did what was asked of him. He played football as he knew that was his role.
Overall
I don’t blame Ezekiel Elliott for getting as big a contract as he could. Careers are short in the NFL. Is it his fault that Stephen and JJ panicked and gave in to him? Not at all, it was their business decision, not his. Ezekiel Elliott wore the star for seven seasons and gave it what he had, week in and week out. Was it his fault that the play calls were only serving to wear his body down? Again that would be a no. For all those who simply loved to attack him without looking at the entire picture, y’all are simply hating for hate’s sake. It’s been tiring the last few seasons. If this is the end for Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas then I want to say THANK YOU EZEKIEL. You wore the star with pride and did your job as well as possible. For the Dallas Cowboys haters, it looks like y’all won’t have Ezekiel Elliott to kick around anymore.
A always find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
