One of the Dallas players who will be the focus of attention this year is running back Ezekiel Elliott. After a disappointing 2020 season in terms of records, the two-time NFL rushing champion is preparing to return to his best. However, opinions about its possible performance are quite divided.
Let’s go to the current facts. In recent weeks, Elliott has been working with private trainer Joshua Hicks, dubbed the “running back guru.” In fact, we’ve seen some videos of Zeke training during the offseason. And this Thursday, during the organized team activities (OTAs) of Dallas, part of the results of that work could be seen.
This drill is very much catered to the ball carrier, so LB Jaylon Smith’s involvement a mere footnote. But watch RB Ezekiel Elliott evade open-field defender with spin move. Positive sight, even in no pads, for player who began practice on side with director of rehab Britt Brown. pic.twitter.com/rBlXjiYfiw
– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 3, 2021
For some, Ezekiel Elliott will return to his best in 2021
Of course, the level shown by Elliott in training in recent weeks has not gone unnoticed. Not only does the Dallas runner look a bit leaner, he is showing great physical condition. And that fuels the high expectations of many.
Someone who expects a great level is a former Elliott teammate: Dez Bryant. The former receiver for the Cowboys republished a photo of Zeke on Twitter during the fifth day of the OTAs, and took the opportunity to leave his opinion on the running back’s physical condition.
“I’m not surprised”Bryant said on his Twitter account. “I have seen Zeke a few times this year. I love his behavior heading into this year. He was on an offense that wasn’t friendly for his style. I said this the day (Mike) McCarthy was hired. It would take him a year to adjust and that’s exactly what he did. I’m excited”.
I’m not surprised.. I’ve seen Zeke a few times this year.. I love his demeanor heading into this year..he was in a offense that wasn’t friendly for his style… I said this the day McCarty was hired.. he needed this year to adjust and that’s exactly what he did.. I’m excited 21 https://t.co/YWVkX9zCHF
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 3, 2021
What Bryant says about his former teammate is right on one point: Dallas’ current offense focuses more on the passing game. However, let’s also remember that much of Elliott’s poor performance in 2020 was due to the loss due to injury of Dak Prescott and much of Dallas’ starting offensive line. Besides, let’s not forget also that Zeke’s problem with fumbles also influenced his bad year.
However, Dez Bryant isn’t the only one with high expectations. For some sports analysts, Ezekiel Elliott may indeed return to a better level this year. There are even those who dare to aim higher, like Adam Schein of NFL.com. In fact, Schein believes that Elliott will be champion racing again this year.
“I know runners don’t age well, but Elliott is far from the senior citizen. He will barely turn 26 in July “Schein said in his predictions for this year. With a healthy Dak Prescott back, Dallas’ offense will be dominant. I imagine the Cowboys ahead on the scoreboard many times, allowing a motivated Zeke to be a mix of Emmitt Smith with Mariano Rivera closing games with high-yard carries. “
.@EzekielElliott wants that rushing title back ????
(via @ 3hunnidGuru) pic.twitter.com/RyEERDk8qu
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) May 6, 2021
From a more realistic and data-driven point of view, Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus (PFF) also believes that Ezekiel Elliott will have a good season in 2021. In fact, Linsey highlights one of the Dallas running back’s capabilities: converting plays with possible yardage loss on positive win plays.
“The Ohio State product had a 65.3 PFF rating in 2020, the lowest of its career, but it is worth mentioning that this was due to the injuries of its top three offensive linemen.”Linsey said of Elliott in an analysis for PFF. “This should improve in 2021 for a running back with one of the lowest percentages of lost or lost runs (7.1%) since entering the league in 2016.”.
For other analysts, Elliott will decline
On the other hand, there are other analysts who do not believe that Ezekiel Elliott will have a good level in the coming season. One of them is LaDanian Tomlinson, a Hall of Famer running back and current NFL Network analyst. In fact, Tomlinson knocked Elliott out of his top 5 best running backs heading into the 2021 season.
“I have seen that Ezekiel has lowered his level”Tomlinson said on the NFL Network. “I’d like to see again the guy who carried this team on his shoulder, a guy who can handle 300 carries, more than five yards per carry and provide more downfield. I haven’t seen that lately from Ezekiel. “.
In that discussion about Ezekiel Elliott on the NFL Network, former fullback Michael Robinson said something about the running back, too. And it was a somewhat harsh words, citing a conversation he had with a Hall of Fame running back, of which Robinson did not say the name.
“If Leonard Fournette had been drafted by the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott by Jacksonville, we wouldn’t be talking about Elliott.”Robinson said referring to the conversation. “And it seems that, as time goes on, that Hall of Fame running back may have been right.”.
It is worth saying that these opinions about Elliott look somewhat skewed. It is true that the running back, despite being a two-time NFL rushing champion, has been described as overrated since his million-dollar contract extension with the Cowboys. Besides, it is being overlooked that a good part of his poor performance in 2020 was due to the low level of the offensive line, clearly weakened by injuries.
Ezekiel Elliott working 1-on-2 against Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. pic.twitter.com/rtEaB77zpw
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) June 3, 2021
Besides, it cannot be ignored that Zeke has made good impressions this offseason. Not just in his private workouts with Joshua Hicks, but also during the Cowboys OTAs. And one thing has become clear this week: Elliott seems determined to show a high level in the coming season.
It is true that we will not see anything concrete with the performance of Ezekiel Elliott until he jumps into action, at the earliest, in preseason games. However, the broker will continue to be a topic of discussion for many analysts in the coming months. Only time will tell later who was right and who was wrong.
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