One of the protagonists in the news of the week, without a doubt, was Ezekiel Elliott. After signing with the New England Patriots, the narratives about his return to the Dallas roster were finally buried. However, Zeke will return to AT&T Stadium this season anyway. Only, this time, he will do it on the side of the rival team.
Given this, the only member of the Cowboys who has spoken about it is Mike McCarthy. Last Tuesday, the head coach received questions about Elliott and his eventual return as a rival. And although he admitted that he is not thinking about that game right now, I do not hesitate to wish his former player the best.
“I am very excited for Zeke, it is a great opportunity”McCarthy said of Elliott. “He will do very well there. Just from their style of play, I think it fits very well with how they like to play.”
Mike McCarthy was happy to see Ezekiel Elliott has a new home in New England, but maybe not so excited to play against him Oct. 1. “He’ll do great up there,” the coach said, adding. “Play-style alone, I think he’s a really good fit for how they like to play.”
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 15, 2023
Let’s remember that, last Monday, the arrival of Ezekiel Elliott to the Patriots became official. Zeke was released by the Cowboys in mid-March, this after seven years with the team. And although there has been no interest from other teams since then, the Pats have agreed to give him a chance.
Elliott’s contract with New England will be for one year and $6 million. However, the Ohio State product isn’t aiming to be a starter, but rather a backup behind Rhamondre Stevenson. This, of course, without ruling out the other elements in the Pats’ running backs.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Elliott manages to have a relevant role in the team led by Bill Belichick. If all goes well, Zeke could be part of the active roster in the week 4 game between the Patriots and Cowboys. I find that, let’s remember, it would mean the “return home” of the runner.
pic.twitter.com/y5A8rKl71a
New England Patriots Eziekiel Elliott looks like the “Old Zeke” in practice.This has a familiar ring to it the #Patriots picked up Corey Dillon the same point in his career and he had over 1500 yards.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) August 19, 2023
History does not anticipate a happy return for Elliott
If Elliott does finally play the Cowboys, he’ll add to the list of running backs who have made awkward returns to Cowboy Stadium as rivals. A list that, worth noting, is made up of outstanding runners such as Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith, Calvin Hill, Duane Thomas and Herschel Walker. And if history repeats itself, Zeke will have minimal impact and his team will lose to Dallas.
Overall, these running backs have a 1-9 record in their returns to Cowboys Stadium. The only one who was moderately successful was Calvin Hill in 1976, playing with the Washington Redskins. On that occasion, Hill scored a touchdown on a 15-yard run, helping Dallas’ divisional rivals win.
When Cowboy great Emmitt Smith left Dallas and then returned in a Cardinal uniform…it did not go well for him. We will see how this one goes. https://t.co/YHcN3kILNg
— The Lumberjack (@RussChopsTr33s) August 15, 2023
On the other hand, the worst homecoming performance by a former Dallas running back came from Emmitt Smith. Yes, the three-time Super Bowl champion with the cowboy team. In 2003, the year he signed with the Cardinals, Smith visited his former team. And his performance couldn’t have been more humiliating for him: six carries for -1 yards in Arizona’s loss.
With Ezekiel Elliott’s immediate future finally figured out, the running back will soon be back on the lips of those covering the cowboy team. This, of course, now as a rival for week 4. Without a doubt, this adds appeal to a game that was already attracting attention on the Dallas calendar. This, let’s remember, more because of the challenge that Bill Belichick poses as a rival coach than because of what the Patriots have demonstrated in the last two years.
2023-08-20 10:12:01
#Mike #McCarthy #talks #arrival #Ezekiel #Elliott #Patriots
