Dallas Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliot is currently holding out during training camp in hopes of a new contract. Based on talent alone, Elliot deserves a new contract. To date, he has rushed for 4,048 yards (4.7 yards per carry) to go along with 28 touchdowns. Elliot also led the league in rushing two of the past three seasons.
Owner Jerry Jones was recently asked in an interview with CBS Dallas Forth Worth about comparisons between Elliot and Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.
“The point there is, you don’t have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl.” “Emmitt was the first one to do it. That’s one of the dilemmas at running back is that the league knows that you can win Super Bowls and not have the Emmitt Smith back there or not have Zeke back there.”
In today’s league, the NFL values the quarterback position, while running backs are becoming more replaceable. This proved to be true with the Denver Broncos, who spent four draft picks on running backs in the past three drafts. As a result, they found a diamond in the rough with an undrafted rookie in Phillip Lindsay.
When noting the shelf life of a running back, it is rather short in the NFL. Elliot has led the league in rushing attempts in two of his three seasons in the NFL. He has carried the ball a total of 936 times. The Cowboys have been in this position before with another leading rusher in DeMarco Murray in 2014.
Out of 53 Superbowl titles, only four were led by a team that led the league in rushing. This included the Dallas Cowboys in 1992, 1993, and 1995, as well as the Denver Broncos in 1998 with Terrell Davis. Although you don’t need to have a run-first offense, 34 teams that have won the Super Bowl had a run game in the top 10.
The most obvious point involves the lack of maturity in regards to Ezekiel Elliot. While he’s been a centerpiece for the Cowboys, it has come with its fair share of problems. Domestic violence allegations resulted in a six-game suspension, but only became the tip of the iceberg.
Just last offseason, Elliot was caught on video raising a lady’s top down on Saint Patrick’s Day. This summer alone, Elliot has been investigated for shoving a security guard in Las Vegas. In addition, there is gained momentum in a case where Elliot may have caused a serious car accident in 2017.
Featured Image: New York Post
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