Archer: Ezekiel Elliott ready to make some noise after quiet offseason

Cotton

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Ezekiel Elliott ready to make some noise after quiet offseason
7:00 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer

OXNARD, Calif. -- Everybody associated with the Dallas Cowboys tried to say Ezekiel Elliott was the same guy last summer that he was as a rookie.

Everything else said otherwise.

He did not carry himself in the same jovial way he did as a rookie, when he would playfully mess with teammates, staffers and fans. He was more reserved, almost sullen. He did not speak to the media much at all.

He heavily carried the burden of a potential suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. When the suspension became reality, a long legal battle with the NFL ensued, but he eventually gave up when he opted to miss six games. In the Amazon series "All or Nothing," the behind-the-scenes footage showed how much the suspension wore on Elliott.

"I think it was difficult, and I think he went through some really difficult times," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. "I think he stood for what he believed in last year, and certainly you're naïve to think there wasn't distractions in his mind from what he was going through, week to week."

As the Cowboys open training camp Thursday with their first practice in Oxnard, California, Elliott's suspension is behind him. At least publicly, his offseason was quiet. Elliott's most visible appearance was on a fishing trip to Key West with several offensive linemen and quarterback Dak Prescott. The only slightly negative news was when he made fans wait longer than expected before signing autographs at a public appearance.

"I thought he had a really good offseason, really consistent in his approach," said coach Jason Garrett, speaking about Elliott's on-field work in the organized team activities and minicamp. "I thought he got better and better physically as he was in the offseason program on a consistent basis. Serious-minded focus, really grasped the leadership mantle in that running back room. I thought he practiced really well, set the example for the rest of the group. He didn't say a whole lot -- it wasn't like all of a sudden, 'I'm Joe leader.' It wasn't that at all. It was doing things the right way. Everybody sees it. He set a great example for the standards that we want to set for our team, serious-minded, came in, looks in good shape, did well on the conditioning run [Wednesday]. I'm excited where he is."

Since high school, Elliott's every move has been watched. In 2016, the focus was on the field when he led the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards and was a vital piece to the Cowboys' success. Heading into the 2017 season, the focus was not on his chances of repeating that success in his second season, but on allegations of domestic violence in Columbus, Ohio, that, even though authorities opted not to pursue charges, resulted in his NFL suspension. He also made headlines for pulling down a woman's top at a St. Patrick's Day parade and for an alleged incident at a nightclub that left a man with a broken nose. Police suspended their investigation into the latter, citing uncooperative witnesses and "lack of a complaint."

Stephen Jones has seen a growth in Elliott, who turned just 23 on Sunday.

"Jerry [Jones] and I have talked about this. Most of the issues that happen with NFL players are when they're young, their first one, two, three years in the league. I think that's just maturity," Jones said. "These guys are sometimes 19, 20, 21 years old. They're maturing each and every year. And I think as each year passes, they'll certainly understand what works, what doesn't work. He knows that he's under the limelight now and under a magnifying glass. I think he gets that."

Before Elliott accepted the league's six-game suspension, he ran for at least 80 yards in seven of his first eight games. When he returned, he ran for 97 and 103 yards despite the layoff.

He finished just 17 yards short of 1,000 on the season.

His importance to the Cowboys cannot be understated. He makes Prescott better because defenses have to focus on the running game. He makes the receivers and tight ends better because defenses have to send more attention his way. He makes the defense better because it is not on the field as much when the Cowboys control the tempo of the game. A content and productive Elliott makes for a content and productive team.

"I do think Zeke wants to be great, not just for a year, not in the short term. I think he wants to be one of the great ones to play the game," Jones said. " I think he's a hardworking guy who knows what it takes, and I think it's a process. I think he continues to mature. As Jason said, he's taking a leadership role now. I expect him to really step up, I think, and have a really great year this year."

The suspension cost Elliott in public perception and millions in salary and legal fees. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams signed Todd Gurley to a $60 million contract extension that included $45 million guaranteed.

The Cowboys can't sign Elliott to an extension until after the 2018 season, but they have him under contractual control until 2020. Jones is already thinking of a prosperous future for Elliott and the Cowboys.

"It certainly will affect Zeke. I'm sure Zeke smiled big when he saw it [Gurley's deal]," Jones said. "But I wouldn't take anybody for Zeke. I just think we've got the best one in the league, and I think he's put his off-the-field issues behind him and I expect him to do very special things. Just as I said with Dak, I hope we're looking at big numbers on both of them, because that'll mean they've had great years and I would submit to you that if both of them go out and have great years, the Dallas Cowboys are going to have a great year, too."
 

Cowboysrock55

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I think Dak and Zeke feed off each other. Those two have a great relationship and I don't think Dak is the same without Zeke and frankly I don't know if Zeke would be the same without Dak. I'm hoping those two can combine to make a little magic this year. Even when Zeke was around last season all the court stuff was weighing on him heavily. And it was clearly messing with his schedule and ability to prepare for games.
 

Genghis Khan

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They said all along that the legal stuff wasn't affecting Elliott. But when you watch All or Nothing, it very clearly was.
 

p1_

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I think Dak and Zeke feed off each other. Those two have a great relationship and I don't think Dak is the same without Zeke and frankly I don't know if Zeke would be the same without Dak. I'm hoping those two can combine to make a little magic this year. Even when Zeke was around last season all the court stuff was weighing on him heavily. And it was clearly messing with his schedule and ability to prepare for games.
Dak needs and benefits from Zeke much more than Zeke from Dak.
 

Cowboysrock55

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Dak needs and benefits from Zeke much more than Zeke from Dak.
I agree although I think having a QB threat to run at least prevents the defense from simply crashing on Zeke. Especially the way we telegraph a running play. At least within that running play the defense isn't so sure where the ball will be. But more than just that I think they sort of emotionally feed off of each other. They have a comfort level and friendship with each other that I do think carries over on to the field.
 

p1_

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It will be interesting to see how well this simplistic 90s smash mouth approach will work again. Sell out to stop Zeke.
 

Cowboysrock55

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It will be interesting to see how well this simplistic 90s smash mouth approach will work again. Sell out to stop Zeke.
Yeah it's basically force the defense to sell out to stop Zeke. Then pass the ball against a weakened secondary. There is no reason the formula shouldn't work. The only problem with it is when you telegraph if you are running or passing the ball. If the defense knows they don't have to worry about Zeke they gang up on the pass and vice versa. That is what totally stiffles this type of offense.
 

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I am apprehensive about the early part of the schedule as to whether the passing game can be effective enough to allow a legitimate running game. Prescott has no chemistry with the receiving Corp to speak of. With the departure of Witten and Bryant the production of about 60 % of the passing game is down the road. It will take some time for Prescott and receivers to be a threat. This will allow the opponent to stack for the running game which could almost eliminate a high production output. Training camp and exhibition games yield very little with the starters honing their game. It might be a little bleak at the onset but I hope not.
 

Genghis Khan

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Yeah it's basically force the defense to sell out to stop Zeke. Then pass the ball against a weakened secondary. There is no reason the formula shouldn't work. The only problem with it is when you telegraph if you are running or passing the ball. If the defense knows they don't have to worry about Zeke they gang up on the pass and vice versa. That is what totally stiffles this type of offense.
There's a very big reason why the formula might not work.

In the 90s we had a hall of famer at QB.

There's a reason why for example a team like Minnesota never really did much for most of Adrian Peterson's run there.

The QB has to step up when needed or everything fizzles.
 

Cowboysrock55

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There's a very big reason why the formula might not work.

In the 90s we had a hall of famer at QB.

There's a reason why for example a team like Minnesota never really did much for most of Adrian Peterson's run there.

The QB has to step up when needed or everything fizzles.
Well thank god our QB has proven he can win games with this formula.
 

Smitty

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He’s proven he can win some games. He hasn’t proven he can improve to the level necessarily needed once defenses learn everything there is to know about him.

Not that he can’t.
 

boozeman

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My firm position on Prescott is that he can't make plays on his own with his arm. If they design an offense around that trait, he will be more successful.

If they insist on making him a pocket QB, good luck. He is not terrible, but that is not really a natural thing for him.
 

p1_

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Defenses will sell out to stuff zeke. Let’s see who can adjust.
 

Cotton

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He’s proven he can win some games. He hasn’t proven he can improve to the level necessarily needed once defenses learn everything there is to know about him.

Not that he can’t.
We are 18-5 when both Dak and Zeke are on the field at the same time.
 

Cotton

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Yeah it makes more sense as a reply to Gengs post claiming Dak hasn't show he can win games with this formula.
I probably picked the wrong post to quote, but the point remains.
 

Genghis Khan

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Yeah it makes more sense as a reply to Gengs post claiming Dak hasn't shown he can win games with this formula.
What games has Dak won when the defense has completely shut down the run?

I'm not disputing that Dak can win when we can rely at least somewhat on the running game.
 
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