Pollard Better Suited As Sidekick

Is Tony Pollard, a free agent at the end of this season, well rounded enough to be the RB1 in the Dallas?

That was the question going into this season, and it remains the question after nine games.

What’s not at question is whether Pollard is a good running back. He is.

He’s got pop. He’s got explosiveness. He’s got great vision. He’s got home-run play ability.

He showed all those as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart behind Ezekiel Elliott from 2020 through 2022.

But through nine games as ‘The Guy’ it is becoming clear that Pollard is probably better suited to be Robin than Batman or the Sundance Kid than Butch or Dr. Watson than Sherlock Holmes.

Tony Pollard the starter is averaging 48.1 snaps per game.

That is 70-percent of the plays run on offense as the focus of the run defense every week.

Tony Pollard the backup played an average of 35.5 snaps, or 55-percent of the offensive plays per game behind Elliott.

Those 13 snaps a game is quite a jump. That’s a few more carries that used to go to Elliott, a few more blocks that Elliott used to be responsible for and a few more blitz pickups or routes to run that Elliott was obligated to take on in every game.

It’s 13 more hits that used to be absorbed by Elliott, that Pollard is now taking during the same 60 minutes.

With the rise in plays and responsibility in both the running and passing games, Pollard’s play count, carries and receptions are up this season, however his yards per carry, yards per catch and touchdowns are all headed for career lows.

As RB2, Pollard averaged 12.93 touches for 78.5 yards and 0.45 touchdowns per game over the last two seasons. This year the touches are up (18.2), while his average yards per touch (4.38) and touchdowns per game (0.22) are down.

On Sunday, it was more of what we have already seen from Pollard this season – a lot of one-, two- and three-yard runs, with one big pop after the outcome was no longer in jeopardy. Pollard carried the ball 15 times for 55 yards against the Giants, but for the first time this season got some real help.

Running back Rico Dowdle played the part on Sunday that Pollard was so good at the last two seasons. Playing the sidekick to Pollard, Dowdle rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries, a 6.6-yard average per carry, and one touchdown – all season highs for the fourth year running back.

Dowdle had six carries for 59 yards when Pollard was still carrying the load as the lead back for Dallas on Sunday. Once Pollard was done for the afternoon, Dowdle had six more carries, but gained just 22 yards and had three separate 1-yard runs – although one of those was for the final Dallas touchdown of the game.

While it was a small sample for Dowdle, it has been an adequate one for Pollard.

It’s clear, the Cowboys have an RB1 problem.

Both Pollard and Dowdle are better suited at playing the second chair.

They are good at being a being a change of pace.

It took nine games, but it’s become clear that the Cowboys are missing their hammer. They miss a Zeke Elliott type back that runs hard and downhill inside the tackles and is excellent at blocking when asked. One that is also an asset in the passing game with soft hands, good route running and excellent in blitz pick up.

So again, we ask, is Pollard what you want as your RB1?

If they look at the numbers, the Cowboys certainly have their answer by now.

It’s just probably not one they hoped to reach.