The Muser’s George Dunham delves into Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason, raises doubts about whether the franchise truly intends to re-sign Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, and discusses his annual Jub Jam.
The Dallas Cowboys addressed several holes in their roster during last year’s NFL Draft; however, running back was not one of them. This has only heightened speculation about a potential return for former star Ezekiel Elliott. During a pre-draft press conference, Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones spoke of conversations with both Elliott and his agent but insisted that no agreement had been reached yet. He went on to explain that they liked the running backs available at their picks’ time; however, they never considered picking up another when each draft turnaround seemed irrelevant enough because none seemed desirable or worthwhile.
Last year’s starting runner Tony Pollard moved teams in the offseason leaving only returning runners Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn for the Dallas backfield at present. Jones remarked that by filling gaps on their line, they could find a replacement more easily this season as well. “We’ll have opportunities throughout [the offseason] to address this running back situation,” he said, adding: “It makes a running back’s job much simpler when the fellows in front of you do a proper work.”
In addition to picking up three OL men during the draft last year with Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton (number 29 pick overall) also becoming part of their team. Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones suggested that Dallas’ solution at running back might not even be on its roster when the season begins, hinting they may acquire a new player through midseason trade deals.
This brings us to Elliott again; he was released by the Cowboys last March after serving 8 years in franchise football action before this past march’s disconnection from Dallas’ team. The 28-year old back led New England Patriots with an impressive 642 rushing yards, but his average per carry remained at a disappointing level of just 3.5 yards throughout the season last year for that side of their ranks as well (Their primary player being Damien Harris).
When reporters questioned Jones and Co about re-signing Elliott directly, Jerry Jones did not dismiss this idea outright: “He’s a positive influence at all times,” he explained. “Not once in maybe some critical time has he been anything but a positive to winning influences as a person and teammate with the Dallas Cowboys.”
Jones concluded that ‘he (Ezekiel Elliott) should be good for this [the Dallas] team’.
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