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Tony Pollard Is Worth the Price, and Cowboys Should Consider Paying It

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Tony Pollard has long been one of the league’s most underrated running backs. The reason is that the Dallas Cowboys refused to use Pollard throughout his rookie contract, even when Ezekiel Elliott played with an injured knee in 2021. But in the final year of his inexpensive rookie deal, Dallas has flipped the script.

Since Elliott’s return from a minor knee injury, Pollard has continued to out-snap the well-compensated first-round pick. And while there is no guarantee that the trend will continue, it’s probably a trend that should continue, given each player’s impact on the offense.

The Cowboys Are Blessed With Versatility

Many fans fail to understand that the conversation surrounding running backs is not black and white. It’s not a “this or that” situation. Both can play, and both should play, sometimes on the field at the same time. We’re not debating a quarterback where only one sees the field.

And the point of this piece is not to slight Zeke, but to emphasize just how good Pollard is. The Cowboys should look to maximize his impact before they most likely lose him in the offseason.

Patrik Walker, who writes for the Cowboys’ team website, talked with RB coach Skip Peete about the two-headed monster Dallas has in the backfield. Peete said all the things Cowboys fans have wanted to hear for multiple years, and now that dream has become a reality for fans.

The only disagreement fans might have is with Pollard’s 30-snap max, which he is proving to be unimportant. Pollard has plenty of juice left after 30, as he showed in Week 10 when he played 72 snaps and notched a career-high 22 carries, averaging over five yards a pop.

MORE: Jordan Love Should Have Been Starting Over Aaron Rodgers Weeks Ago

There is a yin and yang between the two runners, although not in the way many believe. Most would associate Zeke being the physical presence, while Pollard brings the finesse. However, that narrative falls flat.

Pollard is not a 190-pound scatback. He’s a sturdy 215-pounder who can take the down-in and down-out punishment of a lead back.

The biggest tick in the win column for Elliott is his ability in pass protection. He is one of the best blockers at the position over the last decade, and it shows in the team’s blocking statistics when he’s on the field versus off it.

But as pure runners, it’s not easy to make a case for Zeke over Pollard.

Tony Pollard Is a Special Runner

According to Sports Info Solutions, only Josh Jacobs and Aaron Jones have a higher EPA generated per rushing attempt than Pollard. Pollard’s wins above replacement also ranks third in the NFL, behind Jacobs and Nick Chubb.

Additionally, Pollard ranks ninth in positive EPA play percentage, meaning he is avoiding negative outcomes at a high rate. For transparency purposes, Zeke ranks third in that category.

But Pollard’s explosiveness and elusiveness are his greatest assets. According to PFF, only Chubb and Saquon Barkley have more 15+ yard runs. Pollard has 12 in 136 carries compared to Chubb (17 in 200 carries) and Barkley (15 in 224).

In fact, only Kenneth Walker III has a higher breakaway percentage than Pollard among backs with at least 100 carries. And nobody averages more yards after contact than Pollard. Elliott ranks 40th in breakaway rate, the singular biggest difference between the two backs in the run game.

With the importance of explosive plays, it pays to have the dichotomy between the two runners.

When filtering down to just the on/off splits between Zeke and Pollard, we see that the team averages 1.7 yards before contact with Elliott on the field compared to Pollard’s 1.5. But Pollard averages 4.1 yards after contact compared to Zeke’s 2.4.

Additionally, Pollard breaks 17.6% of the tackle attempts against him, while Zeke sits at 9.3%. Pollard ranks 11th in the league among players (QBs included) with at least 100 carries; Zeke ranks 29th.

With Pollard on the field, Dallas averages 0.11 EPA per play on rushes. For reference, the best rushing attack in the NFL on a per-play basis is Baltimore, who averages 0.058 EPA.

The Passing Attack Is Mostly Better With Pollard Too

From an EPA perspective, Elliott holds the advantage between the two. With Elliott on the field, the Cowboys’ passing attack averages -0.01 EPA, whereas they average -0.04 with Pollard on the field.

However, that’s likely due to Dak Prescott’s propensity to throw interceptions while Pollard is on the field. Dallas’ INT rate is 3.4% with him on the field compared to 2% with Elliott playing.

Besides depth of target, the Cowboys’ passing attack is better with Pollard on the field than off, whereas it’s worse with Elliott on the field compared to off it. To reiterate, this is not meant to slight Zeke, but to emphasize the importance of Pollard to the offense.

MORE: Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Suggests Brian Flores Misused Tua Tagovailoa

There are some caveats to the Cowboys’ brilliance with Pollard on vs. off the field.

Pollard has improved as a pass protector, but the team overall does not block for Prescott and Cooper Rush as well with him on the field. The team’s sack rate is 5.2 with Pollard on the field compared to 2.3 off it. With Elliott on the field, it is 1.3% compared to 5.8 off it.

Overall, the team’s blocking ability is better with Zeke than Pollard, a development that should surprise nobody.

Finding a Way To Bring Both Back in 2023

Paying a running back is a rule meant not to be broken, but Pollard feels like an exception, depending on his price. Dallas already paid Elliott a pretty penny, making it unlikely they get a deal done to keep Pollard around for the long run.

The only way they can feasibly do it is if they can figure out how to talk Elliott into a contract restructuring that slashes his cap hit and allows them to pay the two backs essentially what they’re paying Elliott. Zeke’s cap hit in 2023 is currently $16.72 million, and in 2024, it’s $14.32 million.

According to Spotrac, Pollard’s market value sits at $7.7 million. However, Over the Cap has a valuation of $10 million. Dallas could potentially backload a deal with Pollard to make the cap hit easier to swallow until they can get out of Elliott’s deal.

Pollard is two years younger than Elliott and has significantly lower miles on him. But paying two running backs is quite a decision to make.

However, as Peete said, having runners with complementary skill sets is important, and maybe the Cowboys feel similarly, especially given how Pollard played while Zeke was on the mend.

The Cowboys have a top-five RB in the NFL, and Zeke is on the team, too.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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