The Cowboys are making their offseason workouts all about Ezekiel Elliott. It makes a lot of sense, and not just because they spent the fourth overall pick in the draft this year on the Ohio State running back. Thanks to injuries and all the attention that Tony Romo and Dez Bryant get, it’s easy to forget that the Cowboys’ offense revolves around the run.
The Cowboys are making their OTAs all about Ezekiel Elliott
They don’t really have a choice.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
That doesn’t answer the question of whether the Cowboys overspent by drafting Elliott fourth. After all, with that kind of offensive line, the duo of Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris might’ve been just fine on it’s own (the Cowboys still had the ninth-best rushing offense last season, per Football Outsiders). But that question is irrelevant now, so Dallas might as well wear the pick loud and proud for the rest of the NFC East to see.
Besides, Elliott might also help keep Tony Romo upright, which is hard to undersell given commitment to him and the threat of Kellen Moore or Dak Prescott starting games in 2016.
MORE DRAMA IN THE JETS’ LOCK ROOM: Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are just looking out for the Jets, according to them. There was no conspiracy. Each player missed OTAs last week for perfectly normal reasons. However, inside the Jets locker room, some of Decker and Marshall’s teammates are rolling their eyes at the notion the two receivers have the team’s best interests in mind.
BEFORE THERE WAS BORLAND, THERE WAS BELL: Jacob Bell retired over concerns about head trauma in 2012. Now he’s talking about his decision. With widespread retirements of players in the middle of their careers over the last two years, headlined by former 49ers linebacker Chris Borland, Emily Kaplan of the MMQB catches up with Bell, who was way ahead of the curve.
COACHING CONTINUITY COMES TO OAKLAND: Raiders have not had same quarterback, head coach two straight seasons in very long time. You have to go all the way back to when the Raiders were good. Hey, come to think about it, maybe that means something.
BORTLES OVER LUCK? NFL players supposedly think Blake Bortles is better than Andrew Luck. The NFL Network’s top 100 players is by far the worst thing about the offseason.
THE BOOK IS BIGGER IN PHILLY: Sam Bradford explains the difference between Doug Pederson’s and Chip Kelly’s offense. It’s a bigger playbook, which means even more chances for Bradford to underwhelm.
DREAM ON, KUBIAK: Trevor Siemian is not winning the Broncos starting quarterback job. But, but, but Gary Kubiak said that he was doing great at OTAs.
BENGALS SANS BURFICT: Could Vontaze Burfict’s suspension benefit the Bengals? It ought to cut down on the penalties at least.
RUNNING BACK BATTLE: It’s Johnson vs. Johnson in Arizona. Who will win the running back battle?
HANDSOME JIMMY G MAKING ALL THE RIGHT MOVES: Jimmy Garoppolo worked out with the receivers in California. He's going to make those four games count.
RODGERS CREDITS BRADY: Aaron Rodgers is eating healthier because of Tom Brady. The Packers quarterback says that Brady’s approach to nutrition got him “trying to be smart about my eating habits.” Wait, does this mean Rodgers actual bought Brady’s cookbook?
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