5 Dallas Cowboys who will improve under new regime
By Randy Gurzi
2. Tony Pollard, Running Back
One of the more underutilized players in the Dallas offense last season was rookie running back Tony Pollard. The fourth-round pick from Memphis was a big play waiting to happen and is the perfect complement back behind Ezekiel Elliott. After being punished by tackling Zeke all game, Pollard’s quickness and speed in the open field becomes a major problem.
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And at first glance, it would seem as though he was utilized often. He finished his rookie season with 455 yards rushing and 107 receiving with a total of three touchdowns. However, he did the majority of his damage in two games.
One was a Week 2 blowout over Miami when he had 103 yards and his first touchdown after the game was decided. Then in Week 15 over the Los Angele Rams, he had 131 yards rushing and his other rushing touchdown in their 44-21 win. As for receiving, he got nearly half his yardage in one game against Detroit, as he had 44 yards and his lone touchdown there.
Speaking of his receiving, the fact that he had just 15 receptions in 20 targets in itself is criminal. Pollard started his collegiate career as a receiver and his skillset as a pass-catcher out of the backfield was a great dynamic of the Cowboys offense that never was taken advantage of.
Mike McCarthy should have no problem trying to utilize him more and Kellen Moore has the creativity to draw up some plays that take advantage of Pollard’s receiving skills as well as his ability as a change of pace back — rather than just the garbage time back he was in 2019.