The Cowboys still haven’t found their true workhorse running back, but they’ve got a dynamic duo with a storied history of ground gains.
Dalvin Cook Joins the Squad
Dalvin Cook inked a deal with the Cowboys’ practice squad on Wednesday, exactly four months after Ezekiel Elliott returned to the team. Here’s a quick rundown of their impressive stats:
- Ezekiel Elliott: Over eight seasons, Zeke has racked up 8,904 rushing yards, 2,649 receiving yards, and 85 total touchdowns.
- Dalvin Cook: In seven seasons, Cook boasts 6,207 rushing yards, 1,872 receiving yards, and 52 total touchdowns.
A New Chapter for Cook
“Dalvin is someone whose career we all admire,” revealed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, beaming with excitement. “Initially on the practice squad, he gets a chance to learn our system. We always hoped for a player of his caliber to join us if the stars aligned – and they did. He’s in good shape after his workout. As he absorbs our playbook, he could become pivotal for us this season.”
Reality Check
But let’s get real – the Cowboys’ backfield is like a three-legged llama stumbling through the Peruvian Andes. They’ve struggled to keep defenses honest.
Last Season’s Struggles
Last season, Elliott had a rough go with the Patriots, posting career lows:
- Starts: 5
- Snaps: 539
- Carries: 184
- Yards: 642
- Touchdowns: 3
- Yards per carry: 3.5
Cook didn’t fare any better with the Jets, also hitting career lows with just 67 carries for 214 yards and no touchdowns.
Committe Approach
Enter Cowboys’ backfield-by-committee strategy:
- Active Roster: Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn
- Practice Squad: Malik Davis, Dalvin Cook
Dowdle and Davis are the only special teams contributors – Dowdle with 223 special team plays and Davis with 85.
Owner’s Optimism
Yet, Jones remains unfazed. “We’re in a great position to have flexibility,” he said with a hopeful grin. “With Malik and Dalvin on the practice squad, and Zeke firing on all cylinders, we can really hit those red zone plays. This setup gives us a fresh opportunity to up our game and punch it into the end zone.”
Jones might be seeing gold where others see fool’s gold, but there’s no denying the Cowboys are making intriguing moves. The upcoming season will reveal if these calculated risks pay off or if the team continues to mire in mediocrity. One thing’s for sure: you won’t want to miss a single snap of this saga.
