ARLINGTON — Jerry Jones has fallen hard for Tony Pollard, and it appears this form of puppy love is warranted. For the first time in many years, the Cowboys have a legitimate 1-2 punch at tailback. I’ve heard Jerry Jones crow about pairing running backs in the past, but it actually came to fruition in Sunday’s 31-6 win over the Fish tank.
Some of the over-the-top praise for Pollard during training camp was about sending Zeke Elliott a message during his holdout. But it turns out the guy can play a little bit. The Cowboys have given Pollard meaningful touches though three games, and that’s a big step forward for the organization.
Elliott and Pollard became the first Cowboys running backs to each have 100-yard days since Emmitt Smith and Chris Warren did it in 1998. This is such a rare sight, in part because it’s not in the Cowboys’ DNA to use a complementary running back. The good news is Elliott has been paid now, and he doesn’t seem to be bothered by sharing the spotlight with Pollard. The two combined for 228 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries against the Dolphins. They gradually wore down a defense that actually put up a fight in the first half.
“They’re going to be awesome together in so many ways,” Kellen Moore told reporters. “[Pollard] did a phenomenal job. I think the best credit is you never really consciously think: ‘Is Zeke in, or is Tony in?’ Whoever is in, I call the game and let it fly.”
With all due respect, that’s not what anyone said about Rod Smith or Lance Dunbar. The Cowboys have a true change-of-pace back that keeps the pressure on the defense. Pollard isn’t just trying to spell Elliott, he’s punishing the opposing defense. The Cowboys were reminded in Sunday’s first half what it’s like when Dak Prescott doesn’t have his “A” game. It’s likely the Cowboys will need to lean on the run game in New Orleans at some point.
Pollard had a 28-yard run Sunday where he made Pro Bowl cornerback (and former Baylor great) Xavier Howard look really bad in space. Elliott likes to bow his neck and punish defenders, while Pollard likes to make them miss. The Cowboys finally seem to have a similar template to what Sean Payton’s done for years with the Saints. And that’s not a coincidence when you consider how much admiration Jerry has for Payton, who has finally taken himself off the market by signing a long-term extension.
There’s a bit of jealousy at The Star these days because Moore is getting so much credit for the offense’s success. I’ve heard some grumbling, but there’s really not much anyone can say with the Cowboys off to a 3-0 start. And unless someone tells me Moore’s not the one calling the plays, I’m going to keep giving him the credit and the blame.
For Jerry, it was a welcome sight to see Elliott and Pollard on the field together late in the first quarter. Pollard caught a short pass for eight yards. This is something Jones has dreamed of for years, but the Cowboys never had the personnel to make it happen. Jones used to dream of the two-headed monster at tight end with Jason Witten and Marcellus Bennett. For various reasons, that didn’t work out.
Now, the Cowboys have an extra wrinkle at tailback. This offense looks more like Payton’s than ever, and that’s a beautiful thing.