The defining factor of Dallas’ 2020 offseason has been change. As Jason Garrett and the majority of his staff exit, Mike McCarthy and his guys have entered.
But while the Cowboys coaching staff has undergone tremendous change, the core of their roster will likely be the same come September.
Of course, the core of their running backs room is not going to change for a long time. Former fourth overall draft pick Ezekiel Elliott is the headliner of that room, but now second year back Tony Pollard has garnered a ton of hype from Cowboys Nation as well. The leader of this area of the roster did change, though, with Skip Peete being named running backs coach on McCarthy’s staff.
This isn’t Peete’s first time with the Dallas Cowboys, as he was the RB coach from 2007-2012 under both Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett, but this time around is certainly different. Because Ezekiel Elliott is different, and the expectations around the team’s running game are totally different than they once were.
Skip Peete spoke to the core of this unit on DallasCowboys.com, speaking highly of both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
“I’m excited to have an opportunity to work with him. It should be a lot of fun” – Peete on Elliott.
Peete worked with Todd Gurley and the Rams running backs from 2016-2019, and had a front row seat to the show both Zeke and Pollard put on during their matchup last season. During the Cowboys’ 44-21 drubbing of Peete’s former team, Elliott and Pollard combined for 248 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Now, Peete will have the opportunity to coach the two backs which destroyed the Rams that afternoon, and hopefully help deploy them in a multitude of ways.
“I think it’s going to be a good combination of two talented running backs in the backfield. I’m excited to get a chance to work with them and see where this goes”
Elliott will always be the team’s featured back for as long as he’s in Dallas, but Pollard proved during his rookie campaign that he’s worthy of a bigger role. Dallas paid Elliott last offseason, extending him with a massive contract and resetting the running back market. It could be hard to justify allowing a mid-round rookie to eat away at your franchise running back’s touches when considering the contract value.
How the two co-exist and are used individually will be a huge storyline in 2020, and for the remainder of their time together.
But, it’s certainly a good problem to have if you’re Skip Peete and the Dallas Cowboys.
