DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - In a series of tweets Thursday morning, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott called out some members of the media for their criticism of his play.
Elliott started off by giving credit to other great running backs in the league but doesn't understand why they get talked up at his expense.
"There are a lot of great backs in this league but I don't understand why the media has to talk down on my game just to uplift other backs. We all are talented football players and can ball," he said. "Check the stats. Since I entered this league I have dominated year in, year out. Put some RESPECT on my name."
There are a lot of great backs in this league but I don't understand why the media has to talk down on my game just to uplift other backs. We all are talented football players and can ball.
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) July 16, 2020When checking those stats you'll see that Elliott isn't wrong. Since coming into the NFL, the Ohio State product has run for over 1,000 yards in three out of his four seasons in the NFL, and would have done it a fourth time had he not been suspended for several games in 2017. During those three 1,000 yards plus seasons, Elliott led the league in rushing yards per game.
"Women lie. Men lie. The stats don't. Go do your homework. Almost 1800 scrimmage yards and 14 TD's with no training camp and now im not the same back," Elliott continued. "I do appreciate the standard you guys hold me to though lol. But I promise you no one holds me to a higher standard than myself."
Just last season, the Cowboys back rushed for 1,357 yards on 301 carries (4.5 YPC) and scored 12 touchdowns. He also had 420 yards receiving and two scores.
This isn't the first time Elliott has had to defend his play this offseason, as one anonymous NFL offensive coach said he's not currently a top-10 running back in the league.
"Whoever that is, is faded lol," Elliott said in response to that coach's opinion.
Elliott will once again get the bulk of the work next season, this time under new coach Mike McCarthy. Second-year back Tony Pollard will likely mix in more than he did in his rookie season but it won't prevent Elliott from putting up numbers similar to the ones he had last season.
