Cowboys News: Minus Elliott, doubting Cowboys remaining RBs is 'insulting'

Alfred Morris: Doubting Cowboys RBs is 'insulting' - Kevin Patra, NFL.com
With Ezekiel Elliott's suspension reinstated, the big question heading into Sunday's tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs is how the Dallas Cowboys will replace their best backfield weapon.

"These questions, I chuckle at them, but at the same time it's very insulting because we're pros," Alfred Morris said, via the team's official website. "Nothing changes at all for me, other than all these cameras in my face."

"A lot of people are thinking that the running game is going to falter because Zeke's not here, but that's not the case," Morris said. "Will we miss him, yeah. But at the same time, the train goes on. We're going to do our job. We're going to show up every day and work hard."

Dak Prescott doesn't see much changing in Ezekiel Elliott's absence- Todd Archer, ESPN
Prescott expects Dallas' other running backs play key roles in the offense.

“Zeke is a great running back, but that offensive line, it’s not changing,” Prescott said. “Those other running backs are great as well. I expect to see a lot of similarities in when Zeke was here vs. when he’s not.”

“The passing game has to be great regardless, if Zeke is here or not,” Prescott said. “That is part of it. You have to be balanced. You have to make the run game hit and hopefully that will open up the pass game. We got to make sure we are making the most of it when those plays are called.”

Minus Elliott, Dallas confident in offense - Drew Davison, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Dallas Cowboys are bracing for a six-game suspension for star running back Ezekiel Elliott. They’ll go with a committee approach, and are confident in the replacements.

Added All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, “Zeke’s a special talent, so obviously it hurts that he’s not here. But you’ve got to look at the guys we have running. These guys are very, very capable and have really thrived in this league and behind us, so we’re looking forward to watching them go.”

Linehan: Morris “Probably” Gets First Chance In Expected RB Committee - Rob Phillips- Dallas Cowboys
With Ezekiel Elliott currently suspended, Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said Alfred Morris "probably" would get the first opportunity.

“I think he’ll probably the get the first shot, yeah,” Linehan said. “I think we’re really kind of not putting ourselves in a position where we’re saying, this guy’s playing this many plays or whatever. But it would be safe to say that he’s going to have a good opportunity to be the guy that gets the first crack at it, but they’re all going to play at some point.”

Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden eager to show they still have it- Todd Archer- ESPN
With Ezekiel Elliott likely to miss the next six games while under suspension, the Cowboys will hand the ball to backs who've carried the load before.

From 2012-14, Morris had three straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Washington Redskins. As a rookie, he ran through the Cowboys defense for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a de facto NFC East championship game in Week 17.

McFadden was once viewed as Elliott is. He was the fourth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2008. Injuries told most of his story in Oakland, but in his third year he ran for 1,157 yards. He wouldn't have another 1,000-yard season until 2015, his first with the Cowboys, when he finished fourth in the league in rushing.

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Scout’s Eye: Yet Another Tough Matchup For La’el Collins; Limiting Tyreek Hill - Bryan Broaddus, Dallas Cowboys
Broaddus takes a close look at La'el Collins.

For the most part, Collins has fared well in his transition from guard to tackle. Ryan Kerrigan broke him down a couple of times last week, which was to be expected, but Collins wasn’t terrible overall.

In studying Houston, I see a similar player to what Collins faced in Kerrigan. Where Houston is different is that I don’t always see a relentless rusher. Both players do have the ability to break down their man. Houston can capture the edge, and once he does, he can really turn the corner.

Whose stock is rising and falling after week eight for the Cowboys? - Michael Sisemore, Blogging The Boys
Cowboys player stocks that are rising and falling after 33-19 win over the Redskins.

He’s been an absolute monster in just three games back from a suspension. It’s been a welcomed sight to have such a ferocious pass rush but Irving having five sacks in three games is incredible. The Cowboys have 25 sacks on the season, making them a Top-5 team in sacks this season.

This team hasn’t ranked in the Top-10 since 2011 and now they may have two pass rushers reach double-digits? It’s a crazy thought but with David Irving and Demarcus Lawrence playing lights out, anything is possible.

Who's really winning, losing in Ezekiel Elliott saga? Let's break it down - David Moore, SportsDay
The Ezekiel Elliott saga has been covered like a race or political campaign. Each development along the meandering legal way has been given its own weight separate from the final destination.

Loser: the NFL

Sure, it appears the commissioner's right to impose punishment is upheld. All that does is make a large portion of fans and players like him less.

But the idea that the league was out to get Elliott, that it somehow wants to atone for being too lax on domestic violence with Ray Rice and others, is ludicrous. Why would the NFL want to tarnish the reputation of one of its brightest young stars?

Not letting Elliott play doesn't just harm the player. It harms the league.

What's wrong with the Dallas Cowboys' wide receivers? - One.Cool.Customer, Blogging The Boys
The Cowboys' wide receivers have not been as effective as they were last year. What's up with that?

If we isolate the wide receiver yards/target across the league through Week 8, those 6.7 yards rank the Cowboys' wide receivers 27th in the league, just one spot ahead of the Giants, who have a dreadful QB throwing to a non-existent WR unit.

To put it quite simply, if the Cowboys can't get the passing game to their wide receivers going, there is no way this team makes the playoffs.

Andy Reid explains why Cowboys, Jerry Jones can blame selves for threat Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt poses - Jori Epstein, SportsDay
The Chiefs' Kareem Hunt and the Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott both arrived in the league to high expectations.

"You'd always heard 'Don't take a running back in the first round,'" Reid said. "I'll tell you what: Jerry (Jones) reached out and did this, and it sure has paid off.

"So I mean it probably adds a little different perspective to that position than what was going on there for the last few years."

Tony Romo draws praise as NFL broadcaster - Stefan Stevenson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has received rave reviews as an NFL analyst for CBS. He returns Sunday to call the Cowboys’ game against the Chiefs. 

“Most people know a quarterback and a coach from what they see in press conferences and the sideline snippets that television shows,” Cowboys legendary play-by-play man Brad Sham said. “That’s almost never who the guy is. So if you knew him, yeah, you knew that was his personality and that’s who he is, but most people didn’t know him. You don’t, you cant.”

source: dallascowboys.com