Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott has strong debut
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s preseason debut was about as good as Cowboys fans could have wanted or expected…
If you’re a Dallas Cowboys fan, you’ve got to be excited about the young backfield that was drafted in 2016, including prized pick Ezekiel Elliott out of Ohio State.
Elliott’s preseason debut has been one of the more anticipated in the NFL, and we finally got to see him in an NFL game situation against the Seattle Seahawks on the road.
He did not disappoint…
So how'd he do?
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2016
Every run from @EzekielElliott's NFL debut! 👇 #DALvsSEA https://t.co/34vLA0RJvP
Elliott finished the game with seven carries for 48 yards, and perhaps the most impressive aspect of that high light reel is the way Elliott gets to the second and third level and just flat out puts his shoulder into the chest of Kam Chancellor…TWICE!
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Chancellor is one of the most physical safeties in the NFL and Elliott certainly didn’t shy away from any contact. I will just say, I think Elliott wins both of the one-on-one battles here. Chancellor commented after the game on his surprise at Elliott’s physicality:
“I was, because there was no film on him, so I didn’t know if he was going to juke or whatnot, so I was a little surprised, but not the second time,” Chancellor said, via ESPN. “The second time, you know I’m bringing that wood. I was a little surprised the first time, but he’s got a lot of courage for that. I’ll give it to him. But if it was a full game, it would have been a bloodbath.
“He lowered his shoulder the first time, and I commend him for that. But I was just out there having fun. I was just taking on the challenge. I love a challenge. I love a good fight.”
After this kind of gutsy running, it’s clear that the Cowboys have reason to be excited about their first round pick. Of course, we all already knew that, but this solidifies the fact that Elliott was the right pick for Dallas and is a player who is going to excel behind one of the best lines in the NFL.