Patriots
Not wanting ahead to watching him run towards us, that’s for positive.”
Regardless of a dip in manufacturing in the course of the 2022 season, Ezekiel Elliott’s former head coach in Dallas believes the 28-year-old operating again has discovered a superb touchdown spot with the Patriots.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who oversaw Elliott throughout his ultimate three seasons in Dallas, thinks that the previous franchise again will slot in effectively with Invoice Belichick and Invoice O’Brien’s gameplan in Foxborough.
“He’ll do nice up there,” McCarthy stated of Elliott whereas talking with reporters on Tuesday. “Play-style alone, I feel he’s a extremely good match for a way they wish to play … “Not wanting ahead to watching him run towards us, that’s for positive.”
Elliott’s versatility ought to come in useful for a Patriots group in want of extra reinforcements behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the depth chart.
Together with easing Stevenson’s heavy workload, Elliott continues to be an efficient participant throughout short-yardage conditions. Of his 12 dashing touchdowns final season, seven got here from the 1-yard line.
The previous All-Professional again ought to assist raise New England’s Thirty second-ranked red-zone offense because of his knack for barreling by means of our bodies of defensive linemen and linebackers close to the purpose line.
With pass-catching operating again Ty Montgomery nonetheless sidelined as a consequence of harm, Elliott may additionally develop right into a dependable receiving risk for Mac Jones. Regardless of reeling in simply 17 catches final season, Elliott averaged 57.5 catches per season from 2018-21.
Elliott’s popularity as one of many higher pass-blocking operating backs within the NFL may even probably come in useful given the state of New England’s offensive line.
McCarthy is way from the one workers member in Dallas who believes Elliott can nonetheless be an affect participant in New England.
NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero stated on Tuesday morning that he acquired a textual content from a Cowboys workers member who additionally spoke extremely of Elliott’s match with the Patriots.
“New England desires to play a bodily model of soccer,” Peliserro stated. “They will use Zeke in move safety in addition to in goal-line conditions. He’s the clear No. 2 behind Rhamondre Stevenson, however a superb slot in New England.”
Former Patriots operating again James White additionally believes that Elliott’s addition makes loads of sense for what Belichick often values within the trenches.
“These are huge, highly effective, robust, quick guys and that’s what you need in a operating again,” White stated of Elliott and Stevenson throughout an interview with Sirius XM on Tuesday morning. “I do know Invoice Belichick has talked about a number of the greatest backs within the league and I do know he’s a giant fan of Zeke. At any time when we might compete towards these guys, he would speak about how a lot he wished to have him on the roster.”
Elliott has not formally signed his contract with the Patriots, however the expectation is that the three-time Professional Bowler will take part in New England’s joint practices with the Packers this week.
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