Behind a dominant offensive line, Ezekiel Elliott presents top challenge for Steelers
PITTSBURGH 无毛视频� The Steelers will face a strenuous task on Sunday in trying to slow down Ezekiel Elliott, the rookie Cowboys running back currently taking the NFL by storm through the first half of the season.
Elliott, the No. 4 overall selection out of Ohio State, can do it all. He无毛视频檚 a strong runner in between the tackles who still has the ability to bounce runs to the outside. He无毛视频檚 a receiving threat out of the backfield, and can pick up linebackers in blitz recognition. As the early comparisons are coming in, some mention Eric Dickerson. Others note Earl Campbell, or Hopewell无毛视频檚 own in Tony Dorsett.
Elliott even has already been mentioned in the same breath as former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, the NFL无毛视频檚 career leader in rushing yards.
无毛视频淗e无毛视频檚 really good,无毛视频� fellow Ohio State product Cam Heyward said. 无毛视频淗e does a lot for that team. He fits their scheme well. I can just remember last year I was cheering him on, but now I get to play him. Looking forward to the challenge.无毛视频�
Elliott leads the league with 891 rushing yards in eight games and is on pace to break Dickerson无毛视频檚 33-year-old rookie rushing record. He无毛视频檚 averaging 5 yards per carry with seven touchdowns, and has caught 16 receptions for an additional 155 yards. Ryan Shazier, who practiced against Elliott while they were teammates at Ohio Sate, sees a more groomed version of Elliott that added detail to talent since entering the NFL.
无毛视频淚 don无毛视频檛 know if anyone is as good as a college freshman as they are a rookie in the NFL, but he was still great,无毛视频� Shazier said. 无毛视频淚 knew he was going to be one of the top backs coming out his freshman year. He无毛视频檚 been learning patience. He无毛视频檚 been learning how to continue to run his feet. He had great coaches on staff at Ohio State. I can definitely see it carrying over.无毛视频�
Elliott without question is a dynamic back, but he无毛视频檚 also running behind arguably the best offensive line in football.
Up front, Dallas features three former first-round picks all under age 25 in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin that already have seven Pro Bowls between them. Rookie guard La无毛视频檈l Collins is a former LSU standout who was projected as a first-round pick before his draft stock fell because of off-field concerns. Collins played solid before a torn ligament put him out 6-10 weeks, but the Cowboys haven无毛视频檛 skipped a beat with back-up Ronald Leary in his place. Right tackle Doug Free is in his seventh year as a starter in the league.
无毛视频淚 think they just stick on blocks,无毛视频� Heyward said. 无毛视频淭hey无毛视频檙e athletic. They move very well, but we look forward to challenges like that as a front seven. This is one of those ones that we circle on the calendar because we know we can control the game.无毛视频�
Heyward is exactly right. If the Steelers are able to somehow slow down Dallas无毛视频� running production and make its offense one-dimensional, it will place added pressure on rookie quarterback Dak Prescott无毛视频檚 shoulders. Prescott has been exceptional for a rookie, albeit he无毛视频檚 also benefited from the fact that Dallas无毛视频� ability to run the ball. But Prescott will be on the road, in Heinz Field nonetheless, which is an environment that is no easy task to succeed in.
Ultimately, the Steelers无毛视频� ability to stop the run this week willl determine how they fare against the NFL无毛视频檚 No. 3 ranked offense. The Steelers无毛视频� run defense was back to regular form a week ago against the Ravens after two consecutive uncharacteristic performances, but the Cowboys无毛视频� running back/offensive line combination is like none other they无毛视频檝e seen this season.
无毛视频淪tay tuned,无毛视频� Mike Tomlin said. 无毛视频淭hey无毛视频檙e a great group. We have our work cut out for us. We无毛视频檙e going to be measured by our ability to minimize that element of the game, but I无毛视频檓 sure everybody who无毛视频檚 played them in the last six or seven weeks has had a similar approach. It无毛视频檚 going to be a challenge.无毛视频�