Cowboys Fans All Saying The Same Thing About Jerry on Zeke

DALLAS - As his 3-2 Dallas Cowboys prepare to play host to the 3-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon here at AT&T Stadium, Jerry Jones is celebrating his 82nd birthday and also celebrating the "secret value'' of Ezekiel Elliott.

What's the "secret''? Only Jones knows for sure, as Cowboys Nation is scoffing at the owner's claim that the reason Zeke has been reduced to a deep backup role behind Rico Dowdle is because Dallas is "saving'' the fading former two-time NFL rushing champion.

The Cowboys have struggled this season on the ground, and a big reason for that is a lack of a running game. The Cowboys currently average 3.5 yards per carry, which is good for No. 31 overall - and that's after Rico Dowdle's 87-yard breakout effort in last week's win at Pittsburgh.

The trickle-down of no run game? Dak Prescott is being asked to throw 38.2 passes per game - a non-winning formula.

Elliott views himself as part of the solution, which is why he was granted a meeting with coaches this week to seek clarification of his role - and to ask for a greater one.

Said Elliott: “It’s definitely a little different but keep your head down. I just focus on being a good teammate. I’ve been focusing on continuing to help lead this team and I’m not making it about me, it’s about this football team (winning) football games.”

There has been a media rush to defend Elliott against charges of selfishness, and that's lovely. But Jones has gone a step beyond that, as on 1053thefan on Friday he offered up a nonsensical explanation.

“We’re saving him,'' Jerry said. "And we should be.”

And as a result, many Cowboys fans are now saying the same thing in response. ... being respectful of "dumbfounded'' Zeke while also recognizing a passing of the baton here.

The Lions’ defense is in the bottom third of the league at stopping the run. Dowdle figures as the running back who will get the majority of the carries starting this week.

But if Elliott is a weapon? Why "save him''? For what? For when?

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Both of these teams have playoff aspirations, and as it looks right now, their divisions are being ruled by other teams. The both need a win to keep pace in the competitive NFC. Kick off is at 3:25 p.m. CT from here at AT&T Stadium in Arlington ... and if Jerry Jones thinks Ezekiel Elliott is some sort of "secret weapon'' who can lead Dallas to victory? The Cowboys ought to roll him out there, and pronto.