FRISCO, Texas — For all of the concerns outside of the building regarding the decision to reunite with Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, there was plenty of optimism within the confines of the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters that the former two-time NFL rushing champ still had/has plenty of tread left on his tires.
He proved the Cowboys' correct in his reunion debut against the Cleveland Browns, and though his numbers from that outing won't floor you, the film surely will. From the hurdled defender to start the game to the short yardage touchdown to catching the ball out of the backfield to, very importantly, his rabid willingness to protect Dak Prescott — Elliott cooked.
"Absolutely he did, and that's [also] because of his pass protection," owner and general manager told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. "That was one of the reasons Dak was able to be as effective as he was — was Zeke's protection. It was outstanding. It was meaningful.
"Those guys were formidable coming off of the front competing. Zeke did an amazing job. He graded out in that area as well as anybody we've ever had."
The offense slowed a bit in the second half of their still-convincing 33-17 victory, but Elliott finished averaging 4 yards per carry and had plenty of bounce in his step, including after the game as he literally skipped past teammates en route to the locker room.
It's as if he's rejuvenated with the Cowboys uniform again draped over his shoulders.
"It felt good to be back out there with the Star on my helmet," said two-time All-Pro. "Great team win. Wish the offense could have finished stronger at the end, but it's always great to get that first away win and let's keep building on that."
" … I think we ran the ball solid today. I think there are some things we can work on, but I think it's good stuff. Definitely ready to go."
'Tis a long season though, and few no that better than Elliott, who was once the bell cow of this offense and, as such, was on the field for a total of 5,302 snaps through his first seven seasons with the team — adding another 558 snaps to that total in his 2023 season with the New England Patriots.
"I mean it is week one, so I mean definitely fresh, but just got to continue to build on that and take care of my body and we want to be feeling good in December and January," said Elliott.
What will help Elliott and the running backs room as a whole will be upgraded play on the offensive line, and that's saying a lot when considering the Cowboys had two rookies as starters entering the season — namely first-round pick Tyler Guyton and third-round pick Cooper Beebe — both of whom played well against one of the most dominant defensive fronts in the NFL.
"Very talented front and for us, we had two rookie starters today," said Elliott of Guyton and Beebe. "I think those guys played their tails off. They competed. I think we had a great plan and we went out and executed."
As for his first touchdown back, one that led Prescott to run up and hug him in the end zone before being caught on a hot mic saying, 'Dude, I f*cking love you"?
It's safe to say Elliott had to fight back some tears.
"Oh, it definitely felt great scoring that touchdown," he said. "Had a bunch of emotions, kind of had to lay there and soak it all in, but just glad to be back."
Feel free to insert the infamous John Wick quote here.
