Dallas Cowboys: RB coach speaks about Zeke's off season work

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Ezekiel Elliott had the worst statistical season of his career since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. He had career lows with 979 yards and six rushing touchdowns and also tied a career-high with six fumbles. He dealt with COVID and a calf injury, which could have played role in his performance. Nonetheless, he didn’t play up to his standards.

The two-time rushing champ has worked diligently this offseason to bounce back from the first down season of his career. It hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates. Dak Prescott, who’s returning from injury, has stated that Elliott is in the best shape of his life. Elliott’s backup, Tony Pollard, said the former first-round pick is “locked-in” going into his sixth NFL campaign.

Running backs guru Josh Hicks has been working with Elliott during the offseason putting him through drills that work on speed and quickness as well as balance while carrying the football. He recently echoed the sentiments of Prescott and Pollard about what Elliott has done to prepare for the 2021 season.

“Zeke’s in good shape,” Hicks told The Athletic. “I agree with Dak. I agree with Tony. I was on the outside looking in. They’ve been with this man three, four years. They see him way more than I see him. They’ve seen him work in practice and they’ve seen him work in the offseason.

“I don’t think Zeke has ever worked like this in the offseason. I could be mistaken. But me, personally, when it comes to my drills and what I do and how I do it, I know he hasn’t worked like this.”

One of the most important attributes for a running back is to have quick feet and to keep them moving while running with the football. Hicks mentioned that was something Elliott had to work on once they started training.

“When I first got him, to me, Zeke’s feet seemed a bit heavy,” Hicks said. “They were coming up and off the ground, but not as quick as we needed them to be.”

The workouts that Hicks has put Elliott through have certainly paid off. He recently sent Elliott a text message that contained multiple videos. One was from a drill Elliott did three months ago and the other was of him doing the same drill a few months later. According to Hicks, the improvement was clear.

“He was way quicker, way more elusive, more fluent,” Hicks said. “I know he’s getting better.”

And We Back 😤 @EzekielElliott pic.twitter.com/1dxpfKHxCM

— J.Hicks (@3hunnidGuru) June 15, 2021

This Is It Til The Season Start ✌🏾 @EzekielElliott pic.twitter.com/4UFoICOR2y

— J.Hicks (@3hunnidGuru) June 24, 2021

Elliott is getting back something every running back needs to be successful, a healthy offensive line. Tyron Smith missed 14 games with a neck issue, Zack Martin missed six games with a concussion and a calf strain, and La’el Collins missed the entire season after having hip surgery. With these three guys on the field for a full season, there’s little doubt that Elliott can get back to being one of the most productive running backs in the NFL.

Although Elliott is focused on regaining his reputation as one of if not the best running back in the league, Hicks doesn’t want to put too much on his plate leading up to training camp. The Dallas Cowboys don’t report to Oxnard, California until July 20, and Hicks recently told Elliott that he doesn’t want to see him more than twice a week during this brief break.

“It’s good to get in your work,” Hicks said, “but I don’t want you to overwork yourself, and then during the season by Week 8, you’re burned out.”

The 2021 season is the most important of Elliott’s career. It’s not just because the Dallas Cowboys need him to be effective if they are to make it back to the playoffs for the first time in three years, but Elliott’s ability and commitment to the game of football has been questioned, which is a bit surprising after only one bad season in five years.

All the motivation is there for Elliott and it will be intriguing to see how he performs this season, and I anticipate he will get back to his old ways.