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Amid an Ezekiel Elliott contractual dispute, the Dallas Cowboys are testing out other running backs during training camp. One, in particular, is Dak Prescott's “most exciting players, to me, of this training camp,” via USA Today's Jori Epstein. That player; rookie Tony Pollard.
Epstein caught up with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, as he gave high praise for his rookie back;
Pollard really showed the ability to plant quick, plant his feet and his quick feet. He is obviously about as smooth an athlete and certainly a running back. You saw the flexibility.
If he continues to get better and better and better, which he’s got to, I think you are going to see a guy who plays early for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys selected Pollard in the fourth-round. A big-bodied running back (6-foot, 210-pounds), the former Memphis Tiger recorded a 4.52 40-time, 35-inch vertical, and 121-inch broad jump at the combine. In college, he was one of the best kick returners in the nation, taking seven to the house in three seasons.
Playing behind Darrell Henderson, Pollard's scrimmage production is limited. He ran for 941 yards and nine touchdowns on a 6.8 average over three seasons. Pollard saw his most productivity come via the air; as he caught 104 passes for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns in the same span.
All Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett sees is a football player, as he told Epstein,
Coming out of school, he just was a football player. You saw it on tape, you saw him run inside, you saw him run outside, you saw him return kicks. He did a lot of different things.
It's unclear where Pollard fits in an offense with Elliott on it. But, considering the kind words from his teammates, coaching staff, and team owner, he likely won't be riding the pine.
