This is what the Cowboys look like after selecting Ezekiel Elliot with the 4th overall pick last night. In weight training, much emphasis is placed on the importance of balance. You want to devote near equal time to your upper body and lower body to develop strength and stability. Not to mention actually look good. (Not that I’m a picture of fitness, but at least I’m chunky everywhere). When you rattle off the stars on the Dallas Cowboys, it probably goes something like this: Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Tyron Smith, Sean Lee…it takes at least 5 names before you mention a defensive player. Tyrone Crawford, Orlando Scandrick, and Byron Jones are good players who could become more; but are they considered stars? No.
That trend will continue as the Boys preferred the talented running back over a talented defensive back/safety in Jalen Ramsey last night. Ezekiel Elliot is the best RB in this draft, no doubt. He’s a heck of a football player with electric play-making ability. He’s impressive and flashy.
Bulging biceps and ripped delts–beach muscles. The look that catches the eye of everyone who walks by. And if you put that much effort into your body, you want people to notice. But the Cowboys already have a dependable running game. With that O-Line, McFadden, and Morris, you could already tell they “work out.” Now, they’re all swoll up top and scrawny in the legs.
Since the Boys are hoping their personnel decisions get them to the Superbowl, let’s take a look at the teams that made it there the last 5 years.
2012- Giants v. Patriots
2013- Ravens v. Niners
2014- Broncos v. Seahawks
2015- Patriots v. Seahawks
2016- Broncos v. Panthers
Now let’s rattle off some of their stars (winners in bold):
2012- Eli, Cruz, Osi, Tuck v. Brady, Welker, Gronk, Wilfork
2013- Lewis, Flacco, Reed, Rice v. Kaep, Gore, Bowman, Aldon Smith
2014- Peyton, Demaryius, Bailey, Moreno v. Sherman, Chancellor, Wilson, Lynch
2015- Brady, Gronk, Wilfork, Revis v. Sherman, Chancellor, Wilson, Lynch
2016- Miller, Peyton, Demaryius, Talib v. Cam, Kuechly, Norman, Olson
Is it split 50-50? Not quite, but almost. Interestingly enough, the winners have an even split. I understand that this is an arbitrary list of stars; but I think it’s pretty close to what most people would name, and it illustrates my point. You must have a balance.
Leg day is hard. It takes more energy, oxygen, and blood-flow than arms day. It hurts more the next morning. The results aren’t as noticeable; but a solid base is key to strength and fitness. There’s a reason they say “defense wins championships”–defense is the base of a winning team. The Cowboys are celebrating, carrying a crate of cold ones and mixers to the after-draft party, biceps and pecks rippling. But when you look at the larger picture, it’s actually kind of sad. And they’re not winning any awards with that look.
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