Cowboys RB Tony Pollard ‘fine’ with tag: I’m ready to ‘focus on the main thing and just stick to winning’

dallas cowboys ezekiel elliott tony pollard

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard

Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys might want to trademark his latest catchphrase before someone else does.

According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Pollard said he would haul it if the Cowboys called him.

The team’s new star back is expected to be unhindered as the team’s lead runner, despite suffering a broken leg last year during the playoffs. Pollard said his recovery has gone well, and he is ready for the heavy lifting that comes with the job.

No matter what they throw at me, I can handle it,” Pollard said. “I’m ready to go. Whatever they throw at me, I’m going to make the most of it.”

Pollard has never been a bell-cow back in the NFL, at least not for a full season. The injury isn’t the only factor to take into account. Last season, Pollard averaged nearly 18 touches per game between Weeks 7 and 15, but was injured in Week 16 and missed the rest of the season.

Since the Cowboys franchise tagged Pollard this offseason, he wasted no time signing his one-year tender offer of $10.091 million for the 2023 season after the franchise tagged him this offseason. In 2024, Pollard will become a free agent again after the team and Pollard failed to reach an agreement by the deadline of July 17.

Pollard said he is “fine” with making only $10 million this season, despite running backs across the league bemoaning the lack of a robust open market.

I signed the tag, I’m here in camp. I’m just ready to focus on the main thing and just win.” he said.

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‘Good luck’ to Tony Pollard, Cowboys RBs via text message from Ezekiel Elliott

Tony Pollard received a text message from a familiar number before Wednesday’s first practice of training camp.

In 2023, he will replace his former teammate, Ezekiel Elliott, as the Cowboys’ lead running back.

“Just letting the running backs know that we will take care of everything,” Pollard said. “It means a lot to him that despite his situation, he still checks in on us and makes sure we’re doing well.”

As training camps begin, Elliott remains a free agent, although he has worked out either with his personal running backs coach, Josh Hicks, or former teammates at Dak Prescott’s backyard field.

I know it’s frustrating for him [not being in a camp], especially with the way things are going now, but I know he’s tough mentally and physically,” Pollard said.

He will be cautiously worked in early in camp as a precaution following surgery to repair a high-ankle sprain suffered in the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

“Right now, I feel pretty good and healthy,” Pollard said. “I’m just being smart with the trainers, not pushing them too much. Just trying to ease back into things and go from there.”

As for Pollard, he had his own contract issue, as the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on him in March. However, the sides were unable to reach a deal before the July 17 deadline.

Pollard will earn $10.091 million on the tag this season after earning $3.65 million in his first four seasons.

Despite the fact that everybody wants a deal done, Pollard said that it was a progress for him. “So that’s how I’m looking at it right now.”

In order to increase their value when it comes to long-term contracts, Pollard did not attend the weekend videoconference featuring some of the NFL’s top running backs.

At this point, I’m here where my feet are. I’m at camp. So I’m ready to go. I can’t speak for everyone, but the situation is as it is. “You get tagged, you can’t work it out in time, then it’s no point just keeping bringing it up.” Pollard said.

What is the value of running backs?

“It’s very valuable,” he said. “We can run the ball, pound the ball, catch out of the backfield, and block, so it’s a combination of a lot of different positions.”

After holding out of training camp and preseason in 2019, Elliott eventually signed a five-year, $90 million deal that included $50 million in guaranteed money. However, injuries led to a drop in production from 2020 to ’22.

This summer, Pollard is leading the running back drills like Elliott used to lead them last season. He rushed for 1,007 yards on 193 carries and caught 39 passes for 371 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“It’s definitely different without him out here with all his energy,” Pollard said. “It reminds me a lot of my rookie year, the holdout, when I was here pretty much the whole camp.”

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