Cowboys' New No. 1 RB Tony Pollard on Dallas at Giants: 'The Time is Now!'
FRISCO - A bit earlier in his career, Tony Pollard coined a phrase, saying, "If they call it, I'm-a haul it.'' As his Dallas Cowboys enter the 2023 NFL season, this time around, there is a difference. ... There is no "if.''
"I've been ready for this moment," said Pollard, for the first time in his fine career the clear lead running back. "The time is now."
Pollard, 26, enters this season making $10 million under the franchise tag, with no promise for the future as he's on a one-year deal ... but also with no shadows from the past, when he was first the backup to two-time NFL rushing champ Ezekiel Elliott, and then last season a sort of "RB1.B'' to Zeke.
That's changed now, of course, as coach Mike McCarthy points out, saying, “Our room is different, being 'Captain Obvious' here. Tony is the lead guy, and we’ve got some young guys we’re excited about. …This is the first year that we’re different in the running back room.”
And Pollard, fully recovered from having suffering a season-ending fractured ankle in the January playoff loss at San Francisco, is both respectful of his friend Elliott (who now plays for the Patriots after having been an offseason Dallas cut) and fired up about the "difference'' - and the opportunity that begins to reveal itself on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.
"I'm very excited,'' said Pollard, who even last year while sharing the load used his electric talents to rush for over 1,000 yards and qualify for his first Pro Bowl. "I'm ready for the challenge, to be the lead back and show what I can do. ... A lot of opportunities, a lot of touches and a lot of involvement in the game.''
There are some wildcards here. The Giants defense is blitz-happy. Dak Prescott being pressured into interceptions simply cannot happen. The Pollard-led running backs room includes a trio of youngsters (Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke) who all also might have roles.
But the Dallas Cowboys' backfield is mostly Tony Pollard's stage. ... and New York is a fine place to debut a one-man show.
"I'm ready to make an impact. I'm good,'' Pollard said. "Physically, mentally and emotionally, I'm good and ready to go."
