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The rookies will have to wait, as offensive midfielder Ezekiel Elliott has finally ended his long career with the Dallas Cowboys and Eli Manning is still the quarterback of the New York Giants.
Elliott signed a six-year, $ 90 million extension just in time for the Giants' home opener, who will send Manning to the starting position for the 15th straight season after the controversial decision to draft Daniel Jones, sixth overall.
During Elliott's absence that covered the entire training camp and pre-season, rookie Tony Pollard was impressive enough that the Cowboys could decide that it was their second best return. Now, the fourth-seeded Memphis will fill the role that Dallas has been hoping for from all time: replace the two-time NFL running champion.
"We are all so expert that we can understand what Zeke means and how we are built to compete for the main goal we have achieved," said owner Jerry Jones about the defending champions of the NFC East, who will try to overtake the divisional round. playoffs for the first time in almost 25 years. "It's an important contract for us."
It remains to be seen whether the 16th season of Manning's club record will be similar to the first, when he replaced Kurt Warner after nine games and started every game except one for 14 seasons. Jones, widely criticized after the Giants' surprise pick, earned the NFL's best pre-season passer (137.3).
But Manning is still the guy 10 years after winning the first regular-season game at the Cowboys, and supposedly leaving his signature on the wall, noting the score (33-31) and the fact that he's out there. 39, was the first match. in the $ 1.2 billion showplace.
"They mean a little more because we always seem to be playing the first game of the season, it's still important because it's the first one," said Manning, double Super Bowl winner against Dallas . the sixth time in eight seasons. "There are a lot of special memories playing the Cowboys."
Here are some of the stories with the Cowboys looking for a fifth consecutive victory against the Giants, which would be the fifth series at least as long for a series scheduled for its 115th meeting:
SURPRISING OFFENSE
Nobody expected much at the New York attack this season with the Odell Beckham Jr. trade in Cleveland. New York moved the ball well in pre-season with Manning playing a few streaks, half-tight Evan Engram playing one and dynamic half-back Saquon Barkley and best receiver Sterling Shepard none. All are ready for the season.
New York's nine assists in preseason were a league record, with points (119), passing yards (305.5) and total offense (393). Does it postpone? Veteran Golden Tate III is suspended for the first four games for breaking the performance improvement policy.
NEXT STEP FOR DAK?
The only New England star, Tom Brady (35) has recorded more wins in the regular season than Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott (32) since the 2016 NFL offensive rookie entered the league. He has fellow freshman star Elliott and has just finished his first season with receiver Amari Cooper, a mid-season commercial acquisition last year. Prescott won his first playoff victory last season after a second NFC East title in three seasons, all with Elliott. Now, the Cowboys want more.
"I do not think these hopes or anything changed during his absence," Prescott said. "We were all pretty faithful to the idea that it was going to happen.Now that he's back here, you put all the pieces in place, work a little bit more, getting the quality reps we've got need."
MAGICAL NUMBER: 16
Jason Witten will set the same club record when they are on the field: 16 seasons with their respective teams.
Witten missed the difference last season, giving the broadcast a one year try before retiring.
"I feel better with this decision today than when I did it in March," Witten said. "The reason is that I know I'm ready."
DEFENSIVE QUESTIONS
The Giants struggled to put pressure on the quarterbacks and stop the race last season. The defensive against the race should be better with Dexter Lawrence II in the first round in the middle of 3-4. Linebackers Tae Davis, Lorenzo Carter and Markus Golden are the key to the race. The first draft pick, DeAndre Baker and veteran Janoris Jenkins, are good half-corners.
The Cowboys have a defense with several young emerging stars, but with four starters who have barely practiced the pre-season. DeMarcus Lawrence was returning from an operation on the shoulder, while his defensive rivals, Tyrone Crawford and Byron Jones, were struggling with hip problems. Linebacker Sean Lee has a knee injury at the beginning of the camp.
BAD MEMORIES
Giants center Jon Halapio will play for the first time in a regular season game on the same court where he fractured his right leg and right ankle against Dallas on September 20th. He is not afraid to return to the AT & T stadium.
"I'm excited more than anything," he said. "I can not wait to go out and play again."
Copyright Associated Press
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