Cowboys 'Secret' to RB Tony Pollard Success: 'Sound the Alarm!'

"Tony Pollard is a great leader," says Tyler Smith of the Cowboys. "His work ethic is insane ... Obviously he's one of the most explosive guys in the league but there is a work ethic that goes on behind that."

FRISCO -  As a rookie drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, Tyler Smith wanted to put his best foot forward with the Dallas Cowboys. He set his alarm clock early and headed into The Star as the birds were waking up for his first-ever NFL offseason program. 

Smith smiles as he remembers walking into the Cowboys practice facility to see running back Tony Pollard already in the weight room, beating the rookies to the punch. 

"TP is a great leader," said Smith, whose locker is right next to Pollard. "He leads through his actions, and his work ethic is insane ... Obviously he's one of the most explosive guys in the league but there is a work ethic that goes on behind that."

Smith's assessment about Pollard's explosiveness is correct. Last season, Pollard ranked as the fifth most explosive ball-carriers in the league, according to Next Gen Stats. The score takes into account Pollard's top speed, average speed, number of big plays and the like. The former fourth-round draft pick edged out Dalvin Cook, Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb. 

That fact, by the way, might justify the apparent Cowboys' belief that they don't need to chase Dalvin ... because in Pollard they employ their own version of greatness.

This season will be different for Pollard, who has shared reps with Ezekiel Elliott since 2019. Zeke is now a free agent and Pollard is coming off of a broken leg/high-ankle sprain suffered during Dallas' Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January. Pollard expects to be fully cleared for the start of training camp at the end of July.

“I’m a little bit ahead of schedule,'' said Pollard, noting that he has been running and cutting at full speed. "I’m not really limited at this point, it’s just being smart with it.”

"Honestly, I feel faster!'' he said. "I feel like I've got a lot of juice in me."

Pollard has the attention and respect of coach Mike McCarthy, who described his No. 1 running back's leadership style as "commanding." McCarthy also compared Pollard to a classic commercial slogan that I admittedly had to google search to understand. 

"When EF Hutton talks, people listen," goes the catchy slogan, originally aired in the 1970's. In short, the advertisement depicts how the bustling world would fall silent (joggers would halt in mid-stride, dinner guests stop mid-bite) to harken any advice from the brokerage firm EF Hutton. 

McCarthy's reference rings true, exemplified in the case of backup running back Malik Davis. Davis appreciates that Pollard will pull him to the side at practice to give him tips or if he notices that his strides are wider than they should be. The biggest lesson he's learned from Pollard?

"How to have a short memory," said Davis. "Coming in as a rookie, I beat myself up a lot if I make a mistake. He taught me how to embrace the next play."

Pollard is embracing the next season ... Or as coach McCarthy would say, "Tony's frankly champing at the bit to get out there physically."

Last season, the Memphis native finished with 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, and 371 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He led all rushing backs with 16.1 percent of his attempts going for 10 or more yards. 

Although there will be changes this season for Pollard, one thing hasn't changed ... Now in his second season, Smith is still rushing to try to beat Pollard to practice. The offensive lineman says they "tie" often.

"I have no doubt in my mind he's going to have a great year," said Smith. "We are going to make sure he does."

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