Cowboys Legend Tony Dorsett Wants Ezekiel Elliott to Stay, Keep Doing 'What You Love'

Dallas Cowboys rushing legend Tony Dorsett offered his thoughts on the current crop while promoting a new documentary at the Super Bowl site.

So illustrious is the history of Dallas Cowboys rushing that Tony Dorsett's 12,036 yards gained over an 11-year term in Irving are still more than 5,000 away from getting anywhere near all-time leader Emmitt Smith. 

Needless to say, modern rushers Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have lofty stands to live up to, but the North Texas tandem has done well in that regard. The pairing, however, is on the verge of a breakup with Pollard set to hit free agency for the first time and Elliott's contract makes it more affordable for the Cowboys to let him go rather than keep him on board for an eighth season. 

Partaking in the Super Bowl LVII lead-up in Glendale, Dorsett appeared on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) to discuss the current state of the Cowboys' ground game, the tandem attack starkly contrasting his own playing days where one rusher would rule the offensive day. While Dorsett's fellow legendary Texas rusher and on-air guest Earl Campbell expressed a desire to be the one and only name, he feels like the sense of healthy competition can help an offense flourish.

"That keeps you at the top of your game," Dorsett said on The K&C Masterpiece on Radio Row in Glendale. "You've got a guy that can step in, and can take your position, take your place, you're always ready to go. You're ready to go and you've got to play at a high level. That's part of competition. When you've got good competition it keeps you at the top of your game."

Dorsett knows how well a strong tandem can work in Dallas: though their skillsets were widely different, he himself paired well with fullback Robert Newhouse, who ranks sixth in Dallas rushing history at 4,784.

Even with starting quarterback Dak Prescott missing a few games, the efforts of Elliott and Pollard helped the Dallas offense keep pace in the early going and the team eventually earned a dozen victories for the second consecutive season though disappointment awaited in the NFC Divisional round against San Francisco. Pollard, having earned a career-best 1,007 yards during the regular season, was injured in that game, which forced Elliott into extended opportunities. Elliott earned 876 yards a dozen scores this year but ran for a personal worst 3.8 per carry this time around. 

Despite all that, Dorsett would love to see Elliott back in a starred helmet next season, though he understands and appreciates the difficult decision that awaits Cowboy management.

"I would like to see Zeke continue to play but I understand the owner’s position and all that stuff too,” Dorsett told The Dallas Morning News. “Where else can you make that much money doing something that you love and you like and be happy? I understand you want what you want ...”

Dorsett and Campbell were making rounds on Radio Row to promote "The Perfect 10," a Fox Sports documentary centered upon the 10 players to win both the Heisman Trophy and entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That group includes Dorsett's aerial Dallas teammate Roger Staubach. It will premiere on Saturday evening, the night before Super Bowl LVII (7 p.m. CT, Fox). Encore airings will be staged on Fox Sports 1. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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