Having no Zeke may answer debate of Dak vs. Romo

LOS ANGELES—Hall of Famer Jerry Jones has yet to comment on his latest suspended player, a practice this team should have nailed down given its vast experience.

For most NFL teams a player suspension is a momentous event; for the Cowboys, it’s a Tuesday.

The news that running back Ezekiel Elliott will be suspended for the first six games of the season caught Jones so off guard he was speechless.

Actually, that’s mathematically impossible. Jones is never without words, and God love him for it. He’s just choosing to avoid the topic right now.

Before the Cowboys’ second fake game of the season, team VP Stephen Jones told Cowboys’ flagship radio station 105.3 The Fan, “At the end of the day we certainly support Zeke. At the same time we understand the very, very, very serious nature of domestic violence, certainly that people should be held accountable if that takes place.”

FYI: If Zeke did all of the things the NFL alleges, missing six games is a cup of free coffee; he should be suspended for the season. At least.

While Zeke fights his suspension, the Cowboys are not preparing for him to win an appeal. That is the wise move.

NFL Police Commissioner Goodell was (stupidly) handed this absolute power by the NFL Player’s Association, and a mandate by the owners when he was hired, to be tough on crime. It does not matter if it’s fair or not. These are the consequences and that’s going to affect his teammates, specifically quarterback Dak Prescott.

All of the Tony Romo-loving, Dak-doubting fans will have their chance to see if Dak is Tony’s equivalent when there isn’t as much talent around to support him.

A word to the wise: Don’t bet against Dak.

Beginning in Week 1 we will immediately see if Dak can do some of the things Romo made look so easy, most notably turning a role player into a good one.

To start his NFL career Dak had the benefit of Zeke, the best offensive line in the NFL, an All-Pro wide receiver in

Dez Bryant, a potential Hall of Fame tight end in Jason Witten, two additional competent receivers, and Pro Bowl specialists, too.

Unless by some miracle 29-year-old veteran backup Darren McFadden is a decent facsimile of Zeke, which he’s not, Dak might well have to carry this offense in a way he never did as a rookie.

It was the one part of the Romo vs. Dak debate that never had any evidence in 2016. We never knew how well Dak could do if the Cowboys could not run.