2019 Miami Dolphins

[Don Wassall]

Zenner could be a very solid all-around three-down back, which is rare in itself these days. Dalvin Cook has stayed pretty healthy this season for the first time, but signing with Minnesota was still far and away the right move for Zenner to have made last offseason. Not sure what they offered him but it was likely a multi-year deal. Even though Cook has stayed healthy and played very well, the back they drafted in lieu of signing Zenner, Alexander Mattison, still has 462 yards rushing so far this season. Looking back, Zach's failure to sign with the Vikings out of misplaced loyalty to the team that had screwed him over time and again was likely the final nail in the coffin as far as having any chance at a decent NFL career.

 

[white is right]

I don't disagree with anything you wrote above, WIR. However, Zach seems to have an insatiable love for the game of football. He could've retired after the back issues he had in 2018 and all the DWF's would've said he made the right choice, considering his career options. Instead, he gutted it out, lifted weights like a madman and had a strong second half of of the '18 season. So much so that Minnesota really wanted him and he could play with his best friend (in the NFL) Adam Thielen, in the state both were born and raised. He made the wrong choice returning to Detroit. Fearing injuries or wear-and-tear on his body or brain, Zach could've retired this fall when Fatt Matt screwed him over, yet every week he was seemingly in one or two cities "working-out" for a NFL team. He tried out for at least 7 teams we know of?

He could probably make more money going to the CFL. But if he did that, he couldn't jump back to the NFL right away, could he? He'd have to stay in Canada for at least one season, perhaps two? And CFL seasons are more like 6 months, considering pre-season and workouts.

I'm not talking money. I'm talking Zach's love of the game and desire to play in the NFL again. XFL is just a 10 week season -- basically just three months. ZZ could go there, play real well and get some confidence in hopes of impressing NFL teams and returning. Again, I'm talking about his desire to get back to where he was the final day of 2018 season, when he nearly ran for 100 yards @ Green Bay. During and after that Green Bay game, Zach looked like a ten year old that got every toy he wanted on Christmas Day. It's well documented that Zach has amazing career options outside of football. But he works just as hard (or much harder) attempting to get back to the NFL than a functionally illiterate athlete who has almost zero future off the field.

Plus as much as Zach loves the game, why wouldn't he want to post 100 yard games in a league where every game is televised nationally on ABC, Fox and ESPN? If Zach really wants to play in the NFL, a three month stint in the new league could really help.

You are right his brother who probably wasn't going to be above an arena level player(which is about AA baseball) quit the game while in college. Nate Eachus who was given the bum steer by Fat Bastard retired and then launched a comeback in a league below even the Arena League so that would be A ball or an independent league and Eachus attended an Ivy League school so you would think he has the ability to do something positive in his life beyond football.

Supposedly Eachus got the itch to play again while coaching that level of football.