The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott is much more than just a quarterback

By Cameron Caldwell

Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dak Presott is not just the quarterback of America’s Team. He is evidence that the Dallas Cowboys are finally heading in the right direction.

Dak Prescott is more than just the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. The fourth round selection is proof that this legendary franchise is moving in the right direction.

This genesis of change in Dallas really all started with the first round selections of the Cowboys Pro Bowl offensive lineman in the past few years. Players like tackle Tyron Smith (2011), center Travis Frederick (2013) and guard Zack Martin (2014) form the foundation of the Great Wall in Dallas. And the Cowboys are now reaping the benefits of those picks.

We all knew that Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys first round selection last year, would find success behind this talented offensive line. That was a given.

But for Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, the king of misfortune and misjudgement himself, everything changed when his team took a chance on a stocky, athletic kid chalk full of intangibles out of Mississippi State late in last year’s draft.

Ironically, the Cowboys themselves tried to trade up to select two other quarterback prospects before deciding on Prescott. Some fans and analysts were likely lobbying for other developmental prospects in last year’s draft class like Ohio State’s Cardale Jones or Standford’s Kevin Hogan. And others probably didn’t want Dallas to draft a rookie signal caller at all.

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But the Cowboys saw something special in the former Bulldog. And needless to say, it worked out. On top of being nominated to the Pro Bowl and winning the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Prescott led America’s Team to a 13-3 record this season (it should have been 14-2). The first-year quarterback was also able to dethrone veteran Tony Romo as the starter.

The 23-year old Prescott finished his rookie campaign throwing for 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 282 yards and six scores on the ground.

Before this last season, the Cowboys journey over the last twenty years could be best described as a rollercoaster ride. Only two playoff wins in the last decade will simply not cut it for this historic franchise.

Now that the dust has settled on 2016, I have some interesting predictions to make about this upcoming season.

  1. Dak Prescott will be the NFL MVP in 2017
  2. The Dallas Cowboys will make it all the way to the Super Bowl
  3. America’s Team will finish the season with a 14-2 record

Prescott being my MVP favorite is not merely a homer selection. In one season, Dak has solidified himself as the leader of this team. And with another whole offseason to prepare, I believe he will be even better in 2017.

The Super Bowl is no doubt only goal for these talented, young and focused Cowboys. A hot quarterback in Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers got the best of them this year. But next season, I don’t see anybody slowing down this dominate Dallas running game and what has the potential to be an elite passing attack under Prescott.

Next: The top 30 moments in Dallas Cowboys history

So there you have it. The Dallas Cowboys are moving in the right direction. And there is no better evidence of that fact then Dak Prescott himself. Now, all we have to do is sit back and watch history unfold.

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