Dallas Cowboys: This isn’t likely to end well for Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys fans are realizing Dak Prescott is a below average quarterback. Here’s why things may not to end well for the former fourth rounder.
After another subpar performance by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott against the Seattle Seahawks, many people are realizing that the former fourth-rounder is a slightly below average NFL quarterback.
This isn’t new information to readers of this column because I have never believed in the “Dak-Attack”. With each game, Prescott’s flaws become more apparent and easier for defenses to exploit.
Next, the Cowboys face a Detroit Lions team that defeated quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots by a score of 26-10 Sunday night. This may get worse before it gets better unless Dallas makes a change at quarterback. The new debate about the Cowboys offensive problems points the finger at offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. It is not the system.
Long-term members of Cowboy Nation have seen this system flourish offensively under former quarterback Tony Romo. In relief of Romo, quarterback Jon Kitna threw for 2,365 yards and 16 touchdowns in 9 games with this system. Kitna averaged 263 yards per game.
This is an offensive system designed for a pocket passer that can force defenses to cover every inch of the field. As I’ve been preaching – Prescott simply isn’t that guy for multiple reasons.
As I watch games and review All-22 footage afterward, Linehan has receivers that are NFL open. Players run routes, come out of their breaks expecting the football. Prescott unfortunately, does not make the throw.
Receivers then go into playground mode as Prescott scrambles or looks for the underneath throw to running back Ezekiel Elliott. I bet Linehan asks Prescott – “Oh, you only throw the football when the receivers are open, open?”
Notice that I said – NFL open – which means that receivers simply have a step on a defender. Receivers rarely get open, open – in the NFL unless there is a blown defensive coverage.
I’m not sure what the front office or head coach Jason Garrett saw in Prescott that made them believe he could thrive in this system. HIs inaccuracy was apparent during his time in Mississippi State. There is a reason Prescott was a fourth-round draft pick.
Management fell in love with the winning streak during Prescott’s first season and kicked Romo to the curb. It was the wrong decision. If Garrett has any input on personnel decisions, you’ll see a quarterback change if the Cowboys reach 1-5. Although I previously predicted a quarterback change at the bye week (Week 8).
It will be an admission that Prescott isn’t the quarterback that they thought they he was. If you want the best for the Cowboys, it should be easier for Dak-Riders to admit how horrible he’s been playing. It’s reached a point where wins aren’t enough, Cowboy Nation wants big stats from this Dak-friendly offense.
Prescott’s thrown for less than 200 yards in nine of the last 11 games and it would be more if the four-yard throws that had 20+ yards gained after the catch could be removed. It’s also a shame that Prescott’s TV commercials outnumber his touchdowns.
When the quarterback change occurs, the first question posed to owner/general manager Jerry Jones might be – “Wait, this is the guy you chose over Romo and he only lasted three years?”
It’s hard when talent is playing well for other teams. The coaches probably dream about having a quarterback like the Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield or the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes. They are slinging the football everywhere and it is fun to watch.
Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce told the Dan Patrick Show this about his young second-year quarterback.
"“Pat’s ready to sling that thing 70 yards at any point in the game … Sometimes, when you know you’re not getting the ball after like 30 yards downfield, the balls not in the air, then alright, I can kinda slow down here. No, with Pat, you got to keep running because it could be coming any second.”"
That is missing from Prescott’s game and maybe it is the coaching. It’s possible that Prescott is too safe with the football. The Cowboys need Prescott to hit the field and throw a Romo-esque 5 interceptions. If Prescott threw an interception on every third down, I doubt Cowboy Nation would complain because we want just want to see the ball travel more than five yards downfield.
Next. Top 10 Undrafted Free Agents in Dallas Cowboys History. dark
If Dak Prescott is demoted, the front office takes the blame for poorly evaluating his skill set. If Garrett and Linehan get fired, it is likely that a new head coach would draft “his guy” to be the next Cowboys quarterback. It’s doubtful that either scenario ends well for Prescott.
#MissRomoYet, #OffensiveMastery, #GoCowboys