Dallas Cowboys passing game problems start with Dak Prescott

GM / Owner Jerry Jones should realize the Dallas Cowboys can never have an elite receiver with underwhelming quarterback play from Dak Prescott.

The Dallas Cowboys need to stop ignoring the main problem with the offensive passing production. Owner / General Manager Jerry Jones is troubleshooting the passing problems incorrectly.

It doesn’t matter if the Cowboys had a true number one receiver or use a “receiver by committee” approach because they need catchable passes. When receivers aren’t getting the football, the fault has to start with quarterback Dak Prescott.

The front office decided to cut Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant to save $12.5 million in 2018 to go hunting in the bargain bin. The Cowboys kept Terrance Williams and added receivers: Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, Michael Gallop, and Tavon Austin. They have combined for 33 catches, 411 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The team’s leading receiver is Cole Beasley with 17 catches, 193 yards, and zero touchdowns.

In a recent interview, Jerry Jones told radio station 105.3 The Fan that the Cowboys have not had a number one receiver in “several years”. That could be interpreted as a disrespectful shot at the declining production of Bryant over the last three years.

During that period, Bryant played without Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo who routinely threw for more than 3,500+ yards, 30 touchdowns and eight yards per pass attempt every season. Bryant missed games due to injuries but also played with ineffective quarterbacks: Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel.

To disguise Prescott’s weaknesses as a passer, the team transitioned to a run-first offense and leaned heavily on running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Jones stated that his definition of a number one receiver were receivers Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons and DeAndre Hopkins of the Houston Texans. Sunday night, Hopkins finished with 9 catches and 151 yards. In one game, Hopkins nearly matched the five-game production of the Cowboys’ leading receiver.

Of course, Julio Jones is receiving passes from quarterback Matt Ryan. Hopkins has Deshaun Watson. Watson is averaging 8.4 yards per pass and 324 yards per game. Ryan is averaging 8.7 yards per pass and 320.2 yards per game. Nobody is going to confuse Prescott’s numbers with Ryan or Watson.

In the last two years, Prescott is averaging 6.75 yards per pass attempt and 200 yards per game. His QBR is currently 40.7 compared to 78.8 in his rookie year. Like Prescott, quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is averaging 28 passing attempts per game. With limited throws, Wilson has 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Prescott only has five touchdowns and four interceptions.

When Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald had a decline in numbers, few people thought “Fitz” was losing a step or forgot how to catch. It was clear the decline was due to poor play from the Cardinals revolving door of sub-par quarterbacks.

Just watching Tony Romo proved to many of us that the quarterback play makes receivers better. Too often, average receivers are making great catches because of bad throws. Being a receiver is a quarterback dependent position. I addressed this issue three years ago when Bryant received his mega-contract in this article – Could Tony Romo’s Health Affect Dez Bryant’s Contract?

Jerry Jones should realize the team can never have an elite receiver with an underwhelming quarterback. An undrafted Romo wanted to be great and it was obvious how much he worked at his craft.

As a fourth round draft pick with rookie success, I don’t see that drive for greatness in Prescott. He seems driven to be in commercials and his declining numbers – despite the team spending two seasons becoming more “Dak-Friendly” – seem to confirm my beliefs.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix for this season. Drafting a quarterback in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft doesn’t guarantee that player will have immediate success or be “the next big thing” like Patrick Mahomes II of the Kansas City Chiefs or Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns.

If head coach Jason Garrett is on the proverbial “hot seat”, expect a change at quarterback. It’s the obvious first step towards making the Cowboys’ wide receivers great again.

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