The NFL world has been shut down due to COVID-19, and players have been unable to work out at team facilities. Instead of offseason training activities or minicamps, players have had to do their offseason work at private training facilities.
Via social media, we've seen clips of the workouts that several key Dallas Cowboys have participated in with wide receiver trainer David Robinson at D-Rob Sports and Fitness Training. Speaking to Kelsey Charles and Megan Murray on the “Girls Talking Boys Podcast,” Robinson was asked how Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have looked this offseason during training sessions.
“They look in great shape actually,” said Robinson. “I know that they're working out. Dak is still working out with Jon Kitna. He and Kitna work out a lot together often throughout the week. (Dak and Zeke) are ready to go.”
Dak Prescott has been the hottest topic in the NFL this offseason as the NFL world waits to see where the numbers land when he signs his long-term deal. The most important thing to note is that Prescott isn't neglecting the work this offseason as he works with former Dallas Cowboys Quarterbacks Coach Jon Kitna.
Last offseason, Jon Kitna and Dak Prescott put in a lot of work to help him work from a better throwing base than he had throughout the first few years of his career. In 2019, Dak Prescott looked much more settled in the pocket and capable of resetting his feet when forced to move off of his initial drop. Dak Prescott was solid through the first three years of his career, even though his footwork wasn't clean all the time, which led to some questionable throwing results.
After working with Kitna last offseason, his mechanics looked cleaner, and he showed a greater comfort level throwing the deep ball. Prescott became a more decisive thrower as Kitna reinforced trusting what he saw in his pre and post-snap reads.
Kitna's coaching and Prescott's work ethic helped the Cowboys quarterback make tremendous technical strides in year four. It only makes sense that the two would continue working together in the offseason.
After not being retained by new Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy, Jon Kitna went back to the high school ranks at Burleson High School just south of Fort Worth.
Kitna and Prescott created an excellent rapport in their one year together that it came as a surprise that the Cowboys didn't bring Kitna back. Of course, a Head Coach should have the final say in the makeup of his coaching staff, but the work they did together in the Cowboys offense last year should have been enough to convince Mike McCarthy to retain Kitna as the quarterbacks' coach.
Regardless, it's good to hear that Dak Prescott is continuing to work with Kitna this offseason. Kitna can help Prescott evaluate his play from 2019 and continue to refine the technical aspects of his game. As Kellen Moore installs new wrinkles, and potentially some West Coast Offense principles, having an experienced former quarterback and coach to go over those things with is invaluable.
