Most of the news about the Dallas Cowboys offense this offseason has centered around Mike McCarthy's new system and offensive players understanding the “play call purpose.”
We've heard team members repeatedly mention being on the same page, maintaining a sense of situational awareness, and understanding the intention behind the plays.
The interesting thing about terms like “purpose” and “intention” is that they could apply to one action or one play, or they could apply to the overarching idea that governs a series of actions.
Recent statements made by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suggest that one of these larger, overarching purposes has been at the front of his mind lately.
He's made it clear that he intends to bring Dallas its sixth NFL championship.
WHAT HE SAID AND HOW HE SAID IT
At the Southern Methodist University Athletic Forum held last month, Dak spoke about the expectations he placed on himself and the team this season.
“The team goal is to win a Super Bowl or not,” he said, “and it's truly a bust if we don't.”
He, then, explained how this expectation comes along with the Dallas Cowboys brand.
He finished by putting his own twist on a common saying.
“I've always said, ‘with great expectations come greater results,' so bring them on and we're gonna try to answer that.”
Even if you weren't expecting to hear Dak say “greater results,” you've gotta admit that he is making sense here.
Basically, in order to meet high expectations, your effort has to be good enough to reach said expectations. So higher expectations would elicit better effort which would mean greater results than if expectations were low.
If the above statement wasn't enough, Prescott doubled down on his stance when he spoke to the media during the 318 Takeover Camp in Shreveport, Louisiana.
When asked if fans could count on a championship season, Dak replied, “Yeah, 100%.”
He continued, “When you play for [the Dallas Cowboys] it's championship or nothing, so that's what we're shooting for. That's what we're practicing for. That's our expectations and standards.”
ADDED PRESSURE
If hearing this type of talk from the quarterback makes you a bit nervous, that's an understandable response.
It's no secret that over the past several seasons, when the Dallas Cowboys have managed to qualify for postseason play, they've struggled in the playoffs, especially the offense.
So, when Dak Prescott starts talking as though his idea of success is not only to have a better playoff performance but to win a championship, it makes sense to ask, “Where did this expectation come from? What makes him believe this approach is reasonable?”
But I would respond to those questions by asking — does it matter where the expectations are coming from?
The fact that he's expressing them is significant.
It says something about how he is approaching this season and what type of leader he intends to be for his teammates.
Yes, there is some added pressure, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Sometimes, a bit of pressure is what's needed in order to define a culture and clarify standards.
THE STRENGTH OF DAK'S RESOLVE
Think of it this way.
If his statements expressed an opposite stance, and he said he didn't expect a championship at all, would that be better?
If Dak expressed uncertainty or a lack of clarity to avoid seeming over-ambitious, would that garner him more support?
No and no.
Dak's leadership style, his communication style, his presentation, standards, and expressed beliefs should serve the needs of his team, not fans.
We've been told repeatedly that what the offense needs is to be on the same page and to understand the purpose.
And that is exactly what Dak is providing.
His statements leave no doubt as to what is required of anyone who takes the field as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
It's no longer enough for this team to be good. He expects greatness.
As a matter of fact, he expects them to be the best once it's all said and done.
Dak Prescott is talking like someone whose hope has transcended into expectation. And because of that, he has something even better than a purpose. He has resolve.
