Star Blog

Is it Time to Stop Making Excuses for QB Dak Prescott?

Published

3 months ago

September 26, 2018

Time to Stop Making Excuses for QB Dak Prescott?

I think it's time we take off our rose-colored glasses and start looking at Quarterback Dak Prescott with fresh eyes. It's time to reassess him as a starting caliber QB and forget all about what he's accomplished thus far in his young career.

Unfortunately, there's something clearly wrong with the Dallas Cowboys passing game and I hate to say it, but I think it all falls at the feet of Dak Prescott. It's time we take our blinders off Cowboys Nation and stop making excuses for him. It's not doing us or him any good.

It just looks as if Prescott has lost any of that magic he had his rookie season. That year he was one of the better QBs in the NFL, but now he is arguably one of the worst, if not the worst. Making excuses for his performance isn't doing him any good. I'm guilty of it myself, but it might be time to reevaluate the Cowboys QB position.

I know you've probably heard all of the excuses as to why Dak Prescott and the Cowboys passing game is pretty much nonexistent. But if not, let me refresh your memory…

Excuse #1: Scott Linehan's Playcalling

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan's playcalling, but it's been good enough for Dak Prescott to be more productive in the passing game. Unfortunately, Prescott just isn't executing very well. We have seen I don't know how many inaccurate/off target throws already this year from him. Linehan can only do so much. It's up to Prescott to get through his progressions and make an accurate throw to the open receiver.

Excuse #2: Wide Receivers Aren't Getting Open

This receiving core was put together because they were supposed to be able to create separation on their own with better route running. This was supposed to help Dak Prescott take the next step in his development, but that obviously hasn't happened. The Cowboys WRs are getting opened by NFL standards, but we all know he isn't going to throw his pass catchers open or throw into tight windows. He has to have someone wide open in order for him to pull the trigger.

Excuse #3: Offensive Line Playing Poorly

I honestly find people saying the offensive line's poor play is affecting Dak Prescott's performance laughable. Troy Aikman actually mentioned it Sunday afternoon against the Seattle Seahawks as well, but I'm not buying it. Yes, they aren't playing up to their normal standards, but they are providing more than enough time for Prescott to find success in the passing game. Typically, the OL is supposed to give their QB at least three seconds to get rid of the ball. The Cowboys OL is providing that and more, but Prescott is still managing to hold on the ball way too long.

✭✭✭✭✭

If you can't tell already, I'm done making excuses for Dak Prescott. We all wanted to believe the Dallas Cowboys got lucky by finding a starting caliber quarterback with a fourth-round selection, but that belief has all but dissipated. It's probably time for them to focus in on next year's QB draft class and invest in one early. After all, almost every single starting QB around the league was a high draft pick.

I just think it's time for this experiment to end before Dallas is too heavily invested in someone who isn't showing any signs of improvement. Instead, he's probably regressed. Luckily, we can take comfort in the fact the Cowboys didn't invest a high draft pick in what looks to be a failure. We can take solace in knowing that it's just a fourth-round pick, not a first like the Denver Broncos with their selection of Paxton Lynch.

Whatever the Dallas Cowboys decide to do with Dak Prescott is completely on them, but you at least know where I stand. The wrong decision here could set the team back for years.

Where do you stand? Are you done making excuses for QB Dak Prescott?

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Brian Martin

Level C2/C3 quadriplegic. College graduate with a bachelors degree in sports and health sciences-concentration sports management. Sports enthusiast. Dallas Cowboys fanatic. Lover of life with a glass half-full point of view.

9 Comments

Paul Gallagher

100% accurate. He badly misses at least three wide open guys a game and its not like the other throws are much better. As Parcells liked to say “you are what your record says you are”. Daks numbers are terrible.
- Brian Martin
  
  Paul, I’ve been holding out hope Prescott can improve, but I think I’ve all but given up now.
oneputter

well he is what he is a 4th rd QB who fell into a good situation with a very nice rookie season.

he is not able to anticipate routes, he expects WR’s to be as open as they were in college, here the windows are so small. he cannot be afraid to make a mistake / int, he needs to trust the WR’s and put the ball in a spot / throw them open. i think he has gotten into throwing the ball with way too much velocity, certain routes i understand that has to happen but not on all throws, plus bad feet / bad base can lead to inaccurate throws, it starts from the ground up, good feet / good foundation.

i feel the routes in this system don’t help him either. there needs to be more crossing routes, short, medium and deep, we just don’t see that here with this inept offense.

i think he needs veteran leadership, he does not have that now. when mark sanchez was here he was always in dak’s ear, i think he needs that. say what you will about sanchez but i feel he got dak playing like he did in his rookie season. this veteran experience goes a long way in the QB room….
- Brian Martin
  
  I think it was more Tony Romo’s influence on Prescott’s rookie season than it was Mark Sanchez. But, I do agree with the point you are making as well as everything else you stated.
  - oneputter
    
    in all the games when dak was shown on the SL’s it was mark talking to him, rarely did i see romo over there talking to him. romo lost his job to dak, he was far from wanting to help him.
    
    go back and watch some of those games.
Travis Diggs

So were done with Prescott just like that?? But we made 12 years of excuses for Romo’s blunders in Seattle, 9-7 after 9-7, and bad play and big games. Don’t act like we didn’t make EVERY excuse in the book for romo. Dak needs to play better but its not just him, how many drops/strips came from wrs and zeke vs seattle, its not all Dak
- Brian Martin
  
  Yes, I’m losing faith in Prescott quickly. I’m beginning to believe he is nothing more than a game manager who has to rely on his mobility to have any kind of offensive productivity. Here we are in Year 3 and he’s still failed to show any improvement in the passing game. His inaccuracy, indecision, and struggles reading defenses are severely hamstringing the Cowboys offense. I don’t know about you, but I expect much more out of my starting QB
Jeff S

Sorry, but to anyone that is a fan of the SEC, this is no surprise. Dak has never been accurate, I have NO idea what the boys saw in him and thought wow his accuracy will improve at the next level. As far as QB’s go, I always thought he could make a viable TE in the pro’s if someone gave him a shot. He basically came from the Tim Tebow offense under Mullins which was run first, run second and jump pass if needed. Now in the cowboys defense there was never a play for him to be on the field his first year, maybe Garrett saw a project that he could bring along but if that’s the case, why would you burn a 4th round pick on a project? Good teams can gamble, but the boys haven’t been a good team for a LONG LONG LONG time, unfortunately cuz jurrah still thinks they are contenders.
Jeremy Mileski

Good points and totally agree. He needs to go

Star Blog

Where In The World Is DE Taco Charlton?

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2018

Kevin Brady

Sean's Scout: Defense Comes Alive In Loss At LA Rams 2

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Over pretty much the last decade, the Dallas Cowboys have been rock solid with their first round picks. With selections of Ezekiel Elliott, Travis Frederick, Byron Jones, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Leighton Vander Esch (just to name a handful), Dallas has rebuilt the core of their roster through the NFL Draft.

It's nearly impossible to bat .1000 in any round of the draft, however, and this appears to be the current case with the Cowboys' 2017 first round pick.

Defensive end Taco Charlton has not had the sophomore season that he, or anyone, had hoped for. A healthy scratch last Sunday, Charlton has only been active for 1 of the Cowboys' last 5 games, and has not recorded a sack or tackle since week 9.

Prior to disappearing with injuries and "attitude issues," Charlton had only recorded 1 sack on the season and was beginning to fall behind his Hot Boy-brethren. Defensive end Randy Gregory has reached his form over the last few weeks, Tyrone Crawford is having arguably a career year, and DeMarcus Lawrence is one of the best ends in all of football.

This doesn't leave much room for Charlton, who's now having issues even getting on the gameday roster. Rod Marinelli dodged questions about Taco Charlton earlier this week, vaguely saying they are "moving forward" and that he'd like to talk about other players on his defensive line who are performing.

Calvin Watkins on Twitter

Rod Marinelli on Taco Charlton's benching and being inactive last week: "We just keep moving along keep going forward. It's kinda been out there I'd leave it at that. I'd rather talk about our two tackles.

Charlton has not been quiet about his displeasure as of late, either. He's taken to Twitter to voice his frustrations, saying that not only is his shoulder fine but that the Dallas media is making up stories about his absence. He's also posted some cryptic tweets such as this one, with a picture of Allen Iverson and a caption reading "Every players needs that one coach to believe in them."

https://twitter.com/TheSupremeTaco/status/1072203745868554240

Maybe Taco is right. Maybe he just needs increased opportunity and a support system/coach that believes in him whole-heartedly. After all, Charlton has faced nothing but doubters and detractors since the second he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

But in the NFL, the ultimate "what have you done for me lately" sport, it's hard to imagine he'll get that unwavering support anywhere in the league. He's going to have to "earn" his playing time, as head coach Jason Garrett spoke to earlier in the week. But with the plethora of talent the Cowboys are already putting out there on the defensive line, it's becoming difficult to see exactly where Taco Charlton can fit in on this defense.

It's possible, and fine, if it is simply not a fit between Charlton and the Cowboys at this point. But I'd also be wary of giving up on your first round pick in just his second NFL season. Another offseason with the team, working on his craft and getting fully healthy, should do Charlton wonders, and hopefully allow us to get a better read on his future with the Cowboys going forward.

Until then, we are all left to scratch out heads and wonder what in the world is going on with the Cowboys and Taco Charlton, and if the former first round pick will have a future in Dallas at all.

Star Blog

Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2018

Mauricio Rodriguez

Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC

2018 has seen the emergence of high-powered offenses in both NFL conferences. The Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the AFC and the NFC is spearheaded by the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams. Through 14 weeks, these three teams are the top three offenses in the NFL, each averaging over 30 points per game. This year, for the first time in NFL history, two teams scored more than 50 in the same game.

Thanks to this consistent impressive offensive performances, you would think "offense" is the name of the game for the 2018 NFL season. Well, not so fast, my friend. Despite sitting atop the NFC, the Saints and the Rams have recently suffered losses that indicate hope is anything but lost for defensive teams in the league.

The Chicago Bears were able to bring down the Rams last Sunday Night 15-6. The same offense that averages 33 points per game was limited to six points. Sean McVay's remarkable offense went home with no touchdowns to talk about on the plane back home. Instead, they probably discussed Jared Goff's four interceptions.

Weeks earlier, the Dallas Cowboys shocked the world when they brought down the Saints. Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas simply couldn't move the ball against Leighton Vander Esch, DeMarcus Lawrence and Byron Jones. 13 points were all the Cowboys needed to score to beat an offense that was averaging 37 per game heading into week 13 but was only able to put up 10 in Dallas.

The Cowboys are the #4 seed with the Bears slightly ahead of them as the #3 seed in the NFC. Together, these teams have defeated the top two in the conference. Now granted, playoffs will definitely be different.

For starters, if they are to advance to the divisional round, they'll be on the road. Chicago was surely benefited by playing in such a cold weather versus a Los Angeles team. As far as the Cowboys are concerned, few times has AT&T Stadium been as loud as when they beat the Saints.

Hopefully, we'll get to see both of these elite defenses advance to the Divisional Round to square off against this couple of high-powered offenses again. We will not only be witnessing amazing football games, but a great discussion regarding the everlasting debate between offense and defense.

For years, "defense wins championships" has been a widely accepted statement in football. The Cowboys and Bears have made that same statement resound recently with their impressive wins.

Can they do it again in January football? Can they do it on the road?

Tell me what you think about "Cowboys, Bears Proving Defense Can Win the NFC" in the comments below, or tweet me @MauNFL and let’s talk football! If you like football and are looking for a Dallas Cowboys show in Spanish, don’t miss my weekly Facebook Live! show, Primero Cowboys!

Star Blog

Cowboys en Español: Los Colts No Son Cualquier Rival

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2018

Mauricio Rodriguez

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Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Al igual que el resto de la afición de los Dallas Cowboys, parte de mí se siente confiada respecto a este equipo visitando a Indianapolis Colts y resultando victoriosos. ¿El problema? Los Colts no son un rival sencillo de vencer. Si crees que la racha de los Cowboys los intimidará, piensa de nuevo. Los Houston Texans llevaban nueve victorias al hilo antes de enfrentarse a este equipo.

Siendo objetivos, este puede ser el partido que evite que los Cowboys cierren su temporada con ocho victorias al hilo para terminar el año con un récord de 11-5. Ni los Tampa Bay Buccaneers ni los New York Giants deberían presentar amenaza alguna contra Dallas. Lo mismo no se puede decir de Indianapolis.

Por primera vez en mucho tiempo, Andrew Luck está realmente de vuelta. Gracias a una reconstrucción de su línea ofensiva, su nivel de juego a regresado al nivel que conocíamos de él desde que llegó a la NFL. Afortunadamente para los Colts, Luck se ha mantenido sano toda la temporada y no se ve rastro alguno de sus lesiones anteriores en el emparrillado.

T.Y. Hilton está teniendo un muy buen año y sin duda alguna presentará un reto para Byron Jones y el resto de la secundaria de los Cowboys. Eric Ebron en la posición de tight end también será un dolor de cabeza para la defensiva.

Lo más interesante se dará en las trincheras. Los Cowboys han hecho un muy buen trabajo presionando quarterbacks opuestos en la temporada, pero si el centro de los Colts, Ryan Kelly está sano el domingo, se enfrentarán al mejor duo de centro-guardia en la liga actualmente. Con Quenton Nelson al lado, Luck estará muy bien protegido.

Sin embargo, Kelly no ha jugado debido a una lesión y aún está por verse si tomará el campo el domingo por la mañana. Los Cowboys hicieron un muy buen trabajo a la entonces ofensiva #1 de la liga, los New Orleans Saints, pero eso no significa que la ofensiva #8 que tienen los Colts no los retará.

Promediando 27 puntos por juego, la defensiva necesitará ayuda de Dak Prescott y compañía para ganar el partido. Dallas continúa moviendo el balón efectivamente, pero es tiempo de anotar touchdowns y no goles de campo.

Ezekiel Elliott será, una vez más, clave para la victoria. Enfrentándose a una defensiva Top 10 contra el juego terrestre, mover las cadenas con Zeke no será tan fácil. El novato Darius Leonard como linebacker ha sido algo espectacular otra temporada al igual que Leighton Vander Esch. Liderando a toda la NFL en tackleadas, estará listo para recibir a los Cowboys al Lucas Oil Stadium.