Video: What does Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott need to improve upon in 2017

[jday]

I know he had the high completion percentage, but I think he needs a little work on ball placement to receivers.

There were plenty of throws that were caught, and could have gone for much longer gains, but because of the ball placement, the play didn't.

They even showed one in the video. The pass to Beasley where he almost scores, he had a step on the db, but because the placement of the ball was behind him, he didn't score. Drop it in front of him(like you see him do to Dez in the same video)and it's a TD(just like Dez's was).

This does happen to qbs from time to time, but it seemed way more often than time to time would suggest.

I both agree and disagree with your assertion here.

Because there are certainly several instances were his ball placement was less than ideal. On the other hand, there were also several instances were his ball placement could not have been any better. Lastly, from the first example you have to remove the instances were his ball placement was impacted by the rush; because rather you are a rookie or a season vet, your ball placement is going to suffer if you have a blitzer in your face...there is no way around that.

So essentially I feel if you were to go back and watch every snap of any given QB in the league, you will find instances where both his ball placement sucked and there was no viable excuse such as pressure in his face to justify it. Then from that you could come to the determination that this guy needs to work on his ball placement, when the truth is every quarterback in the league needs to work on their ball placement.

Because for every pass that Dak made that you might say you expected from rookie, I could likely provide a pass that would shock you that it was made by rookie. Does that make sense?

In essence, I think as fan base at many points in our evaluation of Dak we tend to forget that he was just a rookie; we hold him to a higher standard then what is truly fair to hold a rookie to. And the 2015 QB circus provides no better evidence as to why that can be a bit unfair. It's extremely difficult to play QB in this league and that is regardless often times of the talent you are surrounded with. In other words Dak took a box of lemons and made Arnold Palmers for Dallas...and there was no tea in that box of lemons.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

IMO, pocket feel and presence. There were a few times last year I felt the clock should have went off in his head to get rid off the ball and he took the sack instead. I'm confident he'll continue to evolve in those areas through experience/reps.

 

[jday]

He needs to drink more, party more and be more of a womanizer. We don't need a choir boy.

I get what your saying, but I personally wouldn't change a thing about Dak.

To your point, though, I have always believed that for certain enforcers on defense, you have to accept that to play that position you have to be a little gangsta to begin with; that is a requisite mindset for providing intimidation. So often times as an organization you have to make certain allowances that may fly in the face of the RKG mantra for certain defenders; because sometimes you really need that guy.

 

[jday]

IMO, pocket feel and presence. There were a few times last year I felt the clock should have went off in his head to get rid off the ball and he took the sack instead. I'm confident he'll continue to evolve in those areas through experience/reps.

Here's what I noticed:

Contrary to convention and what is to be expected of any QB is that he actually struggled with front-side pressure. Not sure why. Most QB's struggle with feeling the backside pressure, which Dak actually excels at. There are plenty of instances where I saw him move up or out of the pocket the moment the backside pressure was inches away. But for some reason, the pressure he could see seemed to trip him up for some reason...and I haven't the slightest idea why.

 

[CCBoy]

I get what your saying, but I personally wouldn't change a thing about Dak.

To your point, though, I have always believed that for certain enforcers on defense, you have to accept that to play that position you have to be a little gangsta to begin with; that is a requisite mindset for providing intimidation. So often times as an organization you have to make certain allowances that may fly in the face of the RKG mantra for certain defenders; because sometimes you really need that guy.

One wants players on defense that do display attitude...and are you going to look for those sitting in the church choir?

A team looks for those who do have natural boundaries and don't need release such as drugs to keep their own houses clean.

 

[JBS]

Front side pressure..it's really weird..but dak does not do a good job of seeing / feeling the pressure from the front side..

 

[jday]

I remember someone quoting Dak as saying he'd NEVER met anyone who prepares harder or more than him.

That's a pretty bold statement, and I believe him..

There's room for improvement across the board, but I don't see any sophmore slump coming his way..

That is truly, I think, what separates him from most. He has made a science out of how he prepares and he doesn't waiver from the preparation. He knows if he prepares the way he is supposed to, he can play the game without living inside his head and play his best football. All he has to do is continuously apply that same formula week in and week out.

 

[CCBoy]

That is truly, I think, what separates him from most. He has made a science out of how he prepares and he doesn't waiver from the preparation. He knows if he prepares the way he is supposed to, he can play the game without living inside his head and play his best football. All he has to do is continuously apply that same formula week in and week out.

For a soldier, you practice as if it's the real thing...and Dak practices, and practices, and practices. What is there to wonder about, the kid is good and getting better.

 

[jday]

One wants players on defense that do display attitude...and are you going to look for those sitting in the church choir?

A team looks for those who do have natural boundaries and don't need release such as drugs to keep their own houses clean.

You have to walk fine line with those guys. But I do think have 1 or 2 at the most of those guys on the defensive side of the ball and maybe 1 of those guys on your offensive line, can really help in the long run.

Every team could use that guy!!!

 

[CCBoy]

You have to walk fine line with those guys. But I do think have 1 or 2 at the most of those guys on the defensive side of the ball and maybe 1 of those guys on your offensive line, can really help in the long run.

Every team could use that guy!!!

Love that footage...and the team can't have too much aggressive attitude. I was on a National Championship NAIA team, that every single of us linebackers, had this picture in his wall locker:

...with the quote - Beep, beep, MY ARSE!

 

[Ranching]

I get what your saying, but I personally wouldn't change a thing about Dak.

To your point, though, I have always believed that for certain enforcers on defense, you have to accept that to play that position you have to be a little gangsta to begin with; that is a requisite mindset for providing intimidation. So often times as an organization you have to make certain allowances that may fly in the face of the RKG mantra for certain defenders; because sometimes you really need that guy.

I was just trolling the haters. He's doing just fine

 

[Bullflop]

Absolutely, jday -- that, after all, will be the true litmus test of exactly how much Dak has progressed. To my thinking, however, right now is a bit premature for the question of what Dak needs to improve upon, without knowing exactly how much he has recently improved during the offseason, as compared to what he was last year.

I'm sure we'll all be interested to follow his progress in TC practices and the preseason games as well, however, to get some early clues what to expect as the season approaches. The scribes attending practices and preseason games will be sure to relate their impressions of each and every practice and the plays of importance in the preseason games. We'll all be following with great interest, without a doubt.

No doubt, as well, that the regular season will be the tell-all when it comes to evaluating Dak's overall progress, however. There's a good chance, also, that we're all looking forward to taking in every clue to be seen in Dak's progress, whether it's now, later or within the regular season itself. I'm chomping at the bit to see just where he's at with that.

 

[CCBoy]

I was just trolling the haters. He's doing just fine

Have any firm plans for next year, yet?

 

[jday]

Love that footage...and the team can't have too much aggressive attitude. I was on a National Championship NAIA team, that every single of us linebackers, had this picture in his wall locker:

...with the quote - Beep, beep, MY ARSE!

I'm not sure what choking your chicken has to do with anything, but whatever works for you.

I keed, I keed.

 

[jday]

I was just trolling the haters. He's doing just fine

I should have picked up on the sarcasm there...my bad.

 

[CCBoy]

Absolutely -- that, after all, will be the true litmus test of exactly how much Dak has progressed. To my thinking, however, right now is a bit premature for the question of what Dak needs to improve upon, without knowing exactly how much he has recently improved during the offseason, as compared to what he was last year.

I'm sure we'll all be interested to follow his progress in TC practices and the preseason games as well, however, to get some early clues what to expect as the season approaches. The scribes attending practices and preseason games will be sure to relate their impressions of each and every practice and the plays of importance in the preseason games. No doubt, the regular season will be the tell-all when it comes to evaluating Dak's overall progress, however. There's no doubt we're all looking forward to every clue to be seen in that respect.

Me, Bullflop, I don't get bogged down in the off season with finely defining degrees for failure...I couldn't reasonably watch without just worrying, then.

 

[jday]

Absolutely -- that, after all, will be the true litmus test of exactly how much Dak has progressed. To my thinking, however, right now is a bit premature for the question of what Dak needs to improve upon, without knowing exactly how much he has recently improved during the offseason, as compared to what he was last year.

I'm sure we'll all be interested to follow his progress in TC practices and the preseason games as well, however, to get some early clues what to expect as the season approaches. The scribes attending practices and preseason games will be sure to relate their impressions of each and every practice and the plays of importance in the preseason games. No doubt, the regular season will be the tell-all when it comes to evaluating Dak's overall progress, however. There's no doubt we're all looking forward to every clue to be seen in that respect.

What I love most about this video is now we are armed with context going into the season. For those that really understood what this video is talking about, every time we see single-high safety, we'll be watching Dak to see if he makes a check at the line. We will then be watching the safety crawling up to the line to see if he ejects, roots, or blitzes...and from that will watch how Dak handles it. If his check proves to be the right call or he at least is able to adjust off his misread and make something out of nothing, we will have a better idea of his improvement. Without that context, we wouldn't know what to look for specifically.

 

[Ranching]

Have any firm plans for next year, yet?

Been offered a position as a realtor and another in education. Still thinking about it. My wife wants me to take a year off and decompress. A local sports website asked me to do a weekly spot during football season. It'll all work itself out. Salud!

 

[Ranching]

Love that footage...and the team can't have too much aggressive attitude. I was on a National Championship NAIA team, that every single of us linebackers, had this picture in his wall locker:

...with the quote - Beep, beep, MY ARSE!

Lol, the offense was probably spanking the monkey.

 

[CCBoy]

Been offered a position as a realtor and another in education. Still thinking about it. My wife wants me to take a year off and decompress. A local sports website asked me to do a weekly spot during football season. It'll all work itself out. Salud!

I've thought about doing a regional type coverage of local sports stars. This involving attending a ton of team games and taking a ton of pictures to be presented in a single year book type binding, and sold to teams as incentive for achievements. Some real return and ego boosting, but something to also cherish as one grows older, or are a parent. It could really be developed and your programs would greatly assist the quality of year progression for a player and his team. It would add to team pride and reward for individual sacrifices and dreams.