What happened to Dak?

[Captain43Crash]

1. No Zeke for six games.
2. Poor protection. Tyron Smith missed time, played hurt all year.
3. Poor receiver production. Failure to gain separation. Tipped balls led to at least three picks I can recall.
4. Dak himself regressed in some areas (accuracy, ball placement). And I'm a huge supporter that readily admits it.
5. Poor playcalling and scheme.

2018 will let us know if Dak is our franchise, or if he's a guy that will serve as the placeholder for the next guy. Then we will need to hope that guy is the next Wentz/Goff and not a bust.

I pretty much agree, but #5: Poor playcalling and Basic scheme would be #1. Along with terrible or nonexistent in game adjustments( Atlanta: Garrett refused to help our sorry backup tackles) as well as terrible clock management( Green Bay game: throwing a low % fade to Dez which stopped the clock, giving GB just enough time to score a late TD to win the game). Garrett is the main problem with this team!! Pas it on.

 

[Wolfpack]

Listen to Romo's commentary and tell me he wasn't the one coaching Dak pre snap

Absolutely. And Sanchez too.

This year I bet he's lucky if he sees Wade Wilson at all on game day and Jason is too busy clapping to notice.

 

[Captain43Crash]

Dak's College Scouting Report:

Hyper aware of pressure around him and lacks awareness to slide and find temporary shelter to make throw. Concern over pressure too often trumps ability to get through progressions. Must speed up the pace of his reads. Footwork is a mess. Slight stride onto stiff upper leg with little weight shift. Restricted follow through and too often tries to muscle throws with upper body. Throws to target rather than leading or throwing them open on short/intermediate throws. Too respectful of underneath coverage and must be more willing to challenge the defense. Needs to improve anticipation.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/dak-prescott?id=2555260

IMO. I think he still has the same deficiencies.

I see some of those issues, but I wonder what the scouting report was on Brady coming out of college. The main problem with this team is Garrett!! Pass it on.

 

[Don Corleone]

I see some of those issues, but I wonder what the scouting report was on Brady coming out of college. The main problem with this team is Garrett!! Pass it on.

Brady wasn't projected to have a significant NFL career. Scouting report on him was that he's never seen a weight room. He looked like he'd rather be at the pub having a beer instead of playing QB.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Garrett and Wade Wilson happened to him.

 

[Captain43Crash]

Agreed. Coaching makes a huge difference. Look at what McVay did with Goff. IMO Jim Harbaugh can develop Dak properly. However, Jerry firing JG and hiring Harbaugh won't happen.

Garrett is the main problem!! Pass it on. We will never win a Super Bowl with Garrett.

 

[tyke1doe]

First, let me say I am a huge Dak supporter based on last year's showing. This after I said of him coming out of college that he was a glorified Tim Tebow.

Second, let me identify his problems.

1. He is risk averse. While this is good, it is also very bad. Last year, teams didn't know how to play Dak and didn't know he was as risk averse as he is. This year, teams have used that to their advantage. They're closely covering our receivers because they know Dak is uncomfortable throwing into tight windows. That causes him to hold on to the ball for too long and causes sacks or short dump off passes. I haven't look at it but I bet you Witten is our leading receiver. And that's because not only can he run the best routes, teams don't fear him his RAC yards.

2. He doesn't have the right receiving corp. This team has marginal receivers. On occasions they can get open, but not consistently. Given Dak's reluctance to throw into tight windows, he's not going to challenge defenders like a Romo, Rodgers or Brady would. He has to be comfortable threading the needle or making a mistake. But because he's averse to it, he's reluctant to pull the trigger. He needs speed receivers, guys who can consistently get open. Sorry but Beasley, T Williams, Dez and Witten no longer scare teams.

3. No quarterback coach. Is Wade Wilson still with this team, and if so, what is he doing? Dak seems to be regressing. His footwork is bad. His accuracy is bad. Now, I don't totally fault him because we saw a different Dak last year, one who had very good accuracy and touch. So he has the ability. But I don't know if jebhas the person in staff who can help him get better.

The Cowboys had better get a coach who specializes in developing quarterbacks or a competent quarterback coach or Dak will waste is career just like Romo. It's pretty obvious based on what Romo said about Garrett and his lack of knowledge with the X's and O's that Tony knew more about quarterbacking than Garrett did. My perspective and appreciation for Romo has changed for the better because I believe he had to be his own coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.

Dal is too young to take on that role by himself. He needs major help, but I don't know if he'll get it.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't think he has lost confidence in himself but probably in Dez and some other players as well as the coaching staff.

This.

I think Dez is the #1 read on many plays and he's not getting separation. Beasley is being doubled so there goes that option.

The result is... Holding the ball too long.

 

[ShortRound]

I think he put too much pressure on himself to carry the team when Zeke sat out. I think He is good and will get better, but the weight of carrying Americas team was more than he could handle. I don't think he is ready to call audibles and RPOs as much as he did. Coaches should not have put that on him. Only time will tell, but he needs more weapons around him.

I think he is a good young man, but like you said, carrying the Cowboys on his back, is too heavy for him now.
I hope he gets better, the third year will be a test for him, otherwise, we can't be complacent at QB.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

First, let me say I am a huge Dak supporter based on last year's showing. This after I said of him coming out of college that he was a glorified Tim Tebow.

Second, let me identify his problems.

1. He is risk averse. While this is good, it is also very bad. Last year, teams didn't know how to play Dak and didn't know he was as risk averse as he is. This year, teams have used that to their advantage. They're closely covering our receivers because they know Dak is uncomfortable throwing into tight windows. That causes him to hold on to the ball for too long and causes sacks or short dump off passes. I haven't look at it but I bet you Witten is our leading receiver. And that's because not only can he run the best routes, teams don't fear him his RAC yards.

2. He doesn't have the right receiving corp. This team has marginal receivers. On occasions they can get open, but not consistently. Given Dak's reluctance to throw into tight windows, he's not going to challenge defenders like a Romo, Rodgers or Brady would. He has to be comfortable threading the needle or making a mistake. But because he's averse to it, he's reluctant to pull the trigger. He needs speed receivers, guys who can consistently get open. Sorry but Beasley, T Williams, Dez and Witten no longer scare teams.

3. No quarterback coach. Is Wade Wilson still with this team, and if so, what is he doing? Dak seems to be regressing. His footwork is bad. His accuracy is bad. Now, I don't totally fault him because we saw a different Dak last year, one who had very good accuracy and touch. So he has the ability. But I don't know if jebhas the person in staff who can help him get better.

The Cowboys had better get a coach who specializes in developing quarterbacks or a competent quarterback coach or Dak will waste is career just like Romo. It's pretty obvious based on what Romo said about Garrett and his lack of knowledge with the X's and O's that Tony knew more about quarterbacking than Garrett did. My perspective and appreciation for Romo has changed for the better because I believe he had to be his own coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.

Dal is too young to take on that role by himself. He needs major help, but I don't know if he'll get it.

1 & 2 are intrinsically linked. Dez is no doubt the #1 read for many plays and if he's not getting separation on a regular basis, Beasley is being doubled and Witten is about 5 yards beyond the LOS... There aren't many options left.

 

[xwalker]

This.

I think Dez is the #1 read on many plays and he's not getting separation. Beasley is being doubled so there goes that option.

The result is... Holding the ball too long.

Exactly. People don't seem to understand how much the designated primary read affects the QB. Dez is the primary way more often than anyone else.

 

[cowboyblue22]

I think he found endorsements and poonanny. He couldn't handle the spotlight. /the end

i think this had a lot to do with not only dak but zeke and the rest of the team they weren't ready when the season started and it never got any better

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Exactly. People don't seem to understand how much the designated primary read affects the QB. Dez is the primary way more often than anyone else.

Folks keep citing the "Well Dez was only targeted 6 times and had 3 completions."

But what they're not saying (or admitting) is on how many other plays was Bryant the #1 option and Prescott didn't go to him because he felt Dez wasn't open?

Probably a heck of a lot more than those 6 targets.

And Beasley is being double covered and Witten is barely off the LOS, then what?

Prescott doesn't look good right now.

But how much of that is truly his fault and how much is it the fault of the WR's and the scheme?

 

[xwalker]

Folks keep citing the "Well Dez was only targeted 6 times and had 3 completions."

But what they're not saying (or admitting) is on how many other plays was Bryant the #1 option and Prescott didn't go to him because he felt Dez wasn't open?

Probably a heck of a lot more than those 6 targets.

And Beasley is being double covered and Witten is barely off the LOS, then what?

Prescott doesn't look good right now.

But how much of that is truly his fault and how much is it the fault of the WR's and the scheme?

The few times that TWill is the 1st read, it's usually a completion. That's a sad state of affairs.

 

[rags747]

Dez fumbled.

Dez tipped the pass into the air for an INT.

The overthrow of Zeke in the left flat was due to last second hands up by the defender rushing against Bell. Dak was just trying to avoid it getting blocked. Side note, Dez was a similar distance from the intended receiver as the defender that caught the INT but made no effort to go for the ball or get to the defender to tackle him.

Bailey missed field goals.

Dak was under heavy pressure often and was hit hard a few times.

If Dez does not screw up multiple times and if Tyron was healthy, we would be discussing a great win.

A great win yes, but still an abysmal passing attack unfortunately.

 

[Cowboysfan917]

Dak's College Scouting Report:

Hyper aware of pressure around him and lacks awareness to slide and find temporary shelter to make throw. Concern over pressure too often trumps ability to get through progressions. Must speed up the pace of his reads. Footwork is a mess. Slight stride onto stiff upper leg with little weight shift. Restricted follow through and too often tries to muscle throws with upper body. Throws to target rather than leading or throwing them open on short/intermediate throws. Too respectful of underneath coverage and must be more willing to challenge the defense. Needs to improve anticipation.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/dak-prescott?id=2555260

IMO. I think he still has the same deficiencies.

THIS!
So many say he regressed. He did not. He just failed to improve. He played just like he did in college and last season. He failed to take any steps forward. How much can a player really learn pocket awareness? How much can a QB really improve his accuracy? Sure he could work on his footwork and some mechanics but I just can’t imagine a big leap in accuracy in a player who is out of college(been throwing this way his whole life) and who is constantly throwing high and behind in games.

 

[aikemirv]

Several things. In order I believe

1) horrible scheme
2) typical sophomore slump
3) WRs didn't play as well

What we saw on the 1st and goal from the 3 when he missed Beasley wide open in the end zone and the int he threw over Zekes head when Witten was wide open running across the field shows this is all on Dak and nothing to do with scheme and protection. I am afraid he is going to go down the path of RG III because he just does not see the field!

 

[willia451]

I think he put too much pressure on himself to carry the team when Zeke sat out. I think He is good and will get better, but the weight of carrying Americas team was more than he could handle. I don't think he is ready to call audibles and RPOs as much as he did. Coaches should not have put that on him. Only time will tell, but he needs more weapons around him.

The person that was supposed to mentor him to be the next franchise QB if he could be was done and couldn't continue. He's now in the booth watching this train wreck with the rest of us.

 

[tyke1doe]

1 & 2 are intrinsically linked. Dez is no doubt the #1 read for many plays and if he's not getting separation on a regular basis, Beasley is being doubled and Witten is about 5 yards beyond the LOS... There aren't many options left.

They can be, but they're also separate. There are times when Beasley may be open, if but for a moment. Because Dak is risk averse, he doesn't throw to Beasley. That may or may not have anything to do with Dez or Witten. Beasley may be the first read.

 

[tyke1doe]

This.

I think Dez is the #1 read on many plays and he's not getting separation. Beasley is being doubled so there goes that option.

The result is... Holding the ball too long.

But that's not always the case. Looking at the All-22, there are times when Beasley is open or Witten, but they don't get the ball.

Second, if Dez is the first option on MANY plays but he's not open, whose fault is it that Dak keeps looking at Dez as a first option ... Dak's, Linehan's or Garrett's?