An Honest Question About Dak

[nightrain]

I would like to ask the forum why we as an NFL treat Dak so different from any other young QB. The easy answer is he’s the Cowboys QB, but let’s dive in a little more.

Dak just finished up year 3. His biggest criticisms are:

-Inconsistent with decision making and accuracy.
-Issues with pocket awareness.
-“Game Manager”

Here are his first 3 years:

Dak Prescott- 975 completions on 1,475 attempts for a 66% completion percentage and about 3,625 passing yards a season. He’s averaged 23 TD passes and 8 interceptions. His YPA for his career is 7.4

Let’s look at 3 other quarterbacks in their first 3 years

Russell Wilson - 794 completions on 1,252 attempts for a 63.33 completion percentage for about 3,316 passing yards a season. Over those years he averaged 24 TD passes and about 8 interceptions. His YPA in those 3 years was 7.8

Big Ben - 644 completions on 1,032 attempts for a 62 % completion percentage and about 2,840 yards passing a season. He averaged about 17 TD passes and 14 interceptions. His YPA those years was 8.4

Tom Brady - 954 completions on 1,541 attempts for a 62% completion rate and about 3,409 yards passing a season. He averaged about 23 TD passes and 13 interceptions. His YPA was 6.7

Dak arguably has performed the best statistically of all these teams with worse coaching and worse players (remember these are all Super Bowl teams within those first 3 years of those guys careers).

I hear so much talk on this forum about how much better Romo was and they back it up with stats and highlights from when Romo already had years of experience and reps.

Dak is only in year 3. While the other QB’s mentioned above were given some of the same criticisms, they also were given time to grow.

-R. Wilson was a game manager who routinely sailed fastballs over WR’s heads.
-It took Tom Brady 5 years to shake off his rep as a game manager with an all time great HC.
-Big Ben barely got to throw the ball this first few years.

Why do most other QB’s get a chance to improve while Dak is supposed to be at peak potential right away?

Is it because Dak’s lows are aesthetically unpleasant while his highs don’t look that sexy either? Is it the color of his skin? Is it the 2016 season that spoiled us all?

Dak has obviously made strides in improvement this season once he got a semblance of a WR/TE group.
Why do most fans shut the door on any more improvement from him? Why do we give Jared Goff a pass for bad QB coaching but Dak doesn’t? Help me understand why we as a fanbase refuse to give Dak the same leash as everyone else. All these QB’s were limited in their first few years, let’s let the growth process complete before we make a definitive judgment.

Just win, Baby. The Ws are the only stats that matter. Looking forward to 2019.

 

[HungryLion]

I can't argue with none of this but when he is still playing like this when he gets that bigger money the voices will get louder and it won't just be "haters" crapping on this guy. Technically he can fix his issues but this is where y'all are being emotional imo and not realistic. Just think realistically with people you know or even yourself where you have problems no matter how big are small that are fixable and you haven't worked on them for whatever reason. That's Dak he's had the same problems since before the draft and I'm supposed to think someone that hasn't fixed them same problems going on 3/4 years is going to do it now? Maybe but I'd be shocked just like someone that's been out of shape for years deciding to lose weight without something drastic happening. Not negative just base things on what's more likely to happen from life experiences that we've all mostly saw in some way.

I will readily admit that I like Dak as a person and I love his background story. Something to be said for a kid that grew up in a trailer park, with a single mom and through hard work and toughness has made it to being the starting QB of the Dallas Cowboys.

I know those things don’t matter come Sunday but I can admit that I do root for Dak to overcome and make it great, in part, because of those things.

 

[Philmonroe]

I will readily admit that I like Dak as a person and I love his background story. Something to be said for a kid that grew up in a trailer park, with a single mom and through hard work and toughness has made it to being the starting QB of the Dallas Cowboys.

I know those things don’t matter come Sunday but I can admit that I do root for Dak to overcome and make it great, in part, because of those things.

Yeah this is all great and all but do you like Jeff Heath or Garrett as a person? Heck do you like the post person as a person because they are nice? That doesn't matter as you know. All that matters is his game on the field because without that you wouldn't care about him anymore than you'd care about me. That's just realistic. I want him to be better because he is the qb on this team and him playing good gets us closer to winning a SB but I won't be blinded to say he or anyone else is good when I don't agree. If he was Zeke and more good than bad I'd give him his props but he isn't right now.

 

[khiladi]

None of Dak’s first 7 games were vastly different from the last 9 games other than he happened to throw a couple passes on man press coverage with one deep safety that either Gallup or Cook took to the house on go routes that teams were daring him to make all year.

 

[zenmastersauce]

Dak needs a revamped offense with better coaching to maximize his skill set. Dak plays in THE most plain vanilla, unimaginative and predictable offense in the NFL.

Change in the offense by bringing in a better OC who can coach up a young QB is IMO, this team’s biggest off season need.

VERY predictable

 

[Seven]

You can't compare Dak's numbers to anyone who came into the league earlier than him. Rule changes have made it easier than ever to throw the ball and so really Dak should have better numbers than them. You could look at those guys by rankings when they came into the league which would control for those differences.

Wrong.

The league, this year especially, let the receiver and CB's actually play football.

A lot less hanky's flying around.......IMO.

It was refreshing.

 

[Creeper]

I am currently a recovering Dak critic. So let me chime in. Forget statistics. Let look at the intangibles. Yes, Dak lacks pocket awareness at times. Yes, Dak holds the ball too long sometimes. Yes, Dak has periods of inconsistency and inaccuracy. From the beginning of the year to the end, something clicked with Dak. He started making better decisions and quicker decisions. He was making plays with his arm and his feet. To me this is evidence he is learning from experience. This is huge to me.

Now I say give him time. He may turn out to be the QB that takes this team forward simply because of his own determination rubbing off on the rest of the team. I feel much better about Dak now than I did at the halfway mark.

 

[Philmonroe]

I am currently a recovering Dak critic. So let me chime in. Forget statistics. Let look at the intangibles. Yes, Dak lacks pocket awareness at times. Yes, Dak holds the ball too long sometimes. Yes, Dak has periods of inconsistency and inaccuracy. From the beginning of the year to the end, something clicked with Dak. He started making better decisions and quicker decisions. He was making plays with his arm and his feet. To me this is evidence he is learning from experience. This is huge to me.

Now I say give him time. He may turn out to be the QB that takes this team forward simply because of his own determination rubbing off on the rest of the team. I feel much better about Dak now than I did at the halfway mark.

Man this sounds like a post from Broncos zone when Tebow was starting. When we have to look at intangibles instead of the lack of actual skill set on the field that's when I don't think a player is that good. Most good players in any sport do we lead off with their intangibles as one of their best skills. We mention it but with avg players like Dak it's a top thing that is mentioned.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Well I do feel better about Dak then I do about Garrett. lol

 

[Daktozekecoop]

A few more things to keep in mind about Dak:

His QB coach was his backup for two years.

His OC is unimaginative and criminally and chronically ignores his best assets.

We had almost a complete overhaul of our WR corp in one year. Look at the receivers Dak had at the beginning of the year. They were the worst in the league. But, amazingly, we add Cooper and Gallup gets accustomed to the league and suddenly he starts playing a high level - weird huh?

But for some reason, people go to great lengths, mental gymnastics, to belittle our young QB. I will never know why.

100 percent agreed. It is because of Dak maintaining his cool as the team was crumbling around him that we had any chance in that game. My impression watching that game was the whole team was gassed, to many high pressure games one after another without a break. And Dak literally became our only bright spot. I just knew, many here would still pile on completely irrationally. Much like Romo making the career of a HOF alltime great tight end and getting insane production out of TO and Dez, and many others, who went elsewhere and fell off the map. But all we ever heard was how crap he was.

 

[Whyjerry]

I would like to ask the forum why we as an NFL treat Dak so different from any other young QB. The easy answer is he’s the Cowboys QB, but let’s dive in a little more.

Dak just finished up year 3. His biggest criticisms are:

-Inconsistent with decision making and accuracy.
-Issues with pocket awareness.
-“Game Manager”

Here are his first 3 years:

Dak Prescott- 975 completions on 1,475 attempts for a 66% completion percentage and about 3,625 passing yards a season. He’s averaged 23 TD passes and 8 interceptions. His YPA for his career is 7.4

Let’s look at 3 other quarterbacks in their first 3 years

Russell Wilson - 794 completions on 1,252 attempts for a 63.33 completion percentage for about 3,316 passing yards a season. Over those years he averaged 24 TD passes and about 8 interceptions. His YPA in those 3 years was 7.8

Big Ben - 644 completions on 1,032 attempts for a 62 % completion percentage and about 2,840 yards passing a season. He averaged about 17 TD passes and 14 interceptions. His YPA those years was 8.4

Tom Brady - 954 completions on 1,541 attempts for a 62% completion rate and about 3,409 yards passing a season. He averaged about 23 TD passes and 13 interceptions. His YPA was 6.7

Dak arguably has performed the best statistically of all these teams with worse coaching and worse players (remember these are all Super Bowl teams within those first 3 years of those guys careers).

I hear so much talk on this forum about how much better Romo was and they back it up with stats and highlights from when Romo already had years of experience and reps.

Dak is only in year 3. While the other QB’s mentioned above were given some of the same criticisms, they also were given time to grow.

-R. Wilson was a game manager who routinely sailed fastballs over WR’s heads.
-It took Tom Brady 5 years to shake off his rep as a game manager with an all time great HC.
-Big Ben barely got to throw the ball this first few years.

Why do most other QB’s get a chance to improve while Dak is supposed to be at peak potential right away?

Is it because Dak’s lows are aesthetically unpleasant while his highs don’t look that sexy either? Is it the color of his skin? Is it the 2016 season that spoiled us all?

Dak has obviously made strides in improvement this season once he got a semblance of a WR/TE group.
Why do most fans shut the door on any more improvement from him? Why do we give Jared Goff a pass for bad QB coaching but Dak doesn’t? Help me understand why we as a fanbase refuse to give Dak the same leash as everyone else. All these QB’s were limited in their first few years, let’s let the growth process complete before we make a definitive judgment.

I think it is because some fans are too stupid and stubborn to see all the good and not see all the deficiencies around him. The OL and OC are just a couple roadblocks this young QB must overcome. I honestly can’t understand the Dak hate at all. Guy is a winner even the haters must see that.

 

[rags747]

Well, you're right about one thing. The Dallas Cowboys are under the microscope more than any other team. Everything is magnified.

As for Dak, he still needs to improve in some facets. His arm talent is fairly average. But I'm rooting for him. At some point he will either completely break through or he will bust out. Looking forward to seeing which one it is.

A few more things to keep in mind about Dak:

His QB coach was his backup for two years.

His OC is unimaginative and criminally and chronically ignores his best assets.

We had almost a complete overhaul of our WR corp in one year. Look at the receivers Dak had at the beginning of the year. They were the worst in the league. But, amazingly, we add Cooper and Gallup gets accustomed to the league and suddenly he starts playing a high level - weird huh?

But for some reason, people go to great lengths, mental gymnastics, to belittle our young QB. I will never know why.

Very very High level, the stats since he came into the league in 2016 are among the highest ever recorded.

 

[CowboysRule]

Is it because Dak’s lows are aesthetically unpleasant while his highs don’t look that sexy either? Is it the color of his skin? Is it the 2016 season that spoiled us all?

Dak has obviously made strides in improvement this season once he got a semblance of a WR/TE group.
Why do most fans shut the door on any more improvement from him? Why do we give Jared Goff a pass for bad QB coaching but Dak doesn’t? Help me understand why we as a fanbase refuse to give Dak the same leash as everyone else. All these QB’s were limited in their first few years, let’s let the growth process complete before we make a definitive judgment.

Jesus Christ...really?

 

[rags747]

Eyeball test. Maybe you need glasses.
Sorry, but I just find it funny when fans use this as a reason either good, bad or indifferent.
As there is a lot more going on during the play.

However, I prefer they give him another year before extending his contract.
They need to extend Zeke first.

Why? I look at Mahomes and he passes my eyeball test right away. Kind of like looking at a thoroughbred horse and then looking at a plough horse or the old grey mare, the eyes don’t lie.

 

[rags747]

Only 8 QBs threw for 4300+ yards this season. I guess 24 starting QBs are a buncha NOTHINGS.

How many threw for 22 td’s or less?

 

[rags747]

I will readily admit that I like Dak as a person and I love his background story. Something to be said for a kid that grew up in a trailer park, with a single mom and through hard work and toughness has made it to being the starting QB of the Dallas Cowboys.

I know those things don’t matter come Sunday but I can admit that I do root for Dak to overcome and make it great, in part, because of those things.

Yeas agreed a great American story, tough not to root for the kid. Just wish he had a little more arm talent.

 

[BoysForLife]

Dak needs a revamped offense with better coaching to maximize his skill set. Dak plays in THE most plain vanilla, unimaginative and predictable offense in the NFL.

Change in the offense by bringing in a better OC who can coach up a young QB is IMO, this team’s biggest off season need.

Is it possible that the scheme isn't more complicated and exotic because Daks skillset limits what he can do?

 

[percyhoward]

 

[Philmonroe]

Jesus Christ...really?

People are lazy so what else do you expect from lazy people. That question is soo lazy and stupid on an messageboard it doesn't make any sense.

 

[Philmonroe]

Is it possible that the scheme isn't more complicated and exotic because Daks skillset limits what he can do?

I don't know but I really want an OC people like so we can see for sure if he's the problem or has it really been the scheme even though I swore in 2016 they were running this same scheme. Maybe I'm crazy.