Are You Reality Ready?

[MileyDancer]

They game plan, we game plan, it works both ways. Yes, Dak will have growing pains, a learning curve. It took DC's quite a lot longer to figure out RG3 his rookie year, like most of the season. And Dak already looks to be better than RG3.
Our suspect D will be better than the last 2 years, one in which was the 2014 season with a dynamic running game, then finished stat wise about the same without Romo & Bryant last year.
They have better players overall this year. Pass rush still a big issue, yes. But I do not expect them to be any worse.

Coaches in Cleveland have said RG3 STILL can't read a defense.

 

[Donhyphen]

Watch out for Miyagi he'll puts your nuggets in a chopsticks vise.

 

[KJJ]

The regular season is a reality check. I remember in 89 the Cowboys had a solid preseason winning 2-3 games and Troy Aikman looked every bit the part of the #1 overall pick. It appeared the Cowboys might have a pretty good season easily topping the 3-13 season they had in 88 in Landry's final year. However those expectations were completely dashed on opening day in NO with a 28-0 blowout loss to the Saints. Aikman had a miserable day completing less than 49% of his passes with 2 INT's and a passer rating of 40.0. Would have never imagined after watching them in preseason they would go 1-15 and Aikman would end up 0-11. The one thing Dak has going for him is he's surrounded by a lot of talent offensively, however the performance of our defense will dictate how we have to play offensively.

If we start falling behind it's going to put more pressure on Dak and the passing game. If we score and allow the opponent to answer right back we're going to have to be more aggressive offensively. I expect us to lean on the running game and try and play keep away like we did in 2014. If we can keep the defense fresh and from being exposed like we did that season we'll have a chance provided we're efficient offensively. Too many rookie mistakes by Dak is going to put the defense back on the field and it's going to be tough trying to overcome deficits with a rookie QB. If the defense isn't able to perform at a respectable level enabling us to manage Dak it's going to be a long year.

 

[CouchCoach]

I was surprised to see Rod using blitzes in the pre(fake)season games. Maybe the other teams asked him to. Maybe he wanted to see how the DBs did with more pass rush pressure. Maybe he's going to change his long held aversion to blitzing.

Whoops didn't get the quote clicked right. Was spurred by CC's comment on our lack of QB pressures.

Maybe having Scandrick back he will be willing to take more risks but the last thing he wants are big plays from an offense that thrives on that. I assume they'll do whatever they can to keep it close to help Dak and that means playing it safer.

The other challenge with blitzing is Manning's release time, they want us to blitz. I shudder to think (and not just about this) of our DBs one on one in tackling.

 

[CouchCoach]

The regular season is a reality check. I remember in 89 the Cowboys had a solid preseason winning 2-3 games and Troy Aikman looked every bit the part of the #1 overall pick. It appeared the Cowboys might have a pretty good season easily topping the 3-13 season they had in 88 in Landry's final year. However those expectations were completely dashed on opening day in NO with a 28-0 blowout loss to the Saints. Aikman had a miserable day completing less than 49% of his passes with 2 INT's and a passer rating of 40.0. Would have never imagined after watching them in preseason they would go 1-15 and Aikman would end up 0-11. The one thing Dak has going for him is he's surrounded by a lot of talent offensively, however the performance of our defense will dictate how we have to play offensively.

If we start falling behind it's going to put more pressure on Dak and the passing game. If we score and allow the opponent to answer right back we're going to have to be more aggressive offensively. I expect us to lean on the running game and try and play keep away like we did in 2014. If we can keep the defense fresh and from being exposed like we did that season we'll have a chance provided we're efficient offensively. Too many rookie mistakes by Dak is going to put the defense back on the field and it's going to be tough trying to overcome deficits with a rookie QB. If the defense isn't able to perform at a respectable level enabling us to manage Dak it's going to be a long year.

Agree and no DC fears him yet. They understand the pretend season a hell of a lot better than fans and the Giants D staff is watching film of him in 2015 and when he was at his worst. They don't care about the pretend season games because no one was gaming against him, in 2015 they were and that's what they're studying.

My problem with all the Dakmania is I wonder how many watched him in college feel that way? I watched him 2014 and 2015 and he regressed, did have some OL issues and lost his Mom so he had some reasons, not excuses, but some seem to think he's going to have it as easy as he did playing catch in the pretend games. What he did was draw attention to himself and cause DCs that will have to face him to take him more seriously than most rookie QBs. And every DC that we'll face knows we want to tun the offense through the run game.

 

[jazzcat22]

Coaches in Cleveland have said RG3 STILL can't read a defense.

So I guess that is why they named him the starter...one of the better offensive gurus in the league in Hugh Jackson....?

I am not an RG3 fan, never was, and more so because the Commanders took him. So if he can't read defenses still, and Cleveland passed on Wentz vis a trade. And why they wanted 25 draft picks or whatever it was, over a possible franchise QB. and wanted RG3 is beyond me., so I can understand the RG3 skepticism, as I am too. But maybe he will be better then we think and can read defenses better now.

 

[Techsass]

Maybe having Scandrick back he will be willing to take more risks but the last thing he wants are big plays from an offense that thrives on that. I assume they'll do whatever they can to keep it close to help Dak and that means playing it safer.

The other challenge with blitzing is Manning's release time, they want us to blitz. I shudder to think (and not just about this) of our DBs one on one in tackling.

Yeah I don't see him doing it often. He wants his front 4 to get there by themselves. They just haven't been able to yet since he got the gig. Too bad half of them aren't allowed to play.

 

[kapolani]

Everyone has a plan until they're punched in the mouth.

 

[Bleu Star]

From some of the Dakmania I've been seeing, I wonder if fans are ready for the reality of the real season, game planning and a young inexperienced, but talented, QB getting his first taste of real NFL defenses?

I like him a lot and he's been very impressive but I've seen this before in the pretend season with a variety of positions but especially the QB position. Best to tell yourself "it's not real" over and over.

Some may be expecting this young QB to overcome a very suspect defense that may put too much pressure on him to make plays instead of execute plays.

That interview was great, he said all the right things but he hadn't seen what they're going to throw at him. When you think of our young QB, think of how humbling NFL defenses can be to highly touted 1st rounders like Carr, Manning and Luck.

While Dak is stepping into an offense that is loaded with pb players and he'll have a better OL and run game than most QB's, he will still have to overcome this defense.

The odds are every QB that has to play out of this draft class is going to struggle, and ours is no exception, but that is part of the game. NFL defenses humble rookie QB's, I just hope ours can keep them under 30 and let him execute the offense. Dak doesn't just need the offense to help him, he needs the team. And my reality is that defense is actually worse than the last two seasons.

Whatever happens, I am not making any judgments about young Prescott in these first two games, either way, because reality happens when the DC's get enough film.

I am figuring the pass o/u at 25. If he has to make over 25 pass attempts, we lose and are not able to run the offense we were built to run. He has to be a game manager and execute the offense.

Are you ready for the juggernaut of a running attack that we are about to unleash on the rest of the league?

Are you ready to see our offensive line take it to even greater heights?

Are you ready to witness a formidable clock eating run game that will be even better than the Demarco years?

Are you ready to see Dak settle in behind all of that?

I most definitely am! I'll save a seat for you.

 

[KJJ]

Agree and no DC fears him yet. They understand the pretend season a hell of a lot better than fans and the Giants D staff is watching film of him in 2015 and when he was at his worst. They don't care about the pretend season games because no one was gaming against him, in 2015 they were and that's what they're studying.

My problem with all the Dakmania is I wonder how many watched him in college feel that way? I watched him 2014 and 2015 and he regressed, did have some OL issues and lost his Mom so he had some reasons, not excuses, but some seem to think he's going to have it as easy as he did playing catch in the pretend games. What he did was draw attention to himself and cause DCs that will have to face him to take him more seriously than most rookie QBs. And every DC that we'll face knows we want to tun the offense through the run game.

Naturally on a FAN board there's many who think Dak will have it just as easy in the regular season. After his first preseason game at least a couple of FANS were ready to bench Romo and go with Dak as the starter on opening day. I'm not saying Dak won't play well, he's got a lot of talent around him offensively but he's going to hit some bumps and it's going to be a rude awakening for some who think he can do no wrong. I was listening to some former NFL QBs like David Carr talking about how different the regular season is from the preseason. They said it's like night and day. When opponents are game planning and the real bullets start firing it's different. I'm just hoping Dak can maintain his confidence and poise during some of the struggles and adversities he'll encounter. Once you start playing for keeps against best the NFL has to offer it's a different ball game.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Are you ready for the juggernaut of a running attack that we are about to unleash on the rest of the league?

Are you ready to see our offensive line take it to even greater heights?

Are you ready to witness a formidable clock eating run game that will be even better than the Demarco years?

Are you ready to see Dak settle in behind all of that?

I most definitely am! I'll save a seat for you.

 

[kiheikiwi]

So, as a simple fan - who never played football (rugby man from NZ)
I would expect Dak, to get 1-2 quick reads and get rid of the ball. Maybe the old - read half the field and thats it. Dont overload him too much. Check downs, passes to our running backs and TEs. Occasional shots to Dez.
Apart from the smashmouth running game which will be front and center, I expect big years (numbers wise) from the slot, from TEs not named Witten. He will probably have to stay in and block more. Both Morris and Elliott will catch plenty of swing passes out of the backfield.
This could work on offense- the defense on the other hand ...

 

[CCBoy]

Wentz will be starting for Philadelphia, in game one...and this fan is betting that Dak Prescott puts him to shame until Tony Romo returns.

 

[percyhoward]

Be ready for some rookie mistakes, and expect his luck to even out a bit.

 

[Melonfeud]

First strike will be a play action pass deep..

Boom!!!

COPY THAT!,,that's what I'm thinking that first play from scrimmage is gonna be,,,THEN a heavy dose of ELLIOTT,,, I mean WHAM crack those ***""**% hard and fast right outta the gate.

 

[KJJ]

Wentz will be starting for Philadelphia, in game one...and this fan is betting that Dak Prescott puts him to shame until Tony Romo returns.

I wouldn't be betting on anything with the Cowboys until we see what we have on opening day especially defensively. Some get so carried away here it leads to these ledge jumping and hate threads that are started after games. If Dak is put in the position Romo was put in, in the opener last season vs the Giants it's likely to lead to a rough game for him. If he's having to put the ball up 45 times and throw 3 TD's including one on a last ditch drive to pull the game out...good luck! He should have a much better running game than Romo had in the opener last year and if we're able to manage Dak by leaning on the run he can be successful provided the defense can make stops and doesn't suck.

 

[AsthmaField]

No, that's true but I have seen this defense in the past with 2 of the 3 missing pieces in and then they were marginal. This is what I do know. In the next two games, we are facing very good QB/Receiver combos and what's our weakness in the past? Pass rush and what have you seen to believe it will be better? They will score and put pressure on Dak to respond, which is exactly what they want from a rookie.

Hey ACF, I am not negative about Dak or our chances, just seeing some unreal expectations for a rookie QB. And I watch a lot of SEC ball and when they began to rattle Dak, that's when the mistakes we're made. I like him but we will have growing pains with him and do not have a good enough team to support him to the degree any rookie needs.

Maybe if posters look at those two picks that were erased they'll lower their bar for him a little? Were those good passes?

I understand what you're saying about expectations being too high within the fan base for Dak who has never even played a real NFL game (although I do think Seattle was pushing the bar for a preseason contest because it was the dress rehearsal, they hadn't looked good in the first two PS games, they were at home and Dallas had physically whipped them on their last trip to Seattle). I agree people are likely expecting too much.

However, I live smack in SEC country and watch a lot of it myself. The better SEC teams got to Dak early and often because of his surrounding cast and if that had "rattled" Prescott like you said... then he would have been that was for entire games at a time.

I saw it more as Dak trying to win a game that was pretty much unwinnable considering the discrepancy between the talent levels of he two teams. He was either being hit way too soon or he was taking what was essentially a calculated risk hoping that he could make something good happen for his team. I understand why you (and others) might see it as him getting rattled and making mistakes... but for Prescott, it was try to make a play or just take the sack... and not taking chances while getting sacked would never, ever win the game.

So he took risks that he likely wouldn't have with more competent team mates around him.

Dak is built so well that you could tell he wasn't afraid of getting hit. He never had the look of a QB getting beaten up with that wild Bradford look in his eyes. He wasn't worried about getting hit and the physical part of the game, IMO, didn't rattle him. He just wanted to win and with the only option to try to do so being throwing the ball down the field into coverage he probably knew wasn't favorable... he did so.

At least that is how I saw it while he was playing at State.

Now, does that mean he won't throw some bad passes now that he has a good offense around him? Of course not. Hell, he threw a couple of bad one's in the preseason already. He will make some ill advised throws, and he will get picked off some. That is going to happen.

However, he has made those bad throws at a minuscule rate when compared to other rookie QB's in their PS games going back decades. While we know he is going to make mistakes... he has shown that he does have poise, doesn't get rattled easily, can read defenses, make the correct throw, use his legs to get out of trouble, and that the big stage certainly doesn't phase him in the slightest.

You're certainly correct in cautioning people that Prescott is a rookie and is going to make mistakes... but I think the kid is also going to make some very good plays for the team and will hurt/scare defenses with his legs.

And the best thing about Dak is what I haven't even mentioned: His ability to inspire his team mates with confidence and the uncanny way that his team always, always plays for him like it is their last day on Earth. People run through walls for Dak and just like Staubach's team mates felt like he would win it for them... Prescott's teams always feel like he can take them to the promised land.

There is a chance Prescott is overwhelmed, I agree. There is also a chance he shocks the NFL too. I can't wait to see which it is.

 

[strollinruss]

It could go either way, guys. I'm not letting myself get excited about anything except the fact we are on the brink of getting to watch The Boys play 16 games. As Rick Flair would say, 'Woooooooooosa'

 

[Primetime42]

So I guess that is why they named him the starter...one of the better offensive gurus in the league in Hugh Jackson....?

I am not an RG3 fan, never was, and more so because the Commanders took him. So if he can't read defenses still, and Cleveland passed on Wentz vis a trade. And why they wanted 25 draft picks or whatever it was, over a possible franchise QB. and wanted RG3 is beyond me., so I can understand the RG3 skepticism, as I am too. But maybe he will be better then we think and can read defenses better now.

He's also still apparently a selfish goofball, from what I hear.

 

[CouchCoach]

So I guess that is why they named him the starter...one of the better offensive gurus in the league in Hugh Jackson....?

I am not an RG3 fan, never was, and more so because the Commanders took him. So if he can't read defenses still, and Cleveland passed on Wentz vis a trade. And why they wanted 25 draft picks or whatever it was, over a possible franchise QB. and wanted RG3 is beyond me., so I can understand the RG3 skepticism, as I am too. But maybe he will be better then we think and can read defenses better now.

This is a Cleveland Browns' QB you're talking about. Griffin is just not the ugliest puppy in the litter.