Dak Prescott: Draft anomaly, or a reason teams need to re-evaluate how they scout QB's

[visionary]

It amazes me how much stock is put into not taking a direct snap from under center. These are highly skilled athletes...I have no doubt they can learn something so basic.

Try it sometime
It is a world of difference taking snaps under center vs shotgun in that kind of offense

 

[LocimusPrime]

Drafting players based on their college resumes is an inexact science. All you can do is trust your scouts, trust your coaches, trust your system, and hope for the best.

But after years of failure, you need to evaluate what part of your organization needs fixn

 

[dallasdave]

Drafting players based on their college resumes is an inexact science. All you can do is trust your scouts, trust your coaches, trust your system, and hope for the best.

But after years of failure, you need to evaluate what part of your organization needs fixn

 

[Wood]

to be honest, I heard rave reviews about Dak before the draft to the point that I was wondered why he wasn't projected as late 1st or 2nd rounder. The only negative we heard was that he didn't take snaps under center.

 

[Craig]

to be honest, I heard rave reviews about Dak before the draft to the point that I was wondered why he wasn't projected as late 1st or 2nd rounder. The only negative we heard was that he didn't take snaps under center.

Dui

 

[Setackin]

I think for years NFL QBs came out of college lookin a certain way. these new spread and read option offenses, scouts are having a hard time evaluating who can do what. It's like figuring out which rectangle will fit in and square hole.

 

[Alexander]

It amazes me how much stock is put into not taking a direct snap from under center. These are highly skilled athletes...I have no doubt they can learn something so basic.

It has nothing to do with their athleticism.

It has to do with what they have learned (and were taught) since high school.

You can never count on the quality of coaching.

 

[RS12]

The hardest thing to evaluate on any QB you are thinking of drafting is what is between the ears.

 

[Wood]

Aikman says it best. It all comes down to how quickly QB can evaluate complex factors on defense. If Dak is able to do this at highest level this quickly (Which Jimmy Johnson said is very unusually for rookie QB) then we just have to accept and celebrate fact that Dak has it.

 

[NorTex]

The snap itself isn't the point. It is about pre snap reads from that position along with footwork on 3, 5, and 7 step drops.

Oh yah, that footwork is tough stuff. Give me a break.

 

[NorTex]

The hardest thing to evaluate on any QB you are thinking of drafting is what is between the ears.

Bingo!

 

[plasticman]

One of the attributes that Garrett insists on is a high level of productivity in college. He isnt one who mormal drafts potential.

Prescott fits the same attributes with a very productive college career. Hes an intelligent guy that loves the game and has a chip on his shoulder.

 

[Don Corleone]

Oh yah, that footwork is tough stuff. Give me a break.

It is tough. Timing with the receiver is based on the correct footwork. Add that you have to sense pressure and make reads while dropping back with the right footwork. There is a reason why they pay the best QBs some serious coin!

 

[CowboyMort]

I liked the fact that he didn't have as much talent around him as most SEC schools, yet he elevated the program/team and was very successful in doing so.

 

[DFWJC]

It amazes me how much stock is put into not taking a direct snap from under center. These are highly skilled athletes...I have no doubt they can learn something so basic.

Yeah, they should.
It does badly affect their timing on throws.
The other unsung factor is the defensive reads. Under center some of the defense wait until drop back to move into their real spots. 5 and 7 step drops force the QB to look away from the defense so there's that adjustment too.

 

[plymkr]

Drafting a QB? Only one chamber is loaded. It's called Russian Roulette.

Exactly, great analogy

 

[ThreeandOut]

Looking back, there were a lot of factors that pointed to his potential, including that he:

• Was the only QB to hit all 7 of the Parcell's criteria for drafting a QB.
• Had the physical tools.
• Played against top flight competition in the SEC and routinely played against teams with better talent.
• Off-the-chart intangibles.
• Showed improvement each year (which demonstrates an ability and willingness to learn),

It's definitely more difficult evaluating QB's these days given the types of offense many colleges run. But if you have all these factors working for you, it seems like there is a decent chance for success. The real surprise is how quickly that success has come.

 

[ThreeandOut]

I liked the fact that he didn't have as much talent around him as most SEC schools, yet he elevated the program/team and was very successful in doing so.

It's not the Alabama's and LSU's that are producing the best NFL QBs from the SEC. The best SEC QB's come from places like Ole Miss (Eli) and Vanderbilt (Cutler). There's something to be said for QB's that routinely play and excel against more talented teams.

 

[AbeBeta]

Dui

He took two breathalyzer tests that did not show him over the legal limit. He was charged anyway.

That's Mississippi for you.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Considering how little the Cowboys paid for Prescott and Collins, their draft strategy next year should involve scouring the police blotters in SEC country looking for a Defensive End.