Dallas Cowboys Holding Dak Back

[SlammedZero]

I like how not one player since JG has taken over is responsible for their poor play. Missed FG? JG’s fault. Fumbled ball? JG’s fault. Interception? JG’s fault. Offsides? JG’s fault. Holding? JG’s fault. Pass interference? JG’s fault. Drafting? JG’s fault.

I get the coaching isn’t ideal but my god...I’d love to play for the Cowboys and never be held accountable for my mistakes by the media or fans.

Shut up Ranching! Zip it!

I understand what you're saying, play execution is important, but so is coaching. When mental gaffes become more consistent than actual positive plays, it points to the sidelines. I've been on both sides of the fence as a fan (support/not support Garrett) and while we have seen good and bad, it is just time for him to go. This team needs a new energy to buy into.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The fact is Dak hasn’t played well
Blame who you want but he’s missed open receivers and thrown bad passes
He’s got to do better and last week he did play better but he’s got to continue to improve

Dak has shown that if he gets good protection he balls. Its that simple.

 

[America's Cowboy]

"What I saw on third downs was a lack of imagination in play design. As ESPN personality Mike Golic Jr. explained on the Bootleg podcast, Linehan relies on his players to beat the man in front of them. He doesn’t do much scheming to get them open. And that makes for tight passing windows, which puts the pressure on Prescott to be incredibly accurate and precise — which is not his strongest skill as a passer.

Unsurprisingly, Prescott leads the league in tight-window throws at 22 percent. But, to Prescott’s credit, despite the tight windows, he has thrown only two interceptions this season, both to Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks. One resulted from a well-thrown slant that was dropped, and the other was an inaccurate pass that was tipped into the air and snagged by the defense."

What Dak detractors are failing to realize or understand is the stat above in bold. How amazing that Dak actually leads all QBs in "tight window throws" at 22 percent and with only 2 INTs, with one absolutely not his fault. You guys should be applauding those stats. What happened to many saying Dak sucks at throwing into "tight windows" and accuracy throwing such passes? These stats should silence such false accusations against Dak, but I'm sure it won't. Cowboys fans should be encouraged by such stats. It shows that almost 1/4th of Dak's passes are completed in "tight windows" and with the best accuracy and precision with only 2 interceptions. All top stats among QBs so far.

The section highlighted in blue also clearly explains how Linehan doesn't do much scheming to get receivers open, relying on his receivers instead to beat the man in front of them, which puts the pressure on Prescott to be incredibly accurate and precise — which is not his strongest skill as a passer.

We clearly see who is the problem. It's not our QB.

 

[aria]

Seriously? It's been nothing but the players fault since a man gifted roles he's never earned has been here!

This guy sucks! That guy sucks! On and on and on, no matter how many times that position has in fact been swapped out. The fact is that all of the players have been swapped out, again and again and again, as well as each and every assistant coach on the payroll. Those excuses have run out.

Garrett is the one culprit still left, as the Joneses aren't about to fire themselves.

No, I’m not saying it’s been nothing but the players fault nor have I ever said that. I think it’s a bad combination of both. God forbid anyone says Tony Romo made BIG mistakes that were his fault and his fault only and all hell beaks loose.

What I said is I don’t think JG is a great coach but I also think a lot (not all) of the personnel he’s been provided has been either lackluster, grossly over rated by the fans but most importantly this team has rarely been buillt properly over the past couple decades.

I don’t know why you keep brining up players being swapped out like that’s an automatic reason for success. Do you think the new receivers, new TE and our relatively new safety means it’s an automatic upgrade at that position? Do you think Dak is an upgrade over Tony? What about some of the guys on our O line that have been replaced?

I understand what you're saying, play execution is important, but so is coaching. When mental gaffes become more consistent than actual positive plays, it points to the sidelines. I've been on both sides of the fence as a fan (support/not support Garrett) and while we have seen good and bad, it is just time for him to go. This team needs a new energy to buy into.

I agree, I’ve been saying since the off season that if he doesn’t make the playoffs this year, barring a major incident, then I’ll jump on the fire JG train.

 

[Stash]

No, I’m not saying it’s been nothing but the players fault nor have I ever said that. I think it’s a bad combination of both. God forbid anyone says Tony Romo made BIG mistakes that were his fault and his fault only and all hell beaks loose.

I won't look for all hell to break loose, but I'll only say that some of those Romo mistakes were the result of pressing because so much of winning and losing games rode on his shoulders. One need look no further than to how pathetic the team did when it wasn't him out there.

What I said is I don’t think JG is a great coach but I also think a lot (not all) of the personnel he’s been provided has been either lackluster, grossly over rated by the fans but most importantly this team has rarely been buillt properly over the past couple decades.

I'll counter that argument with the fact that many players have gone on to have success after Dallas. Ware won a Super Bowl ring after toiling away and spinning his wheels under Garrett. "Bums" like Carr, Claiborne, and Church have gone on to be quality productive players after "not being able to play" here.

I don’t know why you keep brining up players being swapped out like that’s an automatic reason for success. Do you think the new receivers, new TE and our relatively new safety means it’s an automatic upgrade at that position? Do you think Dak is an upgrade over Tony? What about some of the guys on our O line that have been replaced?

The point is that you can't keep going down the ever-changing cycle of blaming the players for your head coach's failures. Players will always be a factor and if that's the excuse you're looking for for the coach, you'll always have it. There will always be "players" to blame.

And I know something else, Garrett decided on Dak vs going back to Romo. If you're saying it was against his wishes, then he's a stooge who doesn't have the spine to be a head coach anyway. So either he's responsible for the decisions, or he's a "Yes man" who goes along to get along and keep his job. Neither of those options is good.

I agree, I’ve been saying since the off season that if he doesn’t make the playoffs this year, barring a major incident, then I’ll jump on the fire JG train.

Better late than never I guess.

 

[Reid1boys]

Until last Sunday against the Detroit Lions, Dak Prescott had failed to surpass 200 yards passing in a game this season. He also had a pair of sub-200-yard games to end last season. In the modern NFL, with the rules skewed to encourage passing, those numbers are certainly cause for concern. Over that five-game stretch, the Dallas Cowboys went 2-3. But the most damning statistic? Over that same span, the Cowboys averaged 11.8 points per game — dead last in the NFL and almost nine points below the league average.

The shine of Prescott’s sensational 2016 rookie season has protected him from the criticism that has been heaped on his underachieving offense. Head coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan have been viewed as the problem. Fingers have been pointed at the O-line’s regression after some key losses. The departures of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten have prompted some to blame a lack of playmakers.

https://theundefeated.com/features/dallas-cowboys-holding-dak-prescott-back/

Headline should read Dak Prescott is holding the Dallas cowboys back.

 

[percyhoward]

Of the 130 QB starts in the 65 games played so far in 2018, there have only been 31 in which the QB was pressured on at least 40% of his dropbacks in 2018.

Passing from clean pocket in these games:
Prescott 33 of 44 (75%) 279 yd (6.3 ypa) 1 td 2 int 79.6
all others 401 of 595 (67%) 4,593 yd (7.7 ypa) 30 td 11 int 99.5

In this sample of 31 games, on plays when the QB was NOT pressured, the league averages 20 rating points higher than Dak.

Consistent pressure in a game gets in his head, even affecting his throws from a clean pocket.

Keep the pressures under 40% for the game, and Dak's passer ratings over the last three seasons are 112.5, 109.3, and 107.5. That's 24 games. In the other 13 games, they're 71.3, 66.1, and 66.8

 

[Reid1boys]

Of the 130 QB starts in the 65 games played so far in 2018, there have only been 31 in which the QB was pressured on at least 40% of his dropbacks in 2018.

Passing from clean pocket in these games:
Prescott 33 of 44 (75%) 279 yd (6.3 ypa) 1 td 2 int 79.6
all others 401 of 595 (67%) 4,593 yd (7.7 ypa) 30 td 11 int 99.5

In this sample of 31 games, on plays when the QB was NOT pressured, the league averages 20 rating points higher than Dak.

Consistent pressure in a game gets in his head, even affecting his throws from a clean pocket.

Keep the pressures under 40% for the game, and Dak's passer ratings over the last three seasons are 112.5, 109.3, and 107.5. That's 24 games. In the other 13 games, they're 71.3, 66.1, and 66.8

Damn, analytics are just crazy. These stats are great... I’m not being sarcastic.

Now sarcasm... do they have stats for when qbs had arguments with their lady before the game vs not having arguments?

Seriously, it’s amazing what these guys measure in today’s sports world.

 

[aria]

I won't look for all hell to break loose, but I'll only say that some of those Romo mistakes were the result of pressing because so much of winning and losing games rode on his shoulders. One need look no further than to how pathetic the team did when it wasn't him out there.



I'll counter that argument with the fact that many players have gone on to have success after Dallas. Ware won a Super Bowl ring after toiling away and spinning his wheels under Garrett. "Bums" like Carr, Claiborne, and Church have gone on to be quality productive players after "not being able to play" here.



The point is that you can't keep going down the ever-changing cycle of blaming the players for your head coach's failures. Players will always be a factor and if that's the excuse you're looking for for the coach, you'll always have it. There will always be "players" to blame.

And I know something else, Garrett decided on Dak vs going back to Romo. If you're saying it was against his wishes, then he's a stooge who doesn't have the spine to be a head coach anyway. So either he's responsible for the decisions, or he's a "Yes man" who goes along to get along and keep his job. Neither of those options is good.



Better late than never I guess.

I’m not arguing with most of what you said although Ware was surrounded by much better talent then he was here.

I also don’t agree with making excuses for Tony because of the pressure of winning and losing was on his shoulders. That pressure comes with most QB’s, the difference is the great ones overcome that pressure, Tony didn’t and he wilted in some of the biggest games. He did, not the coaches, although the coaches had their fair share of responsibility for other losses as well.

 

[percyhoward]

How amazing that Dak actually leads all QBs in "tight window throws" at 22 percent.

That's on the receivers, the scheme, and the QB himself.

 

[America's Cowboy]

That's on the receivers, the scheme, and the QB himself.

But mostly the playcalling, as the author of the article eloquently explained.

 

[Stash]

I’m not arguing with most of what you said although Ware was surrounded by much better talent then he was here.

Was he? Or was he surrounded by better coaching? With coaches being in their right (and deserved) roles?

I also don’t agree with making excuses for Tony because of the pressure of winning and losing was on his shoulders. That pressure comes with most QB’s, the difference is the great ones overcome that pressure, Tony didn’t and he wilted in some of the biggest games. He did, not the coaches, although the coaches had their fair share of responsibility for other losses as well.

When it's all on him to overcome what these coaches can't get done, I can understand some of the mistakes.
And games like he had against the Broncos, where completing 70% of his passes for 500 yds and 5 touchdowns somehow isn't enough to overcome the rest of the Garrett assembled and coached team.

Blaming Romo vs Garrett totally ignores the fact that Garrett and Co can't get out of their own way without him. And that is a well-established fact.

 

[glimmerman]

Dak struggles.

For example: if the ball is on the left hash mark, he only throw to the left. Likewise if the ball is on the right.

Dak likes to run towards the WR when he is throwing.

He also takes way too long to throw the ball.

He will also panic and give up on routes.

His footwork is a mess and he is terribly inaccurate at times.

Like i said, he needs a lot of work still.

Do you think it’s worth the try? If he shows improvement this season. Ceiling is the key. His footwork looked better last week but this Offense flows through Elliot. When he plays good our Offense is very good. I think when we are pounding it we need to give Rod more carries. Dak needs to trust him more and Rod needs to get rolling.

 

[DIAF]

both the offense AND Dak are holding Dak back.

 

[aria]

Was he? Or was he surrounded by better coaching? With coaches being in their right (and deserved) roles?



When it's all on him to overcome what these coaches can't get done, I can understand some of the mistakes.
And games like he had against the Broncos, where completing 70% of his passes for 500 yds and 5 touchdowns somehow isn't enough to overcome the rest of the Garrett assembled and coached team.

Blaming Romo vs Garrett totally ignores the fact that Garrett and Co can't get out of their own way without him. And that is a well-established fact.

So I guess you also believe the reason we went 13-3 with a rookie QB and RB was because Romo was actually calling the plays, coaching and magically throwing the ball through Dak?

Yes, I do believe Ware was surrounded by better talent, not all coaching. He had great success here and that was with little help around him. That little help was more due to lack of talent rather then coaching IMO but like I said, it’s a combo of both.

 

[Stash]

So I guess you also believe the reason we went 13-3 with a rookie QB and RB was because Romo was actually calling the plays, coaching and magically throwing the ball through Dak?

Of course not.

Yes, I do believe Ware was surrounded by better talent, not all coaching. He had great success here and that was with little help around him. That little help was more due to lack of talent rather then coaching IMO but like I said, it’s a combo of both.

Here's the deal. Under Garrett and Linehan, there will never be enough talent to overcome their shortcomings as coaches. It doesn't exist. If you want proof, just go and look at what happens when their top talent isn't on the field. The whole Jenga tower falls apart. See last year as the most recent example. Or 2015 without Romo to bail them out.

If the table isn't set perfectly, these guys can't serve a decent dinner. More like they burn the house down.

This year, they don't even have injuries and suspensions to blame for their losses. But sure, let's blame this next generation of players for it. And so on, and so on, and so on.

I'm sure it can't be a head coach that never deserved the job he was gifted in the first place.

 

[Reid1boys]

Dak has shown that if he gets good protection he balls. Its that simple.

What qb doesn’t ball out if they have great protection.... the good ones play at a high level with avg protection.

 

[pitt33]

how much pressure did the lions put on him.. little to none.

Yes.

Wait until the Jaguars come to town. Then we’ll see what he’s made of.

I don’t think it will be pretty. In fact, it could get downright ugly for him.

 

[conner01]

Dak has shown that if he gets good protection he balls. Its that simple.

The protection hasn’t been bad this year at all
That’s a myth

 

[percyhoward]

But mostly the playcalling, as the author of the article eloquently explained.

Same QB, same RB, same OC as when we were leading the league in points per drive halfway through 2017, but a different group of receivers and different OL. You had said, "The problem is not our QB." But when you lead the entire league in tight window attempts, it's safe to say there is plenty of blame to go around.

Separation at the time the receiver is the most open differs from separation at the time of the target, unless the pass is always timed to arrive when the receiver is the most open. Generally, the later the throw, the less the amount of separation. So being late on the throw is one of the things that contributes to the high number of tight-window attempts. Last year, Dak led the NFL in passer rating on tight-window attempts, and somebody tried to say that was because he was often late on his throws. I said that was the wrong conclusion because being late would only lead to a greater percentage of attempts to tight windows -- it wouldn't improve efficiency on those attempts.

Now he actually does lead the league in percentage of attempts to tight windows.