Eatman: Easier To Help Dak Than Replace Him

[waving monkey]

I know the fans think it’s just with them and no one else really feels it, but that’s not the case.

You can see frustration throughout the offices at The Star, in the locker room, on the team planes and definitely in press conferences.

Jerry Jones sounded frustrated in the line of questioning about his quarterback earlier this week, prompting him to emphatically state that Dak Prescott is the quarterback of this team now and for the future. He also said he’s going to get an extension. The tone of his answer sounded like he was being a little defiant, but in no way do I think Jones doesn’t believe what he said in that Dak is and will be the guy.

At first, my reaction was no different than most: A little sideways tilt to the head with eyebrows raised and a “are-you-sure-about-that?” smirk on my face. But the more I thought about it, the more it actually makes sense, considering where this team is and what options they’ve got. As we sit here right smack in the middle of the 2018 season, I see exactly why Jones would make that statement.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...zxIxLpwIeNkiaX-qGdfMJAa_u0vMcb7wfGXMDctfc7PGs

 

[Stash]

It's cute that Eatman is saying "fire the coaches" without actually saying "fire the coaches", but I agree with what he's saying. At least from the perspective of taking another year to fully evaluate Prescott under what will hopefully be more favorable conditions in an offense that actually understand who and what he is.

For a minute there, I thought he was going to talk about having to add yet more personnel as an excuse for Prescott, but when he made it clear he wasn't, I can see where he's coming from. I'm still against any extension before we find out however, unless Prescott wants to sign one for just a few million but I don't think he or his agent would be willing to do that.

So yeah, I'd give him a full year's evaluation under a more competent staff, but no guaranteed money locking me in.

 

[ClintDagger]

Depends on what your ultimate goal is. You can give Dak a top 3 OL again and then find him an elite TE and get a good coaching staff in here then yeah, with this defense he’ll probably get you 10 or so wins and a playoff berth. But there is still a ceiling below a world championship. To truly be a year after year SB contender you are going to need an elite QB. There is no getting around that in 2018. So why not look for that elite guy under center and then put all that great stuff around him so that you are aiming at the ultimate prize?

 

[big dog cowboy]

So yeah, I'd give him a full year's evaluation under a more competent staff, but no guaranteed money locking me in.

 

[conner01]

The is logic to his thinking
A QB is a hard get
But time is of the essence
You have to decide next year if Dak can be a starting QB and the best way to find that out is bring in a staff that can give him a chance
I don’t think Dak can but he is going to be the QB next year so you might as well see if you can find a staff that can figure out a system that actually fits him
If he can’t then you gotta gut a draft and get a QB
This stuff couldn’t win with a proven QB in Romo and honestly this scheme is so predictable you would need an Aaron Rodgers to win with it
There is no AR to get so it’s time to change the staff, the scheme and give Dak or the guy who follows him a real chance

 

[Stash]

The is logic to his thinking
A QB is a hard get
But time is of the essence
You have to decide next year if Dak can be a starting QB and the best way to find that out is bring in a staff that can give him a chance
I don’t think Dak can but he is going to be the QB next year so you might as well see if you can find a staff that can figure out a system that actually fits him
If he can’t then you gotta gut a draft and get a QB
This stuff couldn’t win with a proven QB in Romo and honestly this scheme is so predictable you would need an Aaron Rodgers to win with it
There is no AR to get so it’s time to change the staff, the scheme and give Dak or the guy who follows him a real chance

They cast their lot when they traded next year's 1st rounder for Cooper. The die was cast with that move. And now, they - and by extension us - can only hope that Dak, Zeke, and Cooper can, in fact, become this team's next set of triplets. But that doesn't necessarily mean with this system and coaches. They deserve more of a chance than that.

If they can, everything works out and it was ultimately worth it. If not? Yikes, no quarterback, no first round pick, no hope. Burn the thing down. Press reset.

 

[NeonNinja]

It's cute that Eatman is saying "fire the coaches" without actually saying "fire the coaches", but I agree with what he's saying. At least from the perspective of taking another year to fully evaluate Prescott under what will hopefully be more favorable conditions in an offense that actually understand who and what he is.

For a minute there, I thought he was going to talk about having to add yet more personnel as an excuse for Prescott, but when he made it clear he wasn't, I can see where he's coming from. I'm still against any extension before we find out however, unless Prescott wants to sign one for just a few million but I don't think he or his agent would be willing to do that.

So yeah, I'd give him a full year's evaluation under a more competent staff, but no guaranteed money locking me in.

I’m ok evaluating him for another year under a much better staff. No extension until he proves it under new staff. Right now I don’t really believe in Dak.

 

[conner01]

They cast their lot when they traded next year's 1st rounder for Cooper. The die was cast with that move. And now, they - and by extension us - can only hope that Dak, Zeke, and Cooper can, in fact, become this team's next set of triplets. But that doesn't necessarily mean with this system and coaches. They deserve more of a chance than that.

If they can, everything works out and it was ultimately worth it. If not? Yikes, no quarterback, no first round pick, no hope. Burn the thing down. Press reset.

Absolutely
Your next chance for a QB is two years away and there goes a whole draft
And even then you aren’t likely to get the top QB unless next year is worse than this year and if there are no changes to the staff that is possible

 

[Stash]

I’m ok evaluating him for another year under a much better staff. No extension until he proves it under new staff. Right now I don’t really believe in Dak.

I don't see how anyone could at this point, all of Jerry's empty, defiant bluster notwithstanding.

Prescott has 16 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in his last 16 games.

That's looking for a quarterback numbers, not looking for an extension numbers.

 

[conner01]

I’m ok evaluating him for another year under a much better staff. No extension until he proves it under new staff. Right now I don’t really believe in Dak.

I suspect few have confidence that Dak is the answer but with no first rnd pick that is likely the only option next year
The Cooper trade was an all in bet on Dak

 

[cwbyfn88]

Want to help him? Get a new HC OC and QB coach

 

[Stash]

Absolutely
Your next chance for a QB is two years away and there goes a whole draft
And even then you aren’t likely to get the top QB unless next year is worse than this year and if there are no changes to the staff that is possible

Unless you traded away the following year's first rounder as well. Even that wouldn't get you the top guy (likely the Alabama kid), but you might be able to get in on one of the top group. And even then you have to hope their evaluation process has improved and you don't end up with the next Paxton Lynch!

 

[MojaveJT]

Looks like new HC for 2019 and Dak stays. If Dak stinks it up still, then he's either gone by 2020 or moved to backup and we draft a stud QB in 2020 with our 1st.

 

[FTWayne]

2020 is looking better, who looks good in the draft.

 

[Asklesko]

Jerry doesn't want to go the extreme route, but extreme is what the team needs. Dak is a dry hole and the sooner we move on the better.

 

[CF74]

Want to help him? Get a new HC OC and QB coach

This

 

[DuncanIso]

Already have two other QBs on the roster. Both of them could play better than Dak.

Dak is one of the bottom ranked QBs in the NFL.

 

[conner01]

Unless you traded away the following year's first rounder as well. Even that wouldn't get you the top guy (likely the Alabama kid), but you might be able to get in on one of the top group. And even then you have to hope their evaluation process has improved and you don't end up with the next Paxton Lynch!

QB’s are the toughest to draft and a miss is sets you back for years
You probably give two firsts at the least and that’s like missing on back to back top picks
It’s devastating to a franchise
Now there may be some recerection projects availible like maybe a Winston that are less risky but less chance of success
Cooper helps this team as a player but that pick means you are likely all in on Dak for awhile

 

[tyke1doe]

I doubt Dak can be fixed. Sorry, but if you can't learn to anticipate throws on a consistent basis, you're not going to be much of a quarterback.
It's cringe worthy to watch the film and see how Dak could have completed a downfield pass if he just learns to release the ball at the proper time.
He really doesn't know how to throw people open or anticipate a throw where when the receiver breaks into his cut, the ball is there.
And I don't know if anyone can teach him that now if he hasn't learned already.

 

[Cannibal_Cowboy]

In other news, Dak is ranked #32 in rating now with 88.9.
Mariota is ranked right under him, but looked so much better than Dak this last game.