Greg Cosell's Film Review: Some recent warning signs with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

[RS12]

Dak Prescott had two interceptions in a loss to the Giants last week. (AP)

Through most of this season, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott played like a veteran.

Recently, some of the concerns about Prescott coming out of college and some concerns we see with all rookie quarterbacks have been showing up with more regularity.

What I’ve noticed with Prescott – even before his below-average games against the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants – is that he isn’t seeing things as clearly as he did earlier in the season. He is leaving throws on the field. That has been a slight but noticeable trend, and it continued against the Giants.

Prescott missed a big play against the Giants late in the first half. This might have even been a touchdown. Cole Beasley ran a go route from the slot over the top of the defense but Prescott didn’t process it for some reason. Instead, he threw to Terrance Williams on a dig route on the same side of the field.

Again, he’s not seeing things as clearly as he did earlier in the season. This could have been a game-changing touchdown right before halftime.

(NFL.com screen shot)

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/g...s-with-cowboys-qb-dak-prescott-170423232.html

 

[RS12]

When we talk about Prescott’s issues, none of them should be unexpected. He’s still a rookie. The concerns you could see from him on his Mississippi State film – not throwing with a firm base, a tendency to drift when throwing to his left, a locked front leg that negatively impacts velocity and at times causes deeper throws to lose energy on the back end – are showing up with more regularity. He will need an offseason to work on these issues, like all other rookie quarterbacks.

 

[Afigueroa22]

Thanks for the post, interesting read.
Most people don't know the X's and O's of it all and it shows. I know enough to know I know nothing, relatively speaking. We see first down and think yay Dak he da best. What we don't see is X was open for the long gain and possible touchdown.

 

[Alexander]

Cosell has mentioned these issues all year.

It just suddenly becomes relevant because we lost a game.

 

[slomoxn]

Cosell has mentioned these issues all year.

It just suddenly becomes relevant because we lost a game.

Even worse this is supposed to years he is supposed to be learning, instead he was thrust into the fire and everyone found out he could handle the heat at 11-2. Not much time to work on mechanics when your game planning all week. The other QB's on this team had years of training camp and whatever else comes between seasons to hone their skills, they were just as bad with a few years to actually learn and work on their skills. For some reason no one will allow him a learning curve but Wentz and whatever other rookie are given that respect each week.

 

[khiladi]

Even worse this is supposed to years he is supposed to be learning, instead he was thrust into the fire and everyone found out he could handle the heat at 11-2. Not much time to work on mechanics when your game planning all week. The other QB's on this team had years of training camp and whatever else comes between seasons to hone their skills, they were just as bad with a few years to actually learn and work on their skills. For some reason no one will allow him a learning curve but Wentz and whatever other rookie are given that respect each week.

Because Romo is here..

 

[Ranching]

When we talk about Prescott’s issues, none of them should be unexpected. He’s still a rookie. The concerns you could see from him on his Mississippi State film – not throwing with a firm base, a tendency to drift when throwing to his left, a locked front leg that negatively impacts velocity and at times causes deeper throws to lose energy on the back end – are showing up with more regularity. He will need an offseason to work on these issues, like all other rookie quarterbacks.

Stop making excuses, if he needs another off season, then Romo should be starting.

 

[Risen Star]

Cosell has mentioned these issues all year.

It just suddenly becomes relevant because we lost a game.

But it shows why these stats don't tell the real story. The dude was being trumpeted for MVP of the league around here a couple of weeks ago, for crying out loud.

He's a game manager who hasn't managed the game very well lately.

 

[Alexander]

But it shows why these stats don't tell the real story. The dude was being trumpeted for MVP of the league around here a couple of weeks ago, for crying out loud.

He's a game manager who hasn't managed the game very well lately.

He was doing well.

Anyone who trumpeted him for MVP was not thinking clearly.

 

[khiladi]

But it shows why these stats don't tell the real story. The dude was being trumpeted for MVP of the league around here a couple of weeks ago, for crying out loud.

He's a game manager who hasn't managed the game very well lately.

The offense runs through Zeke..

 

[Proof]

But it shows why these stats don't tell the real story. The dude was being trumpeted for MVP of the league around here a couple of weeks ago, for crying out loud.

He's a game manager who hasn't managed the game very well lately.

Because despite any flaws or mechanical issues he was still playing at a high level, and winning. What's the real story?

 

[Risen Star]

Of course, none of this should be too surprising. It’s normal for rookie quarterbacks to struggle. We’ve seen it with Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles. But Wentz is asked to do more in the offense with a supporting cast that isn’t on the same level as Dallas’ cast, so his mistakes are magnified. The Cowboys seem to understand Prescott is still a rookie. Against the Giants in particular, Dallas’ passing game was highly schemed to define throws for Prescott, with significant use of bootleg action. That has been the case most of the season, which is smart with a rookie quarterback. Prescott hasn’t been asked to do much progression reading. They didn’t have much of a drop-back passing game against the Giants.

It's nice to hear from folks who know the game.

If he craps the bed against the Bucs, you might want to start some talent the following week and just hope like heck he can stay on the field.

 

[Risen Star]

Because despite any flaws or mechanical issues he was still playing at a high level, and winning. What's the real story?

That he's a role player and any MVP talk was about as asinine a thought as anything that has ever been stated on a message board.

 

[Go Big D!]

Even worse this is supposed to years he is supposed to be learning, instead he was thrust into the fire and everyone found out he could handle the heat at 11-2. Not much time to work on mechanics when your game planning all week. The other QB's on this team had years of training camp and whatever else comes between seasons to hone their skills, they were just as bad with a few years to actually learn and work on their skills. For some reason no one will allow him a learning curve but Wentz and whatever other rookie are given that respect each week.

That's not why.

For the first time in over two decades we have a legitimate shot of getting back to the Super Bowl.

From what I'm been reading a lot of fans feel that Dak is experiencing real rookie struggles. There's nothing wrong with that and under different circumstances he would be afforded a learning curve. But at what expense this year? There's no guarantee that we get this far next season.

So the way I see it, if he continues to struggle and it starts to really impact this playoff and SB run, then put Romo in! Let's see if he can take us the next step. Because if Dak keeps playing like he has the last few games then we are one and done anyway.

 

[waving monkey]

But it shows why these stats don't tell the real story. The dude was being trumpeted for MVP of the league around here a couple of weeks ago, for crying out loud.

He's a game manager who hasn't managed the game very well lately.

yes he has wentzed a few times lately

 

[Little Jr]

I seen the Beasley one live. I thought he chose Williams for a guarantee fg attempt. If he goes to Beasley and doesn't connect there never would be a fg attempt. It was the safier pass at the time. The one to dez might had been a mistake but it helps when your wr finished the route and not assume he's not getting the ball.

 

[Little Jr]

That's not why.

For the first time in over two decades we have a legitimate shot of getting back to the Super Bowl.

From what I'm been reading a lot of fans feel that Dak is experiencing real rookie struggles. There's nothing wrong with that and under different circumstances he would be afforded a learning curve. But at what expense this year? There's no guarantee that we get this far next season.

So the way I see it, if he continues to struggle and it starts to really impact this playoff and SB run, then put Romo in! Let's see if he can take us the next step. Because if Dak keeps playing like he has the last few games then we are one and done anyway.

Yes, because Romo has shown he can take a team to the promise land.

 

[Risen Star]

Wow. Reading the whole article really puts our situation in it's proper perspective.

I doubt I watch the game tomorrow night. Maybe just watch the defense.

 

[Alexander]

To me, Prescott needs refinement. He can win when all else is optimal.

Teams are now preparing for his mobility and are closing the pocket making him far less effective.

A QB that can run for nine yards at any time is a huge prep challenge. They have closed that gap.

Nothing wrong with that. Question just is how far we can go with other aspects of the team.

In simple words, I think we have seen his best shot.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

For the first time in over two decades we have a legitimate shot of getting back to the Super Bowl.

2007 & 2014 were a "legitimate shot" as well. Let's not act as if they weren't, simply because we know how it played out.