I try to see things with this team as objectively as possible. I've hung on both sides of the fence (realist/homer) in my history here. I've since fallen smack dab in the middle. Some are excited about Dak and are ready to elevate anything he does just a touch higher than it merits. Others hate the pick and the investment and wouldn't give the kid a chance unless he "Romos" them.
It's the time of year when hope springs eternal for all teams. Nothing wrong with that. Even the Browns have something to be hopeful of (even if it's just of incremental improvement and the beginnings of franchise stability). I think everyone (realists and homers alike) can agree that we "hope" Dak is a steal and proves his worth beyond the 4th round investment. I don't think it would break anyone's heart to see that happen (if it did, then you're a sorry excuse for a fan). I'm not ready to "go all in" on Dak Prescott (or Showers, frankly, but that's a different topic). But one thing this off-season really stuck with me from way back in March or April.
I listen to Sirius XM NFL Radio when I'm working/driving and My favorite show on that channel is Moving the Chains with Pat Kirwin and Jim Miller. Probably two of the most objective radio/tv personalities in all of sports. They don't use sensationalism to sell you what they have. And what they have is a ton of knowledge and perspective. They had done an interview with Dak Prescott not long after he got charged with a DUI. The kid came off very impressive. A couple of weeks later, they were having another conversation and Pat had brought up Dak's name in relation to the subject. Right before they went to commercial break Pat said something like "I hesitate to say this because I don't want to project anything about the kid or his career, but is it me or did the interview that we did with Dak Prescott seem eerily similar to the interview that we had with Russell Wilson when he was coming out of school?" Jim Miller agreed That they both had similar leadership qualities, personalities, and abilities. Before they went to break Kirwin said "Now before all you yahoos start calling in to say that I think Dak Prescott is the next Russell Wilson, Don't bother. That's not what I said. No one knows WHO Dak Prescott is going to be. What I'm saying is that I came away from the interview with Prescott just as impressed as I was with Wilson. Who knows what the kid is going to turn out to be"?
Now, when I heard all of this I was fully on board with Carson Wentz. I was certain that we had a shot at the kid. I also knew that Dak was on Dallas' radar. Dak, for me, was a "just in case" (which he ultimately was). But, what Kirwin said that day stuck with me. Now, people can poo poo on Pat Kirwin if they wish but the guy has forgotten more about football than 99.9% of this board will learn about it in their lifetime (ditto for Miller). The fact that these two guys who spent their lives in the game, from both the playing and coaching/administrative side, with literally thousands of these athletes and came away impressed, by any measure, has me intrigued.
Again, I'm not all aboard the Dak train but I sure do wanna get a taste of what this kid may or may not have. We won't know anything definitive this season, regardless of circumstance. It's too early and his chances, if any, will be too limited but I'm excited to see a glimpse of what he's about. No doubt about that.
