Twitter: Jori Epstein: Cowboys want $40M Dak Prescott to elevate those around him

[KJJ]

I agree with this unless our OL situation just turns tragically bad. How can you blame Dak or CeeDee for that...if anything you have to throw shade at Moore for not being creative enough or for not being able to use what strengths we have to overcome the OL situation.

But...I agree with your post. Ceedee seems good to me. I dont know about route running, locker room personality or his ability to absorb and know the playbook...but he seems like a fine receiver any team would want. Dak might be in a fish bowl for sure. Im curious is Jerry and Steven might have gotten worn out by Dak and his agent on negotiations last contract and are reluctant to work with them again unless Dak shows he can pull the team with a bad O-Line. Just seems weird how long that contract took to get done....almost as if Dallas didnt want to pay Dak. Which leads me to thinking maybe Dak does have major flaws that coaches are whispering to Jerry and Stephen about. But Daks play passes the eye test for me. Hes not a turnover machine and seems to be a leader who can at least drive the bus. But if there are major issues with throwing into tight spaces or things like that...do you really just not pay Dak and draft a QB who is unproven? Just doesnt seem like thats what GM's do. Its not like Dak is just trash.

The Cowboys may not use the OL as an excuse no matter how bad it is. Cincinnati’s OL was terrible last season getting Joe Burrow sacked repeatedly but he still got his team to the Super Bowl and Ja’Marr Chase had a spectacular rookie season. The Cowboys are going to have some big decisions they’re going to have to make in the coming seasons with CeeDee, Parsons, Diggs and Dak. All of them will be looking to break the bank.

 

[Nav22]

I'm more concerned with fixing my sprinkler system. It's cost an arm and a leg so far.

That’s why condo living is where it’s at! HOA costs are ridiculous though.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

especially if our defense takes the next step this year.

Last season our defense was 1st in takeaways and top 10 in points ( 7th or 8th I think ). Many here have heard me repeat this but according to Belichick, these two stats are the most critical for defense. The problem was our offense failed to convert the takeaways into TDs, instead coming away with only three or no points. I'm 100% convinced if we can consistently convert turnovers into real points and reduced penalties by 50% we are a top 5 team easily.

 

[Section446]

Hilarious.

 

[FanofJerry]

The Cowboys may not use the OL as an excuse no matter how bad it is. Cincinnati’s OL was terrible last season getting Joe Burrow sacked repeatedly but he still got his team to the Super Bowl and Ja’Marr Chase had a spectacular rookie season. The Cowboys are going to have some big decisions they’re going to have to make in the coming seasons with CeeDee, Parsons, Diggs and Dak. All of them will be looking to break the bank.

Obviously Parsons isnt going anywhere unless forgets how to play. I think Diggs ability to play is the easiest of all these to figure out this coming season. Either he can tackle or he cant. Either he takes risks that the coaches didnt approve of and gets beat too often or he doesnt. The coaches know who had what responsibility on each play...so maybe some of these plays a safety was supposed to help Diggs. But Diggs should be the easies to figure out after this season, imo. I dont know if I would break the bank for a non-tackling risk taker even though its in one of the most coveted positions in football. And I love Diggs.

I dont know about Dak. He passes the eye test to a casual. I just dont know how much of the internet talk of him not being able to throw tight passes hurts the team if that talk is true. Is Moore complaining about his decision making or reluctance to throw into tight spaces? Is the QB coach complaining that Dak isnt improving his mechanics even though hes being coached to do so? Is Dak just going safe every play by checking down and thats hurting the team? I dont know. I just know that he seems to be able to drive the bus in a very tough job. Maybe they have concerns and are willing to move on from him if they believe in Parson, Ceedee and Diggs.

I would keep Dak and Parson, personally...if I had to keep only two. Seems like WR is easier to hit on in draft and CB is not impossible to find either

 

[pansophy]

Zeke was the contract to walk away from. Too many good runners out there and can rinse them in the later rounds.

 

[bewp7]

yeah the exact word i said from the start and got call a dak hater

franchise qb elevate every one around them, dak have to be elevated the opposite of franchise qb

jerry himself a couple year ago said the cowboys have to stack the entire offense to make it “dak friendly” look it up that is a quote by jerry

dak is not a franchise qb like i say from the start

 

[FanofJerry]

yeah the exact word i said from the start and got call a dak hater

franchise qb elevate every one around them, dak have to be elevated the opposite of franchise qb

jerry himself a couple year ago said the cowboys have to stack the entire offense to make it “dak friendly” look it up that is a quote by jerry

dak is not a franchise qb like i say from the start

What is your solution? Just keep drafting QB's? And if so...in what round?

Its just so hard to find even a bus driver in the NFL...and thats including the argument of "college talent is so polished these days...bets/risks on QB's arent as steep these days"

Just let the guy walk and go through 14 qb's like we did between Aikman and Romo? Just seems a little unthoughtful to me.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

 

[JoeKing]

Hey now! Have to worry about contracts 3-4 years down the line!

They have nearly $23 million in cap right now. Releasing Zeke and Smith next offseason puts them around $27 million in space. That’s $50 million in cap space next offseason

The problem with that is Zeke elevates Dak. I wouldn't be counting on Zeke being released.

 

[blueblood70]

The problem with that is Zeke elevates Dak. I wouldn't be counting on Zeke being released.

actually, looking at the trends the last 3-4 season he will have to take giant pay cut or the jones won't have any issue releasing him like they did with Ware and many others of late., you can book that..he will not be here for anywhere close to what hes due to make.,.they can get out scott free owe him nothing.

thats Stephen's wheelhouse and will do so. you see Emmitt in cards uniform? yup they can make the tough cut and will when needed and next year its needed,

 

[blueblood70]

What is your solution? Just keep drafting QB's? And if so...in what round?

Its just so hard to find even a bus driver in the NFL...and thats including the argument of "college talent is so polished these days...bets/risks on QB's arent as steep these days"

Just let the guy walk and go through 14 qb's like we did between Aikman and Romo? Just seems a little unthoughtful to me.

similar to cousins leaving Washington, how many qbs have they tried since? MN isnt stupid i mean they knew what they had and extended cousins again ..why because they know whats out there isnt on par to replace him without huge growing pains.

 

[FanofJerry]

similar to cousins leaving Washington, how many qbs have they tried since? MN isnt stupid i mean they knew what they had and extended cousins again ..why because they know whats out there isnt on par to replace him without huge growing pains.

Exactly.

I would guess at least 30 out of 32 NFL GM's extend Dak at Jerry's price. Who cares what Bill Belichek does? Good defensive mind, got lucky with Brady, absolutely hate how he ushered in the 4 yard short passing game(its boring to fans) and he is a cheater that maybe deserves 2 Super Bowls.

 

[ondaedg]

Disagree. Gallup is known for making crazy sideline catches. Wilson was known to take a routine play and take it to the house.

None of these guys benefited from dak. Dak doesn’t throw guys open like romo could. Doesn’t have the anticipation and quick release

He has 8 tds total in three seasons. And if you go back and watch his TDs which I did, several are extreme tight window throws from Dak and all of them were in single coverage due to the attention Amari and Ceedee draw. You have to give him credit for making the catches and turning upfield. But to say Dak doesn’t throw guys open is ludicrous. Cedrick doesn’t just blaze by DBs or jump over them he runs subtle routes and Dak throws some pinpoint passes to him in single coverage. Not sure how anyone could ever say Cedrick somehow manufactured those touchdowns on his own.

 

[LysleE]

While I don’t dislike Dak, when he first came into the league we had a great RB and one of the premiere O-lines with some legitimate threats in TE and WR; so a lot wasn’t asked of him as a QB.
Now that he has that contract a lot more is expected of him, as it should be. QBs making that type of money are all elite and are capable of putting the team on their shoulders and will them to win games. Dak looks great against inferior competition…but put him up against good coaching staffs/teams that are able to make him hold onto the ball and beat them with his arm, then Dak struggles.
As another poster mentioned the article by Bob Storm, whereby he stated that Dak needs to see the game and make appropriate audibles or suggest plays to our OC based upon what he sees in the field.
I guess the question is does he have the freedom to deviate from the game plan, or is he just not capable of doing so?
One would hope a GM wouldn’t pay a guy that type of money for “driving the bus”…but then again this is Jerry we’re talking about.

 

[TheSport78]

Bye-bye, Dakota! Can't wait until you’re gone!

 

[Jake]

I wonder if this is her opinion or something she's hearing in league circles.

To me, it seem like her opinion. I've never understood thinking a guy is going to be better now because he's getting paid more. He's still the same guy.

Dak is going into his 7th season. What he is, and is not, should be completely known by the Cowboys at this point.

 

[FanofJerry]

While I don’t dislike Dak, when he first came into the league we had a great RB and one of the premiere O-lines with some legitimate threats in TE and WR; so a lot wasn’t asked of him as a QB.
Now that he has that contract a lot more is expected of him, as it should be. QBs making that type of money are all elite and are capable of putting the team on their shoulders and will them to win games. Dak looks great against inferior competition…but put him up against good coaching staffs/teams that are able to make him hold onto the ball and beat them with his arm, then Dak struggles.
As another poster mentioned the article by Bob Storm, whereby he stated that Dak needs to see the game and make appropriate audibles or suggest plays to our OC based upon what he sees in the field.
I guess the question is does he have the freedom to deviate from the game plan, or is he just not capable of doing so?
One would hope a GM wouldn’t pay a guy that type of money for “driving the bus”…but then again this is Jerry we’re talking about.

QB market inflates unfortunately.

I still dont see many GMs letting him walk on that last contract and hope an unproven guy works out like a miracle. I think most with jobs on the line play it safe and offer Dak a contract.

 

[Blackrain]

I would like to see the coaching staff and FO do their part to elevate this team too.

I hear that bullet 35 penalties in three preseason games while dragging their feet on signing Jason Peters and getting us some depth where we desperately need it.

Front office and coaching staff are substandard at best

 

[DandyDon52]

110% Dak supporter but Bob Sturms did a piece about him taking his game to the next level. In short, he suggested there are times a QB has to see plays/opportunities on the field that his offensive coordinator's not calling or missing. This is his problem Dak's playoff game against the 49ers last season. He thought Dak should have taken more ownership rather than relying 100% on calls from the sideline.

I dont know if dak is allowed to adlib like that, and he may not be smart enough when on the field.
This is where the working relationship between dak and kellen comes to mind.
They should work together on play designs, and game plans, but dak may not be included in that.
I think dak just runs whatever kellen calls, which comes with 2-3 options thats it.

Gee, I don't know, maybe because he didn't earn the contract in the first place and failed to live up to it last season? That last play against SF that ended the season - you should expect much better from a 40 mil QB.

The contract or what dak makes is irrelevant, more money doesnt make him better. That is on jerry.

Also alot depends on the oc , play calling, play designs, formations etc, and then the game plan for that game.
So a qb can be limited by a oc who isnt designing things for the qb he has, and whole offense he has.

game plan play design and how they practice all comes into play, and dak said in practice, he gave the ball to the center, and the coaches
were onboard with that ! lol

To me that showed just how inept kellen mike and dak all are in certain scenario's.
But it is never just the qb, it is all 3 of those guys that either do good or bad.