New $3 million addition could put Cowboys ahead of curve in revolutionizing red-zone play

[Bamx]

It’s not common practice to develop a specialist role for a key position such as quarterback in today's NFL. A starter is a starter and removing said player tips off intensions and frankly comes off as a little disrespectful. For the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, replacing the QB in select goal-line packages could be seen as both, even if it seems like a smart course of action for all parties involved.

The Cowboys touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone was just 46 percent in 2024. That was second to last in the NFL, ranking only above the lowly Giants. The Cowboys’ inability to get into the endzone was a season-long issue, dating back before Prescott’s season-ending injury. It left points on the board and ultimately demoralized an already fragile unit.

Prescott is scheduled to return in 2025 with a full bill of health. In previous seasons, he’s been an assassin from the red zone, guiding the Cowboys to a No. 12 ranking in 2023 and to No. 1 overall ranking in 2022. Given his past proficiency, it’s not preposterous to think he can bounce back to those levels again in 2025, but is the risk worth it?

A major part of Prescott’s redzone efficiency lies in his ability to run the ball. As a ball carrier Prescott operated at a 0.40 EPA/play with a 100 percent success rate on two attempts in 2024. The season before he was at 0.16 EPA/play with a 71.43% success rate on 14 attempts. QBs are universally a highly efficient rushing option from the red zone; the only downside is such plays open them up to hits and potential injury. The Cowboys can ill afford to suffer and injury of Prescott’s magnitude so alternatives need to be explored.

Prescott, 32, is the highest paid player in the NFL and an irreplaceable part on the Cowboys' machine. He’s not injury prone, per say, but having missed five or more games in three of the last five seasons, he’s not exactly made of metal either. Using him as a runner might be more risk than the Cowboys want to take on and finding a replacement option may not be as crazy as it sounds when all factors are under consideration.

After adding Joe Milton in an offseason trade, the Cowboys have an intriguing option as a situational replacement to Prescott. The highly gifted, yet severely underdeveloped, quarterback prospect is sure to drive headlines throughout the summer with dazzling throws and highlight runs.









https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-million-addition-could-put-140626939.html

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Dark Prescott is the highest paid player in the history of organized football. There is no scenario where taking him off the field makes sense

 

[Bamx]

Dark Prescott is the highest paid player in the history of organized football. There is no scenario where taking him off the field makes sense

Is that the same thought process the new coach will have. I sure hope not

Winning games> Money/Contract assigned to a specific player

 

[Coogiguy03]

Dark Prescott is the highest paid player in the history of organized football. There is no scenario where taking him off the field makes sense

Even when he's thrown us out of the game??

 

[blueblood70]

It’s not common practice to develop a specialist role for a key position such as quarterback in today's NFL. A starter is a starter and removing said player tips off intensions and frankly comes off as a little disrespectful. For the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, replacing the QB in select goal-line packages could be seen as both, even if it seems like a smart course of action for all parties involved.

The Cowboys touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone was just 46 percent in 2024. That was second to last in the NFL, ranking only above the lowly Giants. The Cowboys’ inability to get into the endzone was a season-long issue, dating back before Prescott’s season-ending injury. It left points on the board and ultimately demoralized an already fragile unit.

Prescott is scheduled to return in 2025 with a full bill of health. In previous seasons, he’s been an assassin from the red zone, guiding the Cowboys to a No. 12 ranking in 2023 and to No. 1 overall ranking in 2022. Given his past proficiency, it’s not preposterous to think he can bounce back to those levels again in 2025, but is the risk worth it?

A major part of Prescott’s redzone efficiency lies in his ability to run the ball. As a ball carrier Prescott operated at a 0.40 EPA/play with a 100 percent success rate on two attempts in 2024. The season before he was at 0.16 EPA/play with a 71.43% success rate on 14 attempts. QBs are universally a highly efficient rushing option from the red zone; the only downside is such plays open them up to hits and potential injury. The Cowboys can ill afford to suffer and injury of Prescott’s magnitude so alternatives need to be explored.

Prescott, 32, is the highest paid player in the NFL and an irreplaceable part on the Cowboys' machine. He’s not injury prone, per say, but having missed five or more games in three of the last five seasons, he’s not exactly made of metal either. Using him as a runner might be more risk than the Cowboys want to take on and finding a replacement option may not be as crazy as it sounds when all factors are under consideration.

After adding Joe Milton in an offseason trade, the Cowboys have an intriguing option as a situational replacement to Prescott. The highly gifted, yet severely underdeveloped, quarterback prospect is sure to drive headlines throughout the summer with dazzling throws and highlight runs.









https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-million-addition-could-put-140626939.html

I'm more intrigued about leaving our starting quarterback in there but using Turpin and blue and Pickens and lamb and Ferguson in the red zone maybe throwing hunter every once in a while, how about just be damn creative!!!!

I mean if I saw it I wouldn't be mad but here's the thing when you put a guy in only for certain packages like this they know what's coming not to say someone can stop it but it's too obvious they did this with Manning at Texas it literally just annoying you know it's coming everybody knows it's coming then everybody knows he's coming out you either even need a guy in for that whole possession and let him do whatever or just scrap that idea unless you're in a really big pinch to get something going..

That's just my opinion there are a lot of options on this team that going into this season that if we have a better more creative offensive coordinator and play caller there is weapons on this team which weren't really utilized the last couple of years you'd literally now you have an extra one and you have blue it's that simple just be creative don't be settling for field goals, I saw play calling at times seemed like they were just going OK well we'll get the FG here, no big deal....

 

[ElGatoGrande]

It’s not common practice to develop a specialist role for a key position such as quarterback in today's NFL. A starter is a starter and removing said player tips off intensions and frankly comes off as a little disrespectful. For the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, replacing the QB in select goal-line packages could be seen as both, even if it seems like a smart course of action for all parties involved.

The Cowboys touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone was just 46 percent in 2024. That was second to last in the NFL, ranking only above the lowly Giants. The Cowboys’ inability to get into the endzone was a season-long issue, dating back before Prescott’s season-ending injury. It left points on the board and ultimately demoralized an already fragile unit.

Prescott is scheduled to return in 2025 with a full bill of health. In previous seasons, he’s been an assassin from the red zone, guiding the Cowboys to a No. 12 ranking in 2023 and to No. 1 overall ranking in 2022. Given his past proficiency, it’s not preposterous to think he can bounce back to those levels again in 2025, but is the risk worth it?

A major part of Prescott’s redzone efficiency lies in his ability to run the ball. As a ball carrier Prescott operated at a 0.40 EPA/play with a 100 percent success rate on two attempts in 2024. The season before he was at 0.16 EPA/play with a 71.43% success rate on 14 attempts. QBs are universally a highly efficient rushing option from the red zone; the only downside is such plays open them up to hits and potential injury. The Cowboys can ill afford to suffer and injury of Prescott’s magnitude so alternatives need to be explored.

Prescott, 32, is the highest paid player in the NFL and an irreplaceable part on the Cowboys' machine. He’s not injury prone, per say, but having missed five or more games in three of the last five seasons, he’s not exactly made of metal either. Using him as a runner might be more risk than the Cowboys want to take on and finding a replacement option may not be as crazy as it sounds when all factors are under consideration.

After adding Joe Milton in an offseason trade, the Cowboys have an intriguing option as a situational replacement to Prescott. The highly gifted, yet severely underdeveloped, quarterback prospect is sure to drive headlines throughout the summer with dazzling throws and highlight runs.









https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-million-addition-could-put-140626939.html

I hate when they hype someone up in an article and then post a video of that player doing absolutely nothing of note. They tell you how great so and so is and they post a video of some play where nobody even tried to block him and he tackles the QB... Or the DB is just standing there and the QB throws it right to him.... Or a running QB runs thru a hole you could drive a truck thru and scores. Yippee! Wheres the gold jacket?

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

It’s not common practice to develop a specialist role for a key position such as quarterback in today's NFL. A starter is a starter and removing said player tips off intensions and frankly comes off as a little disrespectful. For the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, replacing the QB in select goal-line packages could be seen as both, even if it seems like a smart course of action for all parties involved.

The Cowboys touchdown scoring percentage in the red zone was just 46 percent in 2024. That was second to last in the NFL, ranking only above the lowly Giants. The Cowboys’ inability to get into the endzone was a season-long issue, dating back before Prescott’s season-ending injury. It left points on the board and ultimately demoralized an already fragile unit.

Prescott is scheduled to return in 2025 with a full bill of health. In previous seasons, he’s been an assassin from the red zone, guiding the Cowboys to a No. 12 ranking in 2023 and to No. 1 overall ranking in 2022. Given his past proficiency, it’s not preposterous to think he can bounce back to those levels again in 2025, but is the risk worth it?

A major part of Prescott’s redzone efficiency lies in his ability to run the ball. As a ball carrier Prescott operated at a 0.40 EPA/play with a 100 percent success rate on two attempts in 2024. The season before he was at 0.16 EPA/play with a 71.43% success rate on 14 attempts. QBs are universally a highly efficient rushing option from the red zone; the only downside is such plays open them up to hits and potential injury. The Cowboys can ill afford to suffer and injury of Prescott’s magnitude so alternatives need to be explored.

Prescott, 32, is the highest paid player in the NFL and an irreplaceable part on the Cowboys' machine. He’s not injury prone, per say, but having missed five or more games in three of the last five seasons, he’s not exactly made of metal either. Using him as a runner might be more risk than the Cowboys want to take on and finding a replacement option may not be as crazy as it sounds when all factors are under consideration.

After adding Joe Milton in an offseason trade, the Cowboys have an intriguing option as a situational replacement to Prescott. The highly gifted, yet severely underdeveloped, quarterback prospect is sure to drive headlines throughout the summer with dazzling throws and highlight runs.









https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-million-addition-could-put-140626939.html

although having QBs that can run is good additional options, but I think ability to run inside the redzone is key. a running QB can't be the only option and solution. last year the running game sucked. even with dowdle, which everyone points to and liked. was Dowdle better than Zeke? yes, but when you are better than total crap, its not saying much. lets not forget he played better against wash, carolina, giants who were bottom feeders on run defense. but against better teams he was not good. probably why they let him go.

we have to be able to run effectively inside the redzone, forcing defenses to respect it and committ resources to stopping it. things get tight in that area. there is no deep attack zone. so passing lanes are tighter. if you can effectively make stops with front 4 or 5 and drop 6,7 into coverage, the passing game suffers. Ints become inevitable. you have to force the defense to acommit 6 and force LBs to play closer to LOS....you may not be able to run, but then you can pass into open areas, specially with bigger WRs like Pickens, CD....

 

[fivetwos]

I was hoping they would create packages for Lance, especially when Dak was lost for the year, but they didn’t even do that.

The HC hire and Pickens trade was about making the Dak contract not look so bad. They aren’t pulling him unless it’s about injury. I’m no huge Dak supporter but…it just can’t be done.

 

[_sturt_]

6-5.

240 lbs, give or take 5 lbs depending on when he stepped on the scales.

Honestly, why wouldn't he be an occasional weapon?

Not even talking the majority of red zone plays, but particularly when you're in an ahead-of-the-chains situation... 3 yards out from the end zone... 2nd and 4 from the 15... 3rd and 2 from the 15... that kind of thing where it would be valuable to have the defense have to account for the possibility of a QB run ... it just makes sense for as long as we can assume Milton will take care of the ball and not fumble.

 

[Rockport]

Is that the same thought process the new coach will have. I sure hope not

Winning games> Money/Contract assigned to a specific player

Who are you going to replace him with?

 

[Rockport]

Even when he's thrown us out of the game??

The only time that’s ever happened is when the defense has played so bad and the team is far behind that Dak has to take a lot of risks. I won’t call you a hater because you’re not. You just follow the herd.

 

[TwistedL0g1k]

I'll have to admit that was a nice backflip in the second video!

 

[Corso]

The only time that’s ever happened is when the defense has played so bad and the team is far behind that Dak has to take a lot of risks. I won’t call you a hater because you’re not. You just follow the herd.

So he's a Herder?

 

[Mr_437]

This isn’t Madden.

 

[Runwildboys]

Dark Prescott is the highest paid player in the history of organized football. There is no scenario where taking him off the field makes sense

Except when there's a desire to win.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

Even when he's thrown us out of the game??

If you don’t believe he’s your best possible way to win a football game, you get rid of that contract as soon as possible.

If that is not the case, then you want him on the field as much as possible; there isn’t really an in between. Star QBs in the NFL are all Michael Jordans to their respective team, that’s how important the position is. You don’t bring in the backup for a trick play multiple times a game. When has that ever been effective?

 

[blueblood70]

The only time that’s ever happened is when the defense has played so bad and the team is far behind that Dak has to take a lot of risks. I won’t call you a hater because you’re not. You just follow the herd.

 

[blueblood70]

So he's a Herder?

more like the Sheep.. Not even good enough to be the dog let alone the Shepherd lol

 

[ShiningStar]

Dark Prescott is the highest paid player in the history of organized football. There is no scenario where taking him off the field makes sense

football is a trend not a stragety, you ll never know what will win a game so you cant design contracts by that. 1 play wins the game sometimes. you dont pay per winnable play.

 

[blueblood70]

6-5.

240 lbs, give or take 5 lbs depending on when he stepped on the scales.

Honestly, why wouldn't he be an occasional weapon?

Not even talking the majority of red zone plays, but particularly when you're in an ahead-of-the-chains situation... 3 yards out from the end zone... 2nd and 4 from the 15... 3rd and 2 from the 15... that kind of thing where it would be valuable to have the defense have to account for the possibility of a QB run ... it just makes sense for as long as we can assume Milton will take care of the ball and not fumble.

For me it doesn't make sense I already said it above but think about this if that's the only time he comes in the game he's not actually running an entire possession everybody knows it's coming you know I'm pretty sure he may be great at at being athletic and being a red zone run threat if the rest of the league knows it they have great defensive players and coordinators that can just say you know what you can just go stop that guy I would say it would be better if somehow they fake it and he's got an arm good enough to throw a touchdown you know draw everybody in got that Tim Tebow thing going on the jump past the few times you can actually fake team...

And that will only work a few times see what I mean this is so gadget like that I don't know if it helps the team more than it probably hurts it I think if you utilize your weapons like I said Turpin Blue Ferguson Hunter and you got Pickens and lamb if you can't draw a better red zone place that happened to bring in your backup quarterback for 1 play in the red zone then I feel bad for this new staff i'm hoping that's not what they do unless it's in a grave situation where it is a shock and again you bring them in they all think it's going to be a run and he throws the touchdown...

Then I can see working in very very limited fashion you're not going to fool them very often...

I mean the way they talk about this guy being so athletic and I know this is a old school narrative but why ain't trying to turn this guy into a running back or a tight end or use them like Deebo Samuels like he is big he is strong I don't think he's real fast but why don't you take advantage of his athleticism and turn him into something else besides the quarterback I know right i'm going to get a black eye for saying this...

Just saying guys that freakish athletically why isn't he turned into something we could use him more for than a occasional fake run threat in the red zone?