Prescott Pre Draft Article

[OmerV]

Dak has flaws, no doubt, but the article means nothing. Someone could put together a highlight film of good plays and write an article talking about how good Prescott was in college. There is plenty of film to present the argument any way you want.

 

[Batman1980]

Which forum has drunks at 10:45am? I will volunteer to moderate it if they agree to leave us alone and lift a few filters..

Any Cowboys forums of course, you know Jerrah wakes up drunk.

 

[irishline]

So this is where this ridiculous narrative originated?.

It was a little more than that one article that originated "this ridiculous narrative". Every scouting report on him before the draft pointed to the same things:

http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/scoutingreport2016dprescott.php

• Inconsistent accuracy

• Inconsistent field vision

• Needs to get faster with his eyes

• Needs to learn working under center

• Needs development for a pro-style offense

• College-offense inflated stats

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...2016-scouting-report-grade-for-cowboys-rookie
"Prescott is a project. His footwork needs to be adjusted and then drilled over and over again to erase years of bad technique... Can Prescott learn to throw on time and to space instead of to receivers? In the Bulldogs offense, he dominated with dink-and-dunk routes while struggling on downfield routes. He has the arm to push the ball deep but wasn't accurate enough to be a serious threat there consistently."

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/dak-prescott?id=2555260
" Increase in short pass attempts from 86 to 208 this year reason for higher completion numbers. Accuracy on intermediate and deep throws dropped sharply. Pocket poise has been compromised. Hyper aware of pressure around him and lacks awareness to slide and find temporary shelter to make throw."

https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2015...w-about-2016-nfl-draft-prospect-dak-prescott/

• Inconsistency mars almost every aspect of his game, especially mechanically
• Rocks back with a slight hitch in his delivery when putting zip on the ball
• Tendency to release the ball a tad early, resulting in a sailing or fluttering pass
• Needs to vary the pace of the ball to match the situation/route (no bullets on screens)
• Location and accuracy are generally poor, makes receivers adjust to off-target balls and minimizes yards after catch

https://www.milehighreport.com/2016...eport-scouting-dak-prescott-mississippi-state

• Accuracy issues on deep to intermediate passes
• Needs to work on his pocket awareness
• Reads his progressions too slowly
• Needs to lead his receivers more
• Needs work on his footwork
• His mechanics need work

I could post more but at some point it gets redundant. As was said, the OP's article could have been written last week and still be relevant. As could most of the the scouting reports above. I like Dak, I root for Dak the same way I root for all Cowboys' players. I am not trying to insinuate that Dak has no strenghts at all, but none of the issues we see today are exactly new or surprising. They were talked about ad nausea before he was drafted. Coaching may be abandoning him from improving upon these problems, but he is what he is at this point. Here is to hoping they (Dak and those around him) find a way to correct it.

 

[eromeopolk]

The proliferation of read-option offenses has allowed for more college quarterbacks to put up strong numbers and wins. Dak Prescott is a solid college quarterback that has led Mississippi State to uncharted waters as a football program. However the baseline skills needed at the next level are not consistently shown in his game.........https://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/11/04/dak-prescott/

You are what you are. Winner in high school, winner in college, and to date winner in the NFL.

Dak was a 1st to 2nd round QB NFL talent after getting MSU to a no.1 ranking and downgraded to a 2nd to 4th round QB NFL talent after losing that no.1 ranking and getting pulled over for drunk driving right before the NFL draft (charges dismissed). But where was MSU before Dak Prescott (4-8, 5-7, 9-4, 7-6) and what was MSU with Dak Prescott (8-5, 7-6, 10-3, 9-4), and where is MSU after Dak Prescott (6-7, 9-4, and now 4-3).

He is what he is and you are what you are. You can win in the NFL with Dak Prescott at QB. Parcells told Jeff Ireland "I wish I could give you my eyes" regarding seeing what is an NFL player when analyzing NFL prospects. I wish the guy that did this analysis had Parcell's eyes.

Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells is a renown talent evaluator and adopted a list of seven criteria that he used when considering quarterbacks in the NFL draft. That criteria is as follows:

Be a three-year starter
Be a senior in college
Graduate from college
Start 30 games
Win 23 games
Post a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio
Compete at least 60-percent of passes thrown

Dak Prescott fit every criteria. In fact Dak Prescott graduated with a Masters Degree, 3:1 TD to Int ratio, and completed 63% (66% his senior year).

You are what you are.

 

[mardwin]

For those that hate reading:

1. Prescott is worryingly inaccurate on the majority of all his throws. He can only execute passes downfield when his receivers win at the point of attack consistently. He also struggles processing information quickly and making sound decisions in the pocket.
   
2. He demonstrates a limited understanding of ball placement and struggles anticipating passing windows.
   
3. Prescott is more likely to spill out of the pocket than avoid pressure in the pocket. There’s pressure coming from both edges and he has to decide quickly what his plan is. His footwork illustrates a panicked plan that relies solely on his legs. At the next level quarterbacks who can’t punish a defense from the pocket are found out. Prescott’s eyes are focused solely on the rush.
4. He can only consistently win downfield if his receivers win at the point of attack, relying on their athleticism and savvy.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Could have written this article today with very few edits.

Exactly why I don't understand people just don't get it this kid is not or will never be an elite QB.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

The proliferation of read-option offenses has allowed for more college quarterbacks to put up strong numbers and wins. Dak Prescott is a solid college quarterback that has led Mississippi State to uncharted waters as a football program. However the baseline skills needed at the next level are not consistently shown in his game.........https://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2015/11/04/dak-prescott/

which is exactly why he dropped to 4th and which is exactly what we are getting here......

he needed to take a page from Brady, hire a coach in off season and work on his throwing motion. if he doesn't know that he has accuracy issues and his fundamentals are bad, then he has no clue and is useless anyway

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

true that...but nothing about poor fundamentals, not reading defenses, etc. and Brady worked at his skill and at age of 40 still works with throwing coach every off season.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

After watching all the film I will argue that Dak is clearly much better now than he was in college. His strength then, as now, is his ability to run and pick up the first down when there is nothing open downfield. He is also clearly more accurate than he was in college. That doesn't mean his is an accurate passer now.

First, let's give props where they are deserved. Dak may be inaccurate but he doesn't throw many INTs. Oddly, many of his INTs come on balls tipped by his own receivers. Unfortunate but at the same time the result of inaccurate passes - should have been caught, but Dak makes the plays more difficult for the receivers.

The part that concerns me is its clear Dak still throws to the receivers rather than to where they will be. This keeps them from picking up yardage after the catch. It also concerns me that he is slow to make decisions and get rid of the ball. Dal waits too long to throw it and by the time he does, the receiver who was open is no longer open. Defenses have learned to take away Dak's running lanes and when he has nowhere to escape and he has to throw the football he is simply not good enough to make the defense pay. He can win in the NFL as we have all seen, but his greatest asset is still his ability to run.

his abilility to run is secondary and should be the least important thing in the discussion. that's a bonus not a feature....

and he maybe more accurate that he was in college, but is it good enough for NFL...I am more accurate than I was 10 years ago...I still suck....

and perhaps he doesn't throw interceptions, because he doesn't have confidence in his arm and accuracy, thus avoid throws, holds the ball too long and runs instead. and some of the top balls are daks' fault...not all but some...both Ints in seattle game were results of poor throws, to bad spots, forcing the WR to make incredible catches, instead of routine catches.....

and in regards to your last comments, that's his main problem. he doesn't throw with anticipation. because he is not accurate and doesn't trust himself.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

The question is not so much is he good enough, but whether he can become good enough.

Even with better accuracy and decision making, he's not going to be an "elite" quarterback.

But the NFL is full of veteran quarterbacks who have better accuracy and decision making, and have never made the SB - Dalton, Stafford, Rivers. Just to name a few.

The Cowboys thought, based on 2016, that they could re-invent the 1990 's SB winning teams, since Zeke won the rushing title, and the o-line was dominant. So they decided to go with Dak, since they had him for 3 more years at a very low cost, letting them sign o-line guys like Martin.

But then Leary left, Collins didn't live up to expectations at tackle, Frederick got an illness, Smith's back limited his practice and playing time. The grand scheme all fell apart.

So where to go from here? If you go with somehow drafting nos 1-3 and get the next Mahomes, you need receivers to fit his skills, but you're locked in with big contracts to Martin, Smith, Lee, etc. Probably have to add Lawrence to that list after this year. Where's the money coming from? Better hope the cap blows up sky high the next 2-3 years.

And that's IF your next Mahomes doesn't turn out to be Ryan Leaf, Matt Leinart, etc.

Just saying that you can get rid of Dak, but there's no magic formula to win SBs. If he goes, better hope JJ, SJ and JG get a whole lot smarter than they are now....

 

[Jimbo69]

Good article, but as far as our situation with Dak is concerned we are going to be seeing him as the QB of the Dallas Cowboys until at least 2020. Jerry and the cooper trade has seen to that. So even with the misgivings that a large proportion of the board see with his play, this is where we are.
We can either cheer him and the team on hoping and praying that an improvement will happen or watch something else until the 2020 draft.
I'll be still watching and hoping and cheering, it's been twenty odd years anyway, so what's another 5 or so.
Just increase the beer intake to null the pain!

 

[Roadtrip635]

Why not post Dez's scouting report while we're at it.

A step slow off the snap. Could improve his suddenness to beat jams better with his quickness.

Because he comes from a spread offense, Bryant hasn't been asked to run a full route tree and may have to learn some in this area. His best route is clearly the quick slant.

Too often, Bryant likes to initiate contact. While this was fine against smaller Big 12 defensive backs, this could get him in trouble with more aggressive NFL defenses.

Can get knocked off his route and get knocked off his game somewhat (see this year's Georgia game). Could do a better job of properly securing the ball after the catch.

 

[Brax]

which is exactly why he dropped to 4th and which is exactly what we are getting here......

he needed to take a page from Brady, hire a coach in off season and work on his throwing motion. if he doesn't know that he has accuracy issues and his fundamentals are bad, then he has no clue and is useless anyway

he did the QB guru/coach thing this year and it appears he got worse.

 

[ShortRound]

Sad part is they are spot on. He just happened to get into the best system in history under the best head coach in history.

Funny how things work out, Bill Walsh had a chance to draft Brady and he passed. Imagine the 49ers Montana, Young, and Brady.

 

[wrongway]

After watching all the film I will argue that Dak is clearly much better now than he was in college. His strength then, as now, is his ability to run and pick up the first down when there is nothing open downfield. He is also clearly more accurate than he was in college. That doesn't mean his is an accurate passer now.

First, let's give props where they are deserved. Dak may be inaccurate but he doesn't throw many INTs. Oddly, many of his INTs come on balls tipped by his own receivers. Unfortunate but at the same time the result of inaccurate passes - should have been caught, but Dak makes the plays more difficult for the receivers.

The part that concerns me is its clear Dak still throws to the receivers rather than to where they will be. This keeps them from picking up yardage after the catch. It also concerns me that he is slow to make decisions and get rid of the ball. Dal waits too long to throw it and by the time he does, the receiver who was open is no longer open. Defenses have learned to take away Dak's running lanes and when he has nowhere to escape and he has to throw the football he is simply not good enough to make the defense pay. He can win in the NFL as we have all seen, but his greatest asset is still his ability to run.

Last paragraph spot on. This can change yet remains to be seen

 

[DuncanIso]

Good article.

Dak still can't throw.

 

[Philmonroe]

Exactly why I don't understand people just don't get it this kid is not or will never be an elite QB.

They are like people that hold a losing stock for too long. They just can't get over the glory days aka 2016.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

he did the QB guru/coach thing this year and it appears he got worse.

probably because he has to break down his throw and rebuild it and its not natural

 

[Silver N Blue]

It was a little more than that one article that originated "this ridiculous narrative". Every scouting report on him before the draft pointed to the same things:

http://BAN-INCOMING-IN-3-2-1/scoutingreport2016dprescott.php

• Inconsistent accuracy

• Inconsistent field vision

• Needs to get faster with his eyes

• Needs to learn working under center

• Needs development for a pro-style offense

• College-offense inflated stats

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...2016-scouting-report-grade-for-cowboys-rookie
"Prescott is a project. His footwork needs to be adjusted and then drilled over and over again to erase years of bad technique... Can Prescott learn to throw on time and to space instead of to receivers? In the Bulldogs offense, he dominated with dink-and-dunk routes while struggling on downfield routes. He has the arm to push the ball deep but wasn't accurate enough to be a serious threat there consistently."

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/dak-prescott?id=2555260
" Increase in short pass attempts from 86 to 208 this year reason for higher completion numbers. Accuracy on intermediate and deep throws dropped sharply. Pocket poise has been compromised. Hyper aware of pressure around him and lacks awareness to slide and find temporary shelter to make throw."

https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2015...w-about-2016-nfl-draft-prospect-dak-prescott/

• Inconsistency mars almost every aspect of his game, especially mechanically
• Rocks back with a slight hitch in his delivery when putting zip on the ball
• Tendency to release the ball a tad early, resulting in a sailing or fluttering pass
• Needs to vary the pace of the ball to match the situation/route (no bullets on screens)
• Location and accuracy are generally poor, makes receivers adjust to off-target balls and minimizes yards after catch

https://www.milehighreport.com/2016...eport-scouting-dak-prescott-mississippi-state

• Accuracy issues on deep to intermediate passes
• Needs to work on his pocket awareness
• Reads his progressions too slowly
• Needs to lead his receivers more
• Needs work on his footwork
• His mechanics need work

I could post more but at some point it gets redundant. As was said, the OP's article could have been written last week and still be relevant. As could most of the the scouting reports above. I like Dak, I root for Dak the same way I root for all Cowboys' players. I am not trying to insinuate that Dak has no strenghts at all, but none of the issues we see today are exactly new or surprising. They were talked about ad nausea before he was drafted. Coaching may be abandoning him from improving upon these problems, but he is what he is at this point. Here is to hoping they (Dak and those around him) find a way to correct it.

This is just scouts and "experts" then you throw in all the former, current, HOF Players who have been saying the same thing since his rookie year. It's a shame so many have a blind eye but the real shame is the front office fails to see this.

 

[Philmonroe]

probably because he has to break down his throw and rebuild it and its not natural

This and the truth of the matter is most times you can do the new throw, swing, whatever, in practice but when the game is played you revert right back to your old habits most times. I've saw it many of times and that's why for the most part after your first few years in the league you don't really improve as far as technique goes. You normally get stuck in your ways and that's in just about anything.