Stats Before and after - what the Atlanta game did to Dak

[silvrNblue]

I’ve seen an attempt to place the entire blame on Garrett who certainly deserves his part but there were several other contributing factors.

Well, call me old fashioned, but in my world the buck STOPS at the top. And Garrett deserves 98% of that butt kicking, just for doing NOTHING until late in the 3rd to try and stop the beating Dak was taking....so yea I put it all at clappers feet. 1/2 time is to make ADJUSTMENTS for what aint working... how many times you see clapper and vanilla queen do that?

 

[Number1]

Just looking at Dak’s stats it’s pretty clear that Atlanta game last year did something to his confidence and performance.

he got stomped - his reflexes were changed - started getting twitchy

probably lost some confidence in his OL and coaches

then they went Dak friendly with 8 new targets on the game day roster
whatever else you say about this FO and staff - that took guts ... time will tell

things are stabilizing, let's see if he can get his mojo back in ATL

 

[Diehardblues]

The Falcon game last year exposed several issues last year for us including our poor adjustments by coaching staff.

It exposed how we’d struggle without our All Pro OL. Without our best player in Elliott with his impact on our effectiveness on offense and most of all how difficult it would be for Dak to carry this team without all of his key supporting cast.

And it exposed how weak our depth is on OL. Attempting to place all of the blame on coaching staff is popular more agenda driven and possibly to advert weaknesses in other areas.

 

[Diehardblues]

Well, call me old fashioned, but in my world the buck STOPS at the top. And Garrett deserves 98% of that butt kicking, just for doing NOTHING until late in the 3rd to try and stop the beating Dak was taking....so yea I put it all at clappers feet. 1/2 time is to make ADJUSTMENTS for what aint working... how many times you see clapper and vanilla queen do that?

He put in two different backups . Why is there no accountability on Chaz and Butler on their performance in their backup role?

And if Dak knew that pressure was coming what adjustments did he make?

And I do agree the buck stops at the top. Whoever named Garrett and keeps him in place is ultimately responsible.

This team has had no depth for years. Whether it’s an OL out or a LB , etc. that’s who ultimately this is on. The same reason we suk when Romo went out for years. We finally have a better backup QB and the results have supported.

 

[Turkish-Cowboy]

I just find it interesting how one game can be a crossroads for a team and it’s most important player and crush them mentally.

Many forget that in that game last year, Dallas actually took their first drive of the game down the field for a TD and they led 7-0. They only trailed 10-7 at the half, despite Clayborn already having 4-5 sacks.

To me, that’s the biggest indictment of Garrett as a HC. They were still in that game at half and yet he left Chaz Green in there. It was over after halftime. Garrett is THE WORST in game adjustment coach in the league. Let’s hope he’s learned something since last year. (How many times has that statement been made?)

Not that he left Chaz Green out there, probably there was no other better option, but not bringing any help was such a vital mistake that we still witness its results. Any GM who cares about his team would fire the coach at that moment.

 

[Diehardblues]

Not that he left Chaz Green out there, probably there was no other better option, but not bringing any help was such a vital mistake that we still witness its results. Any GM who cares about his team would fire the coach at that moment.

And there inlies the bigger issue.

We are handicapped from the top to the bottom.

But yet we expect better results.

This franchise has been talent dependent since Jimmy left.

 

[Risen Star]

If that spooks your QB you don't have a QB.

 

[Diehardblues]

If we’re depending on our dysfunctional organization to save us we are hoping on an Absolution that will never come.

 

[CouchCoach]

It's been discussed many times how the 27-7 loss last November in Atlanta was disastrous for this team. Looking at stats, it was clearly most disastrous for Dak Prescott. In terms of how it mentally affected Dak and this team, it was one of the worst losses in Cowboys regular season history.

Let’s look at Dak’s stats pre 2017 Atlanta game, then after the Atlanta game all the way to now.

DAK STATS BEFORE 2017 ATL GAME
2016- 23 TDS, 4 INTs
2017- (before Atl game) 16 TDs, 4 INTs
COMBINED 2016 and 8 2017 GAMES BEFORE ATL GAME: 39 TDs and 8 INTs

DAK STATS AFTER 2017 ATL GAME
2017-(after Atl game) 6 TDs, 9 INTs
2018- (so far) 11 TDs, 5 INTs
COMBINED 2017 and 2018 STATS AFTER ATL GAME: 17 TDs, 14 INTs

Just looking at Dak’s stats it’s pretty clear that Atlanta game last year did something to his confidence and performance.

I clearly remember watching Chaz Green get destroyed play after play by the mediocre Adrian Clayborn and also watching in sheer disbelief as Garett just stood there clapping while his (at that time) 24 year old QB gets thrown around like a rag doll. And no adjustments were made until late 3rd qtr. Garrett should have been fired on the plane ride home.

Coaching matters. And as the stats make clear, some games are so poorly coached it can have lingering effects. Especially when the head coach is the worst in the league at managing in-game situations. The game Sun in Atl is a chance to exercise those demons or to add to them.

Coaching indeed matters and it's the other teams' coaches that mattered the most. In the NFL, once a QB shows a weakness, he must shore that up because every successive DC is coming after that.

That's the game I gave up any thoughts that this HC or OC belonged in the NFL. How does any coach not have a contingency plan in case the most important position on the OL, pertaining to the pass game, falters? Aikman recognized it after the first sack and they did not respond to his call for help for two more quarters and the game was done and so was the team.

Some disagree with me and feel this is just another game but it is a return to the scene of the crime and the Cowboys must set things right or this season is done. Old scores must be settled and they didn't just get beat, they got laughed at and that is just unacceptable. They need to get those balls they left in ATL and bring them back home for TDay.

 

[Idgit]

Dak had one bad game in late 2016. I have no idea why some people on this board continue to push this false narrative.

Especially after his playoff game.

 

[cern]

for dak to rise to the next level, he will have to learn three words. kill, kill, kill. the play that is sent in is not etched in stone. ask tony romo. dak's going to have to learn to read defenses better and adjust at the line of scrimmage if needed.

 

[glimmerman]

I think this game should tell us a lot. Can he stand tall and deliver and chase the demons away. Could go a long way in his career and regaining that confidence.

 

[Bullflop]

We've had problems for what seems like forever vs. the elite passing teams. Atlanta certainly qualifies as one of those. To offset that, at least, to some extent, this defense has improved somewhat in that capacity. Nevertheless, we'll likely be obliged to score considerably more than usual to keep up with Atlanta's prolific scoring potential. In short, we'll be challenged to do just that, while holding the Falcons to a reasonable number of scores.

Here's hoping we'll meet that challenge head-on, despite meeting them on their home turf. I'm sure we'll be more competitive than what we were the last time we met -- it's mainly a question of intensity, imho. It's no secret that we've lost our last three games to them. Needless to say, the Cowboys should rightfully show up with a chip on their shoulders -- we certainly owe them one! I believe winning will likely require our best effort of 2018.

 

[cern]

We've had problems for what seems like forever vs. the elite passing teams. Atlanta certainly qualifies as one of those. To offset that, at least, to some extent, this defense has improved somewhat in that capacity. Nevertheless, we'll likely be obliged to score considerably more than usual to keep up with Atlanta's prolific scoring potential. In short, we'll be challenged to do just that, while holding the Falcons to a reasonable number of scores.

Here's hoping we'll meet that challenge head-on, despite meeting them on their home turf. I'm confident we'll be more competitive than what we were the last time we met them -- it's mainly a question of how much so, imho. It's no secret that we've lost our last three games to them. Needless to say, the Cowboys should rightfully show up with a chip on their shoulders -- we owe them one and then some!

ball control football. the longer we have the ball, the less time falcons have the ball. a game by attrition. we need to put relentless pressure on ryan. long drives. move the chains. time of possession will be critical.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

I've been trying to think of an example of a QB who has recovered from a beating like that and gone on to be as good or better than they were... coming up blank.

 

[Batman1980]

I've been trying to think of an example of a QB who has recovered from a beating like that and gone on to be as good or better than they were... coming up blank.

Matt Stafford got one like that from Minnesota and I don't think he's recovered yet.

 

[aria]

I HATE this excuse! I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, if last years Atlanta game psychologically effected Dak so much that he couldn’t produce at the same level for almost a year after that game, as he did prior to it, then he’s a mental midget and has no business being in the NFL, let alone the franchise QB of the Dallas Cowboys. Could some of you coddle him even more? Personally, I don’t buy the excuse but if I did then I wouldn’t want him as our QB.

Didn’t Rodgers get sacked 5-6 times last night? I guess he’s ruined too, he should hang it up

 

[cern]

I've been trying to think of an example of a QB who has recovered from a beating like that and gone on to be as good or better than they were... coming up blank.

aikman was once sacked 11 times in a game by buddy ryan's eagles. brutal to watch. but he recovered and won super bowls.

 

[Diehardblues]

I HATE this excuse! I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it, if last years Atlanta game psychologically effected Dak so much that he couldn’t produce at the same level for almost a year after that game, as he did prior to it, then he’s a mental midget and has no business being in the NFL, let alone the franchise QB of the Dallas Cowboys. Could some of you coddle him even more? Personally, I don’t buy the excuse but if I did then I wouldn’t want him as our QB.

Didn’t Rodgers get sacked 5-6 times last night? I guess he’s ruined too, he should hang it up

I agree. I think we are over emphasizing the effects it had on Dak or his confidence.

The real story is it highlited how dependent we are on the support around Dak and unlike our previous QB not enough to carry our offense without it.

 

[CouchCoach]

I've been trying to think of an example of a QB who has recovered from a beating like that and gone on to be as good or better than they were... coming up blank.

Aikman was sacked 11 times by PHL in one game as a rook and body slammed and his shoulder injured.
Romo had some rough games. Dak is a tough guy but like cern said, he's going to have to learn to protect himself through D recognition and response and it took Romo longer than 3 seasons to learn how to do that well.