Sturm Debunks Dak and Dunk

[Doomsday101]

No 6 does not mean less and I did not say that either. What was obvious I thought was that I was saying that if your QB is tucking and running when a pass is there, almost all coaches would rather they think "pass" first. Although if you want him running more and increasing his chance to get injured then maybe you end up with RGIII sitting on the sidelines all the time!

And Dak has passed the ball, is he throwing low percentage passes? NO and that is what those deep balls are low percentage. Dak is making sure he is moving the chains giving defense time on the bench and moving this team down field. Dallas is 4th in scoring in the entire NFL so this notion the Cowboys are not scoring is complete non sense. Dak unlike RGIII is not taking off at the 1st sign of trouble but sure he will take 15 yards open in front of him if it is there guess what so will Aaron Rodgers. Dak still has much to learn but given the fact this team is 12-2 is 4th in scoring shows he is still getting the job done.

 

[zrinkill]

at some point crying for the old guy who couldn't make it through a bump he took in a preseason game without dying is just about YOUR attachment to "your pet cat."

This

 

[gmoney112]

Managing expectations is precisely what I am doing. Nonetheless all of this is relative.

In terms of player development I have zero issue with Dak. I see him using the same commitment and work ethic that has gotten him this far to improve similar to what he has already done. Between that and his salary our future is bright.

In terms of how I expect the team to play in the playoffs in a few weeks it is a different story. They don't handicap but instead seek to exploit. You need big DT and talented DBs but you can scuttle this attack. We have seen the gameplan and most of the teams that fit that bill are in the NFC.

As for Brady vs Dak, I ask you what do you think Brady would take if teams down in and down out gave him single high DB looks? I keep on hearing that Dak takes what the defense is giving him but I don't really think that is true.

They all but dare him to attack downfield yet he throws about 1 deep ball every game. I don't think it is a stretch to think that Brady would capitalize on regular heavy boxes a lot more than that.

Hey, I'd love it if Dak was Tom Brady. But, I don't even bring arguably the greatest QB of all time into the equation, since he's a robot and is working with arguably the greatest coach of all time.

It'd be nice if he was able to throw 30 yards against top defenses regularly, but not many do it. Look at what happened to Carr, Mariota, Brees when they play these top defenses. Stafford immediately needed a diaper after his game with the Giants. TB embarrassed three of the better QB's in the league.

Even all these "big play" offenses, we're still one of the best in the league at success per play. And these "playoff defenses", aren't giving up big plays left and right like some people believe. You play those defenses exactly like how we played them, keep the average YPA up, and don't turn the ball over. As soon as you start taking shots downfield is exactly how you end up like those quarterbacks did against good defenses.

And I have 0 doubt that if our defense had played better earlier in the year, Dak would have taken chances. Cousins threw for what, almost 500 yards? You can't turn the ball over when the defense was just laying down. Romo was helped immensely in 2014 by having a team that was one of the best in the league at takeaways.

All in all, if we just stop shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties (or stop playing primetime games where they feel a need to keep it close), our offense is borderline unstoppable. We could have easily had 10+ more points on the Bucs, and had 450 yards of offense. The Minnesota game would have been over in the 3rd quarter, and Dak would have probably had a 120 + rating in that game if it wasn't for penalties and Lucky dropping the ball, which he loves to do.

If we have 5 penalties or less, and trending downward in the RZ, we won't lose in the NFC.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Dak's not a running QB.

He's a QB that can run.

That's what separates him from RGIII and even Wilson was more of a runner than what Prescott was in college...

 

[Super_Kazuya]

It's his job period. There exists no threat whatsoever of him losing it. Sorry you can't accept that.

Unless we play the Giants. If that happens, you'd better get a fresh diaper ready, troll.

 

[Clarkson]

Well its a good thing that the stats that were shown were more than just Kaepernicks but instead team stats then. The other guy was worse.

I am talking about his ability as a passer. I am not going to dispute that we have a dominant running game. Prescott has 13 RZ passing TD which is 15th and about half of the leader's.

A dominant running game helps and doesn't hinder too. We see what happens when we cannot rely on the run.

Again: You cannot score twice in one possession. We have a dominant run game that we use a lot in the red zone. We're 4th in red zone TD%. Also again: Has anyone claimed we're a better passing team than running team? Of course we turn to that: What team doesn't want to play to its strengths?

You also can't just leave out his rushing TDs, all of which have come in the red zone, bringing his total red zone TDs to 19. His running ability is a major part of his game, and to discount it to make your (shaky) point is disingenuous at best.

You said his play in the red zone is a detriment to our offense there; he has 19 total red zone TDs on the 4th best red zone TD% team in the league. Where, exactly, is he handcuffing us?

Is Tannehill the best red zone QB in the league? Have RG3, Cody Kessler, and whoever else has played for the Browns this year more effective than Prescott and Russ Wilson and Matt Stafford because they have a better QB rating in the red zone?

Post a useful, meaningful stat to back up your nonsense. The Niners have a joke of an offense and are 10th on your Holy Grail of Red Zone Stats list.

 

[zrinkill]

Dak's not a running QB.

He's a QB that can run.

That's what separates him from RGIII and even Wilson was more of a runner than what Prescott was in college...

Exactly .......

 

[Direwolf63]

Well THAT was fun.

 

[aikemirv]

And Dak has passed the ball, is he throwing low percentage passes? NO and that is what those deep balls are low percentage. Dak is making sure he is moving the chains giving defense time on the bench and moving this team down field. Dallas is 4th in scoring in the entire NFL so this notion the Cowboys are not scoring is complete non sense. Dak unlike RGIII is not taking off at the 1st sign of trouble but sure he will take 15 yards open in front of him if it is there guess what so will Aaron Rodgers. Dak still has much to learn but given the fact this team is 12-2 is 4th in scoring shows he is still getting the job done.

I never said anything negative about Dak, I was just commenting on the concept that I agree with. I don't think Dak runs too much either.....

 

[Kevinicus]

It is. When you think there is a better option at 12-2 then you are what they call complaining. Especially coming off a great game. I love how people on this board know more than Danny White and the dozens of NFLers who are saying Dak deserves to play. My comment was to someone saying he wasn't impressive. So called football Minds are laughable

So what stopped us the first two drives right down the field? Alleged dinking and dunking or penalties? If there is a different answer than penalties you're dense

Could the team improve at RT over Free? At WR over Williams? How about safety, corner, DE? Since we are 12-2 and you apparently feel there is no way to be better, then I guess Von Miller, Landon Collins, Suh, Sherman etc. would be on the bench?

 

[JJHLH1]

Dak is not good in the red zone. I'm hardly the first person to say it. Watch the games.

So you can't come up with any stats to support your bogus claim? I didn't think so.

 

[Fletch]

The rificulous part is the lame tired arguments people keep trotting out against Romo. They are not based in reality.

It goes both ways considering current record and recent Pro Bowl invite (pending a Super Bowl if ya know what I mean). Like you said, "Not based in reality."

Hope you can take a deep breath and actually enjoy the journey.

 

[sean10mm]

Dallas is #4 in the NFL in red zone touchdown scoring %. Handing the ball off to run it in, or running it in yourself, instead of throwing it in is not a red zone fail no matter how some people want to spin it.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/red-zone-scoring-pct

 

[JJHLH1]

We are 20th in the league in passing TD. We are second in rushing TD.

And 6 of those rushing TD's are by Dak, a new Cowboys record.

 

[Doomsday101]

I never said anything negative about Dak, I was just commenting on the concept that I agree with. I don't think Dak runs too much either.....

Then we agree he does not run to much but his ability to run puts defense in a situation where they have to be aware that Dak will take off and that puts even more pressure on the defense. You get DE pinching down hard on the run they look pretty silly as Dak keeps the ball and get outside for pass or run so DE can't just pin their ears back and come after him or Zeke without risking a big play to the outside. In the redzone Dak ability is just 1 extra weapon defense much concern themselves with.

 

[Blake]

Unless we play the Giants. If that happens, you'd better get a fresh diaper ready, troll.

Nah, he's still playing vs the Giants. Win or lose. You know this, I know this, the coaches know this.

 

[Zordon]

So then we are screwed. I'm trying to manage expectations you are just trying to keep your pet cat's job.

Pet cat? 12-2 rookie QB is still being referred to in that manner? Wow...

 

[Zordon]

Unless we play the Giants. If that happens, you'd better get a fresh diaper ready, troll.

keep the hope alive brotha!

 

[Blake]

keep the hope alive brotha!

He's a bit riled it seems.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Hey, I'd love it if Dak was Tom Brady. But, I don't even bring arguably the greatest QB of all time into the equation, since he's a robot and is working with arguably the greatest coach of all time.

It'd be nice if he was able to throw 30 yards against top defenses regularly, but not many do it. Look at what happened to Carr, Mariota, Brees when they play these top defenses. Stafford immediately needed a diaper after his game with the Giants. TB embarrassed three of the better QB's in the league.

Even all these "big play" offenses, we're still one of the best in the league at success per play. And these "playoff defenses", aren't giving up big plays left and right like some people believe. You play those defenses exactly like how we played them, keep the average YPA up, and don't turn the ball over. As soon as you start taking shots downfield is exactly how you end up like those quarterbacks did against good defenses.

And I have 0 doubt that if our defense had played better earlier in the year, Dak would have taken chances. Cousins threw for what, almost 500 yards? You can't turn the ball over when the defense was just laying down. Romo was helped immensely in 2014 by having a team that was one of the best in the league at takeaways.

All in all, if we just stop shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties (or stop playing primetime games where they feel a need to keep it close), our offense is borderline unstoppable. We could have easily had 10+ more points on the Bucs, and had 450 yards of offense. The Minnesota game would have been over in the 3rd quarter, and Dak would have probably had a 120 + rating in that game if it wasn't for penalties.

If we have 5 penalties or less, and trending downward in the RZ, we won't lose in the NFC.

It's unlikely that Smith's back is going to heal up until the offseason or that we are going to find a replacement more consistent than Free this season. Players typically hold because they are getting beat but there were plenty of other opportunities out there. The current NFL is a flagfest and that issue is hardly unique to us.

I only bring up Brady because people keep on saying that Dak takes what is given to him 'just like Brady.' That is completely false. He doesn't take what the defense gives him or he would throw downfield more often and back off the S in the box.

Dak's RZ problems have been around all year and are nothing new. I argued it with percy earlier in the year before criticizing Dak was a cottage industry; eww that sounds hipsterish. He just isn't very accurate and struggles to make reads in compressed time and windows. It's a good thing that he can tuck the ball and run and doesn't throw it up for grabs often or it would be a train wreck. As it is and has been it is mediocre.

Really the issues that I see are that he doesn't throw it downfield. He doesn't fit throws or anticipate routes consistently and instead relies on open receivers; I think overall our receivers have been outstanding this year for all the fixation on Dez. When under pressure his footwork goes out the window and we start seeing jump throws, his feet together or crossed, dipping his shoulders, and similar mechanical issues.

Rookie quarterbacks often have these issues and I don't blame him but I don't think in those terms anyway.

Really what this boils down to is I am going to evaluate Dak as an NFL quarterback until the season is over. Most people seem satisfied with what we have already achieved.