The effects of age and Dak Prescott

[Vtwin]

That was when no Dallas draft was graded favorably and the Scouts were nailing All Pro's in the first round.

They implied he was unable to make his own way out of the john.

It has nothing to do with the grades of Dallas' drafts or who the scouts were nailing in the first round.

It simply brings the facts to the table, in response to another's claim that Dak has lived up to his pre draft evaluation, and you're reply that "He was rated a strong and scrambling quarterback" , as if the other 99% of the evaluation didn't matter.

It's pretty hard to read that, the good and the bad, and not conclude whoever wrote that up nailed it, and that many if not most of the weaknesses listed have improved little if at all.

 

[CowboyoWales]

I'm more concerned about Dak's mental outlook than his physical outlook.

Yep, his two top end contracts appear to weigh him down, as if he thinks he should be stepping up when the team needs him.
I bet deep down even he knows he's not worth the contract and that fuels the erratic play-off performances when the real pressure's on.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Here you go. Notice the first sentences in the Weaknesses section. Already showing signs of wear and tear.

Don't shoot the messenger.

Overview​

Hard to find an NFL comp for Prescott because he's built like Donovan McNabb, but lacks McNabb's ability and polish. Prescott has NFL size, mobility and enough arm, but the tape shows a player who must improve his mechanics, poise and quickness through his progressions if he is to become a full-time starter in the NFL. There are absolutely draftable traits and upside, but he will need extended work to smooth out his flaws. Until then, a team would be wise to utilize him on short-yardage packages.

Strengths​

Thick, muscular frame. Has proven over last three seasons that he can withstand a pounding. Has enough natural arm strength and hip snap to fit throws into an NFL window. Stands tall and delivers a tight spiral with over-the-top delivery. Very little windup and gets ball out with the flick of a wrist. When pocket is clean, can deliver accurate strikes around the field. Played with improved vision and care for football this season and eliminated many of the ill-fated throws that turned into interceptions in 2014. Still a work in progress, but continues to show a level of growth as a passer. Threat with his legs, scoring 37 rushing touchdowns over last three seasons and had 94 rushes of ten yards or more during that time. Can be used as goal-line rushing option. Willing to extend plays outside of pocket with legs but look to finish the play with his arm. Mentally tough enough to carry a heavy offensive burden for the Bulldogs over last three years. When protected better in 2014, showed an ability to challenge deep and strike with accuracy and touch.

Weaknesses​

Beat up this year thanks to poor protection. When he wasn't being sacked, he was being hit hard. Not as competitive a rusher in 2015. Sacks and usage in run game might be taking a toll. 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. Concern over pressure too often trumps ability to get through progressions. Must speed up the pace of his reads. Footwork is a mess. Slight stride onto stiff upper leg with little weight shift. Restricted follow through and too often tries to muscle throws with upper body. Throws to target rather than leading or throwing them open on short/intermediate throws. Too respectful of underneath coverage and must be more willing to challenge the defense. Needs to improve anticipation.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dak-prescott/32005052-4528-5723-d1b2-96e92ebc1241

Good work Lance Zierlein

 

[CCBoy]

Dallas Cowboys​

2016 Grade: C-

The Skinny: The Cowboys had nine picks in the draft and seven are still with the team. This is the draft that built this Dallas team. They took running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth-overall pick. He has proven to be everything they expected. The took a big risk taking linebacker Jaylon Smith in the second round after he tore up his knee in the bowl game. Now he's a big part of their defense, flying all over the field.

But the best pick came in the fourth round when they landed quarterback Dak Prescott, who has started all 48 games.

They also landed starting nickel corner Anthony Brown in the sixth round.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...arn-high-marks-cardinals-drop-from-b-to-an-f/

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Yep, his two top end contracts appear to weigh him down, as if he thinks he should be stepping up when the team needs him.
I bet deep down even he knows he's not worth the contract and that fuels the erratic play-off performances when the real pressure's on.

I don't think what a player makes in salary affects his game performance much, if any. Once the ink's dry, contracts and money, etc. are out the window.

If anything, knowing you're financially set for life, that you've had (at least for a while) the biggest pay per year contract ever for a quarterback and are extremely unlikely to be cut/released for at least a couple of years due to the cap hits will relieve you of any concerns about what you have to do on the field because of what you're being pad.

But you may be right, everybody's different, no way we'll ever know unless Dak admits it.

 

[CowboyoWales]

I don't think what a player makes in salary affects his game performance much, if any. Once the ink's dry, contracts and money, etc. are out the window.

If anything, knowing you're financially set for life, that you've had (at least for a while) the biggest pay per year contract ever for a quarterback and are extremely unlikely to be cut/released for at least a couple of years due to the cap hits will relieve you of any concerns about what you have to do on the field because of what you're being pad.

But you may be right, everybody's different, no way we'll ever know unless Dak admits it.

He has this persona of being a leader (possibly linking to his degree) with leadership comes responsibility. Knowing he's taking such a high CAP% further adds to that pressure. I'm sure that's a bigger impact, when he takes the field, rather than I can relax 'I'm financially set for life'.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Here's how I see Dak Prescott in 2025.

1. He has had ongoing trouble with footwork and fundamentals. He doesn't have superior arm talent so he needs to be good with his footwork to ensure he can get the ball where it needs to be.

2. A superior o-line is not a given. The team has so many needs so he will more than likely see his fair share of pressure in the upcoming season.

3. His wheels have had more than the average wear and tear than the top tier QBs in the league. Can anyone give me proof out of this list of Allen, Jackson, Burrow, Murray, Daniels, Stafford, Love, Goff, Hurts, Purdy and Mahomes who has had more serious season ending injuries to their right wheel. Compound fracture. Dislocated ankle. Right hamstring tendon tear.

4. The RB room is still a work in progress. We don't have built in solutions, and the internet chatter is that may not be a priority becasue there is belief there is better value further down the draft rounds at RB.

So with a QB who has been prone to footwork issues. Watch the tape on his tippy toe bouncing habit, has more serious injuries to his right wheel than most of the top tier QBs in the league, with a O-line that has seen a HOF OG retire and a RT coming off one of his worst years and a RB room that has not been solidified...how can anyone argue that this is a year we should be cautious with our expectations for the #1 QB.

I feel the most important decision we will make in roster building this year may be the choice of who is our #2 QB.

This is not the year to jump up and down about what Dak Prescott can or cannot do. This is the year to sit back, wait and see. It is truly the "prove it to me" year.

 

[CCBoy]

Prescott was a solid pick as a backup, and maybe more if he continues to improve his accuracy.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2016-nfl-draft-quick-snap-grades-for-nfc-teams-0ap3000000657506

 

[blueblood70]

Agree with a lot of the posters re age/injury.

The other issue is that he's not 100% committed to the sport. Those QBs who played into their 30s and beyond lived and breathed football 24hrs a day. Dak is too distracted by his attempts to become a celeb and look good on social media. He's a reality star more than a football player.

You may be able to find a few examples but you're wrong Ben Roethlisberger played into his 30's the dude never looked like a football player, same with Tony Romo, with the dad bod, has anybody recently noticed some of the small talk about Patrick Mahomes having the dad bod? this dude does not look like he's a workout warrior....

I promise you this, I haven't seen a comparison side to side, BUT Prescott's in better shape than both of them then all three of those dudes up there and that's just a couple... Please don't be sitting up here acting like these quarterbacks into their 30s are like gym rats and workout warriors, because they're not there aren't many of them that are.

Even when we're looking around at players trying to compare Derrick Henry and TOwens to some normal players in the NFL. no those dudes are anomalies the things they do with their diet and their health and their bodies used to sleep in a hyperbaric chamber to heal up faster.. the dude was never seen really drinking alcohol and he never did drugs he never got in trouble with the law the dude was like a temple,

that is not the normal player in any sport there are very few of those but there are a lot of players that can just workout normally and practice and still remain playing at a high level that is the norm...

I mean even Luka has been accused of not taking care of himself the way he should but the dude still a superstar in the NBA and he probably will be into his 30s everybody has their own thing but not act like the superstars that play longer are always look that is the ones that workout and diet well that's not true some of them just were born to play the sport and they can do it at a high level even without doing those things...

 

[LACowboysFan1]

He has this persona of being a leader (possibly linking to his degree) with leadership comes responsibility. Knowing he's taking such a high CAP% further adds to that pressure. I'm sure that's a bigger impact, when he takes the field, rather than I can relax 'I'm financially set for life'.

When you've got to make a clutch throw to a barely open receiver, or have to execute a 2 minute offense drive to win the game, etc. there's nothing in a player's mind but doing those things.

Imo, of course...

 

[UncleRico]

Age is only half the equation. Wear and tear the other.

Dak has suffered some significant injuries. It is obvious that Dak does not have the same skill set he did in the earlier years.

Whether he has "plenty of ability to bring to the table and compete" is debatable. That he doesn't have the same ability as he did early in his career is not.

Dak needs to get on the Tom Brady PED regimen

 

[blueblood70]

Here's how I see Dak Prescott in 2025.

1. He has had ongoing trouble with footwork and fundamentals. He doesn't have superior arm talent so he needs to be good with his footwork to ensure he can get the ball where it needs to be.

2. A superior o-line is not a given. The team has so many needs so he will more than likely see his fair share of pressure in the upcoming season.

3. His wheels have had more than the average wear and tear than the top tier QBs in the league. Can anyone give me proof out of this list of Allen, Jackson, Burrow, Murray, Daniels, Stafford, Love, Goff, Hurts, Purdy and Mahomes who has had more serious season ending injuries to their right wheel. Compound fracture. Dislocated ankle. Right hamstring tendon tear.

4. The RB room is still a work in progress. We don't have built in solutions, and the internet chatter is that may not be a priority becasue there is belief there is better value further down the draft rounds at RB.

So with a QB who has been prone to footwork issues. Watch the tape on his tippy toe bouncing habit, has more serious injuries to his right wheel than most of the top tier QBs in the league, with a O-line that has seen a HOF OG retire and a RT coming off one of his worst years and a RB room that has not been solidified...how can anyone argue that this is a year we should be cautious with our expectations for the #1 QB.

I feel the most important decision we will make in roster building this year may be the choice of who is our #2 QB.

This is not the year to jump up and down about what Dak Prescott can or cannot do. This is the year to sit back, wait and see. It is truly the "prove it to me" year.

First of all Prescott never really been a running quarterback he's always been a pocket passer that could run a lot like Russell Wilson they didn't need their run game to be good yes it's nice that they can run a little and move like he did when he was a rookie but let's just go back to the game he got hurt in with his hamstring he was moving fine he will be fine but did your delusional you only pick a few quarterbacks the whole entire league gets hurt a lot and has to come back...

But here's one that might be shocking Joe Burrows injury list.. crazy huh?

Joe Burrow Injury History​

Date	League	Injury	Games Missed	Details
Nov 16, 2023	NFL	Hand Wrist Ligament Tear Grade 1	7	Burrow left in the second quarter of Week 11 vs. the Ravens with a right wrist injury. He missed the remainder of the 2023 NFL season.
Jul 27, 2023	NFL	Leg Calf Strain Grade 1	-	Burrow sustained a right calf strain while rolling out in practice. He returned on August 30th and hasn't missed a game due to this injury. However, Burrow reportedly re-aggravated the injury in Week 2 vs. the Ravens.
Feb 13, 2022	NFL	Knee MCL Sprain Grade 2	-	Burrow suffered an MCL sprain in the final minutes of the Super Bowl
Jan 2, 2022	NFL	Knee Unspecified Strain Grade 1	1	Burrow twisted his knee towards the end of the game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dec 5, 2021	NFL	Hand Finger Dislocation Grade 1	-	Burrow suffered a dislocated pinkie finger in the Bengals' loss to the Chargers
Nov 22, 2020	NFL	Knee ACL Tear Grade 3	6	Burrow suffered a torn left ACL during Week 11's loss to Washington. He was placed on IR and was shut down for the 2020 season.
Nov 22, 2020	NFL	Knee MCL Tear Grade 3	6	Burrow suffered a torn left MCL during Week 11's loss to Washington. He was placed on IR and was shut down for the 2020 season.
Nov 22, 2020	NFL	Knee PCL Tear Grade 3	6	Burrow suffered a partial tear to his PCL during Week 11's loss to Washington. He was placed on IR and was shut down for the 2020 season.
Nov 22, 2020	NFL	Knee Meniscus Tear Grade 1	6	Burrow suffered a partial tear to his meniscus during Week 11's loss to Washington. He was placed on IR and was shut down for the 2020 season.
Jan 16, 2020	Non-NFL	Chest Rib Fracture Grade 1	-	Burrow suffered torn rib cartilage near the end of the second quarter in the College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans.
Aug 14, 2017	Non-NFL	Hand Wrist Fracture Grade 1

 

[UncleRico]

Not if his CAP hit (due to the 4 year contract he signed), is $60m (plus the $40m carry over) and where he also a needs a Doomsday Defense to give him a lead as we know without it he's prone to Deer-in-Headlights......and that's before we address the need for a running game (to stop teams sitting in Cover 2 and picking him off as he panics), and protection (due to diminishing mobility) and receiving weapons as he needs more options for him to ignore.

The real answer is probably somewhere between our perspectives, but dont give us this Jerry take of everything's looking good.

Aren’t we 11th in cap space? He is way overpaid but us doing nothing in free agency has nothing to do with his 60mil. After Garret signing Parsons will command a crazy contract. Front office has made every wrong move along the way.

 

[UncleRico]

Agree with a lot of the posters re age/injury.

The other issue is that he's not 100% committed to the sport. Those QBs who played into their 30s and beyond lived and breathed football 24hrs a day. Dak is too distracted by his attempts to become a celeb and look good on social media. He's a reality star more than a football player.

Dak works his *** off, that’s his best quality

 

[blueblood70]

Here's how I see Dak Prescott in 2025.

1. He has had ongoing trouble with footwork and fundamentals. He doesn't have superior arm talent so he needs to be good with his footwork to ensure he can get the ball where it needs to be.

2. A superior o-line is not a given. The team has so many needs so he will more than likely see his fair share of pressure in the upcoming season.

3. His wheels have had more than the average wear and tear than the top tier QBs in the league. Can anyone give me proof out of this list of Allen, Jackson, Burrow, Murray, Daniels, Stafford, Love, Goff, Hurts, Purdy and Mahomes who has had more serious season ending injuries to their right wheel. I also see you guys are also Compound fracture. Dislocated ankle. Right hamstring tendon tear.

4. The RB room is still a work in progress. We don't have built in solutions, and the internet chatter is that may not be a priority becasue there is belief there is better value further down the draft rounds at RB.

So with a QB who has been prone to footwork issues. Watch the tape on his tippy toe bouncing habit, has more serious injuries to his right wheel than most of the top tier QBs in the league, with a O-line that has seen a HOF OG retire and a RT coming off one of his worst years and a RB room that has not been solidified...how can anyone argue that this is a year we should be cautious with our expectations for the #1 QB.

I feel the most important decision we will make in roster building this year may be the choice of who is our #2 QB.

This is not the year to jump up and down about what Dak Prescott can or cannot do. This is the year to sit back, wait and see. It is truly the "prove it to me" year.

Some of that might be true, but that doesn't mean that's what's going to happen but most of it is because the offensive line the run game and not having a solid #2 wide receiver people with lack of separation yeah I'd be bouncing around back there too if my offensive line wasn't very good and then when I could throw the football people weren't getting open quick enough and nobody was scared of the run game..
, Brock Purdy sure didn't look good last year when a lot of his weapons got hurt....SF also had losing season over injury..

By the way Prescott's always came back from injury pretty well that doesn't guarantee he'll come back this year that well but 2020 when he snapped that ankle off everyone thought it could be career ending came back and had one of his best seasons 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions that's crazy for a guy who's got bad footwork and no arm talent lmao

I also noticed you want to keep this false narrative going about some of his interceptions are the problems he's had without actually realizing that even after he broke his hand and had a little bit of a problem in training camp with a leg, when he came back in 2022, the only talk about the interceptions, but he also had like 25 touchdowns in that short period, threw the ball exceptionally well like caught fire fast

.. And brought the offense from the bottom back to the top in a very short period the guy can still play he knows how to rehab and come back from injuries and let's hope more the same happens this year...

 

[UncleRico]

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 6 years, $330 million (75.76% of total contract)

Year signed: 2025

Allen earned his first NFL MVP award in 2024-25, leading Buffalo to a 13-4 regular-season mark and a trip to the AFC Championship Game. His new deal guarantees him $250 million, the most guaranteed money of any contract in NFL history.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 4 years, $240 million (96.25% of total contract)

Year signed: 2024

Prescott had the second-best year of his NFL career in 2023, when he threw 4,516 passing yards for a career-high completion percentage of 69.5. His deal comes with $231 million in guaranteed money.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35186336/biggest-active-contracts-mlb-nfl-nba-nhl

*Above set the current status in a team injury reflected season.

You left out 12-5 and 2nd in MVP but numbers wise should have won it

 

[UncleRico]

Here you go. Notice the first sentences in the Weaknesses section. Already showing signs of wear and tear.

Don't shoot the messenger.

Overview​

Hard to find an NFL comp for Prescott because he's built like Donovan McNabb, but lacks McNabb's ability and polish. Prescott has NFL size, mobility and enough arm, but the tape shows a player who must improve his mechanics, poise and quickness through his progressions if he is to become a full-time starter in the NFL. There are absolutely draftable traits and upside, but he will need extended work to smooth out his flaws. Until then, a team would be wise to utilize him on short-yardage packages.

Strengths​

Thick, muscular frame. Has proven over last three seasons that he can withstand a pounding. Has enough natural arm strength and hip snap to fit throws into an NFL window. Stands tall and delivers a tight spiral with over-the-top delivery. Very little windup and gets ball out with the flick of a wrist. When pocket is clean, can deliver accurate strikes around the field. Played with improved vision and care for football this season and eliminated many of the ill-fated throws that turned into interceptions in 2014. Still a work in progress, but continues to show a level of growth as a passer. Threat with his legs, scoring 37 rushing touchdowns over last three seasons and had 94 rushes of ten yards or more during that time. Can be used as goal-line rushing option. Willing to extend plays outside of pocket with legs but look to finish the play with his arm. Mentally tough enough to carry a heavy offensive burden for the Bulldogs over last three years. When protected better in 2014, showed an ability to challenge deep and strike with accuracy and touch.

Weaknesses​

Beat up this year thanks to poor protection. When he wasn't being sacked, he was being hit hard. Not as competitive a rusher in 2015. Sacks and usage in run game might be taking a toll. 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. Concern over pressure too often trumps ability to get through progressions. Must speed up the pace of his reads. Footwork is a mess. Slight stride onto stiff upper leg with little weight shift. Restricted follow through and too often tries to muscle throws with upper body. Throws to target rather than leading or throwing them open on short/intermediate throws. Too respectful of underneath coverage and must be more willing to challenge the defense. Needs to improve anticipation.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dak-prescott/32005052-4528-5723-d1b2-96e92ebc1241

The 2014/2015 Mississippi state rosters were completely different. No running game 2015 so short passes became the run game. Him running less was a result of that. Had nothing to do with because he was banged up just different offensive gameplay. He was significantly better QB in 2015.

 

[5Stars]

I can't wait until this fraud of a QB is out of Dallas. His money hungry ways and horrible football play is one of the worst things that has ever happened to this team, period.

 

[Mark]

And, as of the 10th of March, A.D. 2025, this team has no succession plan.

 

[CCBoy]

It has nothing to do with the grades of Dallas' drafts or who the scouts were nailing in the first round.

It simply brings the facts to the table, in response to another's claim that Dak has lived up to his pre draft evaluation, and you're reply that "He was rated a strong and scrambling quarterback" , as if the other 99% of the evaluation didn't matter.

It's pretty hard to read that, the good and the bad, and not conclude whoever wrote that up nailed it, and that many if not most of the weaknesses listed have improved little if at all.

The over riding element is not injury of him or a lot of doubt stemming from his team getting injured out from under him. Leaving the fowl production stats for this last year.

Facts are that he was valued as a backup when he was drafted. When he was forced to replace Romo while fully green behind the ears, he proved he was talented with his successes entering the real NFL. That there set the mark.

He was graded well upon arrival and needing a professional transformation that even Troy Aikman needed. Then even an offense built around him and an Offensive Coordinator brought in to fix it for Troy.

While on the field, his stats have been upper levels in the NFL.

He actually has shown growth in the passing games. A ignored trait is ability to actually complete a league wide effectiveness under pressure. That isn't just gained over time. It is talent under pressure.

What is truly uncalled for is the quality and range of success in his runner up for league wide MVP. Seriously, how many of those type quarterbacks are ignored because of a Jerry Jones and a 30 year old calendar? All of that in 12 win seasons for 3 straight seasons as to a team strengths. Never done before in the NFL.

I think the Sports Illustrated type projection presented does show the actual football element at this core.

I tend towards the projection of a John Madden calling sport of it and still recognizing accomplishments.

Madden coached for Oakland who had an owner just like Jerry Jones! Exactly!

No one needs a voo doo doll or cherry picked association to show doubt. In football there is always doubt.

With Prescott and staff brought into the team, football is alive and well in Dallas. That also is true whether one likes it or not or is fan unsupportive .

Go Cowboys and have a good season, Dak!