You build the case against Dak

[nathanlt]

Now that Dak's preseason work is presumably over, since the starters don't play in the final preseason game as a rule, we have to look at what he has accomplished so far at the NFL level.

Given that Dak has assembled a top 5 QB rating in the preseason, has a top 10 completion percentage, and has outperformed Cam Newton thus far, here is my hypothesis.

Dak Prescott is a natural quarterback prodigy. Yes, he works hard. Yes, he is dedicated in the film room. Yes, he is cool under fire. But he has the ability to "feel" defensive gaps in coverage, he understands the Cowboys system during each play. He senses when a receiver will break out of his route, it is not an exercise in piecing things together, part by part. It is all flowing together, he's processing defenses, NFL defenses at a higher level than any rookie before him.

Dak Prescott is a quarterback prodigy, a savant.

Now, using examples from his preseason work alone, prove me wrong. Being untested is not a stand alone defense. What he has done so far is all that can be used against him.

 

[theebs]

you've learned all this from a few snaps in the preseason?

 

[WoodysGirl]

Against him? But why?

 

[TRUTH87]

i wana see how dak is after throwing two picks on consecutive possesions. how his teammates respond to that too. itll say alot

pre season has been paradise.

 

[pugilist]

I'm just glad we're going to find out if he is legit or not. I would hate to pass on future QBs (in the draft or FA) that will replace Romo because the FO was so enamored with Dak's play in the 2016 preseason

 

[LocimusPrime]

I want to see him against intricate defenses, disguised blitzes, zine blitzes, and other forms of defensive trickery.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Not interested in building a case against him, really do hope for the best with him while Romo heals. Damm, how many times that been said !
Regular season is a different animal then PS.
He needed more time,
He's not gonna get it
Good luck young fella, he may be Romo's eventual replacement. Or not.
But not gonna pick the kid apart, I'm gonna root for him. But he's playing against the odds here - I hope everyone understands that

 

[bayeslife]

I mean like you said we can't really argue anything until he plays

 

[strollinruss]

I'm just glad we're going to find out if he is legit or not. I would hate to pass on future QBs (in the draft or FA) that will replace Romo because the FO was so enamored with Dak's play in the preseason

You got a point, there isn't going to be any question about his validity before long.

 

[strollinruss]

Against him? But why?

Some people just have to play devils advocate. Can't stand it.

 

[theebs]

I want to see him against intricate defenses, disguised blitzes, zine blitzes, and other forms of defensive trickery.

that is what is coming week 1. Thats what spagnuolo does.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Some people just have to play devils advocate. Can't stand it.

It's in our best interest that he does well. What's wrong with letting the dude build a resume before forming an opinion on whether he's good or not. smh

 

[Dale]

The truth is, it's nearly impossible to build a case against him based off his preseason work. You can pick apart about 7 incompletions that were a result of an off-target throw, a should-have-been-pick where he stared down a receiver and was bailed out by a penalty, and...that's about it.

I think we've seen him make some throws off the back of his feet that will, ultimately, cause problems. His footwork remains a key part of his development, and there will undoubtedly be times where he reverts to poor mechanics.

Going back to his college film, I think we can anticipate his accuracy leaving him at times (likey because of said breakdown in mechanics).

And you said not to use inexperience as a counterpoint, but the reality is inexperience is a key weakness for any young QB. He's simply going to see coverages he has never before seen, and be baited into situations by defensive coordinators disguising coverage.

What encourages me the most about his work this preseason was that he did it, for the most part, against high-quality starting defenses. He started against the Rams' defense; came in on the 4th play against the Seahawks' defense; and came in on the 3rd series against the Dolphins. It's not a situation where his work came in the 3rd or 4th quarters against practice-squad level players, as we have sometimes seen in the past with preseason sensations.

 

[Eanwen]

I heard somewhere that Dak was only accurate 50% of the time when he had to go to his second or third read.

I hope he gets better and is the guy we all want him to be.

 

[Cowpolk]

I want to see him against intricate defenses, disguised blitzes, zine blitzes, and other forms of defensive trickery.

Seattle was playing to win he faced NFL level play in that game how did he do?

 

[erod]

It's preseason.

Case closed.

 

[Dale]

I heard somewhere that Dak was only accurate 50% of the time when he had to go to his second or third read.

I hope he gets better and is the guy we all want him to be.

Any idea what is considered standard and/or elite in such situations?

 

[CowboyChris]

his biggest obstacle might be that he and the offense may have to score 30+ a game to win cause of this defense

 

[RS12]

Can we limit the Dak threads to say five a day?

 

[nathanlt]

The truth is, it's nearly impossible to build a case against him based off his preseason work. You can pick apart about 7 incompletions that were a result of an off-target throw, a should-have-been-pick where he stared down a receiver and was bailed out by a penalty, and...that's about it.

I think we've seen him make some throws off the back of his feet that will, ultimately, cause problems. His footwork remains a key part of his development, and there will undoubtedly be times where he reverts to poor mechanics.

Going back to his college film, I think we can anticipate his accuracy leaving him at times (likey because of said breakdown in mechanics).

And you said not to use inexperience as a counterpoint, but the reality is inexperience is a key weakness for any young QB. He's simply going to see coverages he has never before seen, and be baited into situations by defensive coordinators disguising coverage.

What encourages me the most about his work this preseason was that he did it, for the most part, against high-quality starting defenses. He started against the Rams' defense; came in on the 4th play against the Seahawks' defense; and came in on the 3rd series against the Dolphins. It's not a situation where his work came in the 3rd or 4th quarters against practice-squad level players, as we have sometimes seen in the past with preseason sensations.

You see, that's why I started this thread. No one can be negative about his potential, even for pie-in-the-sky statements. What if he actually is a prodigy? Time will tell, but for now he is the most exciting quarterback in the league, until proven otherwise.

It is a great time to be a Dallas Cowboy fan, I'm relishing the moment.