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Dallas Cowboys: Is Dak Prescott The Real Deal?

By Sam Beckenstein

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dak Prescott came into the NFL as a fourth round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and has torched the NFL since the preseason started. So far he has blown up all reasonable expectations with a 78% completion rate, 454 yards, and five touchdowns with a near perfect passer rating for all three of the Cowboys’ games he’s appeared in.

With the injury to Tony Romo’s back, which is expected to keep him sidelined for 6 to 10 weeks, Prescott is being forced into the starting role as a rookie. And for Dallas, that just might be a good thing.

In the past five years the Cowboys have been ranked near the bottom of the league in play action plays used (30th in 2015). However, with Prescott under center this preseason, they’ve run play action plays 28% of the time as opposed to the league average of 21%.

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs from Miami Dolphins defensive Deandre Coleman (62) during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs from Miami Dolphins defensive Deandre Coleman (62) during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

With this absurd showing in the preseason, we must remember that this is in fact the preseason. Prescott has outperformed any and all expectations to this point, but his biggest test will come on Sunday, September 11 when the Cowboys face the Giants. Given this impressive showing you have to start asking if he is for real.

Prescott has been a star since his days in Starkville, Mississippi. He is undoubtedly the best player to come through the Mississippi State football program, and the loss of him will reflect in the Bulldogs’ record, and offensive output this year.

He has always been a leader on the field, and elevated the play of everyone around him by making plays out of nothing. Prescott led Mississippi State to heights they had never seen when they reached No. 1 in the polls for the first time ever. That year he led the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record and an Orange Bowl appearance.

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And now he will have a chance to do something that no fourth round quarterback pick has done since 2005, start the season opener his rookie year. He also has the chance to make a lasting impression, and potentially force a fringe hall of famer, Tony Romo, out of a job.

Prescott’s versatility, and youth, gives the Cowboys a mobile quarterback that they haven’t had in a long time. It adds another dynamic to their offense that fits right in with their latest first round pick, Ezekiel Elliott. Prescott can flat-out run for a quarterback which opens the door to designed runs and read options.

His athleticism gives the Cowboys offense a guy who makes the defense respect the edge more, and a quarterback who can extend plays and gain yards with his legs like Romo can’t. Prescott ran for 2,521 yards and 41 touchdowns in college and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. This preseason he is averaging 7.6 yards per carry, significantly higher than college.

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Prescott is the Cowboys’ guy for now since Romo will miss extended time. If he keeps performing at the rate he is, he may be the guy for good. He is outperforming his college self this preseason, and shows no signs of stopping. I’m a believer in the Dak Attack, and at this point so should the Cowboys fan base.

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