Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott Better Be For Real

The hype has picked up in a big way regarding quarterback Dak Prescott, and just in time too because the Dallas Cowboys need him more than ever.

His preseason has been one for the record books. In three appearances the Mississippi State product has completed 78% of his passes for 454 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. It’s as close to flawless as any quarterback can play, especially a rookie. Already speculation was starting about whether he was the guy the Cowboys had been looking for. The one destined to replace Tony Romo as the long-term starter.

As it turns out, the team is going to get an extended sneak peek. Romo was injured just three plays into his preseason debut against the Seattle Seahawks. It was later revealed he has a fracture in the vertebrae of his back, an injury that’s expected to keep him out until midseason. That means Prescott is the unquestioned starter moving forward. He certainly looks ready, but is he?

It’s important to maintain context when addressing such a question. Prescott has enjoyed himself to this point, but a good degree of that is because of circumstances. He’s playing defenses that are doing little scheming and is playing a simplified offensive style that hasn’t asked him to drop back much from under center. It’s been mostly snaps from shotgun, zone-read and bootlegs.

Having a great offensive line doesn’t hurt either. The Cowboys have kept him largely untouched during his first three appearances, allowing him to basically play pitch and catch with his receivers. How will he respond when the pass rushes really start to ramp it up and the speed of the game increases? History shows there will be a significant jump that most rookies aren’t ready for and Prescott has a bad habit of getting flustered under pressure.

No doubt the Dallas Cowboys are going to do everything possible to not put too much on his plate. It will be heavy doses of Ezekiel Elliott and that running game with him utilizing play action. Whether that defense can hold up is another story. At some point Dak Prescott will be put into position where he has to be the one to make the big play. Is he ready for that? Time will tell.