Jerry, Do Your Damn Job And Develop Dak

By: Parnell Saint-Preux

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s struggles continue to transpire as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-13. Prescott finished the game going 19-34 for 158 yds, TD and 2 INT’S. In addition, he had a QBR (from 0-100) a 14.3 After the game, Prescott took some accountability for his play. “I’ve got to be more accurate, I’ve got to be more consistent making throws … it starts with me,” Prescott said.

Of course, Prescott does deserve culpability for the Cowboys loss, however, is it really all his fault Dallas is not what they once were in 2016? In 2016, Prescott and All-Pro running back, Ezekiel Elliott helped the Cowboys to eleven consecutive wins. Keep in mind, this was when Prescott stepped in once Cowboys perennial Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo suffered a fraction bone in his back. Since then, Prescott has not had the success he once had.

In the past 11 games, Prescott has thrown for over 200 yds twice. Last time Prescott threw for over 200 yds was last December against the New York Giants, in which he threw for 332 yds and 3 TD passes.

Defensive coordinators and players know that the blueprint in defeating the Cowboys is containing Elliott and forcing Prescott to beat them in the pocket. While Elliott was serving his six-game suspension, Cowboys managed to go 3-3 and Prescott was at his worst. At one time, there was a strong debate between Prescott and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Carson Wentz, who last year threw for 33 TDs to 7 INT’S. So far, that is no longer the conversation. Not only Wentz, but Prescott is also not in the same discussion with other young quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, and Deshaun Watson.

However, what do most of these young quarterbacks have in common, great talent around them. First, let’s look at Watson. In Houston, Watson has a solid running game in Lamar Miller, with deep threats like Will Fuller V and Bruce Ellington, not to mention a number one wideout and All-Pro wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.

Then in Kansas City, Mahomes has Kareem Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing, as well as Sammy Watkins, which the Chiefs picked up during the free agency and signed Watkins to a 3 year/$48M contract, explosive Tyreke Hill and All-Pro tight end, Travis Kelce.

Finally, Jared Goff has All-Pro running back, Todd Gurley, who was the runner-up for NFL MVP, Brandon Cooks, that the Rams acquired, and Robert Woods. Additionally, unlike Prescott, Mahomes, and Watson, Golf has an elite defense, led by the All-Pro defensive tackle and reigning defensive player of the year, Aaron Donald.

Not only do Watson, Mahomes, and Goff have exceptional players, but also exceptional coaches. After a struggling rookie season, Goff was on the verge of being an all-time bust. Suddenly, the Los Angeles Rams took a shot with the former offensive coordinator for Washington Redskins, Sean McVay. Since McVay has been the orchestrator for the Rams, he has revitalized Goff, plus transformed his career. In 2017, Goff threw for 3,804 yds, 28 TD’S, and 7 INT’S. Moreover, Goff made his first appearance in the Pro Bowl. McVay would end up winning AP NFL Coach of the Year.

When the Chiefs took Mahomes with the 10th pick in the draft, there was a mixture of positive and negative. Some thought it was too risky to draft Mahomes because of the gimmicky style offense he ran at Texas Tech. Meanwhile, some felt otherwise and based on arm talent and mobility, compared Mahomes to legendary quarterback Brett Favre.

Luckily for Mahomes, he was mentored by former Chiefs, now current Redskins quarterback, Alex Smith. Like Favre, Mahomes was mentored by head coach and quarterback guru, Andy Reid By spending time observing what Smith established in 2017, Mahomes has figured out how to go through his progressions and protecting the football.

Finally, there comes Watson. Heading into the draft, Watson was considered second or third round pick. Even after a remarkable career in Clemson, which led to two consecutive national championship appearances, and a national championship against Alabama, some were not convinced that Watson would be a franchise quarterback. Luckily, Houston Texans felt otherwise and traded up in the draft to pick Watson with the 12th pick. Before suffering a torn ACL that kept him out for the remainder of last season, Watson was on pace to win offensive rookie of the year and a top MVP candidate. Despite the fact the Texans are 0-3, so far, Watson has a chance to correct the team’s record while putting up astronomical numbers.

Ultimately, what it comes down to is the owner and general manager Jerry Jones making the final call for Dallas. Jones has not provided the sufficient talent and coaching staff around Prescott in order for him to be successful. After the departure of Cowboy greats Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, Cowboys have not found success. Truthfully, that would explain why Dallas has not received the level of triumph they once had.

Jones did a weekly radio interview on 105.3 and discussed on whether he should or should not make any substantial changes for the team.

“I like our players,” Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News. “I like our coaching staff. I think we’ve got players that we’ve seen play at those level. … When you lose a game and you come in on Monday, it’s never as bad as it seems, as far as the players doing some of the things you do, you can always find some bright spots.

“I think your question is, have I hit the panic button? The answer is no.”

If Jones believes that the Cowboys can go as far as fans want them to go, he’s sadly mistaken.

Offensively, Cowboys are ranked 30th in total yards, 31st in total points and 31st in passing yards.

Bottom line is under Jones stewardship, Cowboys will plummet. Jones had an opportunity to land problematic wideout Josh Gordon or veteran safety Earl Thomas. Sadly, Jones failed to fulfill his due-diligence and land a well-known talent.

Furthermore, Jones has yet to give Prescott the respect that he’s earned. During Prescott’s outstanding rookie season, Jones still made comments about Romo, plus his biggest disappointment.

“Tony is really good,” Jones said on his weekly radio show on 105.3FM. “I’ve said this, and I want to restate it: If he should go through a career with the Cowboys and not have knocked on the door one — I’m going to go as far as say won a Super Bowl — it would be my biggest disappointment having owned this team. He is a quarterback that can win Super Bowls. He is a franchise quarterback. …He’s who I want as opposed to a choice throughout the league.”

Apparently, if Romo were available, Jones would be glad to have Romo back on the roster. One could make a legitimate argument that Jones views Romo like a son. Matter of fact, Romo did name his third son, Jones Mccoy Romo. Most people believe it’s not a coincidence Romo named his son after Jones, primarily due to their wonderful relationship.

Here is a suggestion for the Cowboys, particularly one Jones. Once the regular season is completed, why not practically spend the entire off-season evaluating wide receivers to build around Prescott. Key-wide receivers to look at this upcoming draft are AJ Brown from Ole Miss, N’Keal Harry from Arizona State, and Anthony Johnson from Buffalo. All three wide receivers are projected to be selected in the first round. What better way to develop Prescott by acquiring talent who can bring contributions to a franchise.

Regardless of Elliott’s tremendous talent and value, at some point, Prescott will be demanded to throw the football and lead. More importantly, this is the next step for Prescott to take. The main question is that needs to be answered, does Jones truly care about Prescott being the franchise quarterback for Dallas, or contemplating for a new young quarterback moving forward? One thing is for sure, Cowboys go as Elliott goes. Until Prescott receives the support from the organization, He will never get the recognition, credit, and respect he deserves.