Cowboys: Why It Doesn’t Matter Who Starts at Quarterback
With all the discussion about who starts for the Cowboys, Tony Romo or Dak Prescott, the real answer is it doesn’t matter.
For weeks the discussion has been should the Cowboys stay with Dak Prescott, go with Tony Romo, trade Romo, so on and so on. The real answer is, it doesn’t matter who the Cowboys start. Before anyone jumps to talk about the strengths and weakness of each quarterback, I’ll stop you.
That isn’t the discussion we are about to have.
Sure, Tony Romo is like a coach on the field and can read a defense, make an adjustment, and set blocking schemes as well as any quarterback in the league. Romo has the innate ability to feel pressure, keep a play alive, and make just about any throw needed. Romo is also extremely efficient, accurate, and allows for a deep threat on every play.
Yes, Dak Prescott can use his legs to punish a defense when he has to. Prescott can also keep plays alive and makes smart decisions with the football. He is also a quick learner and listens to advice and critique. His ability to lead has been on display all season for the Cowboys as well.
But, this isn’t about what each can bring and what each lack when it comes to the quarterback position of the Dallas Cowboys. None of it matters this season, as in reality the strength of this offense is the offensive line and the running game the Cowboys have.
As long as they keep playing the way they have, it doesn’t matter which quarterback the Cowboys use.
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The running game for the Cowboys is the best in the league, period. Ezekiel Elliot can wear defenses down and can break a long run at any point in the game. Alfred Morris can break a huge run off at any time and has good vision getting through holes, picking up chunks of yards at a time. While Lance Dunbar is rarely seen receiving a handoff, his ability to catch and make plays in space is devastating to defenses.
Even without using Darren McFadden this season, the Cowboys can control time of possession and wear teams down.
The offensive line’s ability to manhandle defensive fronts and get into the second level of defenses forces the other team to bring safeties down to help with the running game. Once a safety comes forward, the passing game opens up, and play action becomes devastating.
Both Prescott and Romo have the ability to make defenses pay once they load up for the running game. There is a huge contrast to 2015 when Dallas didn’t have the same quality or confidence in the quarterbacks once Romo went down. Watching the Cowboys this season is a lot like watching the Cowboys in 2014, but with an even better running game and more talented runners.
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With all the discussion on the quarterbacks in Dallas, the real focus needs to be on the running game. Sure, everyone is talking about Elliot breaking records, but not that it is the running game that is the power of the team (just for clarity the offensive line is included in any mention of the running game). In the end, it doesn’t matter which quarterback starts.
So while everyone is talking about Romo and Prescott around the sports world, Dallas fans can sit back and watch something special with the run game. Anytime anyone mentions the quarterbacks in Dallas; every Cowboys fan should smile about the offensive line. Every time an article, report, or discussion on sports radio or TV pops up, Cowboys fans should relish the Cowboys ability to force teams to play the run.
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It doesn’t matter who starts for the Cowboys at quarterback; it only matters that the running backs and offensive line stay healthy. There isn’t a quarterback controversy in Dallas; there is no need for one. The offensive line and running backs are the answer, not who is the starter.