Dallas Cowboys: ‘We Talkin ‘Bout Practice’

To quote Allen Iverson, “We Talkin ‘Bout Practice” and all of the news surrounding Dak Prescott at the Dallas Cowboys training camp this year.

News broke this week that Dak Prescott hadn’t thrown a touchdown in team drills this training camp, although he has since thrown several. Twitter and Facebook blew up about how this was an indictment of Dak Prescott to not be the starter in Dallas. Fans argued about this with two definitive sides.

While I have been critical of Dak and some of his issues, everyone needs to pump the breaks. This is practice. Dak has not been, at least for two years in the NFL, the best performer in practice. Look back over the last two years and the news was always Prescott looked bad in practice or in camp. There are enough reasons to be both critical and hopeful of Dak, but this doesn’t fall into either category.

Historically in practice, even in college, Dak was known to throw passes that have troubled him. He tends to throw into tighter coverage, make riskier plays, and try throws that are not his strongest. He works on his flaws in practices. Honestly, it is what players should be doing in a practice setting. This is where you can make mistakes and not lose games.

In game, Dak is a different player than he is in practice. He focuses on being cautious with the football and tries not to take too many chances if he thinks it could hurt the team. There is some good and bad in that, but again, in practice is where you work on being able to do more, gain confidence, and make plays you wouldn’t in games.

Dak is better on the move, and in 7 on 7 drills the quarterback doesn’t have to avoid a pass rush, step up into a pocket, or even read a full defense. This is where he can work on his passing from the pocket, correcting footwork, and making throws he struggles with. That is what these drills are for. Timing with receivers, placement, all of it is the focus, not just throwing touchdowns.

When we look at Dak in 11 vs 11 as they played this last Saturday, we find he threw touchdowns. He made smart decisions with the football and played to his strengths. If he doesn’t throw any in the four preseason games, maybe we can worry, for now, it will be okay. R-E-L-A-X.

In training camp defenses are usually showing better than offenses anyway. The defense knows what the offense is throwing at them. They are used to the receivers and running backs, if the defense couldn’t stop Dak when he is working on weaknesses, then we can worry. Again, relax.

More from Dallas Cowboys

• Dallas Cowboys Linebackers: 2023 Position Overview
• Ballhawk University: Why the Cowboys will be takeaway leaders
• Dallas Cowboys Player to Watch: Sleeper TE John Stephens, Jr.
• Dallas Cowboys: The impact of Micah Parsons and a well-rounded secondary
• Dallas Cowboys still unsure about their left guard position for 2023

With the first preseason game this week, look for Dak to work the ball down the field and let the receivers make plays with the ball in their hands. This is a run first team, and in practice you don’t really get into exact yardage, or “down and distance”, since in 7 vs 7 drills the running game isn’t involved. Preseason will have situational football and allow for playcalling, adjustments to protection, and different looks.

So relax everyone. Take a deep breath and wait until the third preseason game for a better view of what this team will look like. I know, everyone is excited for football, and expectations are high. I would be more worried if Dak wasn’t working on his flaws, this is a good sign for a third year QB, and a good sign for the Dallas Cowboys.

• Published on 08/07/2018 at 18:49 PM
• Last updated at 08/07/2018 at 18:49 PM