Dak Prescott 3 Keys to Cowboys Success: Goals Reached?
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys remain haunted by “shoulda-beens.” In 2022 they again had a 12-win season that was abruptly ended in the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. Having one of the better offensive units in the league along with a defense ranked in the upper echelon of the best in the NFL … shoulda been good enough.
The Cowboys now prep to travel to New York for a “Sunday Night Football” opener in which the one player who by nature of his position and talent has poured himself into fixing the “shoulda-beens.”
Did quarterback Dak Prescott and coach Mike McCarthy, now taking over play-calling duties, navigate the goal-minded three summer hurdles toward improvement?
Goal No. 1: Keep Prescott healthy. As Dak has pointed out, this is his first healthy camp in four years. No ankle dislocation and fracture, no shoulder strain, no calf strain, no broken thumb.
Critics can’t figure out why Dak and the starters sat out all the preseason games. But we just told you why.
Mission accomplished with goal No. 1.
Goal No. 2: Smooth install of the “Texas Coast Offense.” McCarthy taking over as the play-caller has him saying “it’s like riding a bike.” The new offense has retained the old language, making the transition easier for Prescott and the players.
Truth is, there is no “magic offense” here. What there is is “comfort and confidence” in an approach, schematically and philosophically.
CowboysSI.com has talked about this with McCarthy and with Prescott. They are comfortable and confident. And as a result? Among other things, be prepared for Dak to not throw 15 interceptions again.
Mission accomplished with goal No. 2.
Goal No. 3: Let the stars be stars. The post-trade integration of Brandin Cooks will be a big help. The rookie class can be as well. But Dak’s continued integration with top weapons CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard are central to Dallas’ offensive success.
Lamb, by the way, almost seems underrated by some. Last year he had a career-best season as he hit highs in receiving yards (1,359), receptions (107), touchdowns (nine), yards per game (79.9), and catch percentage (68.6).
Dak thinks Lamb can be the NFL’s best receiver. The numbers say that is viable.
Along the same lines, the Cowboys smartly dumped the springtime silliness that would ask its standout offensive linemen to play positional “Musical Chairs.”
Tyron Smith is at left tackle. Tyler Smith (presently nursing a hamstring strain) is at left guard. Zack Martin is at right guard. Terence Steele is at right tackle.
Mission accomplished on goal No. 3.
If Dallas can build on having hit on all three Dak Prescott checklist pieces - which seems quite doable - then the quest to end the NFC Championship drought might finally be a success … with that quest almost ready to begin at New York.
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