Cowboys 'Weren't On the Same Page': Dak Prescott & Mike McCarthy Learning New Language
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New voices, new style, and a newfound mentality are driving the Dallas Cowboys offense this offseason. With head coach Mike McCarthy calling the plays and Brian Schottenheimer as the new offensive coordinator, it has been an offseason of change at The Star.
With the pair taking charge at Cowboys OTA's there has been one significant difference in how the Cowboys operate the offense ... and it is taking place above the shoulders and helping McCarthy develop a connection with Dak Prescott.
"We have a thing called PCP (purpose of the play call)," McCarthy said. "It's one thing to learn the play and the intricacies of the play, but I think when they know you're continually anticipating when and where it's going to be called, it's just strong communication that the play-caller and the quarterback need to have."
After a year that saw Dak lead the league in interceptions with 15, reeling in that number is perhaps job one for the veteran quarterback.
So, how does Prescott and the offense rectify the problems of last season that led to so many self-inflicted wounds? Communication and "language'' are key.
"Just detail the hell out of what we're doing,"Prescott said. "Just understanding the purpose and make sure everybody knows the why and what their purpose is on the play and their role, I think it's going to make us play faster and be better," Prescott said.
Was that "purpose'' a problem a year ago? Said Dak: "When you went back and looked at that tape, you could see that guys weren't necessarily thinking what I was thinking. We weren't on the same page.
"When all 11 are on the same page and understand the 'why,' the whole passing game is going to be cleaner."
"Not on the same page'' needs to be handled in context. That doesn't mean mass confusion or pitchfork-wielding dissension. It can be the smallest little thing, the smallest little mis-read of an assignment on a route ... And clarity helps.
So, McCarthy and Prescott think, does speaking the same language. For McCarthy that means the installation of his new West Coast Offense will not include players having to learn any old Green Bay lingo; the coaching staff will make the language adjustment there to keep Dallas' existing terminology in place.
And for Dak? With Kellen Moore gone, it means not exactly a "new language'' ... but rather, a new accent.
"You hear that (McCarthy Pittsburgh) accent little bit more when he’s calling these plays,” Prescott joked. “He called one out there today (at OTAs) and I looked back and I go, ‘Was it the right one?’ Yeah, it was. It’s just that his accent was tough to hear.
It might only be early in McCarthy and Schottenheimer's tenure as the leading men of the offense, but understanding the why could be just as beneficial as any new wrinkle or play.
Football is 90 percent above the shoulders, and in McCarthy's first offseason as play caller, is it clearly a point of emphasis as they attempt to reduce the number of self-inflicted wounds that plagued the offense last season.
“It’s been fun being able to work with (McCarthy) in that light, every day, hands-on. ... It’s refreshing. I know he’s enjoying it, getting back into football, head-first into the film and what we’re doing. It's exciting.''
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