The Dallas Cowboys have unfortunately been on the losing end of the stick in the past three games and are clearly struggling with both their confidence and on-field performance. No player has been as visibly off their game these last several contests then quarterback Dak Prescott.
Life without Ezekiel Elliott seems to be affecting Prescott’s play more than anyone could possibly foreseen. The entire Cowboys offense has just one touchdown in the last three games, which is simply unacceptable for a unit that has so much talent. Something needs to be done, and I think that starts with Dallas’ young signal caller.
I personally believe Dak Prescott is capable of putting the offense on his back and carrying the team. I think his confidence is shaken right now and the Cowboys coaching staff hasn’t done enough yet to help get him back on track. Luckily, I think there are three simple ways to get Prescott back to the player we are accustomed to seeing on the field.
Continue to read below to find out how I would help Dak Prescott get both he and the Cowboys offense back on track.
Less is More
It’s no secret that Dak Prescott had a fantastic rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys. Despite that though, many of us were really looking forward to Scott Linehan opening up the playbook heading into the 2017 season. Cowboys Nation really wanted to see how much more effective Prescott would become with the entire playbook at his disposal. But, I think it might be time to dial things back a little.
Linehan needs to find ways to build Prescott’s confidence back up in the passing game. That might mean going back to a more simplistic game plan in order to find easier completions. Sometimes less is more, and I think that’s a good start to get Dak back to the player we are accustomed to seeing.
Right now, Prescott’s confidence is shot and he is trying to force things too much. Dialing back the playbook and simplifying the game plan is a good place to start for the Cowboys offense and Dak Prescott. They can always open things back up once they get their confidence back and become more consistent as a cohesive unit.
Shrink the Field
One of the things I’ve noticed over these last three games about Dak Prescott is that it seems as if he’s not getting through his progressions fast enough and holding on to the ball too long. This needs to change, and one way of doing that is for Scott Linehan to shrink the field for him to limit the amount of reads he has to go through.
Prescott simply isn’t seeing the entire field as well as he typically does. This is causing him to hold onto the ball too long and allow the opposing defenses pass rush to get to him. Cutting the field in half would be another way to build Prescott’s confidence back up and allow him to get through his progressions more quickly.
Of course, this also helps the opposing defense a little bit as well. They no longer have to cover the entire field, which means Linehan would have to get creative with his playcalling. But, shrinking the field actually ties into my next way of getting Prescott back on track.
Pocketful Of Sunshine
I’m sure the majority of you have heard the song “Pocketful Of Sunshine” at some point in your lives. Unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys pocket in pass protection has been more doom and gloom here lately then sunshine. Fortunately, I think that’s an easy fix.
It’s time the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff get back to using Prescott’s best asset, his legs. With the way Prescott is struggling in the passing game and the protection issues the offensive line is having, it’s time to move the pocket and take advantage of #4’s mobility. That means much more designed rollouts, bootlegs, and run/pass option plays inserted into the game plan.
It’s what worked for him in his rookie season and should work once again. We have seen how dangerous Prescott is when he actually tucks the ball and scrambles. He used his mobility last week for what should have been a touchdown, unfortunately called back due to a holding penalty. Prescott’s mobility really puts the opposing defense at a disadvantage, but helps the Cowboys offense immensely.
IMO, its not about shrinking the field. its about pre-snap reads and knowing where the open guy is going to be.
until dak figures this part out, he’ll continue to have problems.
work dez in the slot with short crossing routes, same with cole and switzer. put noah brown, williams and butler on the outside to work deep crossing routes and go routes.
c’mon OC do you job
I think you’re correct Brian. Try some 3 step drops, quick hitting pop passes, quick read options which he seems to love, a moving pocket to help out the newbies, etc. All of these are designed to operate with 5-10 yd passes. Get the ball in the hands of Dez and Terrance who both move well after the catch.
Full agree on:
– confidence in Dak as the future. He can and will progress from his first real NFL downturn, and learn how to play better with less protection and few open receivers. You want to do more in that spot, but you can’t throw the ball into trouble. We know from his games as a pro, that he already knows it.
– When there is consistent pressure – and Dak has been pummeled the last 3 games – then get him out of the pocket much more. Just another place where the lack of adjustment has been clear and of damage to our chances for a win.
I will defer to the (bad) coaches on if Dak needs any simplifications right now. For me the root of the offensive problems – along with few clean pockets – is that his receivers are not winning on their routes. Nobody seems to be very often. That’s a problem.
Readers know the 2 or 3 fixes I favor – they all wear Cowboys numbers. I am predicting that if we have to watch the team get smoked again this week, Garrett will be gone on Friday.