Cowboys' practice play shows a version of Dak Prescott we all want to see
Let me start with a disclaimer: One stand-alone clip from Dallas Cowboys training camp isn’t enough to conclude anything about the scheme or play-calling tendencies. And yet, I couldn’t help but be excited at one particular rep from the Cowboys’ second padded practice of the year. With the offense lined up near the end zone, […]
Let me start with a disclaimer: One stand-alone clip from Dallas Cowboys training camp isn’t enough to conclude anything about the scheme or play-calling tendencies.
And yet, I couldn’t help but be excited at one particular rep from the Cowboys’ second padded practice of the year. With the offense lined up near the end zone, head coach Mike McCarthy dialed up a read option play that quarterback Dak Prescott took in for a touchdown.
Although it's just one play, it showed a version of the Cowboys quarterback many would love to see more of. Let's dive in.
In the play, which you can see in the tweet below, Prescott reads defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (#56) crashing inside and keeps the ball. Meanwhile, tight end Jake Ferguson is pulling from the opposite side of the field to act as the lead blocker for the play. Who knows how it would’ve played out had Dak not been wearing a red jersey (Michael Gallup's block was blown up by Jayron Kearse in the play) but the play was indeed ruled a touchdown.
While it’s just one practice rep, it does feed into one of the biggest questions surrounding McCarthy’s Texas Coast offense: Will we see the Cowboys exploit Prescott’s mobility?
Under Kellen Moore and Scott Linehan before him, it always seemed like the Cowboys didn’t tap into that double-threat potential as much as they could've. An ankle fracture in 2020 certainly didn’t help the case to increase his workload as a runner.
Using Dak’s legs doesn’t mean turning him into Jalen Hurts. But the in-division rivals Philadelphia Eagles are a great example of how a +1 running game can make a huge difference. The Cowboys could limit Prescott's use to short-yardage situations and red zone scenarios.
Imagine being a defense and lining up worrying about CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks while also having to account for a running game featuring Tony Pollard and the option threat. Last season, the Cowboys had the top red zone offense in touchdown percentage in the NFL. They did so with a heavy dose of 12, 13, and 14 personnel, a creative approach. A dual-threat QB could take that up a notch.
For instance, the Eagles' Hurts finished the season with a higher total rushing EPA than any running back in the NFL inside the 20-yard line. Sure, that goes hand in hand with a great running scheme and the league's best offensive line. But the point still stands that teams with a mobile QB can benefit tremendously from using his legs.
We'll see if that's something that McCarthy is willing to explore when the season starts. For now, it might be considered a good sign that the Cowboys are at least testing it out in training camp.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs returns to practice with highlight-worthy play
The Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro took part in team drills for the first time since the pads came on in training camp in Oxnard, California.
Featured image via The Athletic's Jon Machota (@jonmachota)
