The Cowboys have had an incredible -- an unexpected -- season. When Tony Romo went down in the third preseason game against the Seahawks, visions of the 2015 season, when Dallas went 4-12, surely danced in Cowboys fans' heads. Here we go again. Another injury-prone year for Romo and a long line of subpar backup quarterbacks will lead to another below-.500 record. But there was a promising rookie waiting in the wings, one who had already impressed the NFL in the preseason: Dak Prescott.
Prescott, a fourth-round draft pick who, at best, was probably destined for the practice squad when he was selected, turned his preseason breakout into winning the starting job on an interim basis. From there, he kept it going. After a little bit of a stumble out of the gate against the Giants, he hit his stride and led the Cowboys to 11 consecutive victories, a 13-3 record, the NFC East crown, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Dallas has a fantastic offensive line. There is no doubt about it. It is the MVP of the team. But Prescott has been no chump, completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 3,667 yards, 23 TDs, and just four picks. He's also ran for 282 yards and six TDs. His 13 regular-season wins tied Ben Roethlisberger for most all time by a rookie. I think if Prescott can win at least two Super Bowls like Big Ben has, Dallas fans would be very happy.
Throughout the season, Romo has been nothing but gracious, despite eventually losing his job to Prescott. He knows what it is like to be the surprise star. More than a decade ago, he worked himself up from undrafted free agent to barely making the team as the third-string QB, to becoming the backup QB, and then finally to starting midway through the 2006 season. In a CBS Sports story published Tuesday, Prescott revealed that when he was named the starter, Romo texted him "I believe in you. You're the type of guy I pull for." I think it is no coincidence that the way Romo handled his demotion this year was influenced by the way he originally became the Cowboys' starting
quarterback. The game can give opportunities, and it can take them away, and he understands that.
It is unclear if Romo texted Prescott at the beginning of the season or after Prescott was named the permanent starter. Of course, Romo feels a little slighted. This was his team, and I'm sure he was looking forward to coming back strong this year after what transpired in 2015. The team was as ready to win as it was in 2014, and maybe even in better position to make a run than two years ago. In a couple of short months, Romo went from the unquestioned No. 1 QB -- and why would he think that would change once he came back from injury, based on the way the other QBs performed last year -- to the backup as a rookie took over. But Romo has said all the right things, supported Prescott publicly and in the locker room by all accounts, and Dallas did a great job of managing the situation.
When Romo held a news conference in November, we knew Prescott was the permanent starter, and Romo didn't looked pleased to be saying what he said, but he was still gracious. And this week, when Romo was again questioned, he said all the right things. He said he supports Prescott, and the other questions regarding his future are good questions, but they aren't beneficial to the team right now. In one fell swoop, Romo showed he had respect for the media and told them to pipe down a bit. Romo is still very focused on the team and how it performs in the playoffs, and he wouldn't do anything to hurt the Cowboys. Is he a little checked out perhaps? It's possible, but he says all the right things, says he's focused on the team, supports Prescott, and knows that talk about his future would only be a distraction at the moment. He's been the consummate professional and showed why, despite some big-game hiccups in his career, he's been easy to root for.
Any media blathering about Romo being a distraction are just attempts to stir up trouble. Romo may not be completely content with his role, but he knows Prescott's performance made it hard to argue he should've been reinserted as the starter. So instead, he's been a great teammate.
Shifting gears a bit, I am of the belief that the future is bright for the Cowboys. Yes, a loss to the Packers this weekend after compiling 13 regular-season wins would be disappointing, and I'll be upset if that happens, but the team has a little bit of a different feel for me than in 2014. That year, it felt like the window for the team to make a title run was closing as guys like Romo and Jason Witten were nearing the ends of their careers. But now, with Prescott, the team seems to have found a starting QB that can be good for quite awhile. And running back Ezekiel Elliott is only a rookie as well. The fact that two of Dallas' biggest stars are just first years bodes well. The offensive line, the machine that makes life easier for Prescott and Elliott, is still pretty young, too. Tyron Smith is 26, Travis Frederick 25, Zack Martin 26, Ron Leary 27, and Doug Free at 32 is the senior citizen. Plus, the Cowboys picked La'el Collins in the draft, and he was starting until injuring his toe in Week 3. He is just 23. Witten will probably retire soon, but the rest of the receiving corps is pretty young as well. Dez Bryant is 28, Cole Beasley 27, Terrance Williams 27, and Brice Butler 26. Occasional receiver and return specialist Lucky Whitehead is 24.
The young and solid offense should give Dallas plenty of reason to beef up the defense in coming seasons through the draft or free agency. Linebacker Sean Lee has finally made it through another season healthy and was rewarded by being named an All-Pro. He's the unit's biggest name, but the defense actually thrives on being a bunch of no-name guys. But players such as second-year safety
Byron Jones, cornerback Brandon Carr, and defensive linemen Maliek Collins (a rookie), David Irving, and Jack Crawford have performed admirably. And Dallas has other guys that have contributed but been held back by injuries at times in veteran safety Barry Church, ends Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence, and corner Morris Claiborne, who was having his best year before hurting his groin in October's win at Green Bay. All of those guys are expected to play Sunday. Rookie corner Anthony Brown has been very solid filling in for Claiborne as well.
The Cowboys also got good news recently on rookie linebacker Jaylon Smith, who they took in the second round of the draft. The nerve in his leg has begun regenerating after a devastating knee injury at the end of his Notre Dame career. He was a possible top-10 pick before getting hurt.
Coordinator Rod Marinelli has gotten a lot out of what most would consider a no-name defense. The Cowboys rank, on a per game basis, 14th in yards allowed, first in rushing yards allowed, and fifth in points allowed. Passing defense ranks 26th, the worst part of the unit. Dallas is +5 in turnover margin (tied for ninth), and hasn't forced a lot of turnovers (20, tied for 19th), but the offense has taken care of the ball (15 turnovers, tied for fifth fewest), resulting in the solid number.
There is plenty that can be shored up in future years, especially on defense, but with a young core, I think Dallas fans should be excited about what the future holds.
Prescott, a fourth-round draft pick who, at best, was probably destined for the practice squad when he was selected, turned his preseason breakout into winning the starting job on an interim basis. From there, he kept it going. After a little bit of a stumble out of the gate against the Giants, he hit his stride and led the Cowboys to 11 consecutive victories, a 13-3 record, the NFC East crown, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Dallas has a fantastic offensive line. There is no doubt about it. It is the MVP of the team. But Prescott has been no chump, completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 3,667 yards, 23 TDs, and just four picks. He's also ran for 282 yards and six TDs. His 13 regular-season wins tied Ben Roethlisberger for most all time by a rookie. I think if Prescott can win at least two Super Bowls like Big Ben has, Dallas fans would be very happy.
Throughout the season, Romo has been nothing but gracious, despite eventually losing his job to Prescott. He knows what it is like to be the surprise star. More than a decade ago, he worked himself up from undrafted free agent to barely making the team as the third-string QB, to becoming the backup QB, and then finally to starting midway through the 2006 season. In a CBS Sports story published Tuesday, Prescott revealed that when he was named the starter, Romo texted him "I believe in you. You're the type of guy I pull for." I think it is no coincidence that the way Romo handled his demotion this year was influenced by the way he originally became the Cowboys' starting
 |
| Having a rookie take your spot through no fault of your own has to be tough, but Tony Romo hasn't caused any headaches for the Cowboys and has supported Dak Prescott as he grew into his role. |
It is unclear if Romo texted Prescott at the beginning of the season or after Prescott was named the permanent starter. Of course, Romo feels a little slighted. This was his team, and I'm sure he was looking forward to coming back strong this year after what transpired in 2015. The team was as ready to win as it was in 2014, and maybe even in better position to make a run than two years ago. In a couple of short months, Romo went from the unquestioned No. 1 QB -- and why would he think that would change once he came back from injury, based on the way the other QBs performed last year -- to the backup as a rookie took over. But Romo has said all the right things, supported Prescott publicly and in the locker room by all accounts, and Dallas did a great job of managing the situation.
When Romo held a news conference in November, we knew Prescott was the permanent starter, and Romo didn't looked pleased to be saying what he said, but he was still gracious. And this week, when Romo was again questioned, he said all the right things. He said he supports Prescott, and the other questions regarding his future are good questions, but they aren't beneficial to the team right now. In one fell swoop, Romo showed he had respect for the media and told them to pipe down a bit. Romo is still very focused on the team and how it performs in the playoffs, and he wouldn't do anything to hurt the Cowboys. Is he a little checked out perhaps? It's possible, but he says all the right things, says he's focused on the team, supports Prescott, and knows that talk about his future would only be a distraction at the moment. He's been the consummate professional and showed why, despite some big-game hiccups in his career, he's been easy to root for.
Any media blathering about Romo being a distraction are just attempts to stir up trouble. Romo may not be completely content with his role, but he knows Prescott's performance made it hard to argue he should've been reinserted as the starter. So instead, he's been a great teammate.
Shifting gears a bit, I am of the belief that the future is bright for the Cowboys. Yes, a loss to the Packers this weekend after compiling 13 regular-season wins would be disappointing, and I'll be upset if that happens, but the team has a little bit of a different feel for me than in 2014. That year, it felt like the window for the team to make a title run was closing as guys like Romo and Jason Witten were nearing the ends of their careers. But now, with Prescott, the team seems to have found a starting QB that can be good for quite awhile. And running back Ezekiel Elliott is only a rookie as well. The fact that two of Dallas' biggest stars are just first years bodes well. The offensive line, the machine that makes life easier for Prescott and Elliott, is still pretty young, too. Tyron Smith is 26, Travis Frederick 25, Zack Martin 26, Ron Leary 27, and Doug Free at 32 is the senior citizen. Plus, the Cowboys picked La'el Collins in the draft, and he was starting until injuring his toe in Week 3. He is just 23. Witten will probably retire soon, but the rest of the receiving corps is pretty young as well. Dez Bryant is 28, Cole Beasley 27, Terrance Williams 27, and Brice Butler 26. Occasional receiver and return specialist Lucky Whitehead is 24.
The young and solid offense should give Dallas plenty of reason to beef up the defense in coming seasons through the draft or free agency. Linebacker Sean Lee has finally made it through another season healthy and was rewarded by being named an All-Pro. He's the unit's biggest name, but the defense actually thrives on being a bunch of no-name guys. But players such as second-year safety
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| Linebacker Sean Lee was named an All-Pro. He's the biggest name on a defense that prides itself on having a workmanlike attitude where not many players are well known. |
The Cowboys also got good news recently on rookie linebacker Jaylon Smith, who they took in the second round of the draft. The nerve in his leg has begun regenerating after a devastating knee injury at the end of his Notre Dame career. He was a possible top-10 pick before getting hurt.
Coordinator Rod Marinelli has gotten a lot out of what most would consider a no-name defense. The Cowboys rank, on a per game basis, 14th in yards allowed, first in rushing yards allowed, and fifth in points allowed. Passing defense ranks 26th, the worst part of the unit. Dallas is +5 in turnover margin (tied for ninth), and hasn't forced a lot of turnovers (20, tied for 19th), but the offense has taken care of the ball (15 turnovers, tied for fifth fewest), resulting in the solid number.
There is plenty that can be shored up in future years, especially on defense, but with a young core, I think Dallas fans should be excited about what the future holds.
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