USA TODAY International Edition
Cowboys’ Prescott expects growth in second season
Rookie accolades not enough for QB
OXNARD, CALIF. Dak Prescott just shrugged and grinned.
“I don’t really sense other people’s expectations,” the Dallas Cowboys second- year quarterback said after a training camp practice this week, not exactly looking like a man burdened by increased pressure as he embarks on his encore act.
“To me, it’s all about what I put on myself. I put more pressure and as high expectations on myself than anyone else has.”
Prescott has no problem expressing this. Someone had reminded him that during an awards show recently he “guaranteed” the Cowboys would repeat as NFC East champions.
“What else was I supposed to say?” he shot back, a take that seemed more Prescott logic than some blustering bulletin board material.
As bullish as he is on the chances of Dallas taking another step after tying a franchise record with 13 victories last season, it hardly seems that his enormous success — including offensive rookie of the year honors — has gone to his head.
“I’m only one year in,” he said. “There’s a lot that I can get better at.” He knows. The mechanics can become more consistent. He can read defenses better. He can stretch previous limits and strike for more big plays. These are the typical challenges for a young quarterback, even one who sparkled last year by making few mistakes.
“You can never know enough,” added Prescott, who was intercepted only four times as a rookie.
Last season, with fellow newcomer Ezekiel Elliott winning the league rushing title, the Cowboys took pressure off Prescott by logging a league- high 499 rushes. Their 483 pass attempts were third fewest in the NFL.
One barometer for Prescott’s progress could be measured with his aggressiveness as a passer, both in designed play calls and decisions to take more chances down the field. He expects he’ll test such risk- vs.- reward throws in training camp.
“I may go into a practice and just gamble the whole practice,” he said. “But that’s what this time is for, so when I get into a game I’ll know my chances.
“There are times when you’ve got to find out what you’re capable of.”
Of course, the Dallas offense will continue to revolve around coordinator Scott Linehan calling run plays for Elliott. Yet situations can always present themselves — for example, Elliott is facing a possible suspension stemming from an NFL investigation under the domestic violence policy — that would require Prescott to carry the unit.
But that still won’t equate to extra pressure. After all, if Prescott didn’t crack under pressure last season, when he emerged as a fourth- round answer after Tony Romo went down with another back injury, there’s little reason to believe that he won’t continue to handle the scrutiny of his highprofile job with extreme poise.
“The biggest thing for Dak is to continue doing the things you’ve been doing since Day 1,” coach Jason Garrett said.
“His approach is outstanding. He’s a pro. He’s always prepared. He’s always ready. He always handles situations the right way. Keep doing that, and the rest will take care of that.”
It’s striking to consider the anxiety that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thought he would experience during the transition from Romo to Prescott.
“I am a lot more comfortable than I ever thought I’d be — this time last year and beyond — not having Romo,” Jones said. “This has everything to do with the year that Dak had and the way that Dak is approaching this year.”
What a difference an amazing season can make.
“Last year, I was having trouble just spitting out plays,” Prescott recalled from his rookie training camp. “Now we’ll call a 12- word play, and it’s rolling right off my tongue.”
Whatever’s rolling off Prescott’s tongue matters a bit more now.
“Everything I say, people listen to,” he said. “Everything I do, they are watching. Not just you guys, but coaches as well. So I want that. I have to be my best. That’s something that I take pride in.”
Just don’t call it extra pressure. For Prescott, it’s just part of the job.