DMN: What taking first-team reps for Cowboys means to rookie QB Dak Prescott

[Irving Cowboy]

What taking first-team reps for Cowboys means to rookie QB Dak Prescott
By Jon Machota

OXNARD, Calif. -- Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott took all of the first-team offensive reps during Thursday's morning walk-through.

Tony Romo is not practicing Thursday afternoon, so Prescott will get first-team work with the group in pads.

"I think that's good for me to just come in, look those [first-team players] in the eyes in the huddle, get that confidence going," Prescott said. "I believe in myself and I know what's going on, so to get those reps was very good."

Prescott said the coaching staff isn't slowing things down for him. He was installing the same offensive plays Thursday that Romo would be running.

"I'm preparing and trying to learn this playbook as if I'm going to be the starter one day," Prescott said. "That's my mindset going in to each and every practice. Nothing's changed because of the circumstances."

With Kellen Moore out for three to four months with a broken right fibula, the Cowboys are looking to add a veteran quarterback.

Is Prescott hoping to show that they don't need to add anybody else?

"I'm just here to make myself better," he responded. "That's up to the personnel department. That has nothing to do with me. But I'm going to come in, get better and make sure I, each and every day, show these guys exactly what I got."

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: With Kellen Moore going down, 'I just have to step up and take advantage'
By SportsDayDFW.com

The Cowboys seem to still be searching for another backup quarterback in the wake of Kellen Moore's injury, but rookie Dak Prescott is still looking to take advantage of whatever opportunity comes his way.

While calling Moore's injury unfortunate and hoping he gets better quickly, Prescott grasped what it means for him.

"I just have to step up and take advantage of these opportunities, take advantage of these reps, and make sure I'm ready to lead my team," Prescott said in a Thursday interview with KTCK-AM The Ticket.

Prescott also gave an idea on what the Cowboys coaches are pressing on him in his first NFL. training camp.

"I've got to develop into a great professional quarterback and that's what I want to do," he said. "I want to sit in that pocket and make all the throws down the field, intermediate and short passes accurately and consistently. But as of right now, I think it's just consistently getting away from the center, getting my drops from under center and getting ready to make the pass and transitioning my weight, keeping my feet underneath me."

It's not overwhelming is it?

"No, my head's not spinning. I feel like it's a lot similar to what I went through in college," he told the station. "Obviously it's different, the speed, the depth of the playbook. It's a lot of stuff I've got to work on, continue to get better, but it's going good so far."

Prescott was also asked if he's coming into the league as a dual-threat QB at just the right time.

"The last few years it's either been Cam Newton or Russell Wilson in the Super Bowl. And I think they're opening doors for guys like me and dual-threat quarterbacks. It's perfect timing," he said. "I guess some of offenses, if you don't have a guy who can run, do both then the teams are trying to get that right now, so I'm very fortunate."

And now we know what song Prescott sang in front of the team on one of the first nights in Oxnard. He said he went with the classic "My Girl" by The Temptations.

"I got booed, but that was probably because of my voice. But that [song] was my choice," Prescott said. "It's a classic. You want to sing a song that everybody knows, that everybody wants to join in on. It makes it a little better feeling than if you're up there any you're the only one who knows the song. Then they're looking at you just waiting to boo you. So you've gotta sing something the team can get into."

 

[Irving Cowboy]

Jameill Showers outperforms Dak Prescott as Cowboys remain patient in search for backup QB
By Brandon George

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys have decided to be patient with their backup quarterback situation.
For now.

They will give rookie Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers more snaps in practices over the next few days to give them an opportunity to show the Cowboys that they don't need to add a veteran after backup Kellen Moore fractured his right ankle Tuesday and will be out for three to four months.

Prescott and Showers shared the snaps in practice Thursday, with starter Tony Romo taking a rest day along with receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.

Prescott, the fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State, continues to take snaps ahead of Showers. But it was Showers who executed better Thursday.

Showers showed a quicker release and was more accurate. He delivered a perfect pass in 7-on-7 drills, leading tight end Gavin Escobar for a 35-yard touchdown.

"He just beat a guy in man over the top in the safety's face," Showers said. "He's a big guy so I just tried to put it up for him.

"I didn't take too many reps the first couple of days so it was definitely good for me. I felt good. Still a lot of learning to do. I messed up a few protections in the walk-through. And holding the ball too long in the two-minute [team drill] on the first play. Definitely things to improve on."

Prescott struggled in 1-on-1 drills. At least three of his passes were behind receivers, with one intercepted. He was more accurate in team drills - especially when he escaped the pocket - but was slow to release the football at times.

"It had some up and downs," Prescott said. "There was a lot of good but there was a lot of bad."

Prescott said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones delivered some "good news" to him after practice: He has the chance to take advantage of this opportunity.

"That's good," Prescott said. "It gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves, to show we're adjusting to the offense and getting the concepts and that we can play in this league."

For the second consecutive day Cowboys coach Jason Garrett stayed after practice to play catch with Prescott. He said they're competing in an accuracy game.

"Who can hit each other in the face more," Prescott said. "He didn't win. We got to go to the judges' table on that."

 

[junk]

Escobar is back from his Achilles tear already?

I guess the internets says that's about a 6 month recovery but I thought it was longer

 

[dbair1967]

Escobar is back from his Achilles tear already?

I guess the internets says that's about a 6 month recovery but I thought it was longer

It used to be pretty much the most devastating injury a player could have, and recovery was sometimes a year or more. It's what ruined Kevin Smith (he was never the same player after that injury in the season opener 1995)

Church had it and recovered much quicker than expected, but Escobar's recovery is even more eye opening. Not only is he running and cutting full speed, but a cople of people covering the team said he appears to be moving even MORE fluidly than before the injury.

Seems the advancements in the procedures for this have really taken off.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

Stem cells ftw

 

[MrB]

Escobar is back from his Achilles tear already?

I guess the internets says that's about a 6 month recovery but I thought it was longer

That also caught my attention. I also have read that Swaim has looked good. If both Escobar and Swaim have a good preseason (in addition to Hanna) who's the odd man out? They obviously won't keep 4 TE's.

As for Dak, I'm still anxious to see how he and Showers look in pre season. They both should get plenty of time behind the 1st team OL.

 

[dbair1967]

That also caught my attention. I also have read that Swaim has looked good. If both Escobar and Swaim have a good preseason (in addition to Hanna) who's the odd man out? They obviously won't keep 4 TE's.

.

They might if they don't keep a FB.