Photo Courtesy: Dallas Cowboys
OXNARD, Calif. – Since Dak Prescott’s devastating compound right ankle fracture and dislocation in Week 5, questions have been raised regarding his physical running style.
Regarded as a dual threat quarterback and known for his competitive nature, the narrative continues to gain momentum as the 2021 season draws near. Will Prescott have to change his style of play as a precautionary measure to prevent future season-ending injuries?
When asked about Prescott’s ability as a runner outside of the pocket and potential cautionary measures in place given the severity of the injury, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore set the record straight on the permeating chatter.
“I think, at the end of the day, that’s what made Dak a really good football player. Obviously, there’s an element of being smart and understanding situational football. But I think it’s kind of foolish of us to take that away from him. He can still make plays with his legs; he’s got a runner’s mentality at times- running someone over and trying to stiff-arm people. That’s still a part of him. We’ve just got to find where our situations are right and play really good football. That’s who he’s always been, and he needs to embrace that.”
Sure, Prescott will likely need to refine and evolve his running style to avoid hard, collision hits but abandoning one of the attributes of his craft that makes him such a nightmare to defenses around the league is out of the question. In 72 career games, the Mississippi State product has notched 1,359 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. In 2020 prior to his injury, Prescott had already compiled three rushing touchdowns.
The Cowboys’ signal caller did acknowledge following his lofty four-year, $160 million contract extension, that he will have to be more cognizant on running plays in order to preserve his career. Dallas made Prescott the highest paid player in the league for obvious reasons, they need him under center to have the best chance at winning.
“There are certain plays, there are certain times that I’ll be a much smarter player and decide when to not use my physicality during the run, just taking care of myself,” Prescott described. “The best ability is durability, and I have to be there for my team.”
The decision to leave the pocket when under duress in order to extend the drive will majorly be a judgement call by Prescott. Although, a blindside hit with the foundational base intact in the pocket can be just as threatening to a quarterback’s health as one on the move. Prescott will exercise caution, whether it is a design run or a scramble, he will be more spatially aware moving forward.
But, thinking for one moment that Prescott will not give everything he has when the game is on the line, then you have not watched tape of the Cowboys’ QB1. His effort is what put the Cowboys in the predicament. A player whose initial reaction is to jam their foot into the turf to try and pop it back in place to continue playing, is the kind of rare, relentless mentality that makes Prescott unique. That will never be taken away. Instead, “embrace” the key element and strive to constructively make it safer to prolong his career.
“To say the game’s on the line, it’s a first down or it’s the red zone and I’m going there- that’s who I am,” Prescott stressed during his offseason press conference. “I don’t know if I can ever tone that down, and if I do then y’all are changing who I am.”
Proceeding with caution is expected and necessary but abandoning one of the draws that made Prescott a Dallas Cowboy in the first place, would be a grave disservice to No. 4. It is who he is and that is not changing anytime soon.
