If you are a Dallas Cowboys fan, the sight of #4, Dak Prescott, barking the calls out of the backfield has got to be one of the greatest moments of your lifelong fandom. I am a die hard Cowboy's fan. I have followed the team, through thick and thin, for more than 40 years. I grew up playing Pop Warner football in Oklahoma back in the early to mid 70's. The Dallas Cowboys were "America's Team," a title which has been brought into question as of late, with more than a decade of mediocrity and missed opportunities under the reign of Romo.
The image above is an all too familiar one for Cowboy's fans. Tony "Rag Doll" Romo seems to be one of the most injury prone players to ever hold the starting QB position while wearing the star. Romo fans will argue his individual achievements, how many "team records" he holds, and even how awful the team did without him at the helm last year. However, what none of them want to talk about is Tony's atrocious playoff record, his lack of a single Super Bowl appearance, and the fact that he has been so ineffective in achieving any "team goals," that his individual accomplishments are all he has going for him; how self-gratifying that must be in a "team sport."
While those arguments are not invalid, they fail to impress Cowboy's old timers like me; we value Super Bowl Championships over individual achievements every single day of the NFL season. So...while Tony may hold several "team records" for the Cowboys, he also holds a couple that are not going to disappear any time soon. He cannot afford to risk another back injury, this being his 3rd serious one already, not to mention 2 broken collarbones. The guy is the Evel Knievel of the NFL. Perhaps it is time for Tony to step down and take a role with the team to help groom the new sheriff in town, Dak Prescott.
Rayne Dakota "Dak" Prescott may not have the same "undrafted story" to tell his grandchildren that Romo will, but his rise to glory is nonetheless interesting. Selected in the 4th round of the NFL draft, 135th overall, Dak Prescott was not initially seen as a legitimate threat to fill the backup QB role; he has been the starter since Romo went down. His exciting performances during the preseason games this year, opened the eyes of management and coaches. Cowboy's fans showed up to watch the first 3 games of the regular season, and they have not been disappointed.
Throw in 1st round draft pick, 4th overall, Ezekiel Elliott, and you can see the cornerstones of another Cowboy's dynasty in the works. #88 Dez Bryant may be the "old man" of the bunch, but he is still a viable threat, who warrants special recognition from any defense. Jason Witten and Cole Beasley (name fit for a NASCAR driver) round out the offense. Give this team a chance to gel, and they will build a dynasty befitting of the title "America's Team."
If the Cowboy's keep Dak in the backfield and groom him for the future, Dallas is my sleeper pick to sneak deep into the playoffs. Nobody can deny that the team has a rhythm going right now that it lacked with Romo running the backfield. Keep Calm & Let's Go Cowboys!!!