Is Dak Prescott That Special?
December 15th, 2016
Shouldn’t scare Bucs.
As “negative Joe” has written, the ghosts of awful Bucs pasts still haunt Joe.
The last five weeks have been thrilling. Yet in four of those five wins, Joe was convinced, like too many Bucs teams of the past eight years, the Bucs would find a way to lose.
That’s why Joe is scared of this Sunday’s game. Too many times, even in Chucky’s last year, the Bucs would collapse late in the season. Their December record is no less than atrocious. Joe is a history guy and history often guides Joe in his decisions, and the recent history of the Bucs is vividly branded in Joe’s brain, for better and for worse.
So with the Bucs, even after five impressive wins in a row, traveling to Dallas this weekend, the past says Joe should be very, very scared of the Cowboys. On national TV no less. In prime time.
Then, Joe came across information that eased his mind. It just happened to come from the creator, curator and overall guru of ProFootballTalk.com, the great Mike Florio, who Joe greatly respects. If the Bucs can shut down the likes of (dangerous) bratty Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees, why on earth should the Bucs fret about Dak Prescott?
Florio’s take: The Buccaneers have made far more accomplished quarterbacks look like rookies this year. What will they do to a rookie? We’ll know it when we see it.
This is a helluva point: Cutler may be a knucklehead but when he is on, he is on. Problem with Cutler is he is only “on” 20 percent of the time. The Bucs humbled Smith in his home crib and choked out Wilson, Rivers and Brees.
With the exception of Cutler, Prescott’s body of work doesn’t come close to the other four quarterbacks the Bucs suffocated.
This positive thinking is giving Joe the shivers.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
lol “negative Joe” is mad about the “negative Joe” nickname.
How about “historically jaded and cautious Joe”?
December 15th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
screw the past record in dec….we’re 2-0 right now…..
I have faith smitty has a few special defensive formations/packages/disguises to confuse dak….no insult to dak, but if we can confuse drew brees and force him into 3int’s, im pretty confident we can do the same with dak….. GO BUCS!!!!
December 15th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Not to mention our defense has been getting better every week.
Sims is going to be our MVP for this game. Watch.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Previous two game dak 12 of 18 139 yards no touch. 17 of 37 168 yard two picks 1 touch. Which in my opinion was some ole trickery ishh. Keep this kid in the pocket an he’s quite normal. See for yourselves on Sunday.
December 15th, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Prescott has been dealt a full house and people say he is good a poker. He is a fourth round pick and was third string behind Kellen Moore until he got injured along with Tony Romo too. Sitting behind that line with a great RB and one of the easiest schedules in the NFL has lead to a lot of unfounded hype.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Dak Prescott has had a nice year for a rookie. Let’s give it some time before we pronounce him all that.
Prescott has not led the Cowboys to this record. Zeke has not carried the ‘Boys to this record on his legs. The mighty O line has not simply crushed DL’s. And Sean Lee may be all over the field making tackle after tackle but the Boys Defense is good not great.
But that is why the Cowboys are so very good. Prescott is a competent pro QB…Zeke a competent running back…the OL competent..the D etc…in fact they are all actually pretty good and when you add them all together then yes you do see a pretty darn good team.
We just need to shut down Prescott and keep Zeke to 200 yards and 2 TD’s. Even if Prescott finds Witten or another receiver for a TD that’s still only 21. I think we’re due to break out offensively this week.
Final score: TB 31 Dallas 24
December 15th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
“I’m tired of being disrepected/I’m tired of low expectations/I know what we about I know what we about/we gone keep stacking them Ws/lets get it.. Jameis WINSton. So why do people say they are scared before we play a game. Those prior years have nothing to wit this current team. Their is a new spirit that exist with this team. They’ve enterded that zone.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
I prefer “Realist” Joe.
Here’s the deal bratty Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees, you know what they have in common? No RB!!
Melvin Gordon literally ran over us (looking at u Kwon) and they were 2 throws away from beating us. All other ground-games are non-existent.
I was told in order to beat Dallas you let Zeke do his thing and stop everyone else, tough call indeed.
As long as we don’t get embarrassed on national tv I’m good.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
St. Pete my good sir with all due respect ain no way in holy h3ll zeke nearing 200 yards on Sunday.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:08 pm
Some y’all sleep since week 10 we are the number 1 defense in the league. Rarely do they be made to look stupid. Number 1 defense’s usually neutralize high potent offenses.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Jordan Howard, Spencer Ware, Melvin Gordon and Mark Ingram?
All top-15 running backs in the NFL.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Who?
December 15th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
@Lovieball, that’s probably the best analogy possible for Dak. Agreed
December 15th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Joe, you literally beat me to that post.
I was about to hit send haha. All legit running backs so……
December 15th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Lil food for thought. carolina was the #1 offense the league last year right.. That bad @$$ bronco defense made them look like high schoolers.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Dak is not going to throw anything past 10yards sunday
He is going to handoff to Zeke all game long
He wil try to run on 3rd down and throw 5 yard pass patterns to Beasely and witten
Hope we are not schemeing to get 3 interceptions because Dak isnt even going to attemp 3 passes downfield
Smith is going tohave to gamble and put 8 men in the box. our safety has to play linebacker all game long. we need 3 and outs and have our offense win/control the game
which leads me to- Koetter the klown. is he going to bring in his conservative jacksonville playbook? wearing 2 hats , his playcalling sucked all year after the 1st game.koetter has to save and protect Mike smith defense from being destroyed at the 4th quarter ala pitts vs dal game
ITS NOT ABOUT DAK, ITS ABOUT STOPPING ZEKE
“We need touchdowns and we give up field goals” Coach Kobe
December 15th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
“Who?”
Those 4 backs have been great all year and some of the best in the league on pure talent.
Howard has had at least 99 yards from scrimmage for 6 straight weeks. He’s been good in any game the Bears gave him touches.
Melvin Gordon came on fire this year and I think he’d be putting up Zeke type numbers if not better behind a line like that. He’s more explosive imo.
Spencer Ware was one of the best RBs in the league early this year. He’s cooled off but is a 3 down back that has power, can catch, and break big gains.
Mark Ingram has been great when healthy the last couple years.
DB55 – you really must not watch the rest of the league much – which is fine – but also makes a lot more sense of what I think is a pretty flawed perspective on #93 😉
December 15th, 2016 at 1:22 pm
https://youtu.be/LT8qTMadtW4?t=17
Sorry, Joe. I know you hate Cowturd, but I couldnt resist!!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
McKayla Maroney is not impressed with Dak and neither am I. Competent? Sure. Special? Uh, no!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
“ITS NOT ABOUT DAK, ITS ABOUT STOPPING ZEKE”
lol that’s what teams have tried to do all year. The Giants actually didn’t do this; and they’re the only team that’s beaten them.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Shhhh. My point is they don’t scare no one.
Why you wanna bring up McCoy? Don’t start nothing won’t be nothing.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Here’s another one for you all,AP was the league leader in rushing last season. When he face the hawks in the tournament he had what 50 yadrs on the ground. If my main focus is to stop a run game going into week with the #1 defense in the nfl I like my chances.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Those teams didn’t have the Oline D had nor the stable of RBs… nor Dez B. A clean pocket can make an avg QB good.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
lol alright DB55 I’ll let McCoy go.
Cowboys O-line + Zeke is the worry I have. We’ve faced already faced multiple running backs on Zeke’s level. The difference is the O-line of the Cowboys being better than any other one we faced
December 15th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
They must sell out to stop the run. Zeke and Dak running is the key for the cowboys.
Pressure in those lanes
December 15th, 2016 at 1:37 pm
NOSBOS
No disrespect taken. I hope I’m totally wrong about Zeke gashing us for 200.
I suspect though that Zeke will be their number one weapon and be given tons of opportuntities.
I’m trying to brace myself for those 20-30- and 40 yard dashes Zeke is liable to rip off. It will be OK as long as we don’t let Dez and Witten go off with Prescott.
I hope you’re correct though and I’m crazy. Love to see Zeke rush it more than 20 times and still stay under 100. I’m pretty sure he’ll rush it more than 20 times…less than 100 is what I’m not so sure of. He’s a great back behind a great line..he should get some…just not enough.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:39 pm
It’s true that the Bucs defense has shut down some great QBs and high-powered offenses lately. Not too long ago, however, many of us, especially me, were lamenting about the Bucs D’s habit of making opposing backup QBs look like Pro Bowlers. I’ll give you a different list: Case Keenum and Derek Anderson. It was gratifying seeing Anderson lose this season, but Keenum passed for a TD when the Rams hadn’t scored until that point. and did just enough to win. Has the D put that behind them? The D has to be ready for anything, and all three phrases have to go well. One key on D will be to stop the run. I’m cautiously optimistic that they know what to do!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
The difference is the O-line of the Cowboys being better than any other one we faced
————-
True story
December 15th, 2016 at 1:46 pm
Does anyone happen to know the Bucs record against rookie QBs and backup QBs for the past 5-10 years. Seems like we have always lost to them. I know we beat anderson this year though.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Hard hitting insight there Kobe…. You’re saying we need to score touchdowns while holding them to fieldgoals to win? Duh!
December 15th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
I fear Daks legs than his arm
fake handoff to zeke and getting 1st downs and tds in the red zone is like taking candy from a baby
We are playing great pass defense but we are 21st against the run
Mike smith is going to have to gamble and sellon the run. our corners cant get beat deep because our safeties have to play in
the football gods have helped us the last 5 weeks with the opponents injuries
I have come down the mountain and the gods have spoken…some key dal players will not play sunday
December 15th, 2016 at 1:57 pm
We re-signed a D linemen that played with team earlier in the season. Everyone saying dallas o line this dallas o line that the best way to attack a potent o line with a wave of fresh bodies. This is tatic coach will employ on sunday I assure you all.
December 15th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Kobe
Agreed, that read option is a killer but LVD been playing contain so hopefully he crushes dak a few times. Kwon gonna have his hands full with Zeke.
Maybe just maybe LC we can get more than 1 tackle from our million doallar man?!? Ijs
December 15th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
“Maybe just maybe LC we can get more than 1 tackle from our million doallar man?!? Ijs”
haha hopefully man. This will be his toughest match up to date
December 15th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
I honestly feel like we about to walk all these boys. If they already clinched a spot I might feel differently,we one miss step from being out. Don’t see they happening.
December 15th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Their Oline is good, probably going to have to blitz Kwon and David to get some pressure but I think the advantage will be their speed is faster than than most. between that and sending some nickel blitzes on the right with disquised coverage we should be able to keep him from rolling out and throw some ill advised passes under pressure. He is still a rookie
December 15th, 2016 at 2:30 pm
My thing is this it appears to me that many here have forgotten we faced this very o line last season. Don’t recall them running rip-shodd on my defense. Would be h3lla surprised if that very thing happened a year later. And by the way us being the NUMBER1 DEFENSES in the league.
December 15th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
How about ‘Weak-minded Joe’
December 15th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
@ Positive & Negative Joe
The flip side to your positive closing thought lies in the ghosts of december pasts for the Bucs…Unless I’m mistaken, Buc defenses of recent decembers’ past have allowed rookie, 2nd, and 3rd string qb’s to look like 10yr pro bowl veterans. Bottomline is you can take the past 5 wins and throw em in a fire for all they’ll be worth if we lose this sunday. If the team is REAL, then you prove it by WINNING.
December 15th, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Both him and Ezekiel look like they are hitting rookie wall.
December 15th, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Lord C, that’s what I’m sayin’…cut em up.
Oh, and we only blitzed Brees once last week. We did him in with late shifts right before the snap and disguises. Pretty impressive. Dak don’t know whats comin’….
December 15th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Why doesn’t anyone add Matt Ryan to that list? He’s an MVP candidate and we beat him in week one. Just because it didn’t happen during this streak doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t get credit for beating him.
December 15th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Bucs are obviously going to have to stay in base defense most of the game(unless we get up by two scores or more).
Daryl Smith will probably play 70% of the defensive snaps rather than 40% and Will Gholsten will probably play 80% of the snaps rather than 60%.
December 15th, 2016 at 5:58 pm
shut down the run force Prescott to throw make him uncomfortable so he can make bad decisions in make good throws
December 15th, 2016 at 6:58 pm
The better redzone defense will win this game. Both teams will move the ball between the 20’s, the key will be redzone efficiency.
December 15th, 2016 at 8:02 pm
The kid is a backup. Think about it. We do great against starters. Faced them all year this year. It is the backups that gave us issues last year.
(I say that lightheartedly)
December 15th, 2016 at 8:04 pm
Patrick in VA Says
“Why doesn’t anyone add Matt Ryan to that list?”
I agree, but they probably don’t count it because he came in and beat us later.
December 15th, 2016 at 8:06 pm
Buc4Lyfe79 Says
“Bottomline is you can take the past 5 wins and throw em in a fire for all they’ll be worth if we lose this sunday.”
Bullspit.
Even the best teams lose from time to time. We could lose this game and win out the rest, win the division and amaze everyone…and actually have a chance of winning in the playoffs.
December 15th, 2016 at 10:11 pm
I can’t wait for “zeke” to turn into (2nd year) todd gurley. Overrated POS if you ask me. His o line makes him look a lot better than he is. ANYONE can eun behind that o line. Doug Martin would be an all pro behind that o line.