Dallas Cowboys mailbag: Tony Pollard, Dak Prescott questions are highlights

Folks have questions in regards to the Cowboys, and we attempt to supply the solutions.

• By
  
  Mike_Poland and Brandon_Loree
  
• on March 15, 2023 2:00 pm

Each week, we will likely be taking questions on Twitter about Dallas Cowboys gamers and different questions surrounding the staff. So let’s get proper into it.

@ElizabethRichardson: Now the Cowboys have given Tony Pollard the franchise tag, how dedicated are they to him long-term?

Brandon: The Cowboys would possibly wish to maintain Tony Pollard round for just a few seasons, however nothing that commits to him with a hefty price ticket connected to it. The Cowboys already signed Ezekiel Elliott to a major extension that hasn’t lived as much as its price ticket. Elliott continues to be a great operating again, however the school sport produces many NFL-ready backs. It’s simpler now to take one within the third spherical each 4 years and develop them right into a starter. It seems like in the event that they do prolong Pollard, given what number of high quality free brokers there are, it might be after free agency when the running back market is set.

Mike: The tag tells us they need Tony Pollard right here, but it surely additionally says they’ve issues following the harm. The 2 sides to the Pollard coin taking part in long run at Dallas is straightforward. On the one aspect is his low utilization and nonetheless having loads of tread on the tires. Pollard had his highest share of offensive snaps final 12 months taking 50% of the operating again snaps with Zeke, his earlier seasons have been very mild. On the opposite aspect is he’s 25 years outdated. Most operating backs start to say no statistically from age 27. This implies if Pollard performs on the tag this 12 months after which the Cowboys look to maintain him long run after this upcoming season, then they might paying for him at an age when he’s on the draw back of his profession. Tagging Pollard this 12 months let’s the Cowboys consider these two elements and know his worth going into the long run. And in addition don’t neglect, that simply because Pollard is on the tag proper now, doesn’t imply when the season begins he’s taking part in on the tag. There’s loads of time for either side to return to a long run deal, all the way in which as much as July fifteenth.

@DwayneParks: A query on Dak. I like Dak however really feel he’s not Super Bowl high quality. Quite a lot of the interceptions had been on him. Together with his present contract, what’s the plan?

Brandon: Sure, Dak Prescott threw a career-high interception whole final season, however I’d argue that some weren’t on him. Tipped passes and receivers operating the mistaken routes prompted his rely to skyrocket. I additionally assume his thumb harm was one thing to get used to after surgical procedure, which might have affected his throws. With McCarthy calling performs, you’ll see Prescott be much less cavalier along with his passes and switch again the clock to being extra conservative like he was earlier than Kellen Moore was the offensive coordinator. The Cowboys wish to prolong Prescott, so he’ll be the quarterback for the foreseeable future. Now they simply want a plan to assist him clear issues up.

Mike: I’ve to disagree the interceptions had been all on Dak. Even when they had been, it’s not an indictment of who Dak is as a quarterback. All the good QB’s have had down years within the NFL and had seasons of throwing a excessive variety of interceptions, it’s a difficulty when it turns into a development. When it comes to his contract, the transfer to restructure his contract places his cap hit in 2024 at $59 million, that’s steep for any participant. What this implies is an extension needs to be made to unfold that cap hit out and take in the excessive price ticket over the remaining years. Now they’ve the house to get their geese in a row and have a look at the subsequent stage for Dak’s contract.

@KeithHopkins: What QB within the draft ought to the Cowboys look to take and groom and who can be a great match?

Brandon: It could be improbable if the Cowboys might land Hendon Hooker out of Tennessee. He would most likely be a first-round quarterback if it weren’t for the torn ACL he suffered this season. Early rumors point out a staff would possibly take an opportunity on him early within the second spherical and use him as their backup with zero strain to begin. On the mix, Hooker met with the Cowboys and talked about his willingness to learn from Prescott, turning into a “sponge.”

Mike: That is an fascinating query as Mike McCarthy traditionally all the time likes to draft a QB to develop within the later rounds. On the NFL combine the Cowboys met with six QB’s and it is going to be fascinating to see which of these they bring about in for visits, if any. They did meet with BYU’s Jaren Corridor, he might make for a strong developmental backup. I’m a fan of ex-baseball gamers on the quarterback place as they translate and carry out fairly effectively (Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray to call just a few). He wants loads of teaching on deep passing and his age is a matter for many, however as a backup participant getting taken within the fifth spherical, age isn’t one thing that can dissuade groups from the participant. He’s a dual-threat and provides a variety of traits just like Dak, so not a lot change must be made on offense if he needed to take to the sector. His skinny measurement is the largest unfavorable, so loads of time down within the fitness center for him.

You should definitely verify @kenfigkowboy and @brandoniswrite on Twitter for the weekly publish, asking you to your questions for the weekly mailbag

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