No sophomore slump for Dak Prescott

The so called ‘sophomore slump’ that second year players endure after productive rookie years is a common phenomenon in the NFL. However, Dak Prescott seems primed to avoid that slump.

There are any number of reasons why players experience the slump. Teams have more tape on players and, therefore, are better placed establish ways to nullify their impact on a game.

Some may not be as hungry as they were coming in to the league to prove a point. Whilst others may find their team situation different to their rookie year’s, and fall down the pecking order at their respective positions.

LA Rams running back Todd Gurley was the major victim of the slump in 2016. After a rookie of the year performance in the 2015 season, Gurley regressed as a runner and will be looking to bounce back in style this coming season.

Others that have experienced a similar regression include former Browns QB Tim Couch, Dolphins All Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and former Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris.

So, the slump doesn’t necessarily define a career, but it can signify that a strong rookie year may have been down to a combination of beneficial factors falling in a players favour. Rather than being driven largely by his own talent and hard work.

Heading into 2017, a number of high profile sophomore stars will come under the spotlight and be on slump watch. Cowboys rookie sensation Dak Prescott will be watched with an intensity stronger than any in recent memory.

This, following his remarkable rapid rise to stardom in Dallas as a fourth round draft pick.

The question is, will he slump? Or continue on an upward trajectory?

Sink or swim for Dak?

The fourth round pick out of Mississippi State was the surprise of the year in Dallas. Prescott took over the starting job from an injured Tony Romo and excelled beyond belief on his way to earning pro bowl and rookie of the year honours in 2016.

The Cowboys QB completed 67.8% of his throws whilst tossing 23 touchdowns against just four picks. A quite outstanding stat line for a rookie under such extreme scrutiny in Dallas.

Prescott couldn’t quite earn his team a playoff win but far from crumbled in an epic matchup with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the divisional round. His poise and supreme self confidence on the field are intangibles that most do not possess and will stand him in good stead going forward.

Many expect Prescott to take a small step back in year two, but that’s all it may amount to; a small step back. Even so, this may not be a direct reflection of his individual play, but a result of his team’s slight regression.

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Dak has proven to be extremely coachable and will certainly develop into a better quarterback under the tutelage of Jason Garrett this offseason. However, the Cowboys play a first placed schedule in 2017 and find themselves depleted of veteran experience in key areas.

The secondary was decimated by free agent departures and though they added some young talent in the draft, it is an area of uncertainty. The offensive line projects to be slightly worse off than last season due to Doug Free’s retirement and Ronald Leary joining the Broncos.

Many analysts have identified the offensive line, along with Ezekiel Elliott, as two of the major factors in Dak’s success as a rookie. This is abundantly true, however, the former Bulldog played outstandingly in his own right.

He stood tall in big moments, orchestrating multiple fourth quarter game winning drives and displaying phenomenal leadership ability.

Prescott’s ability to command the pocket, but also improvise and extend plays with his legs, make him the prototypical modern day quarterback much in the image of Russell Wilson.

His grasp of the offense will undoubtedly improve throughout 2017. And, with that will come further confidence and an extended playbook that will allow him to show off his full repertoire of skills.

Additionally, the freedom to play without the Tony Romo saga looming over his head each and every week will liberate him to an extent on the field and in the locker room. This will truly be his team.

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A little regression?

Though teams do now have a full season of film on him, Prescott also now has further knowledge of how NFL defenses operate and more experience of playing in a pro style offense.

Whilst it is unlikely that the Cowboys win as many 13 games again in 2017, any drop is not likely to be an indictment of Prescott’s play.

Rather a reflection of one of the toughest schedule’s in the league, combined with a young secondary and less dominant offensive front. Still, expect this team to be competing to win the NFC East and Prescott to be at the forefront of that push alongside his running mate Zeke.

Some of his stats may take a slight dip too. He will almost certainly throw the ball down the field more as the playbook is opened up to him. So, more interceptions are a near inevitability but don’t expect that number to increase drastically.

All in all, Prescott will be better in 2017 even if his team isn’t.

Verdict: NO SLUMP