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Why Dak Prescott's QBR is so much better than Carson Wentz's - Hank Gargiulo, ESPN Analytics
Dak Prescott's 2016 stat line looks relatively similar to Carson Wentz's, and both rookie QBs have been successful. But a deep dive into their seasons shows why Prescott has been much better. Here's an excerpt from the article that explains why Prescott's efficiency numbers are ahead of Wentz's.
- Wentz's numbers are hurt by the fact that he's faced the easiest set of QBR defenses in the league thus far.
- One big spot in which Prescott has separated himself from Wentz is third down. Prescott has the sixth-best raw QBR on third down, with a 72.0, while Wentz ranks 22nd with a 36.8. Overall Prescott is completing 73.1 percent of his third-down pass attempts, best of any quarterback in the league, while Wentz is connecting at a 56.3 percent rate, slightly less than the league average (59.4 percent).
- No qualified quarterback has a higher percentage of pass attempts come on screen plays than Wentz at 16 percent. Wentz also has the second-highest percent of attempts at or behind the line of scrimmage of qualified quarterbacks, slightly behind Alex Smith at 27.6 percent.
Prescott-Wentz could be NFL's next great QB rivalry - Jarrett Bell, USA Today
There's no doubt that Prescott and Wentz are the NFL's hottest rookie QBs, and Bell argues that the two rookies' star power could make this into a decade-plus rivalry.
Prescott and Wentz are not only pivotal to the playoff hopes of their respective teams – the Cowboys are 5-1, the Eagles are 4-2 -- they are providing fresh star power that the NFL could really use about now in prime time.
Hayes: Eagles unexpectedly unpredictable - Marcus Hayes, Philly.com
To get things started let's take a look inside the enemy camp. With a rookie head coach and a rookie starting QB the Philadelphia Eagles are naturally experiencing some growing pains, yet they were one of the last teams to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. They also handed the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings their first defeats of the season. The answers for the Eagles are not coming from any one specific place, but at any time one group or the other has the potential to take the game on their shoulders and deliver a victory.
Which underscores the reality that is 2016:
Little about this season has been predictable. The Eagles could blow out the Cowboys as easily as the Cowboys might grind the Birds into sausage. You should just sit back and enjoy the ride.
There will eventually come a day when Jason Witten will no longer be the tight end in Dallas, and likely that day is closer than we wish, but for now the ageless veteran is still reporting to work every day. Injured spleen, sprained ankle... suck it up and play football, that has been the motto of Witten. Only a broken jaw in 2003 caused him to miss action, and that was only for a single game.
"Everything you want in a pro football player, you look at him. How he practices. How he shows up every day in practice. It's really impressive. There's nothing, I think as special in this league as to watch a real pro work at football, work at his craft, when he's beat up and sore, and they come out and they're locked in. It's really special. The young guys being around that, hopefully they see it. You point it out. But that's what you want to be like in this league." - Rod Marinelli
Tony Romo sees first practice action since getting hurt in preseason - Todd Archer, ESPN
The moment of decision draws closer for the Dallas Cowboys as Tony Romo returned to the practice field for the first time since his latest bout with injury. The veteran quarterback was limited in his activities, running some snaps with the scout team this week, but he is making progress.
"I don't think we knew exactly how long or still know how long it will be. I'm sure he's been chomping at the bit to get back out there, but he's got to listen to the doctors, trainers and his body and just don't be impatient. Just get better on a daily basis." - Scott Linehan
Cowboys, Eagles, Patriots among O-lines to watch in Week 8 - Shaun O'Hara, NFL.com
It is widely acknowledged that Dallas has the best offensive line in the game right now, but the Philadelphia Eagles have a pretty fair unit up front as well. Granted, the Eagles enter the game a little banged up, but for fans of the game in the trenches it should be a dream match up. I hope my friend and go to offensive line guru Longball is tuned in for this one.
The Cowboys boast the No. 1 rushing offense in the league, but will face an Eagles team that is fifth in total defense. Dallas has one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, which has led the way for Ezekiel Elliott's superb weekly rushing performances, including a 157-yard outing against Green Bay's top-ranked run defense in Week 6. The Cowboys lead the league in time of possession and are doing an excellent job protecting quarterback Dak Prescott, only giving up nine sacks in their first six games (second-fewest in the league).
The heavyweight battle inside will feature right guard Zack Martin and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Two weeks ago, Cox was neutralized by Washington's Brandon Scherff, so this matchup has all of the ingredients to be great, as I believe Martin is one of the best guards in the NFL. On the outside, Tyron Smith (one of the best left tackles in the game right now) will battle the long-armed Connor Barwin, while Philly's Brandon Graham (one of the more underrated players on the defense) will give right tackle Doug Free all he can handle.
How To Handle Romo, Dez vs. Eagles, McFadden's Value; More - David Helman, DallasCowboys.com
Bye weeks can be a struggle for those of us who try to generate prose regarding our team. Helman tells us why that has not been the case surrounding this year's edition of the Dallas Cowboys and shares a few thoughts that have been on his mind lately, including his thoughts on when Romo will return.
This is purely my opinion, but I don’t think you’ll see Romo in uniform for a game unless he’s going to start at quarterback.
Maybe I’m wrong, but it just feels unnecessarily problematic to put Romo in uniform behind Prescott – while keeping Prescott as the starter. I’ve said two dozen times that I don’t think anything can affect Prescott mentally, as he’s been unflappable to this point. But having a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback standing on the sideline, waiting to come in after any mistake, doesn’t seem good for anyone.
If you want to start Romo, do so by all means. Work him back to full health and put him in the starting lineup. If you want Prescott to play, that’s fine too. Keep Romo focused on his rehab and off the game day roster.
This reminds me of something Charlotte Jones-Anderson told me during an interview a couple years ago.
"In every NFL city I go to the Dallas Cowboys are the most hated and the second most loved team."
Haters gonna hate, but you can't deny the love for the Dallas Cowboys that exists around the country and even around the world.
#AmericasTeam ✭ https://t.co/KUo04owLwf
— Joey Ickes (@JoeyIckes) October 27, 2016
NFL interviews Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott on domestic violence allegations - Tom Pelissero , USA TODAY
In a statement Sept. 6, the Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney's Office said prosecutors were declining to pursue charges after reviewing all evidence, "primarily due to conflicting and inconsistent information across all incidents resulting in concern regarding the sufficiency of the evidence to support the filing of criminal charges."
In spite of the fact that the state has declined to pick up charges against Elliott, this story does not seem to be willing to drift away. One has to wonder how much of this has to do with the league's need to appear as if they are doing something combined with Zeke's new found high profile.
East Texan changes the name of his dog from Romo to Prescott - Justin Woodard, KTRE.com
First let me state that this was not me. My dog is named Romo and Romo he will remain, but that does not mean that another dog is not in the future.
Oh, and I can relate to the confusion the poor dog must feel on Sundays.