The Dallas Cowboys are entering training camp in 2023 feeling good. They have one of the better rosters in the NFC and once again look like they can be a contender if a few things break their way.
One of the areas that they need to improve upon is ball security. Last season quarterback Dak Prescott led the NFL with 15 interceptions in the regular season. That is a lot of turnovers but even more concerning was the fact they came in only 12 games as he missed five because of a thumb injury.
Earlier this offseason, Prescott made some headlines when he was quoted as saying he “wouldn’t throw 10 interceptions this year.” But, he revealed during his press conference at the opening of Cowboys training camp that he was misquoted. He said, he “won’t have those tipped interceptions this year.”
But, the message remains the same; Prescott is determined to have better ball security. “I am going to lessen my interception numbers,” Prescott said Thursday, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “That is a guarantee.”
We saw the Jekyll and Hyde to Prescott’s game during the Cowboys’ playoff appearance. He played perfectly during Super Wild Card Weekend then Dallas dismantled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But, during the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys’ chances of winning sunk with Prescott throwing two interceptions.
Prescott isn’t going to change his style of play and turn into a conservative quarterback. “I’m not going to stop being aggressive,” Prescott said. That is a good thing as the Cowboys want him to continue taking shots down the field; they just have to be better calculated.
One way for that to occur is by improving the chemistry and cohesion with his teammates. That is something that Prescott is working hard on with the pass catchers.
“We’re trying to gain chemistry here, and we’re trying to be aggressive,” Prescott said. “That’s who our coach is, and that’s who I am. That’s the confidence I’ve gained in myself, and I’ve worked so hard to be able to have this confidence and make the throws that I’m making. That’s just two, right? If it continues then, yeah, come back to me and it might change my mood a little bit.”
Turnovers are the only real issue that the Cowboys’ offense has. They should be more explosive downfield with the addition of wide receiver Brandin Cooks and Tony Pollard being the lead back. This is a unit that could be among the best in the NFL on offense if things go according to plan.
