The Dallas Cowboys, for some, have effectively won the NFL offseason after getting Dak Prescott a serious weapon. Add in acquiring Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks, along with retaining a host of starters in Leighton Vander Esch, C.J. Goodwin, Donovan Wilson and Tony Pollard, there is excitement for what Dallas could be next season.
But ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has his doubts.
The media personality isn't sold on the Cowboys' offseason moves for one reason: Dak Prescott is still the quarterback.
On "First Take," Smith said that despite the new weapon for Prescot, it will ultimately come down to what the quarterback can do in the postseason.
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“The issue for me is that it still comes down to Dak Prescott," Smith said. "You can't get around it, and the Dallas Cowboys ain't saying that, but what they're showing is we don't want to put that load on this brother, because obviously, he hasn't handled it in ideal fashion.
"Up to this point, he's won more games than he has lost, he's gotten you to the playoffs. But then when it really, really counts, he hasn't been able to answer the call. That's what this is about, and at the end of the day, you're still going to have to come back to Dak.”
Can Cooks help Dak Prescott and Dallas to a Super Bowl?
After being one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL last season, Dallas struggled against the San Francsico 49ers and were ultimately bundled out.
But for some, despite the good signings, the biggest doubts come from the quarterback position and Prescott.
We have seen his good games (against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs) and his worst games (against the San Francisco 49ers), and the biggest issue with Dak Prescott is the gap between his best and worst games is far to wide.
It is hoped that with Mike McCarthy's West Coast offense and adding another receiver in Brandin Cooks, that the pressure to do "everything" will be alleviated for Prescott.
But as Smith said, for all the great signings Dallas has done , ultimately whether the Cowboys can win a Super Bowl or not is down to one player. Dak Prescott.
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