When you’ve covered the Dallas Cowboys for two decades, you can hear the hype train coming. This week, quarterback Dak Prescott said he’d be more demanding of his teammates. It appears he’s even using coarse language when his receivers blow assignments.
Like it or not, Prescott will soon be a $30-million per year quarterback. Just think how vocal he’ll be with all that cash in his pocket. And he’ll no longer have to take every endorsement opportunity that comes along.
I know where all this is headed because I’ve seen it countless times. The 2019 Cowboys are about to become the trendiest Super Bowl pick in the NFL. Let’s give it until at least the upcoming veteran minicamp, but I assure you it’s coming.
I base it on what I’m hearing about new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. This man is about to orchestrate the pre-snap magic that has helped turn Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams into a perennial contender. Moore is going to do what his mentor Scott Linehan refused to do: bring some college concepts to the table. This line of thinking intoxicates Jerry Jones more than Johnnie Walker Blue. He wants to see the type of plays Moore ran at Boise State and that Lincoln Riley calls in Norman.
I knew the Super Bowl predictions were coming the minute I started reading Prescott would use his legs a lot more in 2019. Knowing the Cowboys weren’t taking advantage of Prescott’s athleticism was infuriating to fans . . . and to Jerry. Moore will be on the sideline with his quarterback while the new Dak whisperer, Jon Kitna, is in the press box. This is probably a smart move since Kitna appears to be much more demonstrative than Moore in recent practices. Prescott has made it known he’s tough on himself and doesn’t need a coach to light him up on the sidelines.
What remains to be seen is who will actually call the plays this season. I believe it will be Jason Garrett. He’ll coach into the final year of his contract, and I sense that he’s excited about the prospect of doing that without Linehan. With a star running back in Zeke Elliott and true No. 1 receiver in Amari Cooper, this is when Garrett has to make it happen. The fact the Cowboys have the makings of an elite defense only adds to the coming hype machine.
Secondary coach Kris Richard has emerged as a head coaching candidate, and he won’t be deferring to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli very often. Richard is the most emotional coach on the staff, and he has more weapons than ever. Perhaps this is the season cornerback Byron Jones has a few interceptions due to a fierce pass rush. The only competition the Cowboys have in the NFC East is an Eagles team with some major postseason pedigree. Quarterback Carson Wentz could emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate, but he’s been plagued by injuries. And the great Nick Foles is no longer waiting in the wings.
This has a chance to be the best team of the Garrett era. I know the Romo-Dez team nearly broke through in Green Bay, but those Cowboys didn’t have an elite defense. This front seven has a chance to be special in 2019. When Sean Lee is your third-best linebacker, it’s a pretty good sign.
Jerry has stumbled into something brilliant by letting Garrett sink or swim. Jason will fight against his conservative nature to win at all costs. And though he seems like a humorless man with limited facial expressions, I think he’ll relish the opportunity to call plays again.
This theory the Cowboys could flourish if Garrett spent more time with the defense never made sense to anyone, including Garrett. I think he’s dreamed of holding that laminated chart like Sean Payton, although it could limit his clapping. This is the season where Jerry determines if Garrett is more like Tom Landry or Chan Gailey. I tend to think it’s the latter, but getting the Cowboys to a Super Bowl would forever change Garrett’s legacy.
The Cowboys will stack up four wins against the hapless Redskins and Giants. They will get at least a split with the Eagles. That’s five wins you can basically take to the bank. I’ve been in touch with my Vegas insider/broadcasting legend Brent Musburger in recent weeks. He knows the money’s coming on the Cowboys. In fact, it normally does as the season approaches.
But this hype seems to carry a little more credibility than usual. There’s not the same sense of entitlement on this team that has afflicted the Cowboys at times. It’s a nice blend of desperation and talent.
And if you can keep Zeke away from the dance festival circuit, this thing could be special. Just remember where you heard it first when those Super Bowl predictions come rolling in.
