Fresh off a productive player-led retreat, Dallas’s veteran signal-caller eyes Oxnard to test a revamped defense and master Year 2 of the Cowboys’ high-powered offensive scheme.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott might be entering his 11th year in the league, but the hunger for football is as strong as ever.
With the long offseason nearly at its end, Prescott and his Cowboys teammates are a couple of weeks away from training camp beginning in Oxnard.
After an offseason full of changes, both on and off the field, including several free agents, a whole new defensive coaching staff, and a draft class headlined by Caleb Downs, it is a new-look Dallas defense.
Given that there has bene so much change, we haven't got a chance to truly see the Cowboys in action, but we will in Oxnard. ... as the fellas will arrive in California on July 27 and begin on-field work on July 28.
OTAs and minicamp gave us a glimpse, but we know that the Cowboys weren't exactly showing anything of note as they go through the installation phase of the offseason.
But as training camp nears, you better believe that Prescott is ready to take the handbrake off.
"I'm super super excited, I'm healthy, I'm ready to go," Prescott said at his Faith, Fight, Finish foundation gala. "Just had the guys out, all the receivers, pass catchers for a great trip, great couple of days, we all got better, 100 percent participation.
"I'm itching for camp, to get into it and get better. Year 2 in Schotty's offense, Year 2 under Schotty as head coach, making all the changes, Christian Parker, Caleb Downs, all the additions, a lot of excitement, and I'm excited as anybody."
Given that most know what to expect from the offense under Dak and Schotty, many know it is one of the best units in football.
And of course, if we're going to preview camp at the QB position, it's also about whether developmental No. 2 (from last year) passer Joe Milton can hold off "bus-driver'' Sam Howell for this year's backup up.
But at the position? It's really all about Dak.
And beyond that?
The big question is, can the defense under Parker come to the party and play their role? Matt Eberflus' defense didn't, and Dallas ended up with a 7-9-1 season.
The hope right now is that Parker can get this defense to at least be average. Do that, along with the offensive potency, and the Cowboys have all the tools to make it back to the postseason.
But to do that, Dallas has to dot the I's and cross the T's at training camp as both sides of the ball continue to develop their schemes.
And yeah, we get the sense Dak wants to put the pads on now.
