ESPN analyst suggests Cowboys' Dak Prescott more set up for success now than in 2021
It appears that a recent "Madden NFL 23" simulation isn't the only football-related entity high on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott heading into the upcoming regular season.
Prescott famously went down with a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in October 2020 that prematurely ended that season for the 29-year-old and had some wondering if he'd ever again be the same player. He returned to work last summer but quickly experienced a shoulder issue that ultimately caused him few problems when the games began to matter, and he reminded critics of his overall toughness en route to enjoying his best campaign, to date.
According to ESPN stats, Prescott finished the 2021 regular season third among eligible quarterbacks with a 104.2 passer rating, tied for fourth with 37 touchdowns through the air, seventh with 4,449 passing yards and 11th with a 54.6 total QBR.
By all accounts, health is not an issue for Prescott in the closing days of August this time around. That's just one reason why former quarterback and current ESPN personality Tim Hasselbeck believes Prescott could be on the verge of producing a career season under center for the Cowboys starting next month.
"He played last season where he only had one offensive lineman start every single game," Hasselbeck explained about Prescott during a segment on the "Get Up" ESPN program on Tuesday morning. "Why isn't he more set up for success this year than he was a year ago when we weren't even sure when he was gonna be ready to participate in offseason practices?
"I actually think Dak is gonna have a great year."
Hasselbeck admitted the Cowboys trading star wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns this past March isn't "perfect" for Prescott but added that Dallas' ability to run the football should help take pressure off the club's passing attack.
Prescott and company won't have to wait long to face their first massive test of the season, as they'll welcome Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to town for a Week 1 "Sunday Night Football" showdown on Sept. 11.
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