What Cowboys Need From Dak Prescott? 'Play Like A Rookie!'

Coming off of the worst season in his career, how can quarterback Dak Prescott win back Dallas Cowboys fans?

Heading into this season, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s career is at a crossroads. Not in terms of finances, as has been wrongly reported; the Cowboys have made their bed there and have little choice but to sleep in it - as will be evidenced by a contract extension that is likely on the horizon.

No, this is more about the faith of the fan base. Once an unlikely hero beloved by fans for his underdog story, we can argue that he has lost his place in the hearts of Cowboys Nation, and it's uncertain if he'll find his way back in the future.

When the Cowboys selected Prescott in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, no one expected him to start over Tony Romo. However, to the surprise of all, following Romo's preseason injury, the unlikely hero took over the locker room due to his strength of character, won Offensive Rookie of The Year over first-round teammate Ezekiel Elliott, and became a favorite in Dallas.

Unfortunately for Prescott, it’s not 2016 anymore. Elliott was cut this offseason. The Cowboys have in the last two seasons accomplished "goodness'' but not "greatness.'' And the stat lines that earned Prescott praise early on in his career have now become a cause for concern.

Prescott threw for 23 touchdowns, four interceptions, and 3,367 yards as a rookie. His Pro Bowl campaign helped lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record. In his seventh season - last season - his numbers shockingly looked worse. Dallas went 8-4 in Prescott’s starts last season; nothing wrong there. He ended up passing for 2,860 yards and 23 touchdowns; nothing wrong there. Ah, but he also totaled a personal-worst and league-worst 15 interceptions.

Prescott’s interception-related fall from grace has some critics saying that turnovers are "in his DNA.'' The numbers actually say the opposite ... If he only threw four interceptions in his rookie year - when he was at his most raw and therefore at his most "DNA-reliant'' - it is more sensible to suggest that it's not an automatic part of his makeup to commit turnovers.

But that's about stats. And some people think it's about money. Really, though, part of this is what the audience (you!) think. And we say a great way for Dak to win back Cowboys fans would be by leading the team to its first NFC Championship game since 1996. ... and to do so by going retro. Yes, in an odd way, what Dak Prescott needs to do in coach Mike McCarthy's new "Texas Coast Offense'' is ... to "play like a rookie.''

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You can follow Isaiah DeAnda Delgado on Twitter and Instagram @IsaiahDDelgado.

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