Are Interceptions 'in Dak's DNA'? A 'Seriously Troubling' Cowboys Take

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott struggled with turnovers last season, and interceptions becoming the norm would create more problems in 2023. But what about this "DNA'' baloney?

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott tossed an eye-popping 15 interceptions in 12 starts in 2022, and people have officially taken notice. Have turnovers become a part of who Dak is as a quarterback?

A DFW radio station has promoted the idea that "interceptions are simply part of Dak's DNA.'' We have no idea where that concept was born, because it spits in the face of facts. As our own Mike Fisher of CowboysSI.com said: “A simple look at Prescott’s body of work tells you that the 15 interceptions - no matter who’s ‘fault’ they were - is an outlier. This idea that ‘interceptions are in his DNA’ is moronic.''

More Fish: “What’s in Prescott’s DNA is this: He threw eight interceptions as a rookie. And this: Before last season he averaged eight interceptions per year; include last season and the number ‘jumps all the way up’ to nine! If Dak plays 17 or so games this year and throws eight or nine interceptions, Dallas is going to win a hell of a lot of games.''

Which angle is to be believed? SBNation isn't quite getting it. ...

"Interceptions weren’t a part of Dak’s DNA to this point, but what if they are now? We cannot begin to get this answer until the season commences. If this blip in his career becomes the norm, the Cowboys will be in serious trouble going forward," SBNation writes.

No disrespect, but outside of actual medical science, that's now how "DNA'' in this context works. "It's in his DNA'' is a saying that the dictionary identifies as "existing as a fundamental and inseparable part of one’s character.'' So for a football player, his "DNA'' doesn't change.

Maybe we can criticize Prescott using a different snarky term? Maybe we should worry that 2022 is more than just a "blip in his career''? That's fair, because it deserves attention. ... and Dak knows it.

Coach Mike McCarthy, in addition to revamping to what the fellas are calling the "Texas Coast Offense,'' has spent time in film study alongside Dak, picking apart all the picks. "It's healthy'' to do so, McCarthy said.

That means the criticism can he healthy, too - if it's reasonable. Wrote SBNation: "If Dak is unable to shake off the mistake-filled football from 2022 with this new configuration, this window could shut as fast as it opened and could change the narrative about Dak in a negative light, justifiably so.''

In other words, if Prescott leads the league in interceptions again, will the Cowboys "championship window'' at least feel like it's being slammed down? Will Dallas be in "serious trouble''? We see that as unlikely, but yes, of course - at which time we might also have to tell the dictionary to change its definition of "it's in his DNA.''

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