It may sound weird even debating whether a quarterback with
an 11-2 record and the NFL’s third best passer rating (second best QBR) is
worthy of keeping his starting job. But, such is life when you are the rookie
quarterback of “America’s Team,” and black, to boot.
To be fair, Dak Prescott, the quarterback of the Dallas
Cowboys, is backed up by a good, if not great player in Tony Romo, who is a
star, if not a super one. Fans have come to love or love hating Romo over the
years, as much for his off-field success (see Jessica Simpson) as for his
exploits on the field.
However, as much as the admiration for Romo may be driving
the buzz or undercurrent of Dak Prescott doubt that persists among fans and
media members, there is more to it than that, of course.
Yes, there’s that rookie thing.
Rookie success is rare, but far from unheard of, especially
on an otherwise veteran team. Greats, such as Dan Marino, John Elway and Ben
Roethlisberger have led their teams to playoff appearances and beyond in their
rookie seasons. So have Bernie Kosar, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton and
even Mark Sanchez.
Prescott could become great in the future, as this rookie
season seems to suggest. In the alternative, one could surely see Prescott on a
similar career path as a Ryan, Dalton or Flacco. But, there seems to be additional
doubt when it comes to Prescott; more of a “well, they’ll figure him out soon”
mentality that appears to exist for some, but not others, at the quarterback
position.
Yes, it’s that black quarterback thing.
Unbelievably, it’s still a thing.
How could it not be? Police mistreatment and brutality is
still a thing. Disparate treatment by the judicial system is still a thing. Donald
Trump is now a thing.
So, surely little old football still has its issues.
Or, maybe I’m paranoid.
A lifetime of witnessing mistreatment can do that to you.
But, as the saying goes: just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out
to get me.
Or, Dak Prescott in this case.
The long history of the plight of the black quarterback has
been well documented, but doubt exists, just like there is doubt about the
continued need for affirmative action, for example.
But, the black quarterback thing is real.
A study done last year by Brian D. Volz for the Journal of
Sports Economics,
found that from 2001 to 2009 there is evidence that suggests that black
quarterbacks are between two and two and a half times more likely to be
benched, when controlling for other factors, including injury, age, quality of
the backup quarterback, and other factors.
According to the study, between 2001 and 2014, the percentage
of black starting quarterbacks on opening day fluctuated between 16%-28%. That
is pretty low when you consider that black players make up almost 70% of the
entire league and account for over 80% of starters at the running back and wide
receiver positions.
However, as referenced earlier, this is not an NFL problem,
it’s a societal one. Even on a football level, discrimination of blacks at the
quarterback position starts at the pop warner levels and is perpetrated by both
black and white coaches.
But, I’m here to tell American football fans and media that
your fears and distrust are misguided and unwarranted.
 |
| Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott addresses the media Sunday night. |
Prescott has not been good this year, he’s been great, and he
is the player most capable of leading this year’s Cowboys to their promised
land.
After the Cowboys’ 10-7 loss to the New York Giants and
easily Prescott’s worst game of the season, many jumped at the opportunity they
had been impatiently waiting for: to clamor for Tony Romo to get his job back.
On a cold, snowy and rainy night in East Rutherford, NJ,
Prescott was 17/37 for 165 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. The Giants
played their best defensive game of the season and handed the Cowboys their
second loss of the season.
After those two interceptions on Sunday night, Prescott now
has a whopping four on the season, fewer than any year-long starter, other than
Sam Bradford (three). His 20 touchdown passes put him in the top half of league
quarterbacks.
Prescott is in the top ten in completion percentage and top
three in passer rating and QBR (mentioned for the second time just for
emphasis).
In Tony Romo’s 13-year career, he only reached or eclipsed
Prescott’s current passer rating of 102.7, twice; in 2011 (102.5) and in 2014
(113.2). Needless to say, Prescott has been very impressive in this, his rookie
season.
As for being a winner, it’s clear Prescott has that quality,
as well.
“There’s been a theory in the scouting business that players
that come from Mississippi State don’t really do well in the pros, for some
reason, they’re just not good pro players,” Dallas Cowboys reporter Nick Eatman
from DallasCowboys.com said on the Bill Rhoden On Sports podcast back in
September.
“Dak Prescott put [Mississippi State] at #1 in the country
for a few weeks,” Eatman continued. “He took that whole program – that whole
state, really – and put it on his shoulders. So, you talk about a guy that
knows how to win, he’s done that. I think he’ll do the same with the Cowboys
when it’s his time.”
His time is now.
His boss seemed to agree, at least immediately after Sunday
night’s loss.
“What’s he got four interceptions? Is it four?” Cowboys’
Owner Jerry Jones asked a group of reporters surrounding him outside of the
Dallas locker room. “OK, so he’s got four interceptions in 13 ball games. I
feel good about our quarterback.”
For his part, Prescott isn’t letting the Romo talk distract
him and sounds like he’s looking straight ahead.
“You never want to say it’s good to lose, me particularly, I
hate to lose, it’s a bad feeling,” Prescott said after the game. “But, it kind
of gets you resettled, gets you back right. After we lost to these guys the
first time, we went on that run, so maybe we can do something similar.”
Similar to how he’s played so far this season should sound
good to the Cowboys’ players, organization, and their fans. The team appears to
have a firm grip on reality, it’s the fans and some members of the media who
need to let go of that old, misguided way of thinking.
Let the Cowboys be great again. Let Dak live.
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