Cowboys' Rookies Lead Cowboys To Best Record In NFC
By Shawn Lealos
The Dallas Cowboys made some interesting choices in this year's NFL Draft. The Cowboys passed up the need for pass rushing options to draft a running back early. They passed on some bigger name quarterbacks to draft Mississippi State's Dak Prescott in the fourth round. The Cowboys drafted linebacker Jaylon Smith in the second round knowing they wouldn't get him on the field until 2017. They also drafted a cornerback in the sixth round named Anthony Brown. Despite the chances they took, this year's NFL Draft has been a huge success for the Cowboys.
Dak Prescott Remains Starter
Tony Romo fell to injury in the preseason and the Cowboys had flashbacks to 2015 when their veteran backup quarterbacks were unable to win games at all. This season, they lost Romo and his backup Kellan Moore and then decided to stick with rookie Dak Prescott. He has repaid them with a 6-1 record, one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to win six of their first seven games of their career.
He is remaining in the starting lineup, too, as the Cowboys head to play the Cleveland Browns. Jerry Jones said that he will keep Prescott at quarterback until he is sure Tony Romo is back to 100-percent health.
"Tony has no issue with doing what's best for the team," Jones told CBS Sports. "When you've got it going, we know these things can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everybody involved."
Ezekiel Elliott Facing Possible Suspension
The second major rookie responsible for the Dallas Cowboys success this year is running back Ezekiel Elliott. However, there is a chance that Commissioner Roger Goodell could suspend him for up to six games. Elliott was accused over the summer of five instances of domestic abuse to a girl, but the authorities chose not to press charges. Goodell has proven in the past that he doesn't care if a player is innocent or not when it comes to passing down punishment.
The NFL is "gathering information" and they have proven that they can still suspend players even without any criminal charges. The city attorney investigating the case said there is conflicting and inconsistent information in the case. The city attorney believes that there were violent encounters between Elliott and the woman, but declined to say that he believed Elliott was the aggressor.
Rookie Anthony Brown Quickly Making His Name
Incredibly enough, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are not the only two rookies making their name this season. When the season started, Dallas had Morris Claiborne in a career year at cornerback and Brandon Carr playing on a large contract. Orlando Scandrick also hoped to return as well. That made rookie sixth round pick Anthony Brown as insurance in case Claiborne failed, Scandrick was unable to return and Byron Jones was needed at safety.
However, Morris Claiborne has a groin injury and has missed time over the last three weeks. Orlando Scandrick has returned finally, but he isn't as important thanks to the surprising play of Anthony Brown. Against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, he recorded 10 tackles and made no mistakes. With Claiborne out and Scandrick back, Brown will work nickel and has a chance to really shine.
"Orlando, Brandon Carr and Morris, they all give me their little input and their advice on what happened to them in the game," Brown told the Cowboys official site. "I try to take a little bit from all of them and try to tie it to my game so I can get better."
Post Author: Shawn S. Lealos.