We caught up on some news in the latest edition of The Counter.
- First, a look at the NFL schedule, and which teams might benefit or suffer thanks to it. (We have quite a few stories from last week that examine this, too.)
- Explaining how it appears the schedule was designed to allow for flexibility should the NFL decide to shorten the season.
- We also dig in on the Monday Night Football announcing team shake-up, looking at potential replacements and mapping out what we’d like to hear from the booth in the future.
- The Bears didn’t pick up Mitch Trubisky’s fifth-year option, which wasn’t surprising. But that decision led to a feisty exchange on the internet in which Doug Gottlieb revealed himself to be powerfully out of touch … which also, come to think of it, was not surprising. BUT since the topic is race and quarterbacks it’s worth talking about and exploring, so we did.
Finally, we tried to figure out what the Dallas Cowboys might be thinking as they continue to string along Dak Prescott, a clear franchise QB who should be treated as one.
Steven referenced a few throws in particular in the episode, from the Cowboys’ late-season loss to the Eagles that was held up by many as a “bad” game by Prescott.
But these clips pretty clearly show a QB playing well enough to win:
This 4th-down play where he fools a defender by pointing to open space is just sublime.
Prescott’s receivers let him down time after time. Amari Cooper made just four catches on 12 targets. Michael Gallup had a strong game but this is brutal.
Look at these throws!
This one isn’t as immediately impressive but it shows a quarterback thinking the game on an advanced level. The Eagles come out in an exotic look, with Fletcher Cox lined up directly over the center with six other players in the box at least feigning like they might rush him. Prescott takes time to adjust the blocking, then sidesteps Cox after he easily wins his mismatch before making the throw.
Pay the man, Jerry.
Anyway, download/listen to/like/rate-highly The Counter at the following places, if you would. We’ll be back with another episode on Friday.
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