NFL quarterbacking isn't so tough — just look at Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz
Leave it to Bill Parcells to tap the breaks on wondrous rookie quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott.
“Although it is apparent that they are acclimating well,” Parcells told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, “to deem them successful at this point is a bit premature.”
This is what you’d expect to hear from Parcells, who gave Curtis Martin a nickname — “Boy Wonder” — after the running back rushed for 102 yards in his NFL debut for the New England Patriots in 1995. In that case, Parcells warned that a hot start didn’t mean Martin was destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame — although that’s where he ultimately landed in 2012.
In any event, Parcells knows.
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Give an NFL defensive coordinator enough game tape, and he will devise ways to cool a hot hand. That’s part of the challenge ahead of Wentz and Prescott, neither of whom have yet to throw their first NFL interception.
“They haven’t been around long enough for anyone to have a book on them," Parcells said. "But that being said, Prescott and Wentz have done as well as anyone could expect as rookie quarterbacks."
While Jared Goff, drafted No. 1 overall, rides the pine as he is brought along gradually by the Los Angeles Rams, injuries set up fast-track scenarios for his peers. The Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) turned to Wentz after Sam Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings following Teddy Bridgewater’s knee injury. Prescott is filling in for the Dallas Cowboys (2-1) while Tony Romo's back heals.
“It’s like a perfect storm,” Parcells said. “Good coaching. Help from the supporting cast. Opportunity.”
Wentz and Prescott also reflect a larger pattern: Quarterbacks who have made their first starts this season are a combined 11-2. This includes third-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo (2-0) and rookie Jacoby Brissett (1-0) with the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos second-year pro Trevor Siemian (3-0) and a near-victory from rookie Cody Kessler, whose Cleveland Browns lost in overtime Sunday.
In assessing Prescott and Wentz in particular, their ability to protect the football distinguishes them. Wentz hasn’t had a pick in 102 passes, tied for the second-longest such streak in NFL history by a quarterback in his first three games. Prescott’s 99 throws rank fourth. (Warren Moon’s 103 passes in 1984 set the standard.)
This underscores another common denominator: Poise. It’s one thing for a quarterback to possess physical skills and even a high football IQ. But the ability to deal with pressure on the big stage has been essential in allowing their other traits to flourish.
“They look calm,” former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick told USA TODAY Sports. “I don’t know what will change over the course of the year, but these guys look like they belong.”
That was apparent during training camp for Prescott, when he took advantage of extra reps while Romo took prescribed rest days (before his latest back injury) and earned confidence from coaches and teammates. While the Cowboys have supported Prescott with a vibrant rushing attack, Billick notes his passing numbers on third down: Prescott’s 112.1 efficiency rating in those situations is fourth-best in the league.
Overall, Prescott ranks 12th in passer rating (93.3) while Wentz is seventh (103.8). Prescott is 10th in completion percentage (66.7%) and Wentz 13th (64.7%). They were clearly prepared well on the college level to handle the pro game, while others (like Goff) struggle to transition from spread offenses.
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“The difference with these two is that the coaches have done a great job of building off of what they do well,” Parcells said. “They are not trying to fit square pegs into round holes.”
Like Parcells, Billick, now an analyst for NFL Network, is careful to reserve judgment because of the small sample size.
“Can they follow this up next year? Or is it another RG3 (Robert Griffin III) or Nick Foles?” wonders Billick, though he is bullish on the newcomers' pocket presence, illustrated by Wentz as he connected with Darren Sproles on a 73-yard catch-and-run TD Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as Prescott's “Russell Wilson-esque” (according to Billick) elusiveness.
And it’s not too early to wonder. The Rams traded a bundle to move up to the draft's top spot for Goff, while the Browns traded out of the second slot because coach Hue Jackson wasn’t sold on Wentz. Early returns suggest the Rams and the Browns may have whiffed on Wentz, while every team initially passed on Prescott, a fourth rounder.
“There are two things that you can’t do, as I know all too well,” said Billick, acknowledging his miss on Cal’s Kyle Boller with the 19th pick in 2003. “You can’t pass on a franchise quarterback, and you can’t pick the wrong guy.”
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Follow NFL columnist Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell
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