An example of that structure came in Dallas’ preseason game against Seattle, when the Cowboys ran a variation of the smash concept. One receiver runs a deep corner route, breaking to the outside, while on the same side the other runs a shorter curl pattern. The goal is to high-low the defensive back playing on that side of the field and throw to whomever is uncovered.

The variation the Cowboys execute here against the Seahawks is a flat-7 smash, where the shorter route is simply a quick out pattern. Here, receiver Terrance Williams (No. 83) runs the corner route while tight end Geoff Swaim (No. 87) runs the quick out to the flat:

Prescott displays poise in the pocket despite facing pressure from the Seahawks’ daunting front seven; under duress, he selects the shorter throw. Familiar with the concept, he executes well.

Later, the Cowboys run a sail concept – a three-receiver set flooding one side of the field: One receiver runs a deep vertical, another takes an intermediate out pattern, and a third utilizes a shorter outside route to the flat:

From trips formation, Williams starts outside and runs the vertical route while Brice Butler (No. 19) runs the intermediate out. Meanwhile, Cole Beasley (No. 11) starts on the inside and runs a pivot route, breaking outside into the flat. This gives Prescott three receivers to choose from on the right side, and he picks Butler:

The play goes for a quick 16-yard gain, Prescott’s schematic familiarity from his Mississippi State days again pays dividends.

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Similarly, moving to more play-action could also keep Prescott comfortable.

Over the last five years, the Cowboys have consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in play-action passing plays attempted (they were 30th in 2015). This season, however, Dallas returns arguably the league’s best starting offensive line while adding Ezekiel Elliott, one of the more talented running backs in recent drafts. Dallas can deploy the threat of Elliott to simplify the looks Prescott sees from opposing defenses. Of the 50 passes Prescott has attempted this preseason, 28 percent have come on play-action passing plays, well above the league average of 21 percent and nearly double Dallas’ recent numbers. In addition, Prescott can run read option and take off if there’s no play like he did at Mississippi State, a wrinkle of which Romo is no longer capable.

Given the strength of the Dallas offensive line and the potency of its rushing attack, you can bet opposing defenses will stack the box with eight or even nine defenders to stop the run, daring Prescott to throw.

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Among Prescott’s weaknesses in college was ball placement. At times, he would throw off-target – sometimes missing entirely. Such inaccuracy could hurt against the tight throwing windows he saw when SEC defenses dropped six or seven defenders into coverage. But if Prescott faces eight-man boxes with single coverage on the outside, his throwing windows will be larger, allowing greater margin for error.

Dallas revealed an example of what this offense could look like this year during the second preseason game against Miami. Prescott lines up under center to start a drive with 22 personnel, a package with two running backs and two tight ends. Miami responds with its base 4-3 defense, stacking the box with nine defenders in anticipation of the run:

Prescott fakes a hand off before rolling right, where the Cowboys have one tight end in the flat and another on a deep crossing route. This establishes a look similar to the flat-7 smash concept previously illustrated. With so many defenders anticipating the run, Swaim (No. 87) is wide open on his crossing route:

This is an easy throw for the quarterback to execute; the stacked box has left a big, uncovered throwing window to exploit. Again, the ability to run a familiar concept pays dividends for Prescott.

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Unlike the reduced playbook Robert Griffin III was handed for the Washington Redskins, the Cowboys appear to be entrusting Prescott with the bulk of their playbook, including concepts familiar from his college days. NFL defenses will undoubtedly adapt, but Prescott’s ability to read defenses should give him an ability to counter punch. Given an offense built to run the football, the biggest change we might see is Dallas relying more on play-action. Prescott’s success so far suggests this idea has merit.

Mark graduated from Wesleyan University where he was a four-year letter winner as a quarterback and situational wide receiver. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.