Cowboys’ McCarthy talks Dak, Zeke, free-agent WRs and the whole nine from the combine

Mike McCarthy spoke to reporters at te NFL Combine.

Mike McCarthy had his second press conference as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys at the NFL Combine. With an important week ahead of him in Indianapolis, McCarthy took time to answers all kinds of questions about his new team.

Here’s his thoughts on some important questions for the Cowboys.

McCarthy on Dak Prescott

The hot topic, of course, was quarterback Dak Prescott. When asked, “Is Dak Prescott your franchise quarterback?” McCarthy had no hesitation in his answer.

“What he’s done to this point speaks for itself. Dak is in a business situation right now… it’s time to be patient and let the business people work out the business matter.”

McCarthy’s unwavering confidence in a QB he is yet to coach says volumes about he, and the rest of his staff’s opinion on Prescott.

When pressed about why he thinks Prescott is a championship caliber QB, McCarthy notes the live impression Prescott made on him when the Cowboys beat McCarthy in Green Bay during Prescott’s rookie campaign, as well as the “tremendous” leader he has quickly became in Dallas.

Retaining Last Year’s Receiving Corps

Prescott isn’t the only notable offensive free agent who McCarthy spoke about. He touched base on both Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb.  After such a productive year through the air, it’s no surprise the new Cowboys coach wants to keep the core of the passing game together.

McCarthy and Cobb have an extensive history, including a Super Bowl from their time in Green Bay, and McCarthy noted the excellent rhythm he noticed between Prescott and WR Amari Cooper.

 

Ezekiel Elliott’s Role

Mccarthy had developed a stigma from his time in Green Bay. The stigma, right or wrong, was that he too often ignored running backs in his offenses. However, since joining Dallas, McCarthy has made it clear that he has never had a weapon like Ezekiel Elliott at the position, and that Elliott will continue to be a “primary focus” of the Dallas Cowboys.

“Making the quarterback successful is common sense… I’ll always believe in because he touches the ball every play… as far as your playmakers, you got five premiere positions, obviously running back is one of them. You get the ball to your playmakers, so Zeke will touch the football plenty in our offense.”

McCarthy was also asked about the use of the read option and stated he liked the experience Elliott and Prescott have with that style of play.

A solid running attack is a huge part of McCarthy’s theory of creating a successful environment for his quarterbacks, a notion that McCarthy has spoke openly about for years.

Other Notable Press Conference Information

McCarthy spoke again about how a year away from football was great for himself, as well as his family. The coach truly seems happy and reinvigorated to be around the game of football again.

When asked about the notion of giving up the play-calling responsibilities in Green Bay McCarthy once said that would never happen. After only a few weeks in Dallas he has relinquished that role and is letting Kellen Moore try to build off the success he had as a first year offensive coordinator last season.

The question of biggest need going into the draft was thrown out, and McCarthy didn’t give any indication of the way the team was leaning. He understand the needs of a team change week-to-week and depth at every position is valuable.

McCarthy reinforced the newfound enthusiasm for special teams in Dallas. McCarthy says he is excited to work with John Fassel and the commitment to special teams will show in the roster construction.

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