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Helping Dak

Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback http://www.nfl.com/player/dakprescott/2555260/gamelogs">Dak Prescott was truly impressive in the preseason, as he racked up 454 passing yards on 39 of 50 passes. He threw for five touchdowns and didn’t throw an interception while rushing for two more scores.

When Tony Romo went down, Prescott was named the starter, and Dallas didn’t panic into getting another single caller. The Cowboys are http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000696822/article/dallas-cowboys-in-good-hands-with-rookie-qb-dak-prescott">prepared to hand the reins over to the rookie in week one against the New York Giants.

While Prescott was nearly flawless in the preseason, that is rarely the case once the regular season starts. Defensive starters play the entire game, and defensive schemes get more complex.

The Giants will do everything they can to try to confuse Prescott and disguise coverage. The rookie quarterback will be well-prepared, but nothing is the same as game experience.

There are a few things the Cowboys can do help Prescott.

Scott Linehan's play-calling:

Cowboys http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2016/09/09/linehan-cowboys-offense-wont-be-limited-prescott-under-center">offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will be a big part of the success Prescott has early in the season. It will be his play-calling that will help ease the rookie into the game.

Linehan will know what plays Prescott is most comfortable with and which plays he doesn’t like to run. The offensive coordinator will need to get Prescott in a rhythm throwing the ball early.

Play-calling is one of the most important parts of the offense. When it works, no one notices it, and when it doesn’t work, it is the story the next day.

Linehan has to make sure that Prescott’s play at quarterback is the story, not the play-calling. He has to put Prescott into situations and plays where the quarterback can succeed.

Letting Prescott run on designed plays will be a big part of Linehan’s job. Prescott can be effective in the read-option and on quarterback runs.

Offensive line and running backs:

Last season when Romo was injured, the rushing offense slipped from http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing/year/2014">second the previous season to http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing/year/2015">ninth. Defenses were able to stack the box to stuff the Cowboys’ running game and force the quarterback to beat them.

The offensive line and running backs will have to be able to get yards in the run game. Getting rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott going will be a major factor.

Elliott can take pressure off Prescott if he keeps the offense ahead of the chains. That means being in second and short and third and short. Being in second and long and third in long typically favors the defense.

The whole offense is open on second and short and third and short. That means the defense can’t just key in the passing game in later downs.

The offensive line has to protect Prescott and give him time to make reads. Depending on which Cowboy makes protection calls, the center will have to help the rookie get protection right on passing plays.

Prescott will have a major say if the Cowboys win or not, but the offensive line and running backs will also be a major part of any win. A rookie quarterback needs a strong running game to ease his transition.

Defense and special teams:

Dallas isn’t expected to have a strong defense with injuries and suspensions. Still, the defense must do its job to help Prescott.

It must get stops on third down and not let games turn into shootouts. Getting turnovers will be a major factor in wins for the Cowboys.

A short field or defensive scores will take pressure offA Prescott. The defense must make sure the rookie doesn’t have to do all the heavy-lifting.

Special teams just needs to make smart plays. Punt and kickoff return doesn’t need to make a mistake and put the offense in a hole.

A score in the punt or kick-return game would be a plus. So would a blocked punt or kick.

Dallas mainly just needs to be sound in the kicking game. That can win or lose a game just as much as the offense or defense can.

Prescott and the Cowboys begin the season at home against former University of Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning and the New York Giants at 3:30 p.m. on Fox.

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