Dak Prescottâs fears, Amari Cooperâs secret to success highlight latest 'Hard Knocks' episode with Dallas Cowboys
Drones canvassed Dallas Cowboys' headquarters at The Star, Jerry Jonesâ helicopter had to turn around to retrieve son and executive vice president Stephen, and interceptions were flying off the hands of second-year quarterback Ben DiNucci.
The third episode of HBOâs âHard Knocks: The Dallas Cowboysâ debuted Tuesday night. This installment of the docuseries featured veteran players coaching younger counterparts, insight into Dak Prescottâs personality, and a series of cameos from one starterâs highly energetic 4-year-old son.
Here are USA TODAY Sportsâ top five takeaways from the episode:
1. What Dak Prescott does, doesnât fear
The Cowboys quarterback doesnât flinch when rookie linebacker Micah Parsons talks trash during a game of spades. âI ainât never feared a defensive guy,â says Prescott ahead of his sixth pro season. The mantra should bode well for Prescott as he prepares for his first live action, 11 months removed from a gruesome ankle injury, against a vaunted Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive front on Sept. 9
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What Prescott does fear: anyone in costumes. The quarterback opened up during a position group meeting after running back Ezekiel Elliott - who has long attended QB meetings to streamline communication - admitted he doesnât like mascots.
âYou think thatâs that person in the costume, you donât know who the [expletive] he is,â Prescott reasoned. âHeâs up to something. Thatâs why I never did anything haunted. I used to tell my mom: âThatâs the perfect place to kill somebody. Why would I do that?â I told her that, she understood, never made me. Yâall think itâs a fake chainsaw, you donât know if one of them crazy [expletive] put a blade on that [expletive] one day.â
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2. Astute Amari Cooper
Four-time Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper missed the first three weeks of training camp practices while rehabilitating foot injuries. He returned eagerly to team drills, telling reporters he had never wanted to run a route so badly in his life. But Cooper wasnât the only Dallas player to immediately celebrate his return. Second-year receiver CeeDee Lamb was quick to interrogate the veteran on a release he flashed during Cooperâs first day back in competitive drills. Did Cooper work half a man, or his full opponent? And how did he decide when to apply speed?
âThe slow will work better because that DB got an internal clock,â Cooper told Lamb while demonstrating how he sells a step left before exploding right. âHe can only be patient for so long. The good DBs will be patient. First is just one step. ... Then go back in there.
âThereâs no way he not thinking Iâm going out.â
âHard Knocksâ also featured veteran guidance from Elliott and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Elliott advised rookie running back JaQuan Hardy how best to draw defenders away from him in addition to reinforcing the importance of eliminating lateral movement.
âI understand what youâre doing,â Elliott told Hardy. But âgot to run vertical if youâre trying to get a yard rather than trying to run untouched.â
3. Turnovers prompt QB depth chart shuffle
Entering the third of four preseason games, Cowboys leadership had tipped its hat to veteran journeyman Garrett Gilbert as Prescottâs backup quarterback. 2020 seventh-round selection DiNucci was expected to be kept, even if in a practice squad spot as a developmental asset coach Mike McCarthy was loath to give up on. Then Gilbert lost a fumble against the Houston Texans and DiNucci threw three interceptions. Cooper Rush, competing against them, completed 10-of-12 pass attempts for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Just like that, Rush became the favorite for the Cowboys' QB2 role. âHard Knocksâ captured sideline emotion during the game.
âJesus Christ, Garrett!â McCarthy snarled after Gilbert coughed up a ball. It was a far cry from the coachâs âBoom! Hell of a driveâ after Rush found receiver Cedrick Wilson for a back-shoulder touchdown connection. Upon seeing DiNucciâs turnovers, McCarthy exclaimed âgoddamnit,â which actually was more family-friendly than DiNucciâs verbalized frustration.
âHow the [expletive] is that [expletive] getting picked off,â the second-year quarterback out of James Madison University said. âIâm [expletive] fine other than throwing three picks.â
McCarthy drilled the importance of ball security to players in the postgame locker room, reminding them how turnovers doomed their 2020 campaign even before Prescottâs injury had put a damper on it.
âIâm upset because of turnovers,â McCarthy told the huddle at AT&T Stadium. âWe cannot play that way. And we will not play that way. OK?
âThe urgency to be better at that, weâve got to have it coming down this stretch.â
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4. International spotlight
âHard Knocksâ introduced Ivory Coast native Azur Kamara and Mexico native Isaac Alarcon in the second episode. This week, during the third show, each player reappeared. Kamara drew a penalty on defense and contributed one tackle on special teams in 33 total snaps. Lawrence critiqued Kamaraâs hesitance to show his speed.
âHeâs either going to stay in and block or go out for a pass,â Lawrence told Kamara about rushing against a tight end. âGet rid of him. You donât need him. You want to go inside ...â
Coaches implored Alarcon to ensure he was square, sharpen his three-point stance and keep his eyes up while he engages a defender. Off the field, Alarcon conducted a Spanish interview alongside his older brother and his parents. The family spoke of their Cowboys fandom in Monterrey, Mexico, and what it means to them that Isaacâs helmet is adorned with a decal of the Mexican flag as part of the leagueâs international players pathway program.
âItâs brilliant,â Alarconâs mom, Myrthala Garcia, says in Spanish. âItâs magnificent to be able to show everyone where weâre from.â
5. Cowboys draft class of 2039?
In practices, second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs aims to snatch passes from talented receivers like Lamb and Cooper. But at home and from the stadium stands, his 4-year-old son Aaiden snatched viewers' hearts Tuesday night.
Aaiden Diggs is the inspiration we all need in 2021.
âAll right Tre - believe in yourself!â Aaiden said during the Cowboys-Texans preseason game, sitting with his grandmother. âMake sure you do good! Break those ankles!â
At home, Aaiden flashed the ability to break ankles himself. The 4-year-old imitated his fatherâs defensive back drills as well as receiver drills from uncle Stefon Diggs, the Buffalo Billsâ All-Pro wideout.
âIâm ready to play,â Aaiden said. âIâm going to play tackle (football).â
His touchdown dance is ready:
Follow USA TODAY Sportsâ Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.
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