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Should the Cowboys start Joe Milton at quarterback these last two games? Joe needs the experience and the evaluation. Dak Prescott doesn't need either. He needs to stay healthy and ready for next season. – Rick Lewis/Arlington, TX
Nick: No, I think Dak Prescott should start the games if he's fully healthy. If he's not, then it's a different story for him and for everyone. But he's the leader of this team and if Schotty is truly trying to win these games down the stretch and continue to build the culture, then it sets a bad example if they hold Dak out … for what? Next year? That sounds great and talking about investments and all. But Dak said it himself, "you can't cheat the game." The Cowboys haven't finished this year yet. There are a lot of players and coaches who desperately need to have a good finish for themselves. I think it sends a wrong message to pull Dak out when the others around him still need these games.
The guys make a lot of money and the fans spend a lot of their own money to watch good football. Now, if the game is out of hand or you've seen what you need to see from Dak and the other starters, then playing the backups like Milton is fine. But if you really want to look at Milton, play him in the preseason. That's what those games are for.
Tommy: In my personal opinion, yes. That's nothing against Dak Prescott, he's had an excellent season and I completely understand why he wants to play every game given the past year and all he's gone through. At the same time, I think it's a massive victory to finish the year healthy as that's not guaranteed in the future. Since it isn't guaranteed, that means your backup quarterback always needs to be ready. Dallas is in a different position now than they were with Cooper Rush, who was experienced and had games under his belt. Joe Milton does not, and if he's going to back up Prescott, he needs to get as many in-game reps as possible so if he needs to be handed the reigns to win a game, he's as prepared as possible.
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