Dallas Cowboys: 3 Early training camp standouts
By Randy Gurzi
Coach standing out: Jon Kitna, Quarterback Coach
With Scott Linehan leaving in the offseason, the Cowboys made some moves with their offensive coaching staff. The most discussed change was Kellen Moore taking over as offensive coordinator, and so far it seems as though the players are responding well to him. However, he isn’t the only assistant that’s taking to his new role well.
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Moore’s old job, quarterback coach, was filled by Jon Kitna who has been working with Dak Prescott on his footwork. Early on, it appears to be helping as Prescott is throwing the ball with plenty of accuracy so far in camp.
In addition to mechanics, Kitna is also pounding the table about being confident. Kitna says that Prescott, Cooper Rush and Mike White are all in the NFL for a reason and they need to remember this while just letting the ball rip.
"“The thing that I keep talking to them about is forget the idea of ‘I’m trying to complete the ball.’ Just cut it loose. Rip it,” he said via Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com. “Rip the throw. You’re good enough, or you wouldn’t be here – rip it. Make your best throw, and the completions will handle itself. Sometimes we can get locked into ‘I’m just trying to be right, I’m just trying to complete it.’ But you don’t make your best throw.”"
Kitna is garnering plenty of praise for his approach early in camp and may have been one of the best additions to the staff — which is crazy considering how little attention the hiring received.