RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer came out of the team's first two preseason games impressed with what he's seen out of backup quarterback Joe Milton .
But it's one trait that particularly caught Schottenheimer's eye across Milton's first two preseason outings.
"Probably the touch that he was throwing the ball with," Schottenheimer said when asked about what Milton was showing during a news conference on Monday, Aug. 24.
Schottenheimer went on to elaborate that he was also impressed by the "poise" Milton was demonstrating. He credited the Tennessee product with being more in sync with him during their second season working together and, as a result, having improved command and understanding of Dallas' offense.
Still, Milton's improvements as a touch passer were among the 26-year-old's most important steps forward, in Schottenheimer's view.
"I first remember hearing about Joe Milton when he was at the University of Michigan, and everyone applauded him for how hard and how far he could throw the ball," Schottenheimer explained. "Cool. That’s awesome. You know, go be in a carnival somewhere. That’s not what playing NFL quarterback is. It’s not, 'Oh, I can throw the ball 85 yards.' You’re throwing through small windows, you’re throwing over people, you’re changing arm slots."
"So to me, arm strength is cool. But like, go to the fair and win a teddy bear," he added. "You got to play quarterback. And that’s what I think you see Joe learning is he's playing quarterback. And he’s playing quarterback at a high level. He’s checking the ball down. He’s making blitz adjustments. He’s solving problems. He’s reading from his first, second to third, and even fourth progression at times. It takes time. You don’t stop learning as a quarterback. The only way to do it is to play. I'm really, really proud of him."
Milton has enjoyed a quality preseason thus far. The third-year quarterback has completed 21 of 28 passes (75%) for 286 yards and three touchdowns across Dallas' first two exhibition games while running for 12 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Milton particularly shined in the Cowboys ' 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals in preseason Week 2. He showed off his explosive playmaking skills by hitting Jonathan Mingo for a 53-yard touchdown through the air, which was one of the quarterback's three total touchdowns from the game (two passing, one rushing).
Even with the strong performance, Schottenheimer wouldn't commit to Milton as the team's top backup behind Dak Prescott . The 52-year-old coach said Milton was competing with free agent signing Sam Howell for the No. 2 quarterback job.
But regardless of who wins the competition, Schottenheimer is happy with the strides Milton has made during his second season with the Cowboys.
"He's in a much different place right now, talking about Joe, in terms of understanding what we do," Schottenheimer said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys' Brian Schottenheimer praises Joe Milton's growth in one key area
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