Experience Cowboys QB Dak Prescott directing a TD play - ESPN

FRISCO, Texas — For the briefest of moments between each play, Dak Prescott can take a breath. But only one.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer's voice is quickly in the quarterback's ear, calling the next play. From there Prescott delivers the call to the rest of the Dallas Cowboys players in the huddle.

As Prescott walks to the line of scrimmage, he gets his first look at the opposing defense. What's the front? Where are the safeties? Where is the middle linebacker? Are the corners playing off or in press coverage? How many defenders are in the box?

He considers whether those things force him to change the play.

Then the game circumstances come to mind: the quarter, time remaining, the score, the down and distance. How about the weather? Or how a loud crowd can make communication more difficult?

With center Cooper Beebe, he sets the protection. He uses hand signals to his pass catchers. He might need to kill the original call and go to the second play he called in the huddle.

The drama builds as thousands in the stands yell and scream while seconds tick off the clock.

All this — and more — happens in 40 seconds before the ball is even snapped, Prescott told ESPN this spring, when he sat down to go through a single play and everything it entails.

At the snap, what can look like chaos to many is choreography to Prescott.

His hours of film study — learning the tendencies of the opposing coordinator, the subtle tells of a defensive tackle aligning over the inside shoulder of the guard or a linebacker mugging the A-gap — give him all the information he needs.

When he drops back, he sees players flash all around him. It happens in a blur, but he knows where things are supposed to be. On a pass, he needs to decide whether the throw