Why Dak Prescott shouts ‘White 80’ before a snap, Dallas QBs cadences Explained

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If you’ve ever watched an NFL game before, you know that quarterbacks shout obscure words and phrases before a snap.

Things like “Blue 42”, “Green 18”, “Red Poncho”, and “Omaha” are among the many bizarre words QBs in this league that have been heard uttering through the years.

They are both amusing and entertaining to those that have never played or coached the sport, often making us wonder what they mean.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott cadences before a snap, though, is beginning to unnerve fans across the league.

It isn’t breaking news that we hear Prescott’s name often flung through the mud by fans and pundits alike.

In this case, though, it feels like many are piling up on him perhaps because old habits die hard.

There are a few things you hear Prescott screaming before the snap of the ball, the more common being “Here We go. White Eighty. Set. Hike”.

Why Dak says what he says before a snap

The words “White Eighty” and “Here we go” are just some of the many cadences we hear from Prescott, though those seem to be more common.

Since Mike McCarthy began calling the offensive plays, Prescott seems to say “Here we go” more frequently.

Like every NFL quarterback, though, Prescott’s words aren’t said to sound funny or unique but for a particular reason.

Those cadences do multiple things, from alerting the center it’s go-time, trying to get a defense to jump offsides and attempting to get the opposition to tip their hand potentially, by mixing it up.

Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, one of the top Cowboys’ insiders who says the Prescott cadences are beneficial.

“I think the cadence is really different this year to help with pre-snap penalties, like, that has been re-imagined,” added Gehlken. “So that’s radical.”

The term ‘White 80’ is one of many colour and number variations quarterbacks around the league use to dial up a play, and this particular phrase appears to give Prescott rhythm, and suggest he is happy with how his offensive line is set.

Are the cadences working?

Pre-snap penalties were an issue for the Cowboys in 2022, finishing 10th in that category.

That followed a 2021 campaign in which Dallas was the worst in the league for pre-snap penalties.

Gehlken explains that some of the tiniest changes, like Prescott’s cadences, are paying off.

“Their pass protection has real, real differences there.”

“You’ll see under Mike Solari, the new offensive line coach, he has his own technique that he wants his offensive lineman to have. Namely, you’re going to see them more assertive in their pass sets.”

Many might not like the cadences Prescott’s been saying this season, but there’s no denying that he and the team are on a roll.

Dallas is on a three-game winning streak, outscoring those three opponents by a combined score of 127-37.