Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott spoke to the media ahead of Sunday’s regular-season opener against the New York Giants.
Dak Prescott Preparing for the Giants on Sunday
Prescott understands the progression that the Giants have made to create the team they are now.
“It’s a good team, going to give them respect and just do what I’ve done every every time playing these guys. Prepare my ass off going into this game and just be ready for whatever they have.”
Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke earlier this week, saying it would be a challenge to study the Giants with 35% unscouted looks.
“For me, it’s just about what they may do that’s unexpected. Understanding just as much as we’ve had a whole offseason to put in new plays, iron out things, create strengths, they’ve had the same. They’ve had a chance to go back and look at what they did best last year and build off of that…So it’s about going back for us and studying what they’ve done against us and just being prepared,” Prescott said.
Cowboys Confidence Level Going Into Week 1
Prescott spoke about the “iron sharpening iron” mentality, a recurring theme for the team’s offense battling against the defense at practice.
He said playing against the defense hasn’t been easy for the offense during practice, but it’s all about the competition, which is at an “all-time high” for Prescott going into his eighth season.
“Anybody that gets a rep on this team is ready and practicing to a standard to make the other guy better, and so obviously it’s making us better,” said Prescott.
Prescott is ready to start the season and see the team’s hard work come together, saying, “I’m ready to see that live. I’m ready to watch our defense go hunt, and I’m ready for us to be aggressive and do what we do best, and I’m ready to watch it all come to life.”
The quarterback discussed McCarthy’s detail in installing plays and how comfortable he feels within the scheme. In fact, he said his comfort level is at an all-time high.
When Prescott was asked if he thinks about the Super Bowl often, he said he does little things every day to remind himself about where he wants to be at the season’s end while staying present in the moment.
Prescott on Facing Media Scrutiny
Prescott was asked how he handles the increased scrutiny he has faced since last season.
The 30-year-old says if he gave credit to other people’s opinions, he wouldn’t have made it as far as he is now in his life and the NFL.
“For me, it’s about focusing on what I can do. This team, the guys and the men that we have, and I can’t control everybody’s narrative, what they try to make something out to be. But as I started this off with any losses motivating, especially when you finish the season [the way] we did last year. Yeah, it’s about turning the page and writing a new sentence, and the pen’s in our hands, and we’re ready to do that,” said Prescott.
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When asked if he gets the scrutiny he does because of the standard set by guys who played before him, like Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, he said it’s not up to him to dissect why it happens or give any energy to other people’s narratives.
He says he stays thankful to center his emotions and mental health.
“I think when you’re thankful that that’s your visualization, you’re able to reflect on where you’ve been, how far you are now,” said Prescott.