Question QB Dak Prescott’s contract, or interceptions, but don’t question his leadership

OXNARD, Calif. — The criticism Dak Prescott receives as the quarterback of the Cowboys is nothing new.

Last week, it took a different tenor.

“He’s a strong man,” coach Mike McCarthy said of Prescott. “What he has to deal with every day, very impressed with how he handles it.”

Prescott’s leadership was questioned by some former NFL players turned media members over a trash-talking incident with cornerback Trevon Diggs.

The words used by Diggs are meant for the football field only, so repeating what he said to Prescott isn’t appropriate in this space.

It was a surprise to hear former players speak about it in a negative way.

“I played with Michael Vick, played with Tom Brady, played with Josh Allen, played with Patrick Mahomes, nobody on the team, coaches, trainers, would even fix they lips to say something like that to the quarterback,” LeSean McCoy, a former NFL running back, said on FS1. “A franchise quarterback. Two things it tells me. One is they don’t respect him, and, two, they’re tired of everybody making him the face.”

Former receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said on FS1 that trash talk happens, but not with the quarterback.

“You just don’t see this with the quarterback,” he said.

However, former offensive lineman Damien Woody said on ESPN that he embraced the trash talk.

“I’m for the trash talk,” he said. “It’s freeing my energy.”

The Cowboys defended Prescott. In some ways, maybe reporters should have ignored what McCoy and others said, because they’re not true insiders as to what goes on within the Cowboys.

Prescott has a unique ability to block out the noise, knowing he’s going to receive it. He displays empathy for the people who direct it.

“I really feel bad for some people who haven’t been in those moments, haven’t competed, or guess you could say are hurt by the words, do take the things the wrong way,” Prescott said. “I’m somebody that was put in a position, obviously, being a little brother, having competed and growing up like that, having understood not to take anything to heart, but obviously playing for this organization and the position I do, people are always talking.”

Trash-talking between players isn’t new. Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers talked trash. Tom Brady talked trash. Aaron Rodgers talked trash.

Sometimes you heard what was said back, and other times you didn’t.

Prescott said he’ll start talking trash in the locker room before practice. He believes if it helps push his teammates, he’ll continue to do it.

Following Diggs’ trash talk Tuesday, a funny incident occurred during Saturday’s practice.

After Prescott scored on a quarterback sneak, he tried to hand the ball to linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

The ball was slapped out of his hands.

Prescott strolled back to the offensive side of the field without a care in the world.

It was interesting to watch considering what had transpired a few days before, and also reminded you of another incident when Diggs had a shouting match with defensive backs coach Al Harris last year.

Harris and Diggs have the ultimate respect for each other. At times people say things loudly — it doesn’t matter the issue — but it’s a form of communication. Even McCarthy has said conflict leads to resolution.

“You want the competitive spirit, you want the play style to be a certain level,” McCarthy said. “Now you’re going to say ‘Oh he said a couple of bad words.’ I want as much of that as possible. It shows the connection when they go at each other harder.”

If you want to question Prescott’s NFL-leading 15 interceptions, that’s fine. Just remember Tony Romo led the NFL with 19 picks in 2012. Danny White threw 25 picks in 1980, and he didn’t even lead the league in that department. (Richard Todd threw 30 for the Jets).

Question Prescott’s salary if you want — an average of $40 million per season — but once he gets his extension he’ll probably get close to $50 million per season, based on the salary structure in the league.

Want to debate Prescott isn’t elite because he hasn’t won a Super Bowl? Make sure you have the same energy when discussing Kyler Murray, Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, quarterbacks who average more money than Prescott but haven’t played in the big game either.

Just please don’t question the leadership of Prescott. The Cowboys respect him, and it’s one of the main reasons this team believes it will make a deep playoff run.

“Dak is the leader of our team,” Diggs said. “He’s going to go out and have a great year. I have the utmost respect for Dak. So whatever narrative people will want to run with, that’s just what it is. We know how we are.”

Twitter: @calvinwatkins

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