FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott said the Dallas Cowboys built their identity in pads over the past month. He also explained how last season counts for nothing going into Week 1.
Prescott believes the Cowboys’ offensive line took the note, and that the tone shows up in how the young players block and how the ball carriers run.
“It’s definitely been physical,” Prescott said. “I think that’s needed when you’re trying to create an identity of a team. Obviously a new team each and every year. Coming off of what we did last year, that means absolutely nothing. Guys want to establish who exactly we are, and I think the best way to do that is with your pads. And then from there, everything kind of follows that, whether it be the mentality that you need to set your pads or the physicality that it takes to be imposing on both sides of the ball. If we’re going to be a physical team and a good team, it starts at the line of scrimmage.”
“And so it’s just credit to all the big guys in the locker room who have taken that note and honestly just iron sharpened irons,” Prescott continued. “You’ve got one of the best interior matchups I think you’re going to find in the game of football each and every day with Quinnen and Tyler. And I think that projects throughout the whole offensive line of just them being able to set the tone of us being physical. And then you see it when you watch our young guys block and see the runners run and the guys with the ball. Once that mentality’s set in, it’s just a way of playing the game. And we’re going to hang our hat on that.”
The Matchup Dallas Gets Every Practice
Quinnen Williams was voted a Cowboys captain Thursday morning. He made his fourth Pro Bowl last season and signed a three-year, $105.9 million extension three weeks ago.
Tyler Smith made his third Pro Bowl last season and has started all 63 games he has played since Dallas drafted him 24th overall in 2022. Tyler Booker, the 12th overall pick in 2025, is in his second season. Cooper Beebe is at center.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that the interior three draw Williams, Kenny Clark, and Otito Ogbonnia every day, and that he likes how in sync the group is.
Where The Cowboys Ranked Last Season
Dallas finished 7-9-1 and ranked seventh in scoring offense and second in total offense. The defense allowed 30.1 points per game, a franchise record and the worst mark in the NFL, and ranked 30th in yards allowed at 377 per game.
Training camp opened in Oxnard, California, in late July. The Cowboys open the season Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
