‘Q Called It’: Dak Prescott On Dallas Cowboys Defense’s Meeting, Christian Parker, And Jake Ferguson

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said Thursday that defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and the defense’s leaders called Monday’s players-only meeting, and that he has already seen it show up on the practice field this week as Dallas prepares for Sunday night’s game at the Green Bay Packers.

The defense met without coaches after last Thursday’s 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in which Tampa Bay ran for 241 yards. Prescott said the offense has held similar meetings.

“When I heard about it, it was exciting to an extent, understanding that Q called it and the leaders called it and knowing just the way that those guys speak and what they’re about. And, yeah, I’ve heard it and know from those guys. It was very productive,” Prescott said. “I don’t want to say it was necessarily out of the ordinary. Something that I feel like offense a few times has meetings where the coaches aren’t in there. That was a defensive unit meeting and those guys just taking accountability for one their play, but also taking ownership of what they’re going to do and how they’re going to do it if we’re going to have success moving forward.”

Mike Pettine’s Scheme Already Showing Up In Practice

The approach has carried into practice, Prescott said, along with some of new senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine’s scheme.

“Yeah, absolutely, absolutely, just in the way they’ve approached it. Bringing in a new coach, you’ve already seen some of his scheme added to what they’re doing,” Prescott explained.

Dak Prescott Has Christian Parker’s Back

Defensive coordinator Christian Parker has faced criticism after five games. Prescott said Parker knows he has his back.

“I mean, we had a quick, he knows I’ve got his back, and we’ve talked here and there. I can’t say I’ve went up and done that purposely this week, but I’m also not always hearing the criticism, and probably not to the amount, when it’s about somebody, that they may be hearing it about themselves,” Prescott said.

Prescott Tells Jake Ferguson

Tight end Jake Ferguson was the target on the deflected pass intercepted with 1:22 left against Tampa Bay. Prescott said Ferguson took ownership with the receivers, and that he told Ferguson he does not owe the group an explanation.

“Yeah, that was quick, quick in a message. And then from there, we’ve talked about it since. I heard Jake taking some ownership of it, obviously, as he does and did from the jump to some of the receivers. And I just kind of jumped his ass about, like, we know that, man,” Prescott said. “Like, you don’t have to explain yourself to this group, the trust, blood, sweat, and tears. We’re the ones who sacrifice and do it together. Like, we don’t need your explanation. We all believe in you. We watch the way you practice and prepare. Forget about it and let’s move on.”

Brian Schottenheimer Welcomes The Players-Led Meeting

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday that the best teams he has been around are led by the locker room, and that the players who called the meeting told him it was productive.

“My information that I’ve received from some of those guys that called that meeting, it was very productive. It was very open and honest, and the pride of that unit is strong. There’s some really, really prideful men in that room, and we’re going to get it fixed. I have no question about that,” Schottenheimer said. “But it doesn’t bother me at all. Means everyone’s rowing in the same direction trying to get this thing fixed.”

Kickoff at Lambeau Field is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 18, on NBC.