Tom Brady flatters Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones hoping Zack Martin will play in season opener
FRISCO, Texas - Nothing fires up your opponent like an insult. So, Tom Brady may be trying some reverse psychology by flattering Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys play the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday.
It will be Prescott’s first game since recovering from his season-ending ankle injury.
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Brady said he’s prepared for a good game.
"He’s a really talented player. Really, since the day he got in the league he’s shown to be a great leader of the team," he said. "We’re just expecting to play like Dak Prescott does, you know, very talented, moves in the pocket, throws a good ball. They’ve got a lot of very talented, skilled players. So for us offensively we’re going to have to do a good job of putting our defense in a good position."
The Cowboys are hoping to rebound from a 6-10 season with a miserably bad defense.
Owner Jerry Jones is also hoping All-Pro right guard Zack Martin will be cleared in time to play for the season opener.
Martin tested positive over the weekend for COVID-19 and was experiencing some symptoms associated with the virus.
RELATED: Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin likely to miss opener after positive COVID-19 test
The NFL’s COVID-19 protocols require a player to be symptom free and then test negative twice. Those negative tests must be conducted 24 hours apart.
Martin, who is fully vaccinated, could realistically return if all the necessary criteria are met.
Coach Mike McCarthy is skeptical. Jones is optimistic.
"The symptoms are an interpretation. The symptoms are an interpretation. If he's feeling good and if he has a certain aspect to him that goes with an ache or something then all I'm saying is that in the opinion of the medical people, if his symptoms... I would venture to say that if we can get the negative test his symptoms would qualify him to play," Jones said.
"I think if there's a player who could do it, Zach would be in that group of players who could do it," McCarthy said. "I don't think Zack is going to play in the game. But in the same breath I'm just following the guidelines of the protocol."
The team will fly to Tampa Wednesday afternoon.