Coach: Prescott faces unique scrutiny
Dallas Cowboys coach Mike Mccarthy has been around several high-profile and Hall of Fame quarterbacks during his NFL coaching career.
That list includes Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Brett Favre, and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.
During an appearance on Siriusxm on Wednesday, Mccarthy said the scrutiny that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott endures is more than any he's even been around.
He said he has gained an immense around of respect for Prescott since joining the Cowboys in 2020 and seeing him under a daily microscope from inside and out the organization.
“I love Dak Prescott as our quarterback,” Mccarthy said. “The way he's built all the way through, obviously his physical skill set is excellent, but what he endures mentally and emotionally compared to the other 31 (QBS) is unique.
“In speaking on experience being around great quarterbacks, I've never seen a quarterback under a microscope like he is. His consistency, his personality and work ethic and how he handles all that and navigates all that, he goes out and performs every week, I think it is special what he has to endure…”
Mccarthy's praise for Prescott came one day after linebacker Micah Parsons defended his quarterback his podcast “The Edge with Micah Parsons” on Bleacher Report.
Parsons pointed out the difference responses to losses by the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers compared with the vitriol levied on Prescott and the Cowboys following losses.
“I just don't condone the bashing of Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys, and (not) have the same energy for the Eagles,” Parsons said. ”We want the same energy for everybody, because there's a whole bunch of bashing when it's Dak Prescott, but not the same when it's the Eagles.
Parsons didn't talk to the local media last week.
But he kept the intensity with a Fox Sports host on Tuesday after blamed the 49ers' loss to the Cleveland Browns on losses of running back Christian Mccaffery and receiver Deebo Samuel to injuries in the game.
Parsons pointed out that the Browns were without quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Nick Chubb or right tackle Jack Conklin.
“(Mccaffrey and Samuel) started that game,” Parsons said. “The Browns were missing Deshaun Watson. They were missing Nick Chubb. They were missing Jack Conklin. They were missing them key factors before the game even started.
“So why is it that we are just scrubs and we're nobodies that don't deserve to be on the field, and we're just all talk, but there's 100 excuses for these other teams. If y'all just going to hate Cowboys Nation, just say y'all hate Cowboys Nation. But don't sit here and throw shade on us. Keep the same energy for everybody.”
It wasn't lost on Parsons that Prescott received little fanfare after Prescott completing 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown and leading team in rushing in Monday in Dallas' 2017 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I'm tired of people trashing my quarterback,” Parsons said. “I'm tired of people trashing my team, and that's why I had nothing to say to the media this week.”