'I Feel Attacked!': Cowboys' Dak Reacts to 'Culture' Criticism
You can criticize new father Dak Prescott's playoff pratfalls. You can even question whether he deserves a new contract that would make him the highest paid player in the history of the NFL.
Don't, however, even hint about blaming the Dallas Cowboys' "culture" for their lack of postseason success in recent years. The Cowboys have won 36 regular-season games the last three seasons - second-most behind only the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs - but have only one playoff win to show for it.
It's that sour scenario that have left critics - including Ring of Honor icon Emmitt Smith - to point a finger at a Cowboys' environment they say is content to merely profit off the past.
“The culture is high, honestly, and the culture is great from my standpoint,” Prescott said at a Monday night charity event. "My point is, that’s something I’ve bragged on and took pride in. So if there’s questions of that or concerns on that, I feel attacked.”
Last season Prescott again led a high-scoring offense that produced a 12-5 record, an NFC East Championship and a home playoff game. He threw 36 touchdowns and only nine interceptions, good enough to finish second behind Lamar Jackson in voting for NFL MVP.
But he was admittedly awful in Dallas' home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers and is only 2-5 in the postseason.
Smith, who won three Super Bowls in the 1990s with the Cowboys, has not only questioned the current team's culture but also its lack of passion and desire.
"Nobody wants to fight hard no more," Smith said.
Prescott is understandably feeling attacked. Call some of it friendly fire.
