EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Before the New York Giants even arrived at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night, they knew. Their Week 1 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, had lost their starting quarterback for an extended period of time. It would have a direct impact on their upcoming preparation and possibly their playoff aspirations.
Tony Romo won't be playing against the Giants in the season opener on Sept. 11 in Texas. Preseason sensation Dak Prescott probably will start.
Giants players admitted hearing about it from television, social media and general conversation among players. It was a topic in the locker room before they beat the New York Jets, 21-20.
“I heard it,” Giants rookie cornerback Eli Apple said after a strong personal performance on Saturday night. “It’s kind of a ‘Wow, hope he’s OK' type of thing.”
Then the conversation turned. The Giants are no longer preparing to face a familiar foe in Romo when their regular season begins with a matchup against their division rival at AT&T Stadium. They will be a facing a much different and less-experienced quarterback with Prescott than they would have if Romo had been healthy.
They know, at least to some degree, what they’re in for in slightly less than two weeks, even if Prescott is not a household name.
“That new guy has been playing well,” linebacker Devon Kennard said. “I’ve actually watched him a couple times.”
That new guy, of course, is Prescott, and what anyone who has watched the Cowboys this preseason has seen are some eye-opening performances, albeit in the preseason. Prescott has thrown seven touchdown and rushed for two others in three exhibition games for the Cowboys. He has looked comfortable in the pocket and made plays with his arms and legs.
Prescott has caught their attention.
“Yeah, I watched. I’m impressed,” Apple said. “Just his overall game, the way he can keep the play alive with his feet and also his arm, he’s definitely an NFL quarterback, for sure.”
One who will make his debut in Week 1 with more than a bit of fanfare.
Prescott was a fourth-round pick (No. 135 overall) in this year’s draft. He was selected 14 picks ahead of Giants running back Paul Perkins after a strong career at Mississippi State.
“I remember seeing a little bit of him in college. From what I saw in college, he looked good. Real good,” Giants linebacker Jasper Brinkley, a former Cowboy, said. “I’ve seen some highlights [this preseason]. He still looks good.”
Giants quarterback Eli Manning knows Prescott a little better than most. As an Ole Miss grad, he has seen Prescott more than a few times against his alma mater. Manning also has seen first-hand his growth and ability.
“Been around Dak a little bit, he's come to our [Manning Passing Academy] camp before,” Manning said. “Watched him play at Mississippi State. Good kid, good player.
“He's played well in the preseason, I know that. We'll have to deal with that when it comes up.”
It’s going to be sooner than Manning ever anticipated. Prescott probably will make his first NFL start in his first career game, and against the division rival Giants.
