Cowboys’ Dez Bryant, Matt Cassel: ‘I love it’

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was in a better place than he was last season when the team decided to cut him.

Prescott, who had started 13 games and finished the season tied for the team lead in passing touchdowns with eight, said he and Cassel have a “really great bond.”

Prescott said Cassel has helped him “stay focused on the game and not worry about what the team is going to do.”

“I love this guy,” Prescott said.

“I really love Matt Cassell.

I really love him.

We have a really great bond and we’re excited to be a part of this team.”

Prescott has struggled in the playoffs, but Cassel is playing at a higher level.

Prescott has thrown 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last five games.

He has also completed 65.4 percent of his passes.

“He has helped me out a lot,” Prescott added.

“His confidence is through the roof.

He’s a leader.

He is just such a hard worker.

It’s just amazing.

I love him and I love the whole team.

I just love him.”

Prescott, 25, said Cassell is an “honorary” teammate.

Prescott said his father, the late Jerry Prescott, had a special relationship with Cassel.

Prescott is one of five quarterbacks on the Cowboys roster.

Cassel played for the Cowboys in 2011 and 2012.

The Cowboys drafted Prescott with the fifth overall pick in the draft.

Prescott and Cassell were teammates in the 2016 draft.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said he would have chosen Cassel over Prescott.

Prescott was named the NFL’s MVP last season after leading the Cowboys to a 10-5 record and the NFC East title.

Cassell has played in 12 games with one start.

Prescott had four touchdowns and two interceptions in two games in Week 16.

The Dallas Cowboys will open the season Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at the American Airlines Center.

Prescott’s father, Jerry Prescott III, died of cancer in February 2017.

Prescott made his NFL debut in 2016, playing in three games with two starts.

Casse has played nine games with four starts.

Prescott (shoulder) practiced Monday, according to Cowboys spokesman Kevin Sheehan.

Cassels (knee) is expected to be back next week, Sheeamhan said.

Prescott missed the final three games of the season after missing two games with a foot injury.

He started Week 10 against the Denver Broncos but had a second-half knee injury that sidelined him.

He was on injured reserve for Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Cassecs season came to a close after the Cowboys lost 23-20 to the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

He had two interceptions.

Prescott did not play Sunday.