'You're Special!' Dallas Cowboys' Zack Martin Evaluates Eagles Rookie Jalen Carter: VIDEO

'You're Special!' Dallas Cowboys' Zack Martin Evaluates Eagles Rookie Jalen Carter: VIDEO

FRISCO - It might be the highest on-the-field compliment imaginable. ... for at least three reasons.

1 - It's a veteran All-Pro bowing to a rookie.

2 - It's a gritty offensive lineman respecting a high-profile defensive linemen.

3 - It's a proud member of the Dallas Cowboys seeking out an "enemy'' member of the rival Philadelphia Eagles to deliver "flowers.''

"How the (bleep) did they get you?" Zach Martin said to Jalen Carter after Philly beat Dallas in a 28-23 thriller in Week 9.  "Hey, keep going man, you're gonna be special! ... You're already special!''

Zack Martin to Jalen Carter: “how the —— did they get you?”

(Via: @JalenCarterDPOY)
pic.twitter.com/UTfUX3ysO8

— Birds vs Boys Pod (@BirdsVsBoysPod) November 10, 2023

Sometimes, bitter rivalries must make room for classy behavior. Martin - destined for the Hall of Fame - now exemplifies that as he expressed so kindly to the rookie's face that given the kid's talent, Martin could not believe that Carter fell to the Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft, and told the rookie just that.

The Eagles drafted Carter with the No. 9 overall pick in last year's draft out of the University of Georgia, where he won back-to-back National Championships. ... and he slipped because of off-the-field concerns.

'I'm Ready to Kill the Cowboys!' Eagles' Jalen Carter EXCLUSIVE

But those having been an issue so far for the 8-1 Eagles, as Carter - who before the season had fun telling us in an exclusive video that he wanted to "kill the Cowboys!'' - is already playing at an elite level. (PFF grades Carter graded as the second-best defensive tackle in the league with a 90.6 grade, trailing only Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants, who has a 92.3 grade.) Carter, just 22, has a great shot at winning NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and of going to the Pro Bowl, and of eventually joining Martin as an All-Pro.

As the eight-time Pro Bowler Martin spoke to Carter, the rookie seemed almost amazed that he ended up in this situation - a situation that includes getting compliments from the best in the business.

"Hey it's crazy man," Carter said to Martin. "It's an honor to go against you."