FIRST TAKE | STEPHEN A. SAYS COWBOYS CAN SHUT UP THE HATERS THIS SEASON! – COWBOYS NEWS

FIRST TAKE | STEPHEN A. SAYS COWBOYS CAN SHUT UP THE HATERS THIS SEASON! – COWBOYS NEWS

Looks like a whole lot of fun there. That’s where we found out Kevin Durant got traded to the Houston Rockets. But to the grid iron we go where the Cowboys are looking to bounce back from a Capital Rough season last year. Dak Prescott missed nine games after suffering a season ending hamstring injury. And the Cowboys watch the playoffs from home after finishing third in the NFC East. But now the star has a new head coach and he’s looking to bring back the winning culture. Brian Shottenheimimer told our Todd Archer that he wants Dallas greats from the 1990s in the building, saying, quote, “I think the more guys that are around, the more we see their Super Bowl rings, which they wear very proudly. I think that’s great for our guys because that’s why we do it. We don’t hide from that.” End quote. Kevin, your reaction to Broton Shot, Brian Shottenheimimer’s comments are, first of all, it’s good. like there there are some organizations that shun their former players or or keep them at at arms length and don’t want them around. It’s good to embrace your history. There’s a couple things about it. Number one is the Super Bowl ring guys are going to come around and say, “Oh, this team is not even close to the level of talent that we had 30 years ago or 50 years ago depending on when you won those rings. But no, I think that a lot goes into winning culture and you don’t really know what it is, but I I think that they’re they’re they’re the third best team in the division.” And that’s not you don’t get a ring for that yet. I guess you could they could they could they could print some. I know Jerry Jerry could make money. He’d print third place ranks. Mike T. Yeah. No, look, I I agree. Similar to Kevin, like I think Brian Shabber is going to do a great job. I worked with him for a long time in New York. He’s very relatable to the players. And let’s face it, Dak Prescott at $60 million a year had to sign off on this hiring. So, that’s a great start. Their defense is going to be a work in progress, but this is a team that I think will play better than expected, probably in third place. um far cry from where the expectations were a year or two ago, but maybe that gives him a little time to build things the right way. You know, I have a personal story. It’s kind of kind of similar this. I was earlier this week, I was a little bit nervous about first take and how I was going to feel about doing doing this thing. And then I um saw Kevin Clark in the green room and I said, “This guy’s been on here a lot. He’s a, you know, world champion first take person.” I said, “Oh, well, if Kevin Clark could do this, I can definitely do this. This is something that’ll motivate the Cowboys. They see other champions out there, then maybe that’ll make them feel like, hey, I could do this, too.” So, I think that this has a could have a similar impact on them. Come collect your first take summer Friday ring. There you go. We got it. Doesn’t that have diamonds on it? Lots of diamonds. Yeah. Yeah. Diamonds. Yeah. Very nice. All jokes aside, does did Mike McCarthy not embrace the history enough? Because it feels like every Cowboys coach has to like go through this and and and and play to the past, which you should do, but like does this actually translate to wins? Do you think this is more just like a feel-good sort of story that we’re talking about in the off season, or can this actually have a tangible effect? Yeah, I think Mike McCarthy is a very good coach, but the expectations were just too much and they really never got over the hump. And let’s face it, at this point, Philadelphia certainly has surpassed them and Washington is certainly well on their way. And that’s why I think the difference is, hey, you can embrace your past. You can learn from the all-time greats Troy, Emtt, and the like. But it’s the expectations that again, this is beyond, you know, Dak there. The nucleus is very young now. They got to figure out what to do with George Pickings. But that’s why I think he has a chance to have a good first season and establish a program here. I think part of it, Courtney, is it speaks to how much goes into being the Cowboys coach that’s not football. It’s not only embracing the history. You go to an Oxnard training camp practice and you got to go gladand with CSI actors and and embrace 5,000 fans who all came from all over America to see it. It’s different in Dallas. It really is. And so I think it’s just about, hey, bring everybody back. Embrace the community. embrace the job because it’s it’s a oneofone job. Well, that’s the lore of the Dallas Cowboys. Now, whether it’s relevant today or not, I think remains to be seen. And since we love leaning into a theme here on First Take where we’ve have to ask on America’s birthday, who is the real America’s team? Is it Dallas Mike D? Yeah, I think it is for now. I mean, because we talk about them a lot. the owner is out has press conferences almost every day to Kevin’s point. But I think if we would spin this question forward, I’m going with the Kansas City Chiefs over the next decade because they have the Michael Jordan of this era in uh Patrick Mahomes. They have a Hall of Fame coach. They have sort of like the foundation of being a dynastic team and geographically they are right smack in the middle. So I’m saying Dallas for today but Kansas City for tomorrow. Okay. Okay. So I mean they they also have the benefit of the Taylor Swift thing. I mean you got Swifties on board that helps too. The idea that winning is part of what makes you America’s team. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case. If that was the case, the Cowboys would not have been America’s team for a very long time. I think America’s team is just about the fanaticism, the fandom, and you’re not going to wrangle that away from the Cowboys. If you go on here, if I look in this camera right now and say the Cowboys are trash, my mentions are going to be on fire with some of the mo worst things I could ever imagine people being said because there’s so much fanaticism about the Dallas Cowboys. They are America’s team. All they’re not a good team and they’re all over prime time. All every single year they bring in the ratings. Everybody has an opinion about the Cowboys. Love or not. People don’t watch sports. They either love the Cowboys or they hate the Cowboys. They are quintessentially America’s team and it is sort of baked into America’s culture so much that I don’t know how anybody can just rip it from the claws of the Cowboys. So David, I agree with you in that you’re never going to have a bigger fan base than the Cowboys. It is unbelievable. We all work in media or the internet. We we understand what the numbers are. Okay. That’s why we talk about the Cowboys so much. But when I talk about what it means to be America’s team, what it means to be American, I don’t think there’s any team more American than the Detroit Lions. What it means to be a football fan in America and to just hope for something better, know something, just have the faith that something is going to happen that is great. That’s been a Lions fan fan base for 50, 60 years. It’s finally happening. I spent time with Dan Campbell when he first took the job and he was choking up thinking about all that Lions fans have been through because he’s talking about he was a player there in 2008 when the housing market crashed and and the the car company started to go go uh under and he understood their pain. That’s what he wanted to say. He said when he took the job he wanted Detroit fans to know he understood their pain and felt it. It’s just a community thing that spreads through the entire country. If they make the Super Bowl it is going to be a national event. You could be describing the Cleveland Browns though based on your logic there of like team suck. So I think winning should be a big qualifier for why you’re America’s team cuz I remember literally 365 days ago I did this exact topic sitting in this chair here on first day and I said it was the Kansas City Chiefs because they were coming off of a Super Bowl. Right now I’m saying it is a Philadelphia Eagles and it’s not just the fact that they won a Super Bowl. That’s obviously a big one. They are they’ve been there multiple times since 2017. They also have three of the most likable players in the NFL. Jaylen Herz, AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley. Like you guys are looking at me like I have five heads. Tell me I’m wrong on any of that. This these rough offseason for our guy Saquon, but that’s these people are a brand in their own right. The team is becoming a brand in its own right. A national brand, an international brand. So you combine all of those things together, they have every single makeup that the Dallas Cowboys have. yet they’re actually successful. Like that to me is what makes America’s team. Who in America are the hunted? And who in America are the is the team that’s winning the most? That’s that is the Philadelphia Eagles. No, I don’t think I I just don’t think that the Philadelphia Eagles are ever going to surpass the Dallas Cowboys. I’m going to go back to this Detroit thing. I think Detroit I don’t want them to be America team. I don’t think Detroit necessarily wants to be America. They embody the city of Detroit. That team embodies one team, one city more than Detroit does. I think it’s good to keep them insulated into Detroit because that like Detroiters, I’m not sure Detroiters want all these other people coming in and hopping on the bandwagon for their team. They love that team. One thing about Detroit though and Dan Campbell, I I work with Dan. He is unbelievably relatable. He is the common man’s head coach. And again, I don’t know if they’ll have the platform of a Kansas City or a Dallas, but there is a likability about Detroit starting with their head coach. Yeah, I mean certainly they live up to the grit and grind nature that is Detroit. I feel like every, you know, they’ve got Eminem out there pretty much every single game. There’s not a bigger celebrity in the city of Detroit than the guy who made the city famous on the music. How many times can he perform and lose yourself? All right, there are a ton of players in the NFL, in the league who are explosive. Who’s going to provide the most fireworks this upcoming season? We’ve got huge disagreement on the way and the Kentucky Derby and tailgating traditions unlike any other in sports. But will they make my A-list of the top sporting traditions in the USA? Buckle up, folks. Not going anywhere cuz we’re talking NFL where the Cowboys are the focus of today’s required reading at ESPN.com. Todd Archer examined the ways in which Dallas is turning to past stars to inspire the current team. One note that stood out comes from new head coach Brian Shottenheimer who said the following quote, “I think the more those guys are around, the more we see their Super Bowl rings, which they wear very proudly. I think that’s great for our guys because that’s why we do it. We don’t hide from that.” So Cowboys, uh, Kevin, I looked this up. Haven’t been to the Super Bowl in a while. I don’t know if that’s mentioned. This can backfire because they can see the rings and go, “Oh, we’re not those guys and we’re far away from those guys.” So I’m not sure how helpful this is really going to be. But I mean, is there a lot of pre I mean, like Brian Shottenheimr, first year coach, kind of nobody saw coming in terms of a hire. Is there a lot of pressure on him? No. No, there’s not. In my opinion, we know what the Cowboys are. They’re going to win 9, 10, 11 games. They’re not going to win this Super Bowl. They don’t have the talent for that. You don’t hire Brian Shottenheimimer if you’re a Super Bowl contender. So, by definition, Shottenheimimer is not under pressure. I just don’t think it’s that kind of team. But you do hire Brian Shottenheimer if you believe that he can take this offense and the quarterback Dak Prescott to a whole another level, which I believe they can. And here’s why. They now have three first round picks on the offensive line. Kind of reminds me of our really good New York Jet days when Brian Shanheimimer was our offensive coordinator. We had a great offensive line. And if they could stabilize that, get Dak to play in 17 games, control the ball, which is something Brian believes in, that will minimize the biggest efficiency of this team, which is their defense. I think they could win nine or 10 games. I think that’s a successful season for Brian Shinimer and Graz. I agree with what Kevin said. Like, I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure because for once, we’re talking about the Dallas Cowboys, not with these massive expectations. So, I think clearly Philly and Washington have much greater expectations and I think Brian could establish a lot of credibility in year one. What do you think, Harry? What would success look like for Brian Shottenheimimer in his first year as head coach? I would say having the ability to make the playoffs, but I do agree also with Kevin and Mike Tannen. When you look at Brian Shenheimer, one of the reasons why they hired him, you look at him off offensively, they did not run the football successfully. He did that with the New York Jets. Mike T. He was there with him. He also did that when he was with the Seattle Seahawks. What has kind of been one of the deficiencies of the Dallas Cowboys in their in their offense, the inability to run the football? I do not believe that you can contend at any level of football if you’re not balanced offensively. And that’s exactly what they’re going to be this year. He’s going to make it a point of emphasis from OTAAS to training camp onto the regular season. I understand that they acquired George Pickkins, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not going to run the football. I believe in that offensive line. They’re young, but they have invested into that offensive line. Those guys are going to be better. And the better they are, the better the Cowboys will be as the season goes along. As well, when Dak came into the league, they had the monster offensive line with all those first round picks. They had the great running game with Ezekiel Elliott. Like, can they do they have the personnel to be that kind of team again? No, they don’t. And by the way, you mentioned how good Shotty was running the football with New York. Mike T got him some studs in the back field. There’s no Mike T there. There’s just Jerry Jones messing up the roster as it goes along. But we did overpay Damen Woody. So, there’s that. Damen Woody. Yeah. I I I thought for a second you were talking about Jerry Jones was gonna be the running back, but which I think would be hilarious. Uh but no, that depth chart. Yeah. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens with the with the with the running game. All right. It’s Independence Day, so we decided we would ask our football analysts each for an independent thought. I want something that’s just yours. I’m not hearing it everywhere else. Welcome back to Dallas Insider, your home for everything Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. Today, we’re diving into a critical storyline heading into the Cowboys 2025 training camp that every true fan needs to follow. While the wide receiver room has been the center of excitement, the Cowboys are quietly facing a decision at the tight end position that could reshape the roster before week one. The name at the center of it all, Luke Skoon Maker. For many, this might feel like a minor footnote, but the way this situation unfolds could impact the Cowboys offensive flexibility, cap structure, and even future draft plans. As always, we want to hear your thoughts. Do you think the Cowboys should trade Luke’s Goon Maker now, or would you rather see him fight for a larger role in Dallas this season? Drop your take in the comments below because your opinions help drive this community and we read every single one of them here on Dallas Insider. The Cowboys enter training camp with momentum. They’ve reloaded in the backfield with fresh legs from free agency and their wide receiver room looks deeper and more explosive than it has in years. Brandon Cooks remains a steady veteran presence, while George Pickins has brought swagger and physicality, giving Dak Prescott reliable targets at every level of the field. But the tight end position is where things get interesting. Jake Ferguson remains the leader in this group. He’s coming off a 2024 season that didn’t meet his own standards with no touchdowns scored, a stat that bothered him enough to fuel an intense offseason grind. Ferguson has openly stated he’s laser focused on getting in the end zone this year, working on route sharpness, red zone timing with Dak, and the physical conditioning to withstand a full NFL season. Head coach Brian Shottenheimimer believes last season was an anomaly for Ferguson, praising his leadership, the look in his eyes, and his improved physique heading into this season. According to Shottenheimimer, Ferguson is one of those tone setters who just plays the right way, and his improvement could anchor the Cowboys offense in critical red zone moments. Enter Luke Scooon Maker. Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, Skoon Maker has 35 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. While these numbers are respectable, the Cowboys drafted him hoping he could eventually challenge for TE1 and add a dimension to the passing attack, particularly in two tight end sets. But as we enter 2025, Skoonmaker finds himself in a tough position on the depth chart. Ferguson is entrenched as the likely TE1, while Brevin Spanford has emerged as a challenger for reps. Praised for his physicality and potential to contribute in two tight end sets, especially in red zone packages where the Cowboys want to assert dominance. If Spanford continues his rise, Skoon Maker could find himself as TE3, a tough spot for a former second round pick on a team that values roster flexibility and special teams depth. This situation places Goonmaker in the trade candidate conversation, not because he isn’t talented, but because the Cowboys might see value in recouping draft capital or addressing other needs before the season kicks off. There’s also the cap flexibility consideration. The Cowboys are carefully managing future money to extend key players like Micah Parsons, Don Bland, and Tyler Smith while also preparing for George Pickins future deal. Moving Scoon Maker could provide Cap breathing room while allowing the team to keep depth at positions of greater need. But here’s the twist. Some believe Maker still has the upside to contribute if given the chance. His blocking has been reliable and he has shown flashes of soft hands and route running that can stress defenses in the middle of the field. If he puts together a strong preeason, he could force the Cowboys to rethink trading him, keeping him as a versatile TE2 option that can step in if injuries strike. The Cowboys are entering 2025 with high expectations. And the tight end position is one of those under the radar storylines that could shape the team’s depth and flexibility. The decision regarding Luke Goonmaker is not just about today. It’s about balancing current depth with the need to build for the future while maintaining a competitive edge. Will the Cowboys trademaker if Spanford proves ready to contribute immediately? Or will they hold on to the former second rounder to ensure they have a reliable blocking and receiving option for Dak Prescott in critical moments? It’s a delicate decision and one that will be worth watching as training camp progresses. Now, Cowboys Nation, it’s your turn. Should the Cowboys trade Luke Scoon Maker before the season, or should they keep him as a depth piece? Do you think Brevin Spanford is ready to step up and take on a larger role in this offense? What do you expect from Jake Ferguson this season? And will he bounce back with touchdowns in 2025? Let us know in the comments right now. We will feature the best and most insightful comments in our next video. So, if you want your voice heard on Dallas Insider, this is your chance to get involved. Here at Dallas Insider, we’re not just covering the Cowboys. We’re building a community of passionate fans who live and breathe this team. The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining year for Dallas. And every roster decision, every training camp rep, and every preseason snap will matter as we chase another playoff run and ultimately a Super Bowl. And before we close, a quick update on the Dallas Mavericks. Anthony Davis is in town and the energy around the Mavs is shifting in a big way. With Luca Donuch no longer on the roster, Davis has stepped into the leadership role, bringing intensity on defense and consistent scoring that the Mavericks need to stay competitive in a stacked Western Conference. We’ll be covering Davis’s training camp and offseason work in a separate video, so make sure you’re subscribed and have notifications on so you don’t miss it. Thank you for watching Dallas Insider, your trusted source for Dallas Cowboys and Mavericks. We appreciate your support, and we can’t wait to bring you along for another season of unforgettable moments, bold moves, and in-depth breakdowns as the Cowboys aim for glory in 2025. And if you enjoyed this breakdown and want more updates like this, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video with fellow Cowboys fans. Let’s keep this community growing and let’s get ready for an exciting season ahead. This is Dallas Insider signing

On ESPN First Take, Stephen A. Smith debates if the Dallas Cowboys can finally silence the critics and prove why they are still “America’s Team.” With Dak Prescott leading the offense, Micah Parsons anchoring the defense, and a reloaded roster, the Cowboys are ready to prove the haters wrong and take over the NFC East in 2025.

Can the Cowboys reclaim their dominance and make a real Super Bowl run this year?

Comment below: Do YOU believe the Cowboys will silence the doubters this season?

Like and subscribe for daily Cowboys news, Stephen A. reactions, and positive Dallas analysis all season long.

📢 Welcome to Dallas Insider – Your Ultimate Hub for Everything Dallas Cowboys 🏈 and Dallas Mavericks 🏀! 💙⭐

Stay locked in with the hottest updates, breaking news, game highlights, trade rumors, and in-depth analysis of your favorite Dallas teams. Whether it’s Dak Prescott leading the Cowboys or Luka Dončić lighting it up for the Mavs, Dallas Insider brings you full coverage of the stars, the drama, and the plays that matter.

Don’t miss a beat – subscribe now and hit that notification bell! 🔔

📢 FAIR USE DISCLAIMER 📢
This channel is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Dallas Insider is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, the NFL, NBA, or any other official entity. All opinions expressed in our videos are our own.
⚠ Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright law that might otherwise be infringing.

All video clips, images, and audio used in this content are transformed with added commentary, analysis, and educational value in compliance with fair use. If you believe your copyrighted material has been improperly used, please contact us for resolution before submitting a copyright claim.