Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Dallas Cowboys

Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Dallas Cowboys

For my half of the Go For It On Fourth preview for the 2018 NFL season, I decided to ask fans of every team questions about how they think their team will do this season. Instead of asking just one fan per team, I decided to get as many fans as I could involved. For some teams, that was several. For some teams, that was just one fan. But we very much appreciate everyone who got involved in our Preview for the 2018 Season!

Representing the Dallas Cowboys:

James, Cumbernauld
Stephen, West Lothian, @nicolstephen
Kris, Blairgowrie

First off, sum up last season for us.

James: Dumpster fire especially with the distraction of Zeke‘s on and off suspension and losing Tyrone smith was a big loss but somehow still managed to have a winning season.

Stephen: Disappointing, but with key pieces of the offence missing we’ve done not too bad.

Kris: My worst season as a Cowboys fan. The Ezekiel Elliot Suspension. The Dak Prescott sophomore slump. The longest touchdown drought in Cowboys history – 26 drives. Chaz Green Vs Adrian Clayborn.  And as if that wasn't bad enough enter Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles.

How was your offseason?

James: Jason Witten’s retirement was a big loss and losing Dez another big loss.

Stephen: Slow off-season, still not sorted out the safety position, and the injuries being racked up on the line are becoming worrying.

Kris: Preseason, we haven't won a game but started off strong when the first team were out early in drives. Happy to have them not put in unnecessary danger and focus on the regular season starting this Sunday at Carolina.

Key additions from free agency and the Draft?

James: Getting Tavon Austin and Allen Hurns from free agency. Drafting Bo Scarborough and Michael Gallup.

Stephen: Hurns in FA and VE in the draft, still hoping to land Earl Thomas in a trade, and Bo Scarborough can take some of the pressure off Zeke.

Kris: I like the pick of Allan Hurns and Tavon Austin. 3rd round selection Michael Gallup also seems to put in a decent showing in preseason so hopefully these guys can help pick up the production void left by the departure of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. I think it could help Dak in the passing game with teams focusing on stopping the run, which should hopefully allow Dak to get back to his rookie form, making good decisions looking after the ball with no natural number one wide out to be double teamed.

What's your hopes for this coming season?

James: Winning record winning the division and into the playoffs.

Stephen: NFC Championship minimum.

Kris: To win the Super Bowl or endure a season that results in Jason Garrett finally being replaced by a coach who gives us a chance to go deep in the play-offs.

What's your thoughts on your starting quarterback?

James: Dak Prescott shows that he has potential to be a great QB, 1st 2 seasons shows this but his deep ball accuracy is something he needs to develop.

Stephen: Dak is the future. Trust him and he can take us far.

Kris: In Dak I trust. So long as he has a strong running game provided by Ezekiel Elliot, he has produced. 14 TD's and 4 INT's in his first 6 games before Zeke was suspended wasn't terrible and he always provides a threat on the ground so I’m happy to ride with Dak into the 2019 season.

And your thoughts on your head coach?

James: Jason Garrett has done a decent job with Dallas but his play calling can be a bit suspect. I believe this is a do or die season for him.

Stephen: I’m not sold on Jason Garrett anymore. If this year is a failure I feel like he could be gone.

Kris: He is a happy clapper. He is always clapping. It’s annoying. I'm not his biggest fan, I think he needs to deliver some sort of play-off success this year or surely he must go. Although with the Joneses in charge who knows! We are in the middle of an almost  7-8 year process and have one play-off win to show for it. In that time Chip Kelly turned the Eagles into a laughing stock only for Doug Pedersen to rebuild that franchise to win the Super Bowl last year within 2 seasons of taking over. Just goes to show what can be done with proper coaching. With Garrett, I feel we are destined to float around the play-off bubble but never go deep in the play-offs, never mind the Super Bowl.

A player that will be key for you this season?

James: Zeke, as Dallas has always been a run first team.

Stephen: Zeke. He has a point to prove.

Kris: DeMarcus Lawrence who was franchised tagged this off-season. He was our main pass rusher threat last year with 14.5 sacks. We will need him to have similar success along with the rest of the defensive line to put pressure on opposing qbs which should hopefully throw up plenty of turnover opportunities for the young defensive backs and linebackers to feast on. We may have to rely more on our defence this year and I think the defence will step up big time this year. A trade for Earl Thomas which has been rumoured could be the final piece of our young defence to reach the next level. Legion of Boom Mk II under Kris Richard?

And who would you happily drive to their next club?

James: Chaz Green, this guy can’t block to save his life, beaten more times than a drum.

Stephen: Dez but he's already gone.

Kris: Jason Garrett. Preferably Pittsburgh.

What made you choose to support your team?

James: I’m not really sure why, I would need to ask my dad as I’ve supported them since I was 4.

Stephen: What made you choose to support your team? I had an auntie who lived in Fort Worth. I always dreamed of going to Dallas so decided on the Cowboys. I had a soft spot for the Rams when I was younger, due to Nelly being a Rams fan 😂😜.  

Kris: My dad had a Dallas Cowboys mug at my gran and grandads house when I was younger. I liked the mug so naturally when I got into NFL they were the team I followed.

For a first-time NFL fan, tell us some reasons why they should support your team?

James: We are America’s team, Cowboys fans are the best fans in the NFL, also being a Cowboys fan is a real roller coaster of emotion and not to mention 5 Time Super Bowl Champs.

Stephen: We have some of the best fans. An impressive stadium and an illustrious history.

Kris: One of the storied franchises in NFL history, they normally have a good number of games on the tv each year. A core of exciting young players provides hope for a bright future.

Compare your team to a European football club.

James: Liverpool successful and dominant in their heyday.

Stephen: Manchester United.

Kris: Sadly, it would have to be Manchester United. You either love them or hate them.

What's the best-case scenario for you this season?

James: Winning the Super Bowl.

Stephen: Everyone stays healthy and we win the Super Bowl.

Kris: We win the Super Bowl.

And what's the worst-case scenario?

James: Losing record bottom of the division and no postseason

Stephen: The line stays injured, Dak crashes, and we finish bottom of the East.

Kris: We go 9-7 and miss the play-offs. Technically it would be another winning season which would more than likely keep Garrett in the job under Jerry Jones.

Is the Dak-Zeke connection going to be a long-term success in Dallas?

James: Yes it can be, look at Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman.

Stephen: Running backs don't tend to have a long-life span in the NFL so I think Dak will. Zeke will be for the next few years. I don't think we see him to a third contract.

Kris: I hope so. We really need to strike when they are under rookie contracts. I'd hate to see them separated as I think behind them both, we always have a shot.

Predict your record for this season, and how far (if at all) you will go in the postseason.

James: 10-6, hopefully NFC Championship Game.

Stephen: 12-4, NFC Championship.

Kris: 9-7 missing out on play-offs.

Tell us who you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta on February 3rd next year?

James: Obviously I would love to say my Dallas Cowboys but realistically I think the New England Patriots.

Stephen: Pats unfortunately.

Kris: Los Angeles Rams beat Houston Texans.

Anything else you'd like to promote?

James: Yes the UK Dallas Cowboys fans group, ukcowboysfans.com

Stephen: West Lothian wolverines. Scotland's newest team aiming to join bafa. Come along and try the sport for real 👍🏽.