Stephen A's Take: Ex-Dallas Cowboy Teammates fighting in the media. - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

Summary of "The Stephen A. Smith Show" Episode: Stephen A's Take: Ex-Dallas Cowboy Teammates Fighting in the Media

Podcast Information:

Title: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts
Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: Ex-Dallas Cowboy Teammates Fighting in the Media
Release Date: March 16, 2025
Description: On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Stephen A. Smith delivers his renowned viewpoints, extending beyond the realm of sports to tackle significant issues in entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics. Three times a week, listeners receive his unfiltered opinions on the day's biggest headlines, alongside straight-shooting interviews with top celebrities, game-changers, and thought leaders across various societal arenas.

1. Introduction

The episode begins with brief promotional segments from Greg Rosenthal and Julie Swearbinks, introducing their respective podcasts. These segments are quickly bypassed to delve into the main topic of the day.

2. The Feud Between DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons

Timestamp: [01:06]

Stephen A. Smith dives into an escalating conflict between former Dallas Cowboys teammates, DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons.

DeMarcus Lawrence's Departure:
- Quote: "Dallas is my home. I made my home there. You know, my family lives there. You know, I'm forever going to be there. But, you know, I know for sure I'm not going to win a Super Bowl there. So, yeah, we're here." ([01:06])
Lawrence, after spending 11 seasons with the Cowboys, recently signed with the Seattle Seahawks. His candid remarks about not expecting to win a Super Bowl with the Cowboys have stirred controversy.
Michael Parsons' Response:
- Quote: "This is what rejection and envy look like. This some clown shit." ([03:30])
Parsons took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Lawrence's comments, labeling them as envy-driven and disparaging.
Lawrence's Retort:
- Quote: "Calling me a clown won't change the fact that I told the truth. Maybe if you spent less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn't have left." ([04:15])
Lawrence responded directly to Parsons, accusing him of prioritizing social media over on-field performance.

3. Analysis of the Cowboys' Performance and Management

Timestamp: [05:50]

Stephen A. provides a critical analysis of the Dallas Cowboys' current state, emphasizing the lack of free-agent spending and its implications.

Free-Agent Spending:
- Quote: "Jerry Jones, ranking 30th in the NFL this offseason in free agent spending at $22.2 million. Only the Ravens and the Eagles have spent less." ([09:00])
Highlighting the Cowboys' minimal investment in free agents, Stephen A. points out that this strategy is detrimental to the team's competitiveness.
Player Performance Metrics:
- DeMarcus Lawrence's Stats:
  - Last two seasons: 10.5 sacks (2018) and 14.5 sacks (2017)
  - Total: 25 sacks in 11 seasons
  - Analysis: "The other nine years you had a grand total of 36 and a half, which averages out to about four a season." ([07:30])
  Stephen A. uses these statistics to question Lawrence's longevity and impact with the Cowboys.
Dak Prescott's Contract:
- Quote: "Dak Prescott on an annual salary is still the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, even though Josh Allen has been to two AFC championship games. Dak Prescott ain't one." ([10:45])
He critiques Prescott's hefty contract, suggesting it might be more about the "sizzle" or brand value rather than on-field contributions.

4. The Impact on Team Morale and Future Prospects

Timestamp: [11:20]

Stephen A. discusses how internal conflicts and management decisions are affecting the team's morale and future prospects.

Team Dynamics:
- Quote: "You had a teammate that knew y'all weren't going to Super Bowl. You had a teammate that knew what Stephen A. Had been saying for 30 years. You had a teammate that let y'all know we really ain't." ([08:50])
He underscores the importance of a unified team vision and how dissent can be detrimental.
Jerry Jones' Leadership:
- Quote: "You got away with it all these years because you got that man, Jerry Jones, right there." ([10:15])
Criticizing Jerry Jones, Stephen A. suggests that Jones' management style and decisions have not only affected team performance but also fan sentiment.
Future Outlook:
- Quote: "I know what's coming come September and October and November and December. We don't need to mention January." ([11:00])
Predicting a challenging season ahead, Stephen A. is skeptical about the Cowboys' ability to turn their fortunes around.

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [12:10]

Stephen A. wraps up the discussion by reiterating his stance on the internal issues plaguing the Dallas Cowboys.

Support for Michael Parsons:
- Quote: "I side with Michael Parsons on that." ([11:40])
Despite the ongoing feud, Stephen A. expresses support for Parsons' defense of the team.
Looking Ahead:
- Quote: "I like the subject personally. Michael Parsons, my man. Mad love for him. Demarcus Lawrence. Mad respect for him." ([11:50])
Acknowledging the complexities of the situation, he maintains respect for both players while critiquing the broader organizational issues.

Key Takeaways:

Internal Struggles: The conflict between DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons highlights deeper issues within the Dallas Cowboys, including player retention and team morale.
Management Critique: Stephen A. criticizes Jerry Jones' approach to team management, particularly regarding free-agent spending and player contracts.
Future Concerns: The Cowboys face a challenging upcoming season, with skepticism about their ability to secure a Super Bowl title amid internal and external pressures.

Notable Quotes:

"Calling me a clown won't change the fact that I told the truth. Maybe if you spent less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn't have left." — DeMarcus Lawrence ([04:15])
"Jerry Jones, ranking 30th in the NFL this offseason in free agent spending at $22.2 million." — Stephen A. Smith ([09:00])
"Dak Prescott on an annual salary is still the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, even though Josh Allen has been to two AFC championship games." — Stephen A. Smith ([10:45])

Conclusion: In this episode, Stephen A. Smith provides a thorough examination of the turmoil within the Dallas Cowboys, focusing on the public disagreement between DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons. Through statistical analysis and sharp critique, he underscores the systemic issues that may be hindering the team's success. Listeners gain insight into the complexities of team dynamics, management decisions, and their broader implications on performance and fan engagement.

Transcript

Greg Rosenthal (0:00)

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Julie Swearbinks (0:30)

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

Nate Thompson (0:35)

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

Julie Swearbinks (0:38)

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

Nate Thompson (0:41)

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

Julie Swearbinks (0:46)

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

Nate Thompson (0:50)

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

Julie Swearbinks (0:55)

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSP on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Nate Thompson (1:06)

Let's get started with the NFL and a beef going on now between former Cowboy teammates DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Parsons. Lawrence, who spent the last 11 seasons in Dallas, recently signed a free agent deal this week with the Seattle Seahawks. Yesterday, the defensive end spoke to a blogger who covers the Seahawks, and here's what Lawrence had to say about the Dallas Cowboys. Take a listen to this, please. You know, Dallas is my home. I made my home there. You know, my family lives there. You know, I'm forever going to be there. But, you know, I know for sure I'm not going to win a Super bowl there. So, yeah, we here. We here. DeMarcus Lawrence, welcome to the Seahawks. Thanks for joining us. Damn. Let's be very, very clear about DeMarcus Lawrence here, okay? The brother didn't even have a chance to pass gas before he was talking about his old team. I mean, he literally. It was the equivalent of just getting out the damn bathroom before this brother opens his mouth and is talking smack about the Dallas Cowboys, his former team. Having said that, he didn't lie because we know there's a snowballs chance in hell the Dallas Cowboys going to Super Bowls. 30 years and counting. Just get y'all in. Just in case y'all didn't rem. You know, I mean, I'm talking. I'm looking at the Cowboy fans right now watching me. You know, I'M laughing at you. You know I'm laughing at you. You know we go with the super bowl next year. You know we're going with the super bowl next year, right? Ah, nah. 30 years and counting. And what I peeled from that. Stay tuned. I'm not going to tell you what I peeled from his words specifically until I get a little bit further into this, because that full interview, by the way, can be found at YouTube.com@hawksk blogger. Okay? Anyway, those words didn't sit well with his former teammate Michael Parsons, who wrote this on X. Quote, this is what rejection and envy look like. This some clown shit. End quote. Now, Lawrence apparently saw the post on X and he had his own retort directly to Micah Parsons. Quote, calling me a clown won't change the fact that I told the truth. Maybe if you spent less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn't have left. End quote. Okay, DeMarcus Lawrence is a good comeback. Uh, since Michael Parsons clapped at you, you had every right to clap back at him. You had me, you know, you know how, you know how they said in Jerry Maguire, you had me at a low. You had me at a low. Remember that? Well, you had me until that last line. You saying, hey, maybe you spent more time tweeting, less time tweeting, more time winning. I may not have left. We're not sure. The Cowboys wanted to keep you. Last time you had double digit sacks was six years ago. You had 25 sacks. You had 10 and a half sacks in, in 2018, and I believe 14 and a half sacks in 2017. That's 25 of your 61 and a half sacks in 11 years. That means the other nine years you had a grand total of 36 and a half, which averages out to about four a season. See what I'm saying? I'm just using math. So I want you to be careful about that. See quarter Cowboys cornerback Trev Trayvon Diggs writes, wow, can't go to war with somebody who really be hating on you. That's not true, Trayvon Diggs. You can't go to war with somebody who doesn't believe in you. That's the real statement there. Y'all had a teammate that knew y'all weren't going to Super Bowl. Y'all had a teammate that knew what Stephen A. Had been saying for 30 years. Y'all had a teammate that let y'all know we really ain't. That's Cowboys. Now, I don't mean it in this literal terms. It's the National Football league, you had back to. Back to back 12 win seasons. Y'all were knocking on the door and a lot of people's eyes. You had the Cowboy faithful up there saying, yo, we going to the Super Bowl. You know, we're going to super bowl next year, right? You know we go with the super bowl next year, right? And you had credible reasons to believe that until the playoffs arrived and y'all knows dived. You see when you see these photos of Cowboy fans, the most delusional, disgusting, nauseating fan base in American history, okay? Which is, I customarily say, it's all in fun, it's all love. Because I'm just trolling y'all. I'm just trolling y'all like y'all troll me. You understand? Because I love how y'all get your hope to see last year, the joy departed from me. I have to admit, I was sad. See, I don't want the Cowboys to suck. I want the Cowboys to be good. Because I want your hopes to get up. See, I don't want you falling off a curb if you're a Cowboy fan. I want you falling off the roof. Spl. That's what I want. Because there's nothing more nauseating to me than a Cowboy fan, you know, going to super bowl next year. You know, we go with the super bowl next year. Even when y'all go 3 and 13 or now 3 and 14, it's who y'all are. Y'all pass gas and y'all will tell somebody it's perfume. You spit somebody's face, you'll tell them it's raining. It's what you do. It's who you are. And you got away with it all these years because you got that man, Jerry Jones, right there. My buddy, my Libra buddy, right there. And you got that man, Jerry Jones, right there, making billions, making sure y'all splattered all over those headlines, making sure that you the number one sports brand in the world, if at the very least, America worth over $11 billion. That Jerry Jones right there, he loved the headlines. The untold story in all of this is that evidently y'all do, too. At least some of y'all. Because you see, if you had those players in that locker room, right? Dude didn't believe that you was gonna win the super bowl, well, then why the hell you stay? Could it be the perks? Could it be the attention, the allure? Could it be the fact that y'all the number one brand, and the camera gravitates to y'all and it's a marketing tool that's unrivaled. Being a Dallas Cowboy, could that be the reason? Sounds like it to me. That's what I took from it. Made me think about Dak Prescott, too. You know, that $60 million a year quarterback, even after Josh Allen just signed for six years and $330 million, that averages out to 55 million. Dak Prescott on an annual salary is still the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, even though Josh Allen has been to two AFC championship games. Dak Prescott ain't one. More than two playoff games in 10 years. But he has played quarterback. Is he there because of the sizzle? I'm just asking. I'm just asking. I'm not sure. I just think it's a legitimate question to ask. All I'm saying is this. DeMarcus Lawrence. I don't blame Michael Parsons for clapping back at him because it was a shout out to Cowboys, even though he didn't mention them by name in a previous tweet, but then came back in or in an interview with the blogger. He didn't mention him by name, but then came back at him with the tweet. My point is that I don't blame Mark Michael Parsons for coming to the defense of his, his teammates and his organization because he's trying to re up there and he wants people to know that he believe they gonna win. He doesn't believe they suck. He doesn't believe that they gonna be as bad as they were last year. And I get that. I side with Michael Parsons on that. But to me, that ain't the biggest deal here. The biggest deal here is that DeMarcus Lawrence, he ain't going to Baltimore or Kansas City or Buffalo or the Philadelphia Eagles or even the Detroit Lions or the Green Bay Packers. This brother's going to Seattle. Tyler Lockett's gone. DK Metcalf is gone. Gino Smith is going. He's going to Seattle and was saying, yo, might as well be here. Cause it wasn't like we was gonna win a Super bowl there. Damn, that had to hurt. But maybe it'll be incentive for the Dallas Cowboys to look at themselves. Jerry Jones, ranking 30th in the NFL this offseason in free agent spending at $22.2 million. Only the Ravens and the Eagles have spent less. And that only because they don't need to. Got Rico Dowdle, undrafted free agent running back became the first undrafted player in Cowboys history to rush for over a thousand yards in a season. And this brother got to go to Carolina to own a one year, six million dollar deal because the Cowboys didn't have the money to give to him. Instead, they signed Javonte Williams from the Denver Broncos to a one year, three million dollar deal. Jerry Jones, cutting corners. They ain't really spending, which means they ain't gonna really win, which means more of what we saw last year is likely. That would give DeMarcus Lawrence an additional dose of credibility with what he was saying. But it would also be something that rightfully agitated Michael Parsons, who's about to re up with a long term extension. And it's hell bent on letting everybody know we ain't going down like that. I like the subject personally. Michael Parsons, my man. Mad love for him. Demarcus Lawrence. Mad respect for him. You cowboy fans out there who are miserable and a bit perplexed, scratching your head like you got dandruff because you're so upset over the kind of back and forth that we're hearing right now and feeling miserable right now. I'm sorry for your feelings. I'm laughing because you know why I'm laughing? Because I know what's coming come September and October and November and December. We don't need to mention January. Oh, I forgot. You got a new close to a new coach, too. What's his name again? Brian Schottenheim? Is that what the name is? Yeah, I forgot. Y'all in for long season and you're ready. Let me know. I'll be ready for it, will you? Howdy, y'all. How do you do? I'll see you in the weeks in the months to come. Trust me.