CALLED OUT
Stephen A. Smith cheered by New York crowd after telling First Take star to ‘stop that nonsense’ about Dallas Cowboys
The NYC audience loved Stephen A's analysis of the Cowboys
STEPHEN A. Smith isn't fond of the Dallas Cowboys' chances in 2024.
During First Take's live taping at the Fanatics Fan Fest, he let the world know how he felt about the state of the team.
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First, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark went on a long tangent about the contract situations within the Cowboys.
Players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons are all in need of new deals that will cost fortunes.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hasn't made much of a move to extend any of his talents, but is seemingly prioritizing his quarterback in Prescott.
Stephen A. shared that he really didn't think it would make a difference who gets signed first, as he thinks the Cowboys won't have success anyway.
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"I don't know what the hell you're trying to figure out," Stephen A. said.
"Clearly they're not trying to win football games, at least when it counts.
"I mean, they don't win playoff games so let's get that out of the way right now.
"Let's stop that nonsense."
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After his quick rant, the live audience at Fanatics Fan Fest erupted into applause to support Stephen A's argument.
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"Here's the reality," Stephen A. continued.
"When you look at Jerry Jones, it's entirely plausible that he may be making a point.
"The question is, is that the right point to be made and is Dak Prescott the right person to make that point.
"You are a quarterback that has two playoff victories in eight years, let's just tell it how it is.
"I am in no way inclined that Dak Prescott can't play, he can't ball. What I am accusing him of is a person who has not produced when it counts."
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 - making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports' Undisputed.
It is completely fair to say that the Cowboys have underwhelmed in the eight years that Prescott has been the starting quarterback.
However, he is clearly one of the top quarterbacks in football, and has the numbers to back it up.
Last season he threw for 4,516 yards with a league-leading 36 touchdowns. He also only threw for nine interceptions.
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Prescott was named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro second team, as well as coming in second place in MVP voting.
Wherever he goes, Prescott will get a massive contract to continue being a top starter in the NFL.
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