👋 Good morning! First and foremost, I want to wish all the best to students returning to school as the year has just kicked off, and to those beginning college as well. I know it can be tough at first. But if you need a little extra boost this morning, here it is. Not only is it almost the weekend, but College Football is back. The wait is over, the energy is here, and this Saturday we've got a slate of games. It's great to have meaningful football back in our living rooms this weekend. Always hang in there, and as the great Jeff Cavanaugh says, "Be cool to everybody."- Ali Jawad

The Cowboys’ biggest and most obvious question heading into Week 1 isn’t Dak, it isn’t the O-line—it’s Micah Parsons. After a camp full of contract drama and zero practice snaps, nobody knows if No. 11 will line up against the Eagles. But Brian Schottenheimer dropped why he feels good about Parsons taking the field in the season opener. Could he know something the rest of us don’t?

Parsons was at open practice on Tuesday and Wednesday he just wasn’t on the field, but you knew that. The Cowboys’ superstar defender spent the team’s first of two open practices parked on the bench next to another star Trevon Diggs watching.

And while Parsons drew the biggest spotlight, Josh Butler found his own way into the conversation, holding a team camera and filming on the sideline. It was the kind of moment that gets laughs for some, but for our own Jesse Holley, it was just more fuel for a rant on the DLLS Cowboys Podcast. Jesse didn’t hold back, making his thoughts clear and wasn’t thrilled with Parsons or Diggs just sitting around or Butler turning practice into content, and his frustration echoed a growing sentiment on why its getting harder to watch this team.

Clarence, Jesse and I also shared our takes on legendary Cowboys QB Troy Aikman’s comments during the Commanders-Bengals preseason broadcast earlier this week. Aikman didn’t mince words, when sharing on how Parsons holds all the leverage in this contract standoff. And just as that was making waves, ESPN’s Adam Schefter came through with a bombshell about Parsons’ future in Dallas that had everyone buzzing and our show talking.

It was also Whiteboard Wednesday, where we each picked the one thing we’re most eager to see in Friday night’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons before the real action begins.

And if you still haven’t or you are in need of a new show to watch here’s another reminder to check out America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys. I know people are just now making their way to watching it. The behind-the-scenes series is still stirring debate, with Jerry Jones once again taking center stage. His words and actions continue to spark that familiar mix of fascination and frustration that only Jerry can deliver. You will learn some wild stories including just how committed hall of fame head coach Jimmy Johnson was to building a winning program and believe me you’re going to want to know exactly what he did.

The Dallas Stars have three big goalie questions hanging over them heading into 2025-26. Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith know the spotlight is squarely on the crease. How those questions get answered could change everything, writes DLLS's Dallas Stars content creator/ host Sam Nestler.

Two years ago life was good for the Texas Rangers. Now the team is running out of answers, and it shows. A shaky rotation, a deGrom injury, and a team that suddenly looks flat have playoff hopes fading quick. The DLLS Rangers Podcast has the full breakdown on the free fall.

Dallas might have the most intriguing starting five in the NBA if they roll with Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, and either Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford. But where does that stack up against the league’s best? The DLLS Mavs Podcast breaks it down, with the great Marc Stein back in the mix after time overseas.

Nothing but love and appreciation for the growth of an exciting league, as someone who recently came from the WNBA, the continued growth of this league has been an amazing sight to see.

Be sure to subscribe to our shows wherever you listen to your podcasts. Traffic can be the worst, and one of the best ways I get through it is by listening to the audio versions of our DLLS shows. You should, too!

Ali Jawad
Dallas Cowboys ​Content Creator/Newsletter Writer
[email protected]