With the Dallas Cowboys about to end their minicamp, I thought we’d have a little fun by attempting to describe this year’s projected offensive starters using movie quotes from the 1990s. The Cowboys, after all, are trying to put an end to their 30-year championship drought this season.
Being a ’90s kid myself I decided to combine two of my favorite things: my love for the Cowboys and movies from my childhood, applying both to this year’s projected offensive starters.
*Shout out to The Athletic’s Dane
Brugler, who inspired this idea based on a pre-draft article he wrote.
QB Dak Prescott
“I love pressure. I eat it for breakfast.” — The Rock (1996)
There’s probably not another player, regardless of position, in the entire league who is under more pressure on a year-to-year basis than Dak Prescott, and this season will be no exception. In fact, Prescott could be even under more pressure this year than any one prior since entering the league. The Cowboys are being hyped as a surprise Super Bowl contender, but will only go as far as No. 4 will take them.
RB Javonte Williams
“Run, Forest, run!” — Forest Gump (1994)
Javonte Williams far exceeded expectations last season and has a chance to be even better in his second season with the Cowboys. Giving the expectations for Dallas’ defense being much improved this year, we could see much more ground-and-pound from the offensive side of the ball. If true, we could see William do his best impression of Forest Gump this year, running away from anything and everything that stands in his way.
WR CeeDee Lamb
“Ooh, somebody stop me!” — The Mask (1994)
Whether it’s playing from the slot or on the outside, CeeDee Lamb is one of the best and toughest receivers to cover in the entire league. He’s been the engine that has propelled the Cowboys offense for several years now and he shows no signs of slowing down. In his second year playing alongside George Pickens, he could be close to unstoppable, hence this iconic movie quote from The Mask.
WR George Pickens
“Show me the money. Oh-ho-ho! SHOW! ME! THE! MONEY! — Jerry McGuire (1996)
What better way to describe George Pickens than this movie quote from Jerry McGuire? Nothing would make No. 3 happier than to get his bag, locking up a long-term extension of the Cowboys, but Jerry Jones and Company still seem to be mulling over what’s best for the future of the organization. Regardless, it’s going to be interesting to see if things play out like they did in the movie or if there’s an alternate ending.
WR Ryan Flournoy
“Get busy livin’, or get busy dyin’.” — The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
This quote from The Shawshank Redemption fits Ryan Flournoy to a T. Until last season when he eventually scratch and clawed his way up the depth chart to earn the WR3 job behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, he was someone who didn’t even make the initial 53-man roster. Because of that he had to make a choice, be contenpt being a depth player or put in the work to get better. He chose the latter.
TE Jake Ferguson
“You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris? Royale with Cheese.” — Pulp Fiction (1994)
I had a really difficult time coming up with a quote to describe Jake Ferguson because I couldn’t get this Pulp Fiction one out of my head. It really has nothing to do with Ferguson’s play on the field, but everything to do with his TikTok account where he rates the sandwiches his fiancée Haley Cavinder makes for him. His serious demeanor when rating sandwiches and the banter between the two is highly amusing.
LT Tyler Guyton
“I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly.” — You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Hopefully Tyler Guyton and the Cowboys will have a happy ending like Tom Hakes and Meg Ryan, but as things stand right now things remain up in the air. Guyton is currently in a head-to-head battle with Nate Thomas to earn the job of Dallas’ blindside protector and to the victor go the spoils. Hopefully Year 3 will be a healthy one for the former first-round pick finally puts everything together.
LG Tyler Smith
“You guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?” — Home Alone (1990)
Since his rookie season Tyler Smith has played with a nonstop tenacity down after down, playing both tackle and guard, and wearing down his opponents with his power and agility. He’s kind of like the Energizer Bunny – he just keeps going on and on and on, just like Kevin McAllister in Home Alone. No. 73 isn’t much of a trash talker, but I can almost hear him taunting his opponents with this movie quote.
C Cooper Beebe
John Connor: “So, what’s the deal?”
Terminator: “My mission is to protect you” — Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
To go from never playing a single snap at center in his entire collegiate career at Kansas State to starting the position as a rookie with the Cowboys, Cooper Beebe continues to get better and exceed expectations. With two years of experience under his belt he should be even better in Year 3 anchoring the middle of Dallas’ OL, protecting QB Dak Prescott by preventing the pocket from collapsing.
RG Tyler Booker
“You tell ‘em I’m coming, and hell’s coming with me, you hear? Hell’s coming with me!” — Tombstone (1993)
There’s probably not another player in the entire Cowboys roster who plays with a bigger mean streak than second-year RG Tyler Booker. Last year he was quoted saying “The thing I love most about football is taking the love away from other people. I start to see the love leave their eyes, that’s what makes me love the game.” It’s that fierce determination/mean streak that reminds me of this quote from Tombstone.
RT Terence Steele
“Just when I think you couldn’t possibly get any dumber, you go and do something like this… and totally redeem yourself.” — Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Some fans around Cowboys Nation have had their fill of Terence Steele and are ready to move on to find his eventual replacement. The Cowboys however still value him and his availability, despite the fact he’s a liability in pass protection. This Dumb and Dumber quote pretty much sums up Steele erratic play on the field and why he continues to remain the starter despite his shortcomings.
