8/24/2012

Bolek Blog Series - Fans of Out of Market NFL Teams: Dallas Cowboys

As many of you have seen through my whored out Facebook statuses, I am profiling people who live in the Chicago area and are fans of out of town teams.

Thank you to everyone who has filled out a survey so far. If you're a fan of an out-of-town team and I haven't given you a questionnaire to fill out, please let me know ASAP, as I am looking to profile as many people as possible.

My inaugural dive into this blog series will start with some fans from the NFC East, including a confident fan predicting a repeat for his favorite team. I will feature "the other team" from the division first.


It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that the early 90s spawned a new era of Dallas Cowboys fans across the country. The trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin helped make the Cowboys "America's Team". The duo of Tim Wolf and Steve Kirchman came along to join the ride.

"Naturally and probably deservedly so, I got the fair weather label," Tim said. "I paid my dues and proved my worth through the Dave Campo/Quincy Carter era and through a lot of disappointing underachieving teams."


Neither one of them find it difficult being a fan of the Cowboys in a Bears market, although Tim said he expects some good-nature banter when he is showing off his Cowboys apparel at bars during games.

However, both of them don't really care for the Bears.

"I root against them because their fans are annoying", Steve said. "They think every year they'll win the Super Bowl, which is just plain stupid."

Tim's general rooting interest regarding the Bears is to root against them, which stems from arguments with friends and  annoying local media coverage.

"A friend just recently told me I should just move to Dallas," he said. "To which I responded, I would have to listen to dumb homer Dallas fans."

No agreement existed between their all-time favorite Cowboys (Tim backs Emmitt, Steve is an Aikman guy) and favorite current player, with Tim a fan of Tony Romo and DeMarcus Ware, while Steve is high on Dez Bryant's future.

"I think he has potential to be a top wide receiver in the league for many years to come," he said.

Tim is projecting a 9-7 campaign for the Cowboys, while Steve is one game more optimistic.

Both Tim and Steve agree that there is nothing outside of winning a Super Bowl that could get the media to stop blaming Tony Romo for all of the team's woes.

"He could probably take them to the Super Bowl, throw for 400 yards, not turn the ball over, drive them down the field for a go-ahead score with 45 seconds left," Tim said, "and the defense gives it back and he would still get the blame, probably for leaving too much time on the clock."

Steve concurred.

"There is nothing else Romo can do to stop getting blamed for the team woes," he said. "He has to win a Super Bowl".


Tim Wolf Steve Kirchman
(whole life near Chicago) (whole life near Chicago)
Favorite team Cowboys Cowboys
A fan since… early 90s early 90s
# of games attended 2 (both in Dallas) 1 (in Chicago)
Choice of Team Consumption DirecTV DirecTV
Favorite Player All-Time Emmitt Smith Troy Aikman
Favorite Player Currently Tony Romo (O) Dez Bryant
DeMarcus Ware (D)
2012 Prediction (9-7, out of playoffs) (10-6, playoffs)
Vegas Projection for team 9 wins 9 wins
(as of 8-24-12) 5dimes.eu
Over/under? Push Over
Odds to win division - 5dimes.eu (+260) (+260)
Super Bowl odds 20/1 (+2000) 20/1 (+2000)
(as of 8-24-12) - bovada.lv