_(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)_
_I believe that year one of the Brian Schottenheimer era is the best chance for the Cowboys to get to the Super Bowl. This is when everyone is jumping up and down, ready to learn Schotty football and run through a wall for the coach. If they fall flat, say, in the first round of the playoffs, fans and players alike will get that "here we go again" feeling, which might make it harder for guys to buy in for year two and beyond. Am I off base here? And for the record, I think the Cowboys do make a run and at least reach the NFC Championship._ **– Gary Hemming/Blackshear, GA**
**Nick:** First of all, YOUR OPINION is never off base. I truly believe that, so I would never tell anyone that they're wrong in what they believe. Now some people are not as informed as others, but I wouldn't even say this is the case here. There's probably a theory there, but I know it's only happened five times ever where a first-year head coach even made it to the Super Bowl in the first year. And the last time I believe was over 20 years ago.
While you didn't mention this, I would imagine some of this mindset stems from what Dan Quinn did with Washington just last season. They got hot and rode the wave all the way to the NFC Championship. Part of that was a new culture and belief system, and part of it was finding a great rookie quarterback who was ready to be a star from the jump.
Still, either way, I do think the Cowboys can build something here in the first year. Lots has to happen but assuming they can stay relatively healthy, get Dak to return and play at a high-level and about 2-3 players emerge as superstars, then yes they can get on a run and compete for that. I don't know if I agree that it has to happen this year or never, but I can see a scenario for a quick turnaround.