Cowboys Break: Back to Basics?

We are live from the s WBC Mortgage studios at the Star and today we're going to talk about the Cowboys versus the Eagles. We'll get a scouting up report from Dave on the defense. Yesterday we talked about the offense, but before we get to that, we need to talk a little about some injuries and some guys that did not practice yesterday. Get some updates on those guys. I'll start first with the quarterback. Obviously, he was limited yesterday, but and you guys made it pretty clear you expect

that he's going to play this weekend. However, what have we heard at this point as far as where he is being able to practice? No rush shot, No, that's what I'm saying, Cooper Rush has been out there practicing, got okay, Yeah, just in case, I do, I do expect, Just in case, I do expect that Dak Prescott's going to play. But I think I said yesterday, if your quarterback can't throw, like if his throwing shoulders affected to the point that he's not throwing in practice, that should

be concerning to anybody still not throwing a day. Jason Garrett said he probably wouldn't do much Cooper Rush took most. He said most. I would guess that means all or at least all of the passing reps in practice yesterday and see what he can do tomorrow. Jerry Jones, for his part, said he thinks he's gonna be fine this morning, but I don't know that's concerning for me when the starting quarterback can't throw in practice. Yeah, I mean it's

obvious to say that. I don't think any of us and correct me if I'm misspeaking, but I don't think any of us necessarily would feel comfortable with the idea that Dak doesn't play, or that Dak at some point has to come out of the game. But do you think that the Cowboys does it change whether you think the Cowboys have the ability to win this week if

Dak plays or doesn't play well. The good thing, at least was to be able to see the Cowboys be successful with the running game last week utilizing Issikiel Elliott and Tony Poller. So for this weekend, that gives me a little bit more of confidence as far as what Dak is dealing with with his shoulder than being able to use the running game more. But at the same time, I'm concerned, not just for I don't know much about the injury, like how can you use it? And then

maybe do you react aggravated? And if so, how long could that live you for like looking further out if they make it into the playoffs, you know, like I don't really know how those kinds of injuries are like. But the comment that Zeke made in the locker room, it didn't sound like that's something very easy to deal with. So I don't know, I don't know. I mean, he's not throwing right now. He's he's going through all the drills,

but he's not he's not participating in the throws. So it sounds like they're gonna go with rest over the test. You know, they're not testing it, They're just going to rest it. But those cut Cooper Rush. How do you feel about do you do you think that if he could, he could go win the game. Okay, yeah, he could win the game if they need to. I mean he I mean Brandon Weeden, you know, won the game, and Matt Castle's won games for him. I think Cooper Rush

could go within the game. You know, we don't know what Cooper Rush should that. We've never seen Cooper Rush in a game. Yeah, you never seen Cooper Rush hand the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott. He gets to hand the ball off to guys that aren't Ezekiel Elliott and offensive lineman that really aren't you know, these guys the Pro Bowlers. So I don't know, I think he'd be fine. I also think I don't. I just I lean toward

thinking Dak will be okay. Well, I mean they'll they'll give him, you know, he'll they'll do something for the pain toward all that type of thing. Um and and a week to rest it. I mean not throwing in practice obviously as an ideal, but you can rest the shoulder. Zeke's you know, guys play with this injury all the time typically doesn't require throwing the ball. Yeah, that is definitely concerning. I just I'd be shocked if he's not

out there. And I mean it was just a week ago that Sean Lee didn't have a practice rep and played a great game. It seems like we see this type of stuff all the time, right. But they also signed Chris Covington just to make sure true. So true that other guy Clayton. He's out there throwing and he throws a ball better than Cooper. Yeah, he's good. He's got a cannon. Noticed that he's he's been spending time

before the games. I think was you Nick that pointed it out to me the first time I saw it or somebody did, but it was he was out there and he does it. I think before every game he's out there with Kitna and they're they're just kind of working before the games and pre they bring him on road trips. Yeah, right, which is unusual for a practice squad player. Right. Um, that would be in I mean, they could sign him on Friday or Saturday, and if

they do, that should be concerning. I mean, if they're that nervous about it, Yeah, I still I lean toward thinking Dack will play, and you know he'll play. I mean he played three quarters with this problem, right, I mean he heard it in the first quarter against the Rams, and he played three quarters and was effective. So the thing you got to think about they have to think about is because of the injury, now it does the other team other situations where he hurts it more because

somebody lands on him. And that's the part you gotta be worried about. When you said you're gonna bring up that third quarterback, is you know, he's just one hit that would normally be a hit. He jumps right up from now maybe not being able to throw when that becomes an issue. But I do remember in the game Sunday, Nick, you kept saying, you said a couple of times, why

is he throwing the ball side arm? And I wonder, I wonder if that was a like that was the tailtale sign of that he had been injured by that point and it was more comfortable to throw like that maybe than the throwing overhand, because when you have a shoulder injury, obviously the rotation of your shoulder kind of changes at or what feels comfortable he does. He's been throwing side arm a little bit, but there was there were a couple of plays where it looked like he

was skipping rocks at the lake. I mean, it was just like, like why, Like it didn't even seem like there was a reason for it. All right, talk to me about some of the other guys that did not practice. Tyron Smith, Michael Bennett, c J. Goodwin, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, obviously, Laton vander esh Are there any of those injuries that that concerned you guys from the standpoint of their availability Sunday? Tyron's back. They put a shield on his helmet, per

Jason Garrett. He was out there today, so again, you know, got a medical team dedicating all of their resources to getting you right. I think he'll be okay. I think I heard Michael Bennett had an illness. It seems like that's kind of been going around like a flu type thing. He's back, he's out there today. Joe and Sean are doing the rehab stuff with Britt Brown stretch the um. They're out there moving. That's always a good sign for

veteran players. We'll see, but it's encouraging. UM. CJ. Goodwin. C J. Goodwin came in with a cast. Did you see him in the locker room yesterday? Yeah? I saw him. I've never seen that before, big old cast. And I said, so this is gonna get, you know, lighter, as the week goes on. He's like, no, it gets heavier, Like I'm gonna have a bigger cast. Like he's gonna have a really big club. He's like, I don't need this left hand to go down and make a play. That's

what he said. So he but and let's hope he doesn't have to play a lot on defense. So you know. Did you see him in the locker room yesterday though? But like he didn't have he had like this week your bag on his arm. Yeah, Like it was like a plastic bag that went over his whole arm and had like a you know, something to fix it so that nothing could get in there. I was that because he was about to go shower or something that would make sense. I'm not smart. I didn't even think about that.

You don't think that's what it was. It's a I've had something wrong with my thumb before, and they have a bag on it. I guess it's for the air. It's like a little cast that they put on there, they mold something on there just for a little so the bag is just part of the molding process that I've never seen anything like it. But yeah, so he doesn't need his arm to make plays. He'll he'll get right. Yeah, he'll go down there and play one of their better

special teams players. And they certainly don't need to be missing special teams players, and some of the misques they've had so far this season in special teams. So overall, I guess the the general consensus I'm getting here is that really there are no injuries that are really really concerning outside of maybe Dak obviously just because your quarterback has an injury. But the rest of these guys like they probably are going to go Obviously, Layton probably not.

Sean is a little bit I mean not Sean, I'm sorry, Joe Thomas, probably a bit iffy. Everything else seems pretty good. People freak out every week. The injury list, if you look at it on Twitter or anywhere else, is it's really long, but the vast majority of it is not new, and it's not stuff that should keep guys out of the game. Dak, I mean, Dak is not maybe concerning. That's it's very concerning to me, just because not only is your quarterback hurt, but it's the part of his

body that he needs the most to play well. Right, So it is what it is, but it's definitely concerning. Yeah, and Nimber, I know you said earlier you were you were more, you were happy at least that they got the running game going. The challenge becomes, can they keep that running game going if they don't think that there's much of a threat in the passing game. Can they more resources to stopping the run. That's what you worry about. And hopefully, hopefully Dak will be not only able to play,

but will be at top form. As Jerry said this morning his radio call, he expects him to be. So we'll see, allright, we're gonna take our first break when we come back. We're gonna jump into this Fill Delphia defense. We will also get some phone calls for you guys later in the show. Go ahead and give us a call. Numbers eight eight eight eight five five two two nine seven again eight eight eight eight five five two two nine seven. We'll be right back. This is the break.

I'm Jay Novachik, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, back in the day, I was a guy who always got the tough yards and that's why I run with John Deer today. In fact, I have a John Deer three zero twenty five E tractor that can handle any yard work I need to do, even the tough yards way out back. So if you have one acre or a thousand, John Deer has the equipment that's just right for you. Visit a John Deer dealer today and run with us. We are the official tractor provider of your

Dallas Cowboys. Whether you're into being a part of this or more into something like this. Sekiek has the tickets to the events you love. It's the easiest way to find, buy and sell tickets. Plus, with their deal score technology, they'll recommend the best seats in the house at the best value. So the next time you're craving this back back, don't know the sea geek app and let's go see Keith.

I want to use what the pros use. How about the official men's skincare brand of the Dallas Cowboys, Jack Black. Right now you can get the Jack Black Starter, a curated collection of Cowboys locker room favorites, for just ten bucks with free shipping. The starter includes four Jack Black skincare favorites, plus a full sized and tense therapy lip bomb. Go to get Jack Black dot com slash Cowboys and use the code word team JB. That's Get Jack Black

dot com slash Cowboys. The Jack Black Starter ten bucks free shipping already helps. Hey, give me an ass, give me it all? Oh, give me an give me all? What is that spell? So? So are we gonna win? Sure? Just okaying is not okay, whether it's cheerleaders or your wireless network. At and T is America's best wireless network. Best network based on GWS one score, September twenty nineteen. Back to the break Welcome back. It's the second segment of the break Lock Miss WBC Morty Studios at the Star.

We're gonna talk about the Philadelphia Eagle Defense Day. What do you have for us? What do I have for you? This one looks a lot more similar than the offense does from what you remember last last time out. The main difference right now is that Derek Barnett is not practicing. He hurt his ankle. But the guy that's been filling in for him, you should be really familiar with Vinny Curry, m Camu, Gruge Hill. Do you remember him for he

t he's the guy that talked smack last year. He went on IR earlier this week, so he's not there. But a lot of these names should sound familiar. Tim Joern again, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Fanny Kirch Cox also questionable. I mean that question, but he's he was limited. He was limited. I mean the same rules. Go for them, is go for us. If you're practicing on Wednesday, you're probably playing on Sunday. Um, Nigel Bradham, Jalen Mills, Rodney McLeod,

Malcolm Jenkins. Like it's interesting to me because I look at it and I'm you know, you gotta watch games because you're like, oh, these guys are all good players, aren't they? Like I know those names, I know Ronald Darby, but they're not playing very well. Um, their secondary is a mess. They got torched by Dwayne Haskins, who obviously is a big time draft pick, but had not been

playing that way up until Sunday. Like, you're I mean talking about a guy that was throwing for one thirty six, one eighty and he almost hit three hundred yards on these guys he lit them up. This Actually you'll appreciate this, Derek, because, like you know, people roll their eyes at fantasy football. I think this is an interesting stat that I got from a fantasy website about the Eagles. They have allowed the second most fantasy points in the league two wide receivers,

specifically on the perimeter. So it is interesting when they play like their opposition succeeds on the boundary. And if you, I mean, if you watch the Cowboys, you would think so. Obviously, Mary Cooper's played great against these guys since he got here. Um, they don't give up as much to the slot. But I'm curious, is that because they have this awesome slot receiver? I don't think so. Like Avante Maddox is fine, I mean slot corner, you know what I mean. He's fine,

but he's not amazing. And I just I wonder, like, is that just because nobody's throwing in the slot because it's so easy to get yards outside? And if you watch him, I think that's the case. Terry McLarin killed these guys. Remember him, he's a good receiver, but he is a good receiver. But guess what so or a Marie Cooper and Michael Galls. I think that's that's my thing with this is Dak needs to be healthy enough to get the ball to those guys. That's a that's

a big deal. Is can he take advantage because Jalen Mills he went to LSU love him for that. He's not that good and I and the Eagles will tell you that it's pretty obvious. Um, they just they lose guys in the in the secondary. They you know, when they run zone, it doesn't seem like they have a good concept of who's supposed to be where. And they don't have man guys who can stay with their man,

at least not consistently. Um. I wrote not inspiring tackling like saw a lot Terry mclaarin went seventy five yards on a touchdown that should have been like an eighteen yard game. Vante Maddox just missed the tackle. Um, they look very passive in their coverage. I don't they like you know, Cowboy fans can probably relate to that. They

don't attack the ball. Um, they just look lost. And I mean I think their front is good and their front is I know they gave up rushing yards to Zeke last year, but their front has been a challenge for the Cowboys in the past. You know, Fletcher Cox is a great player, Journegan's still a really good player.

But the back seven is what gives me cause for concern if I'm an Eagles fan, for sure, if you've been as you've been getting looking at the games that they've played, have what does it pass rush look like? Just in general as far as being able to get consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback. They did not do it last week honestly in my opinion. But I know that these guys can. Like I know that they can. I've seen him do it, and I mean I advocated for the Cowboys to sign Vinny Curry when he I

believe he got released by Tampa Bay. I think much much like the Cowboys, it's consistent. I mean, it's talented, but not consistent. Brandon Graham's got seven and a half really one of the most underrated players in the NFC over the last handful of years in my opinion, But Derek Barnett, first round pick, hasn't had the consistency. He's got four and a half sacks, Like they can definitely generate it. I would say consistency is their biggest problem.

And I know, you know, Fletcher Cox has taken some heat because he hasn't been the man eater that, at least statistically that he always is. And you would think that if the Cowboys could could block up the front that they played last week, they should be able to block this front as well, right, ideally, Yeah, exactly, theoretically, right, theoretically, I mean, you're you're talking about a very very very good defensive tackle, and you're talking about other guys on

that line that could get after the quarterback. But the Cowboys did a good job last week, so the hope would be at least that the same thing had happened this week. Talking about the linebackers, specifically their ability to be able to cover, because especially if Dak's arm is a little gimpy, maybe the Cowboys, you know, are doing a lot more dump offs to running backs to tight ends, trying to just give them some shorter throws. How good are these linebackers and coverage and being able to cover

the entire field? I think they're just really talent poor as a unit. I like Nigel Bradham as a player, but just in general, and Gruge Hill is on IR But I don't see difference makers there, and that's why I would like to see more of what we saw last week. Like I hope they keep that in their arsenal.

I just said Gallup and Cooper are a favorite matchup, but against these guys, I think Blake Jarwin and Tony Pollard really could be too for you know, as receiving, but I mean as a runner, but catching the ball out of the backfield, catching the ball in the flat. Same thing with I don't think their safeties are playing

that well. Um, not up to the standards you associate with Michael Michael Malcolm Jenkins, at least in my opinion, they keep they keep him down in the box a lot, which I would expect him to do against seek They've had success with that before. But covering guys, I think that's again, I think that's favorable provided Deck can get the ball out, which easier throws for Titans and running backs. You would think you mentioned Cooper. I had this question

from from Brian wood Woodward on Twitter. He says something that I Phil has lost in the Cowboys dominant performance as a Mari. Is he healthy? Was he just blanketed by Ramsey all game, hardly call even really seeing him throughout the game. Obviously, if you're going to take advantage of this against the Eagles, amar would be a big part of it. But what did you see just from that last game? Obviously they did they didn't need it

because they had such great offensive production. But what do you think as far as where Maria is health wise, as far as where he is, as far as you know, was he blanketed? What was going on? You know, I don't know if Jason Garrett has an issue with Jalen Ramsey or whatever, but he was pretty adamant when he said he was a non factor in the game. We talked to him afterwards, um and a walk off, he was like, absolutely not a factor at all. Didn't do it. It doesn't sound like a Jason kind of It was

a statement. Yeah, yeah, he was just like, no, they didn't. He didn't do anything. So it wasn't like he was. It wasn't like that was the reason they had to run the ball and he wasn't traveling with a mar anyway, so they were there were opportunities for mart to get none of them. I think none of the secondary guys were a factor in the game really because he they didn't have to and I think you know we've talked before,

do they have to pass the set up the run? Now, this is a running team, we saw it, and you're gonna keep running and keep running until they stop you and then you know, or the game runs out. And that's pretty much what happened in this one. So I will say I'm not saying he had a huge impact on the game, but his one catch was on a third and nine on a scoring drive. So and yeah, he was targeted twice. And you could say, well, they never targeted him because Jaalen Ramsey Jason Garrett says not

and Ramsey went on him all day to answer the question. No, he's not healthy. It's definitely not healthy. But I think he can play and play well, and I don't Yeah, I don't think he had a bad day because he got locked down. I think it was clearly like there was You just look at the stats like there's a very concerted game plan, like the tight ends and the

running backs were going to be the focal point. You can't convince me otherwise because even like Randall Cobb, who is a quarterback friendly receiver, was targeted twice and had one catch and it was a bubble screen. Just seems

like that was their plan all along. And if the Rams would have stopped the run, then they probably would have tried to change it up, but they never did so, and that can't throw picks if you just run the ball and there's no point to change and if they can't beat it, right, you just keep doing what you're doing and force them to stop it, or you're going to keep If your quarterback has a bad shoulder and a bad finger, they're probably gonna try to run the ball.

If the Eagles can't even stop it, then they just keep running it. Well, they allowed what was it, three hundred and sixty two yards total against the Redskins last weekend, so it's like when you allowed that and the Redskins, the Redskins ran the ball well too. I mean this is this is the third ranked run defense in the NFL statistically, Yes, but the Redskins were able to run the ball in that game. They averaged four and a

half yards per carry, I believe. So it's and that's that's without guys, was out right, Yeah, it was all Adrian Peterson. Wow um Zeke ran for one eleven in this game back in October, and the Cowboys had an early lead and that excused it a little bit. But oh, I forgot about that they ran for They went ran for one ninety in that game, so it can be done. That's I don't know. I think that's I think that's

a little bit hollow. And maybe it's because their secondary has had so much trouble, because again I wrote that it's maybe the biggest discrepancy I've seen this year. I always look just to see how they defend everything. They're eleventh in overall defense, but they're third against the run, which gives you an idea of how bad they are against the pass, like No. Eighteenth, but still like they're worse than mediocre against the pass, and they're top, you know,

top ten to twelve at everything else. And I wonder if if teams just aren't running the ball because they don't have to, because I mean, like, these linebackers are not the type that you're like, ooh, I don't know how you're gonna get past the second level on these guys, Like I don't buy that. Is there anything about what the Cowboys did before against the Eagles change now? Being

on the road, crowd noise, elements, whatever, whatever. Do you think that on the road that anything changes for the Cowboys now from what they had, what they faced earlier this year with this team, Well, we've seen Amari Cooper be successful on the road, so at least that's of one of the elements that maybe they were just preparing for not having a Mari at the link last week. They're like, well, we know we won't have him, so just let's see what we can do without get ahead. Okay, Well,

they are practicing outside today. They are practicing outside today, and I think Garrett mentioned that that they're preparing for playing in the grass and that kind of thing. But I do wonder if that that does affect things, because I think earlier this year we had some conversations around with this offense and trying to be a more dynamic offense.

How much that changes when you have crowd noise in the mix, where at home you can actually make those kinds of audibles quickly and do a lot of different things creatively, do a lot of different things where maybe you can't do those on the road. I do wonder if that becomes a factor. I mean, how often do NFL teams period, like start the game with a fourteen nothing lead after you know how many minutes was it? They had a fourteen nothing lead after six minutes of gameplay.

That doesn't happen often, and definitely hasn't happened often for the Cowboys. So I think it'll be different just in that sense of like that gives you a huge edge and how you want to play the game when you got him in a hole like that after basically no time at all. Yep. Let's take a call from Randy in Kansas City. Randy, what up? Hey? Thanks for having me on couple of courses, one on each side of

the ball. The Cowboys offense, I noticed it seemed like they used the screen more against the Rams, which I thought was real successful, especially with Pollard and Zeke. And that would eliminate Dak having to throw downfield a lot. I think that would be great. And on the Cowboys defense, with the Eagles being depleted a wide receiver, they're only going to have that basically that first and second option.

Do you think the Cowboys should blitz more to disrupt that and give Carson Wentz less time to go through his reads. And thanks for having me on. All right, thank you. All right, let's start first with the I guess it was more of a statement on the offense that they're using the screens more. I don't know, if I don't know if they used to more. I do think it was more effective. What you gotta take. You know, if you're gonna go up against the defense, it's very aggressive.

That's so that's how you counter that. And that's what the Rams do. And they don't necessarily blitz a lot, They just get a lot of pressure up the field. So it's one way to kind of to offset that. And I think the Eagles will also bring a lot of pressure to so um, yeah, that's that's one thing

that's going to happen. But I talked to Jason Witton a little bit yesterday and he said that he expects the Eagles to do a lot of things you haven't seen that you know that he doesn't believe that Doug Peterson. Doug Peterson's not gonna just say well, we'll do what we do, you know, And I'm not that's not a shot at Jason Garrett. It's just that it's true. He knows that, you know, if you just go line up man for man, they're not gonna win. They tried it

maybe before and they didn't. They're not as good as the Cowboys talent wise right now. But that doesn't mean that you can't, you know, do some things a little bit different. So I think the Cowboys are expecting some different wrinkles on both sides to the ball that they just haven't seen. They probably should. I mean, yeah, with the especially on offense, like with what the Eagles are throwing out there. Yeah, if you just try to line up and be the better team, I don't think that's

gonna work. They do have more Pro Bowlers, do they really? Five?

Five Pro Bowlers? That's two offensive lineman, Fletcher cox Um, the long snapper, and then there's another guy I'm missing to go back to our like people are dogging on the NFC East and saying they need to like recede the playoffs and all that stuff like that is why like two mediocre teams in a bad division having like being both being leaders in terms of who who's going to the Pro Bowl while all these other teams in the NFC, like what Seattle gets two Pro Bowlers and

the Eagles have five and the Cowboys have four. That's why people resent the NFC East. Not that I'm saying we have to care, but that's why. Yeah. Um, but but you know that this happens every three or four years, and that somebody is going to host a game like that, absolutely and they win, they do no, And that's that's my thing. This happens every four years, and I legitimately believe that people are only freaking out about it because they resent the NFC is because of the amount of

attention that can. Certainly resent the Cowboys. Sure, the Cowboys are very much at the top of that list of people love to hate them. Absolutely, But I mean that was it Seattle. I mean it was it was New Orleans had to go to Seattle and lost and lost. But I mean I think I think the Colts had to go to the Chargers and lost. They were eight and eight. So Panthers went seven eight and one and beat the Cardinals in the playoffs a few years ago.

That's why people hate this because they know that you get in the playoffs, and you know, playoffs mean towels. I means you have wa waving towels and that means you film matters in the playoff. Yeah, it does I I think we talked about that a little bit yesterday. I don't know, like I'm okay with more blitzing if that's what they want to do. Blitzing helped them get home last week. But you do have to be careful though, because Philly is a team I think that traditionally has

used the screen very well. Yeah, and when you get those guys out there on the perimeter and you're blitzing guys, just keep it all in front of you. I kind of thinking. But I think the one thing I've seen from the Cowboys is they seem to do a pretty good job, in my opinion, of finding opportune moments to blitz. They don't do it all the time, they don't do it regularly, they just find opportune moments to do it.

I think you still do that. I just think you got to be very careful because this is a team that can hurt you if you're if you blitz who are you blitzing with Jordan Lewis Because I'm telling you, Jordan, I love him. But Carson Wentz It's gonna take a little bit more to get him to the ground. I

think he's a little liked to get that. Not maybe not that Jordan's light, but Carson Wentz is that impressive of an athlete and he can still make throws when he's getting hit and that's actually I think he plays from last game against the Rams, and I love Jordan Lewis and I think he's a super talented football players.

But his size does come into questions sometimes because there were several plays where he literally try to hit a guy he would just bounce off and it was It's kind of funny when you watch it, but it's still like size does matter. Well, yeah, talking talking about big quarterbacks football itself very well, um now that y'all say it, like I think, y'all, yeah, maybe don't blitz because your

guys should be able to cover these guys. And I mean Carson Wentz is the type of guy that can miss a blitzer or dodge a blitzer one way or the other, and all of a sudden you're regretting it because he can make plays like that. If your cornerbacks can't cover Greg Ward for a little bit longer, right, I mean, that's the problem, right this This is not a guy who is a polished NFL wide receiver who just gonna give you fits. I mean, I think you

should be able to manage that. And by the way, you still got a front four that should be able to get some pressure. We're not talking about a front four this devoid of talent. They got some pass rushers up there. Let them go get the quarterback. Fine opportune moments where you might want to take a shot and blitz. But I would say buying large, I'd be a little

bit hesitant of that. Like the Eagles, I mean, the consistency of the front flour does bother me some true, but again, I mean they are fairly depleted in terms of offensive firepowers. So I lay that to your advantage, knowing the injuries that that the Eagles have. By the way I would look at this is I'm going to force them every possession to drive. The feel on me. The last thing I want to do is give a big place, so I keep everything in front of me,

make them drive without making a mistake. I want them to have to go twelve thirteen, fourteen, fifteen seventeen play drives in order to get to the end zone and see if they can do that consistently. I don't think they necessarily can I'll throw this out there as one more point for the defense. I think the Eagles are probably okay with that because I think they want to keep their defense off the field, Like they don't want

to put their defense in that situation. So the longer Carson Wentz can have the ball, the less likely they are to get bitten when they give it up. Right, But I don't think that they can play that sort of football. I don't think when you have that many guys out and you're playing with that that many guys farther down your depth chart, there's the possibility for the whole call. There's the possibility for the all the things that happened that kill drives to make them have to

go on an extended drive. I think that's probably your better option. They want to keep the score down, they want to keep the I mean just look at I mean, after fourteen games, you can kind of get a good sense of how teams want to play. I mean, Cowboys are seven and oh they score thirty points. They're o and seven when they don't. So if they if they can get it into a track meet type of game,

it favors the Cowboys. If they can slow it down and have a grinder game where it's just you know, a couple of plays here and there that that better suits the Eagles, not only in general, but this right now, with what they've got going on, you still say the same, even knowing what Dak has going on his shoulder. Well, yeah, I mean that's what I mean. That's the type of team the Cowboys are. I mean, if they can score points. Now,

if he's hurt, you probably can't get to thirty. I mean maybe, but I mean it depends on if they can stop the run, if they can just run the ball, and you know, if the offensive line is better and and you know, really doing what we saw, if they can do that, then not, yeah, they can go and

score some points. Yeah, absolutely, all right, they can. I ask real quick, you know how you always mentioned, Okay, this team, whether they're a clutch team or not, if this game comes down to those last minutes of the game where they're kind of right there. And I haven't seen all the games from the Eagles, but are they a team that can come back towards the end of the game. They just did it on Sunday last weekend. Was you know, they've done it against bad teams I

don't know if they've done it. Did they go up? I mean they were clutched against the Packers A few I mean, okay, fair, but like you can't discount doing it against bad teams because the Cowboys haven't been able to do it against bad teams. No, no no, no, but I'm talking of all. Last week was the Redskins, and yeah, I mean, but that's what. But the Cowboys have played bad teams and struggled to come back against them when they've fallen behind one. I mean, not them, but one.

You're right, Jets were bad, but they beat all the other bad teams. Throw the Bears in there. Two Bears. Bad Bears aren't good. They're seven and eight Eagles. I guess if it came down to those minutes, who would be the clutchest I don't even know if that's the right word, but the clutchest the team the Eagle, the Eagles. Yeah, because nobody's here this year. Yeah, nobody cares you if you're playing the Redskins or Giants. They just care that it's fourth and two and I have to make this play.

And they made it. The Eagles have one, sorry, they have one possession wins against Washington twice, Green Bay, um the Giants, and do they have one possession losses? Yes, they do. They lost by one to New England. They couldn't come back in that game. They couldn't come back against the Seahawks, Dolphins, gave up a lead to the Dolphins. I feel like there's another one and they I mean they lost at the end of the Lions way back

in September. A lot of close games, Yeah, but I think these last two weeks, the one thing I've noticed, at least is at the end of games, Carson Wentz has been really good. And you can say what you want about how he's played throughout the game, but those last couple of possessions, he's been really good, and he's been making some really great throws. So that's the part that you have to know that maybe that's a sign of him kind of warming up a little bit here

and starting get into a little bit of a flow. Um, and that could be something that could be dangerous, right. I mean, he's got talent. Let's not let's not act like that he's not a talented quarterback. He certainly has a talented quarterback. So we'll see, we'll gots We'll go ahead and take our final break. When we come back, we'll get some more questions. Eight eight eight eight five five two two nine seven is the number. We'll be back. This is the break already. Okay, ye are just okaying?

Is not okay? Whether it's cheerleaders or your wireless network. At and T is America's best wireless network. Best network based on GWS one score, September twenty nineteen. Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time again for tailgating with the Auterbox boys. Autterbox, the company that builds wildly overproductive phone cases the one and only, but cases are just the start. Auterbox is the official outfitter of tailgating. If they can keep my phone safe, what can they do for my parking lot party?

How about protecking your beverages from suboptimal drinking temperatures with their elevation tumblers. An Auterbox elevation tumblers come in three sizes, a ten ouncer, a twenty ouncer, and even a sixty four ounce growler. Check out all the colors and sizes of their elevation tumblers at auterbox dot com. Whether you're into being a part of this or more into something like this. Segeek has the tickets to the events you love.

It's the easiest way to find, buy and sell tickets. Plus, with their deal score technology, they'll recommend the best seats in the house at the best value. So the next time you're craving this, download the Sea Geek app and let's go see Geek. Hey, Cowboys Nation. This season, when the Cowboys win, you get to experience the sweet taste of victory because if the Cowboys win the next day, Duncan is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee.

So don't just celebrate the Cowboys success from the sidelines, head to Duncan and treat yourself to real victory because this season, Cowboys fans aren't only winning on game day, they're winning the next day too with a free medium coffee. Cowboys Nation runs on Duncan. Exclude Colbru, Limit one for guests. Participation may vary. Limited time. Offer back to the Break Welcome Back. It is the final segment of The Break

Life on the SWBC Mortgage studios at the Star. We're gonna get some phone calls eight eight eight five two two nine seven. We got a call first from Rob in Las Vegas. Rob? What up? Hey? Everybody? All right? Hey, hey, you know, I don't wish injury really on any player, especially my own quarterback, but I think this may be a blessing in disguise because even last week, what did they do the first series? On like third and three?

He tried to throw deep to Gallop and then I think he got hurt right on the series after that, and from there on he started They started to go back to the formula that they were so successful with the previous years, running Zeke and getting Pollard involved, which we've been screaming all year because I think polod your home runhead. I think he got a better chance to take it into the house than even Zeke does, So I think this could be a better formula as long

as he could throw somewhat. And I think he's threw the ball pretty pretty good even after the injury. And I totally agree with Amber. If Cooper wants to get paid, you need to show up on the road. Especially this is this is a playoff game, and this is you know what you guys are all talking about how bad

Philly Secondary is. This game is made for Cooper, and I think the key on defense is Shortly but his knowledge of Philadelphia, and to me, the only thing that Philadelphia could do that you can hurt the Cowboys is the screen game misdirection game. I see short Lee, you know, getting tackles for loss and getting maybe another interception. I think he's definitely the key on the defense. All right, thanks for the call, Just make no mistake about it.

He said that Cooper's gonna have to show up in these kind of games if he wants to get paid. Cooper's can't get paid no matter what. This would be nice. If he could show up, it would be nice, and I think everybody wants to see that happen. But he's gonna get paid no matter what. I don't know by the Cowboys. I don't wanna don't know. I think Rob. I think Rob made a couple of decent points, but I was just struck by, Like I guess we've gone

full circle from the critics. Like they literally called him dink and dunk Dak for two years because nobody thought he could throw it further than fifteen yards downfield, and now he's throwing a downfield too much. I guess because he's averaging eight and a half yards per attempt. I

think he's I think it's fine. I mean, I don't know if he can throw it like that, and I'm sure that'll affect the outcome or the way they game planned for this, But I don't have a problem with the way, the way or where Dak's been throwing the

ball this season. I mean, the kid is he's got to find his balance, and I think that's what everybody wants, is because there have been some moments earlier this year where he even talked about how sometimes he held the ball a little too long looking for that play and he had something underneath that was there for him, Yeah, and he didn't take it right. And so what he's got to do is figure out in the game, in the moment, in that situation, what's your best option. We've

seen it. I want to say it was this last game. It was like a third and three or something like that, and they threw the ball downfield and Rob looked at me and he was like, was that really the best option here? And in that situation. Now, that doesn't mean you don't want to take shots down field, but in third and three, you probably want to take whatever's there for you. Underneath, because at the end of the day, you got to move the chains. Why why would why

go with a fifty fifty ball in that situation. He's still trying to figure himself out as a quarterback. You know, we've seen him progress, and this year he took that next step as far as the passing game and being able to throw it down the field. But I feel that he and it only comes with time, you know, him getting the experience, feeling comfortable, being able to develop those kinds of instincts and reads and being able to

get rid of the ball faster. Now he's at a point where he has to kind of release that, stop thinking so much and analyzing the field so much, and go with what you find quickly, you know, But that only comes with time. I don't think that's something that he can change all of a sudden and do it like tomorrow, you know, were you about to say someday sort of, But I don't know's it's kind of like the you know, criticizing play calling, like if it works, it's a great play, and if it doesn't work, it's

a bad play. Like I'm thinking about actually the Philly game at home last year, when like that in Amari kind of audibled and he just he threw it to him and he you know, it was like a ninety yard or eighty yard touchdown or whatever. And like if that hadn't worked, would it have been a bad idea? I mean, you know, I just I like that he's willing to take shots down field. Maybe third and three isn't always the time to do it, but I think that needs to be part of any quarterbacks repertoire agree

for defenses to respect that you'll do it. He needs a tight end. He needs a tight end that he can count on. He needs an elite tight end. And I think just the way he plays, I think third and three. You know, if you have a guy like an Ertz or Kelsey or right, I know that they're the top of the top. But I mean, if you have a guy like that that you kind of know, or Witten the way Witten used to be, or you know, you can get four yards on third and three, you

can just do it. And is that you're saying you don't think that what they have right now gives him that they need another guy? No, not a security blanket, Okay, I mean they're just a blanket but they're not one that's going to protect you from warmth and in everything. It's not a weighted blanket. No, it's just it's a blanket that you can get it. Yeah, it's fine. Yeah, it's been worn. I mean it's it's been you know, I mean Jason wit and it'll do the trick a

lot of nights. It'll just those really really cold nights. One is pretty new. He just needs to that. And you know that's the question. That's what I was getting to. Is it that they don't use him enough. It doesn't matter. You can get quality stuff. Sometimes you have to in places that you wouldn't necessarily throw out that. I'm not talking about being undrafted. I'm not talking about that. I'm just saying no, I'm just saying, yeah, you can get a new you can get a new blanket. But it

doesn't mean that it's it's nice. I'm just deep and they need better tight end because that's not good enough to just go and make your own plays on third and three. And that's not even fifty fifty anymore to gallop, it's like twenty eighty. But its Jarwin not good enough at just not getting enough opportunities he's not. He's not good enough to be on the field for what you want all the time. He needs to be on the field, so third and three. He can be the guy that blocks,

or he can be the guy that come out. He's not as a complete guy all the time. Blake Jarwin looks like a find, and that's great keeping. You should like tight end should be a priority in the off season. And I mean, it's hard to predict where, you know, I don't know if Jason Winn's going to retire, assuming he does, which I don't know. Maybe that's is that a bold assumption. I don't know. I think he will. I don't think he's coming back. I don't know. Maybe

it depends on how the season ends. But for the purposes of this, because I do, it was a one year deal, wasn't it. It told he's coming back, it's a it was a one year deal. No, stop it. I didn't even hear you say that the first time. I'm glad it was a one year deal. If Jason Winton's not on this roster next year, they need to make tight end to priority, preferably in the draft. Whatever Blake Jarwin's nice, they could be better and we'll see

what happened. Like i'd bring back Randall cop but if not, I slot receiver too, keep giving Dak weapons. That's what I was gonna say. If if you don't get the tied end that you want, you know, in the first round and all that second round, but a slot receiver too, I mean, because I don't think Randall Cobb will be back. And I think that that they need a younger one until year deal with just a one years, one year,

seven seven mile I think it's five, but maybe five. Anyways, I mean it was cheap relative to what they what they Yeah, Beasley, yeah, you know, and not I don't mean undrafted. I mean, but try to find another guy that can work the middle, and you know, that's that's what I think that they need. I think Beasley would be a good fit on this team right now. But all right, that's a rap. Tomorrow we're back. We're gonna what do you have something else? No, that's it, Okay,

Tomorrow we'll be back. We're gonna get you ready for Cowboys versus Eagles. These guys are gonna give you their predictions. I won't be here, but Amber's gonna lead the show. You here my pick now, Yeah, Cowboys win thirty one seventeen. The music that's my that's my pick, all right. So we're back tomorrow for Nick Even, Dave Helm and Abergard. See. I'm Derek Eagles and this has been The Break live

on Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. This has been a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.