Cowboys Break: Back Together Again

edition of The Break. We are live here at the FunTown r V tailgate. We're in the Tostitos Championship Plaza at Ford Center, and I got my crew with me. Man, this is awesome because it's the first time since maybe I don't know, February March, since we've all four been in the same room. You probably had a meeting back then, so it mean yeah, like mid February. Yeah, I'm just saying no. So the first time we've been together for a show. We don't have to worry about Dave's phone

doing glitchy type things right now. We can actually have a good conversation. There's nothing that's that's prohibiting these guys from mixing it up a little bit. So I'm very very excited to have you guys here, and thanks to a funtwn RV for setting this all up for us. A little bit cool, a little chilly, but we'll make it through. Amber you Okay, I'm hanging in there. If you hear any teeth chattering, it's amber. So you know, we'll make it through. It would be fall and bad weather.

And this is what we got right now. Okay, let's do this is actually, this is a really fitting U sums up where we are in the Cowboys season. That episode fifty four, h yes is wow. Wow, I didn't even get that. Oh my god, oh my god. All right, it's gonna be I'm talking about episode fifty four. It means it's gonna be a Ring of Honor type show. You know, there's two fifty four is in the Ring of Honor, Randy White, thanks, mister historian. That's good. Fifty

four you guys are referring to three? Will there be three? Now? Darren Hambrick won't get in, so I don't know. Maybe what do volunteer? All right, let's let's jump right in. We need to talk a little bit about this roster. There were a couple moves yesterday Darryl Worley and Don Terry Poe obviously Wave we talked about it on the

show yesterday that was likely going to happen. It did happen, but the Cowboys did also or they are expected to make another move at quarterback, bringing back an old familiar name and Cooper Rush. Question is where does he fit on the depth chart? Like they got a lot of guys that kind of well, two guys that they've added here in the last couple of weeks. Where does what does the depth chart really look like for this team

at quarterback? Nick Well, I'm just hoping we can get the term ginger snaps somewhere on the headline of this. I mean, if we can get him and Andy Dalton, I mean, come on, you have to got it. We'll see how it goes Sunday. I mean like that they don't have to decide the depth chart. I mean, if if Nutch goes out there and plays well, I mean, you know, he could be the backup when Andy comes back. But if not, I mean, this might be have nothing

to do with Andy Dalton or Denuccie. It might be more about Garrett Gilbert and be like, all right, he doesn't he's still having a hard time learning the plays. This guy knows the plays. I mean, Cooper knows the plays. He knows Kellen Moore. So I don't know where he's gonna remember it's the practice squad next week, but you know, he could be the third quarterback moving forward, maybe the second.

I don't know. Yeah, I think. I mean in a perfect world that I think the hope is that neither Cooper Rush nor Garrett Gilbert ever needs to play this. I think, for one, you just got to cover yourself in case Andy takes longer than expected coming back, and or if something happens to Ben de Nucci. I mean, he's he's going to be running for his life one way or the other on Sunday. Like, hopefully he can

stay healthy on Sunday. Cooper Rush gives you insurance. He yeah, Mike McCarthy said today, he was like, well, Cooper was part of our offseason meetings. I don't think that's completely true because Cooper Rush was cut on May fourth, right after Dalton signed, like so they weren't really into the

meat of what they were doing. But he was here last year in the year before that, he knows Kellen Moore like, he's probably pretty familiar with the offense, so you would think he can pick it up pretty quickly if he needs to. But Andy Dalton was in meetings today, he was in the team meeting yesterday, He's in the position meetings today. So I would hope he's rounding toward being able to play next week if he can't go Sunday. So I would hope Cooper Rush doesn't need to do

anything on the field. But it's just insurance Kenny at this point, I mean, with the COVID protocols, when will he be able to actually be with the team and Canny even be on the field this Sunday on the sidelines or anything. He won't be here till next week. He's got I think, Nick, you said it's six six tests,

six negative tests, just to get in the door. That's the part that's a little curious to me, because by the time he would actually be able to come into the building, I would guess I would hope Andy Dalton his back and so you're at like he's even farther down the depth chart. Does that seem a little bit strange to you guys that they would bring him in at this point knowing that he really can't help him this weekend when you would be without Dalton presumable. Well,

I here's the thing with the offensive line. You just don't know what's going to happen at the quarterback position. And I'm sure we're gonna talk about Bendy Nucci in a little bit, but I feel bad. I feel bad for the guy. He has talent and all that, but he's so tiny, and I feel bad that if he gets hit, it's not gonna feel good. And hopefully he doesn't get hit, but we know that's bound to probably

happen with the kind of old line we have. But man, you just don't know at this point what kind of injuries starting from the old line, and then now it's carrying on to the quarterback position as well. Also, I would, I would. I would just say concussions are different. You know it's not. There is no specific timeline. No two concussions are the same. It's a very good sign that Andy's in meetings, but you know, he might I don't

even know how that works. I've never had a concussion, but he might not feel as good Monday as he does right now. I don't know so and he had hurt to cover your neither as he. I mean, he's never had one, which is you know, that's good and bad. I think it's good that you know, this's not like it apparently keeps getting worse and worse the more that you have. But he know, he's never had one, so he doesn't really know the symptoms and feelings, you know,

of what he should be, you know, having. But you know, I just think it again, I think it comes back to Gilbert. I think at the end of the day, he's probably going to be the third Russia will be the third quarterback or maybe second, depending on how Ben plays in this game. Yeah, and let's not forget like when he was laying on the field that that certainly didn't look very good. It certainly looked like to me he was really injured. And so you know, you just

never know the severity of this concussion. Obviously they don't really that kind of information, but it certainly didn't look good. I don't want to cast aspersions because again, all signs point toward Andy being fine in the long run. But I always think about it's a completely different sport. But Sidney Crosby once suffered a concussion that knocked him out for like half a season, like he could. Yeah he so hockey, right, yeah, yes, one of the best players

the last day. Yeah yeah, I got you. H So you never know, and like I feel like people to you know, Zach Martin is coming back one week after his most people are like, okay, a concussions one week But that's not always true. So it's just something to remember. All right, let's move on. I want to talk a little bit about this Cowboys offense. Remember, in the second segment, as we do every Thursday, we'll have a Buckey Brooks calling and he's gonna talk to us about the Cowboys

offense versus the Philadelphia defense. But I had a few questions for you guys, particularly about this Philadelphia. I'm sorry about this Cowboys offense in the matchup. I want to start with Ben Denucci. We heard Mike McCarthy talking this morning about the fact that he's a guy that that

certainly can run. We've heard coming into the league, we heard, you know, stories of a guy he seems to be a mobile type quarterback, a guy that kind of can freelance as necessary and with this offensive line, I would

think freelancing is something he might have to do. That all being said, do you think that he actually gives the Cowboys, not factoring in in I know it's gonna be weird, but not factoring in his inexperience, do you think he actually gives them a little bit of an advantage knowing the offensive line isn't as good and he has the ability to get off script and be able to make things happen on the run and on the fly. No,

I don't. I think if they were racing, like if it was a scramble drill and you run in, yes, he would be better than Andy Dalton doing that. But you know, like like the old saying Parcel says, you know, knowledge is confidence and confidence lets you play fast. So you don't have that knowledge. You don't even know where this s blitz is coming from. You haven't seen it before, you haven't even played big time college football. It's gonna be tough for him for him to just be aware

of things and grasp stuff. So, yes, if if Fletcher Cox is running at him, he will probably be able to get away from it quicker than Andy Dalton. But will he even know that that that guy's coming, you know, as early as some of the other guys would. So I don't I don't see the advantage. I know what you're saying, but I don't see the advantage just because he's so raw. I can I can answer that question with a refreshingly honest anecdote from Mike McCarthy yesterday, Calvin Watkins,

our friend. He covers the team for the Dallas Morning He asked, it wasn't a funny Well, we'll get to that. He asked Mike McCarthy if it's harder to design a game plan for a seventh round rookie who's never played in the NFL. And McCarthy literally said, is that supposed to be a joke? I can't tell because you're wearing a mask, And Calvin was like, no, no, no, I'm totally serious. And he was like, of course it's harder, and he's like laughing as he said it. So, no,

it definitely isn't an advantage. But you know, Denucci is an athlete, like, he is an athletic guy. He's not even sneaky athletic like he is athletic, and so maybe that'll help him. But I can't call it an advantage. Well I made reference to it earlier and they've just called him athletic, and he cann't have athleticism. But in my eyes, he looks so fragile and skinny, and most rookies come into their first year, you know, a little skinny, and usually they start gaining some muscle as the years

go by. So that's the aspect that scares me. The confusion that Nick mentioned him kind of hesitating and then because of that hesitation being tackled, being tacked and then causing a possible injury. And I guess I'm just panicking even more now that we've seen it happen, and then we're down to our third quarterback. It's just like you're more hesitant with everything. So I'm just I am honestly

scared for him right now. You know. It's interesting. It reminds me of what Kellen Moore had to say yesterday in his press conference. I think it was yesterday, but he was saying, you know, one of the big things about Ben Denucci is he just got to make sure he can call the play. And that's where I was like, Wow, that's where we are right now. Can you call the play.

Can you get the play called in the huddle in a way to where everybody knows what they're supposed to do and get it right, because, by the way, that's the last thing that offensive line needs is more confusion in the huddle, right, So that tells you kind of where they are from the standpoint of experience. I mean, this is guy had no preseason action, even like, that's how hard this will make sure. McCarthy said another question about that today. Somebody asked, like, are you above putting

a wristband on him? You know, like you typically associate that with high school and college football, And McCarthy was like, I think we'll be okay because we got the micro you know, we got the headsets and the helmets. But I'm not above anything if I think it'll work or whatever you gotta do at this point. All right, let's want to another question. Let's assume that and I think it's a fair assumption that Zach Martin will be back this week. Would you keep the offensive line the same

or and just plug zach In at right guard? And if not, what would you do? Let's start with you day. Can I answer your question with a question? Sure? Do I get Joe Looney too, because I'd love to moves act to tackle. But who's sure, let's slay to Joe's back. Let's let's assume Joe is back. I actually tell me what you would do? You know, I think I might do it anyway, honestly, because Connor McGovern seemed to hold up okay, like he wasn't he wasn't awful the other

day and that was a really good front. I'm terrified at Fletcher Cox's playing against Connor McGovern, But but are you more afraid of Terrence Steele up against who has killed cowboy quarterbacks in the past. Absolutely, I am so Yeah. I think I probably would. Yeah, I mean I think it starts with Steele As to being out, I mean you have to replace him some one way or another. He can't be your right tackle anymore. Uh, you know,

good good story, good player. I mean maybe he will be a good player at some point, but right now he's not there. I would move Zach Martin out there, from what I've been told, the guy that might not start this week as Connor Williams. Yeah, wow, if I'm just that's just what I've been told that it cut the mustard could be McGovern or, probably Irving Looney, Beaddish McGovern and Zack Martin. Don't hold me to that. I'm just saying that's they're thinking. Connor Williams. Say a little

more than that, because I'm confused right now. What are you confuse about? Yeah? What's do you really think Connors played well enough where he shouldn't be above reproach? Here? I hold on before she answered, let me just say, I don't think I would do that. I wouldn't. I'm going with this. Many guys that have seen the Eagles are seen an NFL you know, front before, so I I think I would do that over Connor McGovern I haven't seen enough yet, But I'm just saying it's all

being tossed around right now. If I have Joe Looney back, imagining his back already, this is what I would do. I would put Connor Williams and Sack Martin, moved them out to tackle, keep Connor McGovern guard and Joe Louney

i ard and then Beatish at center. I think that at this point, because I feel that maybe that's I don't want to say it's gonna start giving you some kind of consistency because at this point, I mean injuries, you don't know when they're gonna happen, but at least you're It would make me feel better at the tackle position. And a guard like Dave bensh I mean McGovern he's been doing an okay job, so he seems like he's gonna hold up Biddish. He seems to be doing fine

as well. And at least with Joe Looney, we know he's a vet, he has the experience and he can probably hold up a guard as well. Doing a good job there, So I would love I would love to go ahead and put Connor Williams at tackle. All right, we're gonna check our first break. When we come back. Bucky Brooks should be joining us. We'll ask him some questions about this Philadelphia defense going up against this Cowboys offense. We come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot com Radio.

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craving at and T Stadium's famous Cowboys cheese steak? Yeah you are, But Nacho's, Oh yeah, how about cowboy rita? Anything? This is for everybody on something warm right now, nachos and cowboy rita. I'm asking the entire panel here if they want that, because everybody loves it, regardless where you're from. So when you're watching the Cowboys at home, bring your favorite stadium fair to you. Place your online order for

pickup local delivery every week this season. Check out the menu at at and T Stadium dot com Flash at Home. Welcome back. We're in the second segment of the break We are live here at the Tostitos Championship Plaza at Ford Center. It is the FunTown RV Tailgate, Official FunTown RV Trap Tailgate, And we're doing all of our shows out here today and tomorrow, all of our podcasts, so make sure you join us. All of our hosts are in one place together, being able to do a show

for the first time in a long time. So I saw the guys out here for Talking Cowboys this morning. I thought the show went really well. They didn't seem to be as cold as we are, but you know, I thought it was so funny that that show has been going on for several months now. And Heckma and Isaiah Stanback had to meet each other. They've never met exactly right. They were like, yeah, we just met this morning for the first time in person. I've argued with you,

I've called you, you know whatever. But yeah, nice to meet you. So make sure you joined in these for the rest of the shows a day and then all the shows tomorrow. We'll be out here in the outside the Ford Center at the Star all right, So let's let's jump back in. We've got Bucky Brooks now joining us. What's up, Bucky, Welcome to the show. We'll start where we start every week. Give us the strengths and weaknesses of this Philadelphia defense and the right up front of

the line of scrimmage. Plus your talks, Brandon Graham, very really good have done. Did bring that rush you with four? They need to bring others and when they're able to control the line of scrimmage, they're a handful. I would say. The weaknesses already at the second level. They're linebackers. They don't really invest a lot in the linebacker position, and so if you want to get them, it's all about

attacking their linebackers. But they're backed up by secondary the various lave that can cover, and so it's a defense where they have to be able to get it done with the front four. If they can't get it done with the front four, they can struggle at times. So holding up to get good team Bucky, I want to know we we just in the first time man we talked about the Cowboys online. I just want to know more in depth about the pass rush that the Eagles have right now and how that could be maybe a

problem for the Cowboys. Well, it should be a problem because they have three guys that can get home Schleussian Cox is where it stars. He's an interior pass rusher, has size, has strength, has power, and when motivated, he can take over the game by himself. Brandon Graham is a guy that is an energize with Bunny off the edge. He's not necessarily a double visit chack artist, but he

is persistent and he's problematic. His ability to play with leverage, his ability to play with a relentless spirit gives upon his problems. And because he is what I call an undersize pass rusher, tall pass protectors can have a problem because if he gets a funny that he can walk it back to the quarterback and then Derek Cornett is someone who is very sound technically doesn't get a lot of fanfare, but he also can create problems off the backside. Bucky, are you warm right now? I am? I am. I'm

the one heart of my own home and perfect. Yeah, there's one I just want to make sure too far a question, man, if you were the Eagles defense, would you have to pull up James Madison tape right now if you were just to try to scout Jane ben de Nucci. Yeah, like you surely have looked at the Jmutabe just to get an idea of what he's been comfortably doing in his time, because you don't have enough from the previous game against the rushing football team to

really know. So the advanced scout, the pro scout is looked at h him and he's given Jim Schwortz No if I'm sure Jim Schwartz has looked a little bit at the jamutabe just to get a feel for how he plays. But yeah, you got attack him based off of what he did at JMU. You realize that he's athletics, he can run. The Cowboys could add some wrinkles that can give you problems. So yeah, you have to look at the jamutage in the prayer. I doubt he faced a Fletcher Cox on that schedule at JMU, though I

doubt it. Probably you know anybody like that, Bucky, I uh, you know, And I feel like all we've done is talk about the Eagles pass rush, but understandably so, so I'm going to pitch it to you. We were just talking in the first segment about what to do with Zack Martin. If I tell you, I mean, Zack Martin should be back for this game. One of the best guards in football. Is he more useful to you going against Fletcher Cox on the inside or on the outside

against Brandon Graham. Where would you rather have him for this game? Geez, I think such a cut is a better player. But I think if Jack Martin can go out and play right tackle, I will put him in right tackle because I think we have seen the struggles with Terry Steel's head. I think you can kind of make a manage or make do. If you're struggling in a little inside, you can help. The center can help.

Sometimes it's a little tighter in the neighborhood. But the struggles off the edge have been the ones where we're seeing the turnovers happen. If zag Morton is comfortable playing right tackle or just playing tack housing in attack. Hey, Bucky talking about Ben Denucci. Take me back to pre draft and I know you're you're a draft guy. You look at all the players coming out. Give me your best scouting report on him, both strengths and weaknesses coming

out of college. I mean in stress where his traite, I mean he had a big arm. He is that he has a bit of a gun slinger mentality, and so when he is rolling and streaky, he can make it happen. I think the weaknesses would be just because of his arm and because he has always been able to trust it. Particularly at that level, he could be a little late to fire, and sometimes he feels like he can overpower the defense and fit it into a small window. So his biggest weakness will be understanding who

he is and how he has to play. And this game is so much faster when he gets to this level. How quickly can he adjust the quick reactions from the defense and Nick Jim Schwartz is not one that typically does a lot of disguise and complexity in terms of his scheme, But how quickly can he identify what they're doing pre snap? And how much does it change post snap? When they do try to rock a road? The safety can give him a different look after the ball has

already been spent by let's say Bendy Nucci. It is constantly under pressure this Sunday, and then the Cowboys have to turn to the running game and the sea kilalia is that? I mean? Do you see this matchup being a game where maybe the Cowboys can be able to utilize the run and actually getting moving a little bit better than what we've seen so far. I think they can utilize the run. I think Mike McCarthy may have led the kid out the bag a little bit when

he talked about Ben Dnucci's athleticism a running skill. Maybe we see some quarterback play some zone read stuff where they put it in Jigbellion read it and major quarterback takes off a couple of times just to stretch the defense in a different way. But this has to be a deep game. It has to be a big more game. We talked about it each every week. He has to

get to a certain point. But I know, I now know that Kellen Moore has to know that he has a rookie quarterback and he cannot think that a rookie quarterback can throw forty times successfully. They have to find a way to run the ball. They maybe a more conservative game plan, but this has a big game where you kind of play old school football and you hope that your defense is up to the challenge that maybe

create the turn lucky. When you watch the tape the other day, what did you see from cde Lamb obviously didn't have a catch the first time in his in his career. You know he kind of had I guess you would say he definitely had a down game. How do you think he bounces back? And also, like what did you see on tape from him? Was a concentration just just not you know, getting watching the ball in Yeah, I just think there were like simple concentration drops, nothing

that I would be alarmed at. Sometimes the ball jumps upon you quick as a receiver, beer a little quicker, and then in traffic, all it takes is one or two things to kind of catch the attention of the eye and you take your eye off of the ball. I think he would be fine. In fact, I think he's probably a little more determined to come back and have a big game. I wonder how the Cowboys would utilize and the quicker than passing game, because you don't

really want to have these exectic or intestate. Ross would be in denuci a quarter. But I think early on you got to feed the ball to cd lad to get him comfortable, because he is certainly one of the best playmakers if I'm the best playmaker on the forma. I want to preface this by saying that I feel stupid asking so I understand, like you don't want to throw at forty times with Ben Denucci. I get that, but we have seen the Cowboys victimized this secondary in

the past. You know, Marii Cooper has big games against these guys on a regular basis. Dak has thrown for four hundred on multiple occasions. I get you don't want to live that way, but you know, Ronald Darby's not there. Malcolm Jenkins isn't there anymore. I mean, if they dial up five or six shots downfield, just drop back and let Gallup or Cooper go downfield and get it. I mean, is there a chance that that might be successful? I mean,

I think so. I think it's all about Tommy. I mean, when I look at this secondary, Darious play is the only one that we would consider a little ship players. The rest of those guys are just guys. I mean, Vante Maddock is okay. We're seeing Cravon LeBlanc have some issues. He struggled a little bit against the Giants, Fiar Robie Coleman has also had problems. So yeah, there's some matchups that are there. But I think, but you have to wait when you tell them more and your Mike McCarthy

risk versus reward? How often are we willing to risk putting the ball in then demetri Canes and having him throw it versus what are the rewards going to be?

What we do elect to take that strategy. It could be fruitful, it could be successful, but I still think you want to keep him on a pretty tight pitch count because you just don't know what he's going to do, particularly because it's his first game as a starter, and it's also the first time that an opponent has prepared to face him, which is different than him hopping off

the dancing going to play. We're joined by Bucky Brooks of NFL Network, and Bucky, before we let you go, we want to get your final thoughts heading into this Cowboys Eagles matchup. What do you think happened and who do you think wins? Man. So, I think it's the great step this week to clean up the defense. I don't know if it will result in an immediate result in the win column, but I do think they've got the attention as the players. I think you see a

better effort from the player. I still think this is a very wonderful game because when I've seen the Eagles played, I mean, they don't set the world on fire over.

They're often. I think it's really all about can you get pressure to Carson Went pression Went will turn the ball over, But it comes down to you, can you for us them to turn it over behind the weak pensil Lionas to ring the twenty eight sex, I would like to think the energy and the effort from Randy, Gregory Braley and I to go with autism should be enough. But I think it's gonna be tough. I think this is the field goal game. Either way, it's you can

get reach up the game in the season's problem. All right, Bucky, appreciate you joining us. We'll have you back next week when we start getting ready for the next Cowboys game next Wednesday. Till then we're gonna go to our final break, will come back. We're gonna wrap up the show with a little episode of see a note that Ambrew has prepared for us. We'll do that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio since eighteen sixty five.

Stetson Hats are American maid with pride right here in Texas, and Stetson is proud to be on the field with America's team. Want to show your Texas and Team Pride two. You can by purchasing your own Stetson. You can look just like how the flag guys do on field at every home game. Stetson hats the official crown of all self respecting Cowboys and your favorite football team. Get yours today at Shop dot Dallas Cowboys dot com or at Stetson dot com. I'm Jay Novachek, former tight end for

the Dallas Cowboys. Back in the day. I was the 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 yardwork 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. Want to use what the pros use?

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ten bucks free shipping. We're back in the tasty treat that's sweeping airwaves and taste buds. It's new Doctor Pepper and cream Soda. Let's take a listen, Doctor bad cream Soda. Is he a Newcombonut's music to my ears? Okay, Doctor Times, Music to my ear? Tense new Doctor Pepper and cream Soda. Back to the break. Go how about get the ultimate fan experience. For the ultimate Cowboys fan, you can join Dallas Cowboys United and presented my globe life starting at

just twenty dollars. Visit Dallas Cowboys dot com slash United. All Right, we are back. We are alive. Carried, I know we're back. We are alive at the funtwn RV tailgate here from the Tostitos Championship Plaza at Ford Center at the Star. I think that was a good idea, though, Derek, what he just said in the break. We usually go four to five minutes. He said he was gonna go an hour. I think that's a great idea. I actually think that's a really great idea. I'm alrighty, like we're

doing this. I'm in, let's go this point. I'm warm, I'm ready to go. I'm here. This is not this is not that difficult, Like this is a very talking Cowboys football gives me warm. The good little cross talk with the Shannon in the in the group coming in there? Who is that hanging with the boys? Was that they're on? They're on after us. You'll never promote them. It's a podcast. They're usually about ten minutes behind because of you. So

I'm not surprised. I can't have two former players on there. Really? Yeah, Oh, is that that Nate Newton guy? I know him, I know him. Some of those guys I've never heard of. But Nate Newton Kurt Daniels, I've heard of those two. I'm not sure about the other guys on that show. All right, let's let's jump back in and Amber. We haven't done this in a long time. I figured, since we were all together for the first time in a long time, we'll do a little c oh no, what

got amber? Are you sure you want to do this? I'm sent in fiery questions. I am sure, yes, let's go. Put you guys on the spot. Let's go, all right. Nick mentioned fifty four, So a lot of people are asking about him, Jalen Smith. Should the Cowboys bench him, slash, trade him, basically get him off the field? See? Oh no? Um? I mean, well, I'm see with a caveat first. You can't trade him. You can't. Nobody would want him like it'll it'll kill your cap. Nobody's gonna give you something

worthwhile for him if they watch the tape. So forget about that. I mean, if if I thought it was realistic, I would be in favor. But you can't. Um, you can't. You can't bench him completely, like he can't just sit him down for the rest of the year. It's the most physical position on defense. You're gonna get hurt, YadA YadA.

But when Sean Lee is ready to play, I would I would absolutely try to platoon them to try to have you know, if he's playing ninety eight percent of the snaps right now, drop it down into the sixties or seventies, try to do something to offset that. But I agree with the premise of the question that he's not playing well enough to deserve one hundred percent of the snaps. But there are only so many things you can do about it. Yeah, you got no options right now? Yeah?

All right? Um, Nick, was there something that you were going to add? I wouldn't. Yeah, I wouldn't, just because I don't see who like for what, you know, like who's who's coming in? Yeah? Who for what? I mean? Sean Lee? Yeah, I like the platoon system. I think that would be better for all of them to kind of do that, and Joe Thomas can still play something as well. But I just I think it's a scheme thing. I mean, they've got to figure out as I watched Jalen,

you know, like attack the quarterback. They've got to figure out ways where he can be effective. And I you know, I've been saying that all offseason. I just don't think that they they've done a good job with that. But it's not I mean, what is it, like, what is that I think he's got to go north? He can't really, I don't know if he's a sidelined to sideline player anymore in this day and age. I don't. That's that's not gonna cut it unfortunately. I mean, you're right if

they want to transition him. We talked about it so much in the offseason about him rushing the passer a little bit more. If you want to try to transition him to being a DPR, the hell of an expensive DPR. But I mean, if that's what you want to do, that's fine with me. You think, like you said, nobody would want him. I mean, I think there's probably a team that would be like, oh, I could do something with him because all defensive coordinates, all coaches are heavy.

You mean, use him in a certain role. Yeah, okay, but is he so? I'm sorry, I don't want to cut you think he's a three four rusher. I don't know. I would love to see him try that, but I feel that we've seen it with the Cowboys in previous years, where there are certain players that maybe might not be as impressive, but the coaching staff always think that they can convert a player into someone better on the field. I see what you're saying, but I mean, if you

trade Jalen Smith, it's gonna kill your cap. I don't know the numbers off top of my hand, but it's not going to be good. This year is not the year and a team you know. Yeah. I mean if you were just desperate to get rid of him and somebody was like, we'll give you a sixth, sure, but is it worth it to do that, to just destroy your cap to get basically nothing in return. Here's I'll

answer that. I will say that by next year, I personally don't think it would be a good idea for the Cowboys to go into the season next year with him being a starting linebacker for them. That is the best answer I can give you. I don't think they have a lot of options right now because I don't think its sarily does you any good to take him

off field right now with what you got left? If the Cowboys don't address the linebacker position in a major way this offseason, to meet that as a mistake and a part of doing that means most likely the first person that you're going to be taking off the field is gonna be Jalen in my opinion, So I think

that's how they have to address it. I think that's really the issue is by next year, I don't think it's a good idea to go into the season with him being a major part of what you're doing on defense. I think next year, though, doesn't make a lot of sense just from a standpoint of cap because it will be a straight wash next year. So unless he's that much of a problem in the locker room, which I don't think that he is, where you're like, he's got to be away from this team. So if it's just

a wash, I think i'd rather have the player. Yeah, that's great, but I'm saying he should not be on he should not be a starter for you. He should be a guy that is a backup player or a role player for you. I don't think you should go into next year, even with the money being the money, because that's where you get yourself in trouble saying, well, because we got a money, we got to play the player. No, you don't. You may to keep him on your team and you use him his insurance, that doesn't mean you

have to play him. Then you better draft Yeah, I agree, Then you better draft a second or third rounder, if not a first, to say you know you're gonna make six hundred thousand and you have to be our starter. Exactly right. Every single year there is a player who like he is at the center of the offseason storylines, didn't live up to his contract, talking about cutting him June one cut, contract restructure. Sometimes it works out and they stay. I mean, people have been trying to get

rid of Tyrone Crawford for years. He stayed, Brandon Carr restructured his contract, stayed. Des Bryant got cut. But it happens all. It happens almost every year where a big money guy is at the epicenter of this offseason, and it'll be Jalen Smith in twenty twenty one. It will be and I don't know for sure what's going to happen, but every time we have and I mean hopefully life is a little bit more normal and we can actually talk to Stephen and Jerry Jones a little bit more often.

But he will be the guy that we're asking about at the Combine or the Combined Zoom conference, whatever the hell it looks like. We'll be like we're gonna do with Jalen Smith likes that's what's coming. And the question will be what does Jalen think of his own play? Because if he thinks that, oh, I'm still just as good as ever, then you get to that situation where it's like, will you take a pay cut? And maybe he says, I don't take a pay cut. Cut me,

and I'll see what happens on the open market. If he knows that his skills are declining and he knows that he's not playing very well, he may look at that and say, I'm willing to take a pay cut because I want to just keep playing. I don't know, because I will say this, I think that at the time that he did the deal, I think most people, myself included, thought the deal was actually more slant toward the cowboys because he could have waited and maybe got

more money. And there is some thought that maybe he did that deal at that time because he knew I need to cash in. Now. I don't know what my situation will be later, and now we're seeing his situation later, right, So all I'm saying is, I don't I don't know if he's honest enough with himself to be able to make that kind of evaluation. But you know, if he is, that I think will be at the upper center of the decision on whether they he will take a pay cut if they if they try to force him to

do that or not. All right, next washing should be an easy answer, all right, not an easy, but quick answer. We talked a lot about Benducci. Well, Bendyucci through his first touchdown pass this weekend. See you know no, see it'll be a deep pass to Michael Gallop touchdown. Okay. I liked your idea, Like, I think, just he's got he's got a big arm. Like, what's the worst is gonna happen? You just sling it down field and you hope either he catches it or you get a pass interference.

I think you take a couple shots. You know that they're gonna have about eight in the box, Yeah, maybe nine. I mean they're they're gonna they're gonna sing. Yeah, he's got a big arm. Yeah, I can see it happening. Okay, we're only five days removed from Sunday, guys. And that was That was Andy Dalton, and I mean for for more than half of the game at least, that was And I mean Zach will be back. I think the

world of Zach Martin. I can't convinced myself that that'll be enough of a difference that I just I feel bad for everybody involved. But when you're dealing with this sort of loss, like it looks like some of the bad high school football that I've covered, where there's just not a whole lot you can do and unless if it happens, it'll be a busted play where you know, some you know, Gallop gets behind somebody and Danucci throws

it up, which is totally possible. Not saying it's impossible, I just I think no. And by the way, that's not me saying that I think he's gonna have some marvelous game where he's gonna throw over three hundred yards and just light up this Eagles. That's not what I'm saying at all. Do I think that he can get a good chunk of the ball downfield and Gallop happens to be open and here we go touchdown. I do think that's possible. I think it's very possible. We shall

see on Sunday. We shall all Right, the Cowboys got rid of or said by two three of the varin veteran free agents. I don't think they said by. I don't think I just think they hung up. Wow. I really think Ontari Poe was like my card, like didn't even get you get getting like the you know, coach wants to see you in his office. Deal, No, I don't think all right, how are you guys expecting any other moves before the deadline. If there's one thing I've learned,

it's that you should never say never. But I still think no, because I actually wrote about this today, like you know, their national publication and like, obviously cowboys get clicks. But people are like, oh, the Cowboys are in cell mode. No they're not. They got rid of a one year rental player and two bad veterans. Like, that's not a fire sale, right, Miami did a fire sale. They traded their franchise left tackle and their veteran receiver and all,

and they dealt Robert Quinn to Dallas. They dealt their starting quarterback away. That's a fire sale. This is just a bad team purging some unnecessary guys. And you know, here's my question for you guys. Do you think that at all the guys that they got rid of they got rid of them not only because of the way they played, but also because maybe there was a thought that some of the talk that was coming out of the locker room, as anonymous sources may have been in

that group of players. Maybe, I mean, I mean, Griffin's name was mentioned as possible here because he and that happens when you when you say some things like he did earlier about you know, just not used to this scheme and and all that. But you know, I think that I think it was sending a message. I really do. I don't know. I mean, I hope that you know, people in the locker room can you know, accept it, But but I think it was. I think it was like, hey, it's time to to you know, we got to do

something here. We can't just sit there and and and continue to do what we've done. And so I think I think Dave's right. I mean, this is this is nothing to do other than the fact that for this season they were kp for this season. I'm not saying that they haven't in their career, but they weren't. They weren't good, they weren't playing. And you know, it's sad that Jerry had to come out and call out Dontari

Poe that way. But I don't know why he did it, because he's because he's not he doesn't want to get called out for other reasons when clearly that wasn't the case. And we'll find out how much that's the case, Let's see who signs Poe if anyone else signs him. I mean,

well you've already have you already heard that. I saw a tweet the yesterday where there was someone saying, you know, he hasn't been right since some injury that he had, and so he's going to take a month to be able to kind of get himself right, and then this might be a late season signing for someone. So what we will see is is it a late season signing and when he gets back in there, is he able

to do something? Because I will say this, you look at his numbers from last year, his numbers weren't bad, like he was a productive player statistically last season. Now, when you want to think about it, overall, that run defense wasn't great, And anytime the run defense isn't great, you're probably gonna look at the nose tackle and the defensive end in a three to four because they're probably

a part of that. But that all being and said, I do think that, you know, maybe there is something to the fact that he wasn't healthy that that may have contributed to him gaining weight and he didn't come in quite ready to play, and maybe he needs to get himself right and maybe he can get back to playing as he played last year to some degree. Very I mean, it's easy to demonize the guy that got cut, and we don't, you know, we haven't gotten to know

these guys the way that we normally would. But he was always super professional and seemed like a very nice guy, had some you know, I think on one or two occasions he talked about why he was protesting, and he was very eloquent about it, like he clearly put a lot of thought into it. So, I mean, I don't have anything bad to say about the guy other than that he did not play very well for this defense. And then you could see that like that was very

very playing. You could see he wasn't playing well. Maybe there are reasons for it, maybe there aren't, but he just wasn't playing well well. He goes back to a lot of the conversations that I've started to see recently, whether the coaching staff did enough of a good job of evaloading some of these free a agents before they signed them. But here's the final question. If we have number one more, do you guys see any coaching changes happening mid season or at some point before the season ends.

If it keeps up like this, see, I mean, see, think about how bad, like how bad it feels, how it's it's not fun being here right now. And that's not just because we're outside like the team. I mean, this isn't great, but just the vibe in the building sucks. When the team is struggling like this. It always has, it always will And they're only two and five. We're not even at the halfway point. And if this keeps up.

See and I'm not not Mike McCarthy, but the defensive coordinator, the DBS coach, like I hate to like, I'm not trying to throw people under the bus, but if if it looks like this nine more times with no side of him, I mean, are you kidding me? And by the way, don't forget they have what people are saying is the easiest schedule down the stretch in the NFL as far as the teams they will have to play.

If it looks like it looked last week against that's what that's what I've heard is they have the easiest schedule. So if it looks like it looked against the Washington football team, which we know they aren't you know that that's not a great offense, but they look pretty good

that day. If you got more of those kind of games against teams that are like that, then yeah, I think at some point something has to change if they start, if they start scrapping, and like I could bring up twenty fifteen all the time, like, go watch those games. It didn't look like this. They were. Those games were heartbreaking in their own right because you're like, they're doing the best they can with what they got and it's just not good enough. That's not what this has been.

And if it stays like that, then who knows what's going to happen. That is a rap. We appreciate you guys joining us for the Fun Town RV tailgate. We'll be back tomorrow. We'll be doing the same thing. Hopefully it'll be a little bit warmer, a little less windy, and we'll still have some great opinions from these guys until tomorrow. From Nick Eatman, Dave Elm and Ambergarcia. I'm Derek Eilton. This has been the Break live at Dallas

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