Cowboys Break: Better or Worse?

Welcome to another edition of The break We are live from multiple locations, all at our homes, uh and safely at our homes. But we got an hour to talk to you guys about some Cowboys ball. Here on the break Out my guy Nick, Amber Dave, and we're ready to go. What do you guys, How are you guys feeling today? Awesome? Derek feeling real good man, Thanks for having me. That sounded really enthusiastic. Yeah, that sounded really enthusiastic. Nick. After the long pause, we got a lot to talk

about today. There have been a couple of signings since our last show, and we have some other some other things are gonna get into. We'll talk a little about the running back position today. Actually, we're gonna start a Position series where each day each show, we're gonna go through a particular position and talk about where the Cowboys are coming out of last season heading into this next season.

Understanding there are going to be free agency and h and draft moves that will be made, but just talking about where the Cowboys are at this point. So let's dive right in, starting first with the signing of kicker Greg Zeroline. He signs a three year, three point five million dollars guaranteed deal. I'll ask you guys the question just simply, do you think this was a good move

for the Cowboys. Yeah, I mean I think that you talk about the kicker position, we didn't we have a lot of certainty there for the last three or four years, I think, so maybe the last couple of years. But Zeroline is a guy that that you know, obviously they call him Greg the Leg for a reason, and he can kick it, you know, sixty yarders or so. But we saw last year that that doesn't that's you need more than that. So I think it's a good move.

But you know, I'm kind of always hesitant about veteran kickers because I think you're a great kicker until you're not. And then, and I've seen it firsthand, so I hope that he still you know, has some left in the tank there and he can make the intermediate kicks. I think it's the biggest thing for him. I honestly, I think Derek, you actually I believe you asked this, like one of the more recent shows we did. You're like, well,

you know, is resigning Kai for Bath enough? And everybody said no, Like everybody in some type of competition, they wanted another kicker. I was thinking, you know, undrafted free agents probably, but I'm more than happy to have a Pro Bowl or who's familiar with John Fassil or Fossil on the stator on the roster. He did dip last year. He was also dealing with a foot injury. You know, we saw it firsthand. Nick's right, like, when you lose it,

you lose it. But Dan Bailey also went on to rediscover his form in Minnesota, So I'm highly optimistic this guy can still kick at a high level. I'm happy to have him. You know, I was afraid that the Cowboys were gonna try to bring in a kicker that didn't have much experience somewhat, you know, they like to bring in those guys that no one really knows much about.

But I'm excited that they decided to sign this guy and someone that's proven, that has that veteran experience, and to go against Kai for Bath, which was a guy that me personally I liked what he did last year. I was excited. I don't think it was enough. We didn't get to see so much of it, but the time that he did get he clearly made the best out of it. He didn't miss a single kick. So I'm excited to see this competition. We'll see what happens there,

but two good guys. I was surprised though, that they went in for a veteran guy like this. You know, yes, then they do have fifty five players now on the roster. They expanded it two spots. Now, does that mean two kickers? Probably not, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's some team in the league that does. At some point in the year, we'll have a couple of kickers on the

roster for injury purposes or whatever. So you know, it's only two spots, but I bet it comes in handy at times like this, and maybe you know who knows, I mean, maybe the Cowboys will have two kickers. I don't think that's gonna happen. But just don't forget about the fifty five players on the roster. Yeah, I'll mention one other thing, Dave you you kind of brought up

Jim Fossil. I think the interesting thing there is knowing that he was his coach last year and the fact that he had the foot injury suggests to me that at least Fossil thinks that that was the reason for the dip last year. You look at his numbers the last several years and it actually you go back to two years ago, he was kicking at ninety five percent. He was That was a year he went to the Pro Bowl. I mean, he had a really, really great

year back two years ago. And so I actually am willing to give the benefit of the doubt there because I think his coach probably vouched for him here and said, yeah, there was an injury concern, he played through it, he didn't kick as well. I feel like, if he's healthy, he's a really good kicker, and for me, I give him that benefit of the doubt. Are you guys willing to give that benefit of the doubt as well? Absolutely? I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. You're absolutely right.

Like his dip, his dip last year is startling compared to the consistency of the rest of his career, and you find out that he played through an injury, it makes sense. What else do we know, Like NFL coach love their guys, like Rod Marinelli's signing every former cowboy in the world out in Las Vegas. John Fossil gets to bring in the kicker that he's familiar with for the last eight years. I absolutely and William to give

him the benefit of the doubt. But the great thing about the kicker position is it's very easy to tell how well you're doing your job. And so you know, he got I think he got three million or two and a half million and guarantees, which is a lot to give a kicker. But at the same time, you're not going to keep a guy that's not making kicks. So you know, it's very easy to determine how well a kicker is doing his job. So he can have the benefit of the doubt for the time being, but

training camp and preseason will ultimately determine that. You know, people always say people always talk about the coaches and how they know their guys, and I think this is one of those cases. But don't forget that John Fossil also drafted and cut Tavon Austin, who is sitting out there in free agency, and you know he could they need a punt returner and he knows Tavon Austin and they're not signing Tavon Austin. So sometimes familiarity can help

a player and herd a player too. Yeah, do you guys think this is going to be a competition or do you think they go into training camp with just Zerline? Obviously Zerolin's contract is the one that's a little bit meatier than than four Bath. He only had a one year deal. Do you think they take him both to camp? Though I would have to assume they do. Kai four Bath he only got one hundred and thirty thousand and guarantees, Like,

it's not this crazy contract you need. I mean you need multiple kickers in training camp anyway, And again like why not just let him kick? And if Zerline is not good, it's not enough money that you would keep him if he's not good, I don't know why you wouldn't bring him both to camp? They actually have three kickers on the roster right now. So this Guyana, Tristan Biscayana, I think I don't know. Oh that's right, I forgot

about him. I mean, and you can dismiss him, but like, if he's punted at all, then he's the guy that they want to take a camp so they can you know, he could do some kickoff, do some punts. You know. That's the third kicker punter that they always typically take to camp. So I don't I don't know. I don't care how much experience someone has at this point at

the kicking position. At the kicker position, I expect all of these guys, well, these two main guys, though the other guy, the third guy that Nick mentioned, I really have forgotten about him, honestly. But these two main guys, I expect them to go out to the preseason games and have them both kicking at different times of the games and none of that like, oh, this guy has more experience, we need to kind of preserve him more, none of that crap. I want both of them out.

They're kicking as much as possible and hopefully picking out the right guy. I don't know, I just now I'm just hesitating. I'm tired of getting kind of excited about these kickers and then they always come up with some crap. Ever since then Bailey left, then Bailey broke my heart, and then since then, I just I can't be at peace with the kick in positions. So you got to watch the most accurate kicker in NFL history for three years,

and now you just can't settle for anything else. Absolutely not. Yes, it's it's really hard to be excited about a kicker just because the only time you think about a kicker really is when they're not doing their job. If they're doing their job, you just kind of take it for granted after a while, right, That's I guess that's kind of my point is like ag started following the Cowboys at like the height of their kicking ability, and like, I hate, I hate to be a downer Amber, but

it's probably never gonna be that good again. It's just it just is what it is. You're about to say something, Nick, where you gonna throwing Well, just the fact that I mean, Derek, you remember, I mean we sat here and we were excited that Cowboys signed the great most accurate kicker of all time. He was the leader in accuracy Mike Vanderjack and he was terrible with the Cowboys. I mean, he didn't even make it through the season. Parcels had to cut him and was so bad. And so he was

the most accurate kicker of all time. I think Dan Bailey at one time was as well. That's why I'm just kind of hesitant, because you know, I remember there's time for David Akers was never gonna miss for the Eagles, or that guy Read was never gonna miss for the Steelers, and then they do and then they fall off, you know. But like Dave said, Bailey did kind of come back. Vinitarians come back, and you know, and maybe Zerline will do the same. And I don't think he's had a

huge drop off by the way too. I mean it's you know, he's not he wasn't as automatic as he was. But I think this is gonna be a good move for him. Yeah, he was last year. I think he was second worse than the NFL, behind Maha, of course, I mean ahead of mahar But if you look at the last two years before that, he kicked at eighty seven percent in two eighteen, ninety five percent in two thousand and seventeen eighty six percent in two thousand and sixteen. So you look at his record like he's been a

pretty good kicker throughout most of his career. He's had a couple down seasons. He had another season where he's right at ninety three percent. So again I think that you know, for a kicker again, you're gonna have your ups and downs. And one thing we know about kickers, there are ebbs and flows. There are only a few

really great ones that are always consistently great. Most of them kind of have their ebbs and flows, and you hope you catch them on on an upswing and keep them for as long as they're on an up swing, and then whenever they take that down swing, then you

may have to move on to someone else. All right, let's go ahead and talk a little bit about don Terry Poems deal him about time not you Derren Fount, time that they got the damn thing right, Yeah, I mean negociating with this guy for six freaking days right last week We actually mentioned it on the show because at that time they were having conversations. But if the deal's finally done, do you guys know the terms at this point? What was the deal, how much they pay

him end up paying him, and for how long. I believe it was two years, ten and a half mil so, right, I mean right now? A bad deal? No, it's it's right around their sweet spot for deals they like to do, like right around the five or six per year range. It's not as many years as Gerald McCoy got, but it's a similar salary. So, I mean, you know, very typical Cowboys signing, a little not quite scrape in the

bottom of the barrel, but definitely bargain hunting. Yeah, And we talked last week about how much of a value a guy like that can bring to a defensive line, especially one that had some issues stopping the run last year. He's a big guy, I think six three, three hundred forty pounds big guy. But with the signing of Poe and the signing of McCoy together, do you think that changes how the Cowboys look at the draft when it comes to the defensive tackle position. Well, I think it

just changed. It just shows that they change what kind of tackle that they're valuing. They you know, the guy that's a little bit under size that can play inside is not what they're looking for right now. So I don't think it would change what they do in the draft if there's somebody there that fits that mold. But because you remember Poe and McCoy, you know they're at the downside of their career. You know this, they're just

trying to get a little bit of resurgence there. But I don't think it changes what they're gonna do if there's if there's somebody that fits, I just I don't think that there's a strong priority to now go into and make sure that you get a defensive tackle. But if like kin Law or somebody is sitting there, I don't know why you would pass on him just because you've signed these two veterans. I'm really I'm curious about this. I think they're good signings, McCoy and and Poe both.

It fits what McCarthy said they wanted to do. They can be a little multiple, you can do four three and three four stuff with them. I feel good about it. But it's the narrative that's going around, and it's totally fair. The Carolina Panthers, I believe we're fourth worst in the league in rush defense last year, and that was with Luke Keakley and Shack Thompson playing linebacker, so like, these

aren't Scrubs playing linebacker behind him. And it is curious to me that they were so bad against the run with these two guys. Um, I haven't gone back and watched. I will slash should I want to go get a better feel for how these guys played. But that is curious, um that that they weren't better. Um. I do like these signings, but in line with that, it wouldn't stop me from doing anything in the draft. Um, Well, they're

primarily playing, primarily playing a four man front. I don't know if you even know that at this point or front. They played way more four than three, Like McCoy did play some three four end and Poe played some nose tackle, but it was a four man front way more often than a three man front. Um, So I don't think it should stop him. I never really believe that they would take a d tackle seventeenth anyway, just because I think Derek Brown and Javon ken Law will be long

gone by then. Um, but there's there, there's value to be had there. Ross Blacklock out of TCU is a name that comes to mind. Jordan Elliott out of Missouri, justin Matt a week from Texas A and m is a guy that they've been linked to. Any of those guys second third round, it wouldn't stop me from doing anything because I don't think this is like a long term, you know, fixer upper situation. I think they still need

to look at that position in the draft. What do you guys, Whatever they do, I was gonna say, whatever they do with this draft, whatever position they decide to go with, they just need to get someone that is able to contribute right away. In my opinion, last year's draft to me is honestly quite forgettable except for Tony Pollard. I have to really think, like sit down and think, Okay, who were the guys that they drafted last year? And then out of that the only one that always comes

to mind is Tony Pollard. But whoever they go with, I just hope that it's someone that really can start contributing this year rather than sitting around for a whole year and starting to, you know, thinking about the future and all that stuff. None of that crap. Okay. So with that being said, do you guys think that based on anything you saw from Tristan Hill, whether that was what you saw in training, camp in during the season.

Was there any moment or any particular spark that you saw from him that suggests that this year he could be better, especially if he has these veteran guys that maybe they can help him out a little bit and get in there. Do you see anything as far as what you expect from him this year going into the season. I think the biggest thing for him was the hiring of Jim Tomsula. I mean, he is just a veteran defensive line coach that he has worked with a lot

of players and made them better. And that's I think the best thing that can happen for Tristan Hill. And that's nothing against Rod Marinelli. I mean, it's just that the fact that he can have some different coaching in here.

But you know, he's gonna have to be coachable. I mean, I'm not saying that he wasn't, but he had some maturity issues that he needed to deal with and I and you know, most players make a big league from one to two, whether it be their body, whether it be their mind, experience, whatever, he's got to he's got to be able to do that. I mean, they drafted him to be a you know, a contributor, and they went and signed Michael Bennett because he couldn't get on the field, so they have to he has to kind

of want it to make that that stuff. Hopefully he will. Hopefully, hopefully Gerald McCoy will be part of that too, because I mean, in addition to being a great player over the last decade, you know, he's he's achieved really noteworthy status for what a high character leader type of guy he is. He did an interview a few days ago with one of the serious NFL shows about, you know, talking about how you know he's going to be a leader on this team and they're looking toward veteran leadership.

That's not to say Don Tory Poe couldn't be that guy, but I just don't know his much About Don Taripoe, I do know Gerald McCoy is pretty famous for having high football and off field character. So that seems like a guy that could have a positive impact on Tristan Hill for sure. All right, let's go ahead and take our first break. When we come back, we're going to talk a little bit about the running back and fullback positions.

We're gonna get into some topics around that. Some most positive things out of twenty nineteen and s Mary's weather gonna have to get a little bit better. We'll talk about that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. I'm Jay Novachik, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. Back in the day, I was the guy who always got the tough yards, and that's

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GWS one score. September twenty nineteen. Back to the break here at the Cowboys. We can't wait to get back on the field, and we know you can't wait to pack at and T Stadium to cheer us on when the time comes. SeatGeek is the place to get all your Cowboys tickets, plus tickets to hundreds of games, concerts, rodeos and other live events will be able to enjoy again soon. Every SeatGeek purchase is protected by buyer guarantee, which means you'll get your money back if the event

is canceled. Guaranteed Seek Geek. Let's go all right, let's jump back into this thing, guys. Let's talk about the running back and fullback position. To day, we're gonna start up our player our position series. We're gonna talk about a different position every day. Running back and fullback is

where we'll kick it off. This is probably one of the easiest positions to talk about because you have a starter in Zeke Elliott who's gonna be here for a presumably long time after signing his new deal last year. You got Tony Pollard who looked the part of a break back up last year from the draft class. And then where it gets a little bit shaky, as the fullback position, whether it's a matter of how much they use him or matter of what his particular skills are.

But Jamazel the walle they did pick up his one year option. So let's start first by you guys, give me your idea of what do you think from the standpoint if you have to pinpoint one thing is the most positive thing about the running back fullback position in the twenty nineteenth season. What would it be. Let's start with you, Dave. For me, it would probably be just that I really thought Zeke rounded into his best form

over the last like six weeks of the season. Let me see if I can get his stats in front of me while I say it. But you know, I remember last September, last October, we talked about it on the show. We fielded questions about it. Has Zeke lost a step as he had a shape and for a while it really looked true like you didn't see long runs, you didn't see game changing plays. You know, I think he went like a month without having a run of

longer than twelve yards. But I really felt like that changed around Thanksgiving and yeah, I'm looking at it right now. You know, he has seventy one yards and along of thirty against the Bulls eighty yards, two touchdowns and along of thirty one against the Bears. I know it was a BS game, but he had a really nice day in the season finale against Washington. He just looked like

twenty sixteen twenty seventeen. Zeke a lot more. Obviously didn't have a training camp in twenty nineteen because the contract hold out. I think he spent a lot of the season, you know, overcoming that, and I'm encouraged that with his contract situation taken care of, he can be that back more often moving forward. Amber Honestly, I'm feeling pretty good about the running back position, not just with Zeke, but also with what we got to see from Tony Pollard.

You know, he despite him being a rookie, I think he took great advantage of the opportunities that was given to him and he made the most out of it. He has shown to have the ability that you need, not just in a backup, like he could be that guy that could step in in case something was to happen to Ezekiel Elliot. He's a guy that you know, you don't get to me a huge well, I'm not gonna say a huge drop off because obviously ze Zek

and he can only do what he does. But at the same time, it's not like one of these other backs that we've had in the past where there was a huge drop off between those two. So the combination of the two guys not just him being a guy that can give Zeke some rest off the field, but also a guy that can be on the field at the same time. I'm excited to see what kind of place they can build for these two guys to maybe have them both on the field at the same time.

I think that would be really good for the offense. So I'm excited about that. Nick, I think they said it best. I mean, you've got a capable backup in Tony Pollard, who can you know, jump in there if you needed. I think he's going to make a big jump in his second year transition. And then of course Zeke is still one of the best running backs, if

not the best, in the NFL. And you know, we're seeing that two or three years ago there was a debate on maybe who was the best, and there was three guys, and two of those guys are on different teams now, so um, you know, I think that it just goes to show that it's hard to stay at the top of the mountain when you're talking about good running backs great running backs, and I think Zeke is going to do so this year, especially with if if he can have you know, a full off season or

training camp, and who knows what that's going to be like, but um, you know, if he can you know, get into training camp and get ready for the season, I think he's going to be even better this year. All right, So what would you guys say is the biggest area of concern or a place where you see it or you have a desire for change when it comes to the running back position. I'm interested to see about the

fullback spot, just to see what happens there. Um with you know, with Mike McCarthy's offenses and win Green Bay, we saw a lot of fullbacks play there and not not like the finesse fullback like old A Wally, but more of a smashed mouth blocker guy. So, um, I don't know if Olda Wally can do that, and that's the kind of offense that they're going to have. But I'm anxious to see what happens with the fullback spot because I do think you'll see a little bit more

traditional run blocking there. That's why Jason Witten I don't think was as needed, just that complete tight end type blocker, even though he had dropped off as a blocker for sure, But I don't think that that's what they wanted from the tight end position, Like they've always had the way in the nose type of guy. They don't want that from.

They wanted more from the fullback. So I'm anxious to see if they're going to actually get a fullback type or use Ola Walley that way, Yamber, you know, with the tight end position still being kind of in question right now. As to me, I don't really know what to expect out of that. As far as productivity, I think I would like the Cowboys to start using the running backs more in the in the passing game, just

having more plays. They've both shown the capability of being able to catch the ball and run with it, so I would like to see them just incorporate that a little more with these running backs. Dave. I mean, I don't know how you could see Todd Gurley get cut and shipped off to Atlanta and not be concerned about the long term. When you talk about zeke I mean, the Cowboys gave him an absurdly long deal by any NFL standard, even crazier when you consider that it's running back,

the position that gets bashed on every single down. So the Cowboys need three healthy seasons out of Zeke before they could potentially move on and not have it hurt him. I think they can get that. Like Zeke is remarkably durable. I'm not super duper worried about it in the long term, but if something were to go wrong in one of the next three seasons, that's not great, and you know that's how you wind up in salary cap troubles. So just watching what's happened with running back over the last

twelve months around the league, it's definitely concerning. But I think Zeke is more of the exception than the rule. But isn't that kind of why they got Tony? It is, Oh no, and I have all the faith. I really love Tony Poller. I think he's a capable backup. I'm

excited to see what he can do. But if Zeke is unable to play over the next three seasons at you know, at the money that he's making full capacity, Yeah, you're just you're going to be in trouble when it comes to managing your roster, like it's going to hurt your ability to feel a competent team. So I just need Zeke to be healthy until like twenty twenty two or three, which I think, like I said, I think

he can do that. Well, this question is Dave, You've already said it, But for Nick and Hamber, how concerned are you after seeing what happened with Todd Gurley? How concerned are you that the Cowboys have a long term deal with a second contract, long term deal with a running back. I think that you have to see warning signs, and you saw it with Gurley had warning signs when he was drafted. You know, he was already had been injured and he was dynamic, but he has injury prone

and he stayed that way as well. With leban Bell, you know, he showed you that the contract was going to be an issue there and then and then it was and he set out and they ended up getting rid of him. So um, I just feel like that we haven't seen those warning signs yet from Zeke. He's got the contract, he's he's one of the highest you know, paid offensive players in football. I mean or for a skill player and so, and he hasn't really missed any games so that the Cowboys you know, on his own.

So I just feel like he's he's probably you know, going to play those three or four years like that, and if he could play at a high level, I mean that's even better. But he hasn't shown those warning signs yet. Yeah, That's what I was about to say too, is like he hasn't had any injury through this time. The only time that we saw him kind of slowing down or like limping a little bit was in twenty eighteen when the Cowboys were just giving everything to him,

and poor guy, they exhausted him. So last year with the drafting of Tony Potler and using him in the game, I've feel like they were able to balance that out a little bit better where Zeke wasn't just being fully exhausted by every single play. But as far as injury and longevity, I think as of right now, he seems like the guy I can definitely endure several years more without having to lower his productivity on the field. I

think part of that too. You gotta remember, like you talk about second contracts, and I mean, Gurley is right there to compare to and I get that. But to Nick's point, he had a degenerative knee issue coming out of college, like injuries who were a problem with him at Georgia. But when you talk about giving a running back a second contract, you're usually talking about twenty six twenty seven year old players, and Zeke is not even twenty five yet he was remarkably young when he came

into the league. So I set this on Twitter recently, is like, I understand the concern about paying running backs in general. I don't think it's a great idea, but if you're gonna pay one, Zeke is about as perfect a case as there is, and so I get people's concerns with it, But in this particular instance, it doesn't. It doesn't bother me a whole lot, all right. In most instances, when we're doing these these position analysis, we're gonna end it with the question of what is the

biggest reason for optimism with this group? I think I can answer that for all of us, that the reason that you're optimistic about this group is because you've got Zeke, Elliott, and Tony Pollard. There really isn't much else you have to say about it. You feel pretty good about where those guys are. Anybody disagree with that? Nope? No, all right, good, let's go to break. We're gonna take our second and final break. When we come back. Amber is going to

uh Amber is going to play a little game. We got a little game, just like we did last week. We're gonna get our pins in our paper ready, and you guys want us so we'll be fun. We'll do that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio since eighteen sixty five. Stets and 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 too? You

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Get a great deal with America's best network. Come into an AT and T store to find out how to get one of our popular smartphones for zero dollars down based on GWS one s cour September twenty nineteen. Tesselor is a proud sponsor of the Dallas Cowboys, helping fans see more and do more. Our best vision solutions, our lens technologies reveal a world more beautiful than you can imagine.

For a limited time, get the Slur next Gen offer, where you buy the latest generation of Transitions lenses with select Slur lenses, you can choose a second pair of clear lenses for free with qualifying frame purchases. Restrictions apply. Find a participating eyecare professional by visiting SLOR USA dot com. Slor See More, Do More. So you're shopping, and that's

when you see it. I old twenty three Doctor Pepper stack from top to bottom as far as the eye can see, the phrase two going to be true comes to mind. Yet there it is a rich, delicious Doctor Pepper Paradise. Wait did did that can of doctor Pepper, just open itself for you. They all are as if to say, so nice to treat you. And even though it feels weird to talk to we, can you pick one up and say, it's so nice to be treated doctor Pepper, so nice to treat you. Back to the Break.

Welcome back to the final segment of the Break. We are live. We're not at the s WBC mortgage studios. We are at our own individual homes doing shows as most people are doing right now, and trying to give you guys a little bit of fun here while you're working from home. Amber's got a game for us. Amber, what do you have? Well, basically the same thing as last week, with the exception that we will not make

it confusing. We're gonna write our answers on the piece of papers, show it, and then we'll address the answers as needed. Okay, so let's just keep it simple and have fun with it. First question, will the Cowboys miss Jason Witten on the field? M do we have to write this down? Sorry? I know we just said we weren't going to confuse it. No, you don't need to. I think we can answer this when just outright I would say no, and that is I think they may miss miss him off the field. I think they him

and missus leadership. I think it may be a little weird if they should happen to match up in well in the preseason doesn't really matter, but it would have to be in the playoffs. But if they should happen to match up with the Raiders, I think it may feel a little weird to Cowboys fans and maybe even to his former teammates. But I think just from a standpoint of the play, honestly, I think that last year what we saw from Jason was a couple of really

really nice plays. I think about that touchdown player, that play that was kind of back shoulder phenomenal played by him. But by and large, I think his play was average, if you want to be honest about it. And so I don't think I don't think they're necessarily going to miss him on the field. I think there will be other guys that should be able to step up. I

love the signing of Blake Bell. From the standpoint of a blocking tight end, I think they're going to get more from him than they've probably gotten as a block. As a blocker from any tight end, they've had over the last several years, so I don't think they'll necessarily miss him. I think there are ways to answer everything that he would have done for them this year. Yeah,

I think they'll miss him. You just said he was average, and they don't have an average tight ends right now on the roster, or they don't have anything above average on the roster. So until I see somebody above average on the roster, then I would say that, yeah, they will miss him. From a standpoint of one to three on the tight ends, that the three tight ends that will roll out there, I don't think they're better right now. But you know, maybe they draft someone. Maybe maybe those

guys will show that they that they are. But as of right now, I don't think that the three tight ends that they have or are better than the three tight ends they had last year. You want to break the tie, Yeah, I don't. I don't know. I mean, I'm with Derek, I don't. I don't think they'll really miss him that much. I can't say that Blake Jarwin is definitively better than Jason Witten right now, but I will gladly roll the dice on the upside because you

talk about athleticism, downfield, playmaking ability, run after catch. You know, we talked about this, you know last time when when we were talking about them resigning him. He has the potential to grow into a playmaker. And you know, Jason Witten's going to the Hall of Fame. He was a great player. But he's not going to get better than what we saw, Like he's only going to continue to decline as he gets older. I'll gladly roll with the upside.

I think they'll be just fine. All right, all right, next question, which team or player do you hate playing against the most? Any player or team that you hate seeing the Cowboys playing against the most? I mean, how could it not be Aaron Rodgers? Right, No, I'm serious. I mean he just with the with the lone exception of the twenty sixteen regular season, he just breaks their

heart every freaking time they play. And he doesn't even he doesn't even always have to have a great game, like in twenty fifteen it was James Starks and Eddie Lacey just ran all over him. But like Rogers record against the Cowboys is ridiculous, and you throw in two

playoff losses and that's all she wrote. He's the current version of Randy Moss even though yeah, the Cowboys, well yeah, the Cowboys did have two chances to draft him actually and didn't, So I don't I don't know if they you know, he ever you know used that against them, But yeah, the Cowboys could have drafted him, I guess in two thousand and five. But Randy Moss uh never lost to the Cowboys, and Aaron Rodgers is only, like Day said, only lost the one game, maybe two games.

But I think I think he's seven and two. I think it's or eight and two. It's definitely a lot too a little right, I'll say this, I'll throw in this one. I think Aaron Rodgers is definitely the answer. But if I had to have a second choice, it would be the Saints in New Orleans. Like, I absolutely

hate going to New Orleans to play the Saints. That's that seems like it's never fun, Like it's just there have been a couple of games that the Cowboys come out victorious, but I just I hate I hate going to that place to play just because it's just bad things. When you start hearing that song that they play, you know it's not going good for your team. So I just I'm out on the on the New Orleans trip took place. You know, they're actually gonna play at a

place this year that they've never won in Baltimore. I mean, there hasn't been a lot of games there. Yeah, but that's a good team too. Yeah, yeah, they have not Yeah, they have not won there at that stadium. So I believe owen three. Um, so that'll be that'll be one of the road trips this year on the AFC. I guess Cincinnati being the other one, which you know, that'll be interesting too if they if they you know, have the number one pick with Joe Burrow. I hear he's

pretty good. I mean I've been it's all right, it's what I've been told. That's what I've been told, Dave. I just want to know if you're gonna run him down in his locker room and just to talk to him or something. I don't know. I know people, can you sign my tattoo? Can you sign my tattoo? I'm gonna shart choice this thing and make him side your glove or something like that. I am a professional in every sense of I would never do that. Okay, okay, on that note, all right, yea with all the changes

and the unknown. On a scale one to ten, ten being the highest, how good do you project this oh line to be in twenty twenty mm so ten being the highest? How good do you project this offensive line to be this year? M I'm gonna say seven. I think seven is a yeah. Seven is a really good answer. Maybe sixty, yeah, because I think they'll be above average. Five is average, right, I think they're gonna be a little bit above average, but all up in nine or ten?

Have they ever been ten? I mean have they Have you ever called them at ten? I mean I don't think at ten. A nine maybe and fourteen sixteen, maybe not at ten, but they were pretty damn close. Okay, Yeah, I mean that being said, I would say seven with the chance to get to eight. You know, these guys are older. They and they show that they're older. I mean, Zach Martin's missing in practice because of a back injury, Tyran Smith. You know, it looks like Derek sometimes with

his elbow. I mean, like I just think that my elbow is fine. Yeah. I just feel like that they have gotten a little bit younger, sound like they're completely older. They're getting younger, and when they keep drafting. You know, some of these guards and McGovern and Connor Williams and you know this guys can step up. You know they have a chance of maybe eight, but I would say seven probably. Sorry, So let's let's say that with the inexperience of the younger guys, plus maybe some injuries that

could happen to these veteran guys. How much do you think that any kind of change right there could really affect Dak Prescott in his game? I think I think Dak has kind of evolved into that kind of player too, where maybe he can start holding his own a little bit more. Yeah, I think that the biggest thing that's going to affect BAC would be the center position. And you know, he did have his best season last year

in terms of stats when Travis Frederick came back. I don't know if that's a coincidence or not, but but I do think that that Frederick's awareness was was a big factor and that that helps. I mean, when you have the anchor of your line making the calls, that's going to take some of the pressure off of Dak. So whoever the center is, if it's Joe Looney, whoever it is, that you know that he's got big shoes to fill, and I think that's the one position that

will affect Dak Prescott. And then also if the left tackle doesn't play, that affects them too, because we saw there was a game in Atlanta a couple of years ago when Tyran Swift didn't play, and I think Dak's back felt it the next probably the next rescue games of the season. Yeah, you know, Nick, I'll say this though. I mean the fact that Dak and Joe Looney have been through this before two years ago when when Zack, when Travis was out, they had to go through this,

and so I think they should be better prepared. If Looney is the guy that actually steps up into this position, I think they should be better prepared this time going around and should be better than they were then because they've had that experience of doing that and they have been able to grow from it. So yeah, I know that it's it wasn't and I shouldn't say it because it certainly wasn't bad. I don't think two years ago. I just think that it wasn't as good as what

you were seeing with Travis Frederick. I think that at this point my expectation at least is they should be able to step up and be much better than they were back then, because it's this is their second go a round. I want to throw this out there. In twenty eighteen with Joe Looney in the lineup, Joe Looney played great, They were fine. They gave up fifty six sacks, which was second in the league. Just an impossibly high number. Can't sustain winning football giving up that many sacks, which

is ironically they made the playoffs whatever. They dropped all the way to twenty three last year. And you can't convince me that a post guion bare syndrome Travis Frederick was the difference in thirty four sacks. There's just no way, my point, because by the way, he didn't play his best football last year. No, that's my point, Like, this isn't this isn't all pro Travis Frederick. This was above

average Travis Frederick. Like, there's no way that that's the difference in thirty plus sex And my point, some of it's gonna be on Dak And I think he got a lot better last year. I think John Kitten that helped him with his decision making, being more asserted in the pocket. Hopefully that keeps up with Doug nus Meyer as the quarterback coach. Kelly Moore is still there, so

I expect it will be. But I think a lot of that's gonna be on Dak to help the offensive lineout, and I think he's gotten better at that, as evidenced by the dramatic drop last year. Okay, real quick, what is your favorite jersey number? Okay, so, I mean my favorite number is just a yeah. I mean I would say fourteen is my favorite number. But like, you can't beat like, you can't beat eighty eight on a wide receiver in football. It's just so badass. And I like

that's not even Cowboys bias. It just looks awesome in general. All Right, Nick, you said too, I like to I this times back to Deon Sanders. I. You know, I just when Dion was wearing number two in college, I thought that was the coolest thing. And you know, a lot of people like to wear number one, but I think two is cool, especially like in football, but yeah, I guess even in basketball too. I just think it's

it's a it's a cool number. So yeah, I've always, honestly, I've always been partial to number one on a jersey. I think it looks really cool. And watching Warren moon for years with the Oilers as number one that kind of jaded me a bit. Even when I played football in high school, I war number one just because of war moon Wards, so I thought, I think number one school. I love number one all right. Now, in a percentage scale, one are the real chances of the Cowboys drafting and

wide receiver in the first round. So what we want or what we think, what you think the Cowboys will do, not what we want all right? Percentage wise, realistically, I would put it at like a twenty to twenty five percent chance, because I really do think it could be a scenario where the best receiver available is a lot better. You know, do you want a ready made starter at receiver or a guy that's kind of a project anywhere else?

And so that's what gives me pause. But all things like if it's even close, if it's even remotely close, I think the front office wants a defender. So I don't think it's that realistic, but I think there is a chance. Yeah, I agree with that thought process, but I put the percentage around fifteen percent because I think they will convince themselves that that defender is on par

with that receiver. But I do agree with you. I think I think there's a possibility you might be able to get the top receiver, depending on what flavor of receiver you like the most. I think you may be able to get one of those top guys at seventeen. And to me, the value of that is is better then say, you know, one of the other guys at one of those defensive positions that may be a good player, but isn't as as great a player as maybe one of those top receivers. Yeah, I think it's closer to

forty actually, because that's so that's what you guys just said. Though, it's because of the value. I think that's where you're going to get your value. And then and if some of these defenders are off the board, you know, if if the value is there of a seeding Lamb or I don't know Jerry Judy will go that low, but he might. I mean, you know who knows. Um, you know, they do have a spot. I mean, three receivers is important in any offense. That's just the way it's gone now.

And they only have two that they can really count on. Right now. So, um, I think it's started with that being said. While you're saying, Nick, regardless, you're saying there is a forty percent chance, regardless of what they have already invested at the wide receiver position, with Amari Cooper resigning him and then having what you have with my called Gallop and his development. Yeah, but I mean Gallop two years for two more years for Gallop, three years

for Cooper. I mean, I still think and the fact that that your third receiver is going to play lit it just comes down to value. And I think because it's so heavy of receivers this year, I think that when they sit there at seventeen and they look at their board and they go who's there, they're like, dang,

these three receivers are are really really good. I think they're gonna either they trade back because of those great receivers or they take one, which keep it keep in mind, a g name the next best receiver on the team after Gallup, Like that's an awesome starting too. Let's see. I mean, seriously, name the next one, because it's no that's it. This reminds me a little bit of what

Atlanta did. I think a couple of years ago when they had Julio Jones, they had snow and then they didn't really you know, you didn't really have to draft Calvin Ridley, but he was there. And now I'm sure that they're glad that they did, you know, because they didn't necessarily need him, but they but they picked him. So I could see that happening. Hey, Dave, Yes, I got one for you. Okay. Des Bryant. A lot of people keep asking about him coming back to the Cowboys.

I mean, I thought I thought we did this back at the Combine. I just I don't see it. I don't like he doesn't he doesn't feel the role that they need, Like they need more of a slot guy. I know, like he's done that, but it's not his forete by any stretch. He's thirty two coming off in Achilles. Does he have the explosiveness you want from a starting receiver. That's and I think for the most part, people that want Dez back are talking about, like let him come in as the fourth guy and play in the red

zone and you know, maybe he gets fifteen snaps a game. Fine, Like for I still don't see that happening. But like we're talking about a guy that can play starting snaps, you know, sixty five seventy five percent of the snaps every week. I just don't don't think I buyed it. Des is that guy? Yeah, I mean either. But here's another question for you guys, this one you're gonna enjoy. If you have to root for another college team, who would you root for? Who would we root for? It

can't be anybody in the SEC. That was easy for me. Actually, now I think about it, It's New Mexico because my nephew plays there, So yeah, i'd be New Mexico. You root for them anyways, I know. But we're saying I assume she's saying other than your school, right, right? School? What's another die hard? I mean I talk about invested because in three or four years you probably won't root for them as much. So who is your die hard? Who are you gonna wear a sweatshirt with four on

Friday afternoon? Like? What other school? No? One? Oh? I mean you got like five schools, Nick, So it's a little different for you. I've got five schools you root for. I got two. I've got two that I root for. Well yeah, yeah, okay, and that's how many games both of them won last year, so you know, I would say Notre Dame. Huh, that's I mean, I've always liked You're playing next year, That's that's really interesting. I would like to I would like to be there if that

has happened. You're gonna wear the split jersey? No, no, it's not like that. I mean, I liked Rudy. That was it, you know. I mean, you know, but I'm not gonna split the jersey. You know. But I'm just saying I could, I could, you know, root for that. I don't hate them, you know, like a lot of people, it's like love or hate. I don't really hate them. That would be a team I guess I could could pull for it. I'd probably say I'd probably say Wisconsin.

I got a lot of family up there, so I know a lot of people that root for them anyway. You know, great, you know, they they win, They've gone to the Rose Bowl a bunch of times the last twenty years. Great running backs, Russell Wilson, Camp Randall's an awesome stadium. Yeah, I could root for Wisconsin. Get another tat two on the other arm, Yeah, I get that w I get the w over here my tiger, all right,

last question. This one's kind of easy. Um, what position do you feel that has been upgraded the most during this free agency upgrade? I think it has to be the defensive tackle position, right, I mean, that's where they spent most of their resources at this point. Yeah, yeah, I mean, are you sure it's an upgrade? I mean, I think I think what they have right now is better than what they had last year. Now, whether how high you want to think that goes, I don't know.

I mean that that may speak to the quality or the level that they were at last year, but I think they're better off this year than they were last year at that position, at those two positions defensive tackle, I think, I agree. I mean, but I like, I don't, you know, talking about how they were bad against the

run in Carolina last year. Like, I don't think it's this crazy improvement, but I just think it speaks to like right now, I just I don't feel that optimistic that this team is better than it was last year. So if I had to pick a spot, i'd probably play, say, defensive tackle. Yeah, I don't. I think you're right, Dave, because you've got two positions that they have not upgraded. I mean they've actually downgraded at cornerback and defensive end,

so you can make the argument for defensive tackle. I mean probably, so safety is probably a wash kicker. It's hard to say that right now because I mean, four Bat didn't miss when he was here, so it's hard to say that he's going to be completely better tight end. You don't know, receiver. They actually lost the third receiver right now, so that's it. I don't think this is a better football team than it was last year right now.

I mean, you guys honestly think that, you guys honestly think that Antoine Woods and Malie Collins are better than Poe and McCoy. No, I just don't think that. I don't know that it's like that dramatic of an upgrade. I think I think Carlins is probably a better player. I mean, he's a better player like across the board

for the NFL than maybe those two. I don't know about from a scheme fit standpoint, But well, what gives you that impress I mean we've only seen him in this scheme, so is that just kind of your your thoughts on what you think he can be in another scheme? Because he's going to the same scheme now going to open with Rod. So what you know, what I don't know is I don't know his money. I don't. I don't really remember. It was kind of it took a

long time for that money to come out. So what they pay, Yeah, Malik got a one year like five four or five million, He got a proven deal. He really didn't get a whole lot. M I just think then, no, I agree with you. Yeah, I don't think the league values him very much by seeing by what happened in free agency. I think it's I think it's his injury, his stree. Honestly, he's you know, he's had foot injuries

for the vast majority of his career. I agree with you, Derek that the defensive tackle the starting two is better than it was, But I don't think it is by this like astronomical margin, Like I mean, you know, don Tari Poe, like these are these are guys that are closer to the end of their career than the beginning. I like, you know, this isn't twenty twelve Gerald McCoy. I still think he can be effective, don't get me wrong, but I just I'm not convinced that this is a drastic,

drastic upgrade. Yeah, and I agree with that. Honestly, I think time will tell how much of an upgrade it is. I think it's an upgrade. I just don't know how much. And I think it also depends on what these coaches can get out of those two players. That's going to tell you how much it is. So that's what we

can't tell. But I think if you're just looking at just the raw talent of the player, I think, to me, I don't think it's even a question that they have better caliber players at those two defensive tackle positions than they had last year. The only reason I'm drawn more to that position, defensive tackle, is just because they've gone in two bodies out of this free agency. Other than that, there's if it was just one guy. Honestly, I don't feel like that gives me much excitement for the position.

But the fact that at least they signed two bodies to add to the roster, that's the only reason I would lean more towards that being an upgrade at this point. Yeah, and quite frankly, I still think the defensive line is worse off. I know that sounds like I'm talking out of both sides. Of my mouth. But the fact that they lost Robert Quinn to me, is bigger than the addition of those two guys relative to the defensive tackles

that were that were there before. So for me, this all hinges on what are they going to do with defensive end, either in the draft or in the remainder of free agency. That's going to replace the production that Robert Quinn gave them. So if they don't do that, they don't replace that, and they're expecting that one of the guys on the current roster is going to be that guy, then I think they'll go into next year with the worst defensive line than they had last year.

I guarantee there are people watching this right now screaming saying, how can you not say safety because they firmly believe that. Haha. Clinton Dix is a better player than Jeff Heath. But I don't think we know that yet. Yeah, I was gonna say, I don't know if I that's one of the areas we're talking about how Dave looked at defensive tackle. That's kind of how I look at safety. I think

he might be better. Yeah, Honestly, there have been suggestions from things I've seen that suggests he might not be He might be the same guy. Like he may just frustrate you in different ways than Jeff Heath would frustrate you. Right, So, I don't know if that's a better player. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, don't Yeah, I think a jury is still out there. Yeah, all right, we appreciate you guys join us. Thanks for that. But that was a fun game.

Got some good round conversation about some different things involving this team. We're gonna be back next week, next Wednesday, we'll be back at the normal time eleven o'clock. Will be here at our homes, not at the SWBC Mortgage studios, but at our homes. And you got some more content, some stuff to talk about. Make sure you check out all the content we're putting out on Dallas Cowboys dot com. We're also putting out a Dock of the day. If you haven't had a chance to see some of the

Deep Blue documentaries. Every day we're going to highlight a different one. It's a good opportunity for you to catch up on those again. Try to catch up with them on your connected TV device. Is a good opportunity. Since you're at home. To be able to watch some of our content on your television, just download The Cowboys Now at It's on Amazon, Fire, Roku, and Apple tv until next week. For Nick Eatman, Dave Hellman, Amber Garcia, I'm Derek Eagleson. 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.