Cowboys Break: Expectations Changed?

episode number sixty nine. Welcome to the latest edition of The Break Live and the s WBC Morgan Studios at the Stars Thanksgiving week. But before we get to Thanksgiving, we got to talk about the Cowboys big win yesterday. They get into the win column finally after a very very multiple season so far. They win thirty one twenty eight to the Minnesota Vikings. And as we start usually on Mondays, I'm going to go around the table and get the big storyline of the game. Nick, let's start

with you. What was the biggest storyline coming out of this game for you? They hit their ass. I mean they hit them from the start. I mean they from the start. They were hitting them in the mouth. They some of them was was, you know, causing turnovers but I mean even some of them didn't was on their touchdowns.

But either way, the Cowboys defense was physical from the very beginning, and I thought that was that was just evident the whole game, and I think I think it just kind of carried on throughout the both sides of the ball. But I think just the physicality of it was something we hadn't seen. You know, it's interesting before we get to Amber and Dave, I was thinking about

that a little early, how physical that game was. How much do you think that affects them going into a game where you have a short week and you got to turn your body around to play on Thursday. Yeah, it helps when you win. I mean I think it feels better if you if you get a win like that. Yeah, but we'll find out. But I mean it's still a young team for the most part, so I think I

think we'll see how it goes on Thursday. I mean, they're not playing a great team over there, so I mean they might have a chance to still win, but yeah, it could affect them. Amber, what was the big storyline for you? Well, I hope they're not hyping me up for nothing. I hope they maintained this hype because otherwise,

oh my god. But I think that after this game, seeing what they were able to do, it's like one of those things that, well, maybe they can go ahead and win the rest of this thing and win the NFC is if they keep playing the way that they did in the game last night. So it was just good to finally see an offense that wasn't perfect, but that was able to move the chains and get into

the end zone. And as well as the defense, the defense that was bringing the fire again, not super consistent throughout the full whole game, but consistent in the moments that they needed it the most. So I think it's one of those things that here we are and maybe the Cowboys do win this whole thing, looking especially at the rest of the schedule. Dave oh Amber, I just love your I love your Monday user, I'm such a loser. I just I love your Monday. No, I love your swings.

I love you know you're right back in it and you should be. And that's so with the within the game itself, I think my biggest takeaway is just that that's that's probably the best we've seen the offensive line play all season. Um, you know, one hundred and eighty rushing yards, easily their best total of the day. Zeke looked much more like the zeke that we want to see. Tony Pollard obviously had some success, Dalton only got hit

one time. You give yourself a chance to win if your offensive line plays that way, and then you know, I said all last week that I thought that was a litmus test, And if they are capable of playing that way for the final six games, they've got a chance to win probably all of them. I'm not saying they will win all of them, but they should be in all six of those games if they play the way they played yesterday, which obviously gives them chance to

win the division, as crazy as that sounds. So here's a big question, and I think all fans out there listening are probably wrestling with a little bit this morning. How much, if at all, does this game and what they were able to do yesterday change your expectations of this team for the season. And I'm going to start

with you the expectations. I don't think it really changes the expectations for me, because, again, based on everything that we've seen this year, it's like one of those things that you gotta see it to believe it at this point, and yes, it was great to see what they were able to do and now we can see what they can possibly do. But as far as the expectations go, I don't I don't think my expectations have really changed much, although I just got done saying that I think that

they can win the rest of this thing. But at the same time, it's just like you've seen both sides now and it's just can they maintain that kind of con insistency. Can they actually find consistency in the second half of the season, And do I expect that? Not really, but I now have hope again that they can do that. So, um, I don't know what to tell you as far as expectations. It's just kind of just kind of there, like I

need to see it as we go. Dave, I think I think the expectation is just I think you can, based on this game, you can expect them to be a competent football team for the last six weeks, which, like I feel like maybe that sounds ridiculous, but what I mean by that is the expectation changes from you know, Derek, if you had said to me on Friday, oh, you know, maybe they win this game, maybe they get on a roll.

Maybe you know, maybe they go eight and eight. I would say, I would say, Derek, stop it, stop being stupid. That's ridiculous based on what we've seen. I can't I can't say that anymore, not with a straight face. And a big part of that is what's left on the schedule. Obviously, you know they don't they're not playing any more good teams. Baltimore is the best team left on the schedule, and

Baltimore's lost three of four. So if they play that way against the quality of the opposition that's in front of them, which is not good, then they've got a chance to win a lot of games. So my expectation for what they're capable of achieving has not changed. Like, this team's not gonna win the super Bowl. But you know, I think you probably you probably have to put the tanking conversation on the back burner if they're going to play that way against the teams that are left on

the schedule. I guess that's that's the difference. I mean, the expectation is that they'll play well or be in these games. You know that, Like Dave said, you know, they the schedule favors them at this point. I think the schedule favors the Cowboys more than any other team in the division. But I mean, they've won three games this year. They have not been winning at the two minute warning at any of those three games. They've had to have, you know, come from behind wins just to

get three. Uh. You know, Dalton's pass should could have been intercepted on the on the you know, on the goal line there. They needed a fourth down to save it. So it's not like they, you know, we could have we could be sitting here talking about two and eighteen. We're not because you know, the Cowboys did enough and they took that game. They won it. They definitely earned it. But I'm just saying, you know, the way that they're playing, there's gonna be some some games that they lose, probably

that they shouldn't. So my expectations is that this roller coaster ride is gonna have more flips and it more turns. You know, I just hope everyone, you know, no one falls off. But I mean I think for the most part, it's it's gonna be a wild ride to the end. But you did nothing about yesterday changed what you expect or what you think this team is capable of. No,

I mean obviously I didn't. You know, No, I don't think they're They're not a great football team, but you don't have to be great to make to win, you know, the division this year. So I think that they you could just tell that the excitement level and the relief of finally getting a win. I mean, it was it was a very excited locker room, excited plane ride and stuff like that. They were they were excited because I mean,

they've been taking a lot of beatings here for a while. No, And and I heard you say this morning on the radio, it's not just beatings they've been taking on the field. They've been taking a beating in Dallas. They've been taking a beating with the media. They've been taking a beating with fans like every and by the way, it's probably due because of how they've played so far right and I mean, and the media and fans are setting them

up for a trap. You know how that well, because you they the people that say they should tank and all that are the first ones that'll jump with their ass if they actually did, you know, if they actually quit, that's what people will talk about even though they want to.

They think they want to hire draft back. But if they actually did quit on the team and quit on themselves and didn't really win, didn't play hard, they you know, those coaches and those players would be the first ones criticized by the same people that probably want to hide draft big. So you don't fall into it, you don't worry about it. You just go out and you play, and you know they're gonna win some games, they're gonna

lose some and we'll see if it's good enough. Yeah, just to be clear, just to be fair, I think a lot of those people are wanting what they call organic tanking. They want them to play well, they want them to play hard, but just the they want the everything to fall at the end of the game to where they don't win, but to be as you were saying last week though, when it came down and Dave and I were sitting across from each other watching this game,

and both of us said the same thing. When it came down that last drive, it was like, Okay, so at this one, who are you rooting for? What are you rooting for? If you're a fan at this point in the game, like you at the point when they needed to get a score in order to take the lead and win, and then at the point when they needed to get a stop, like, what are you rooting for at that point? And I'm hard pressed to think there were fans out there that were really rooting for

them to lose at that point. That's one that you just kind of deal with the next day and you're like, man, I don't know how much that win helped us, but it felt good last week. Yeah, all right, we're gonna take an early first break. When we come back. We're gonna get into some of our moments that mattered. Each of these guys are gonna tell you a moment from the game that really made a difference in the game. Later,

we'll get into some performance reviews. There are a lot of players that we need to point out they had really really good days yesterday. We'll start well that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. There's nothing as unique as our eyes, which is why Selor Pioneers weighs to make lenses as unique as you. Varilux for super sharp vision, Essential Blue for protection, and Crisol for freedom from glare. Three cutting ex solutions in

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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. Here it's nineteen o eight. Don't you think we should get electricity and stop using candles to see at night? It's just electricity lights up the room fast. It's more reliable than candles blowing out, and people seem to love it nationwide. Candles, dear, did you

just run into the wall? I have a new candle please. Historically, switching to new technology is a no brainer. Today it's AT and T five G fast, reliable, secure and nationwide. Switch to a T and T five G. It's not complicated. Five G requires can plant may not be in your area. See att dot com slash five G for you for details. Back to the break The Cowboys will be back at AT and T Stadium on Thursday to take on Washington

on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets starting are just eighty nine dollars on sale now get yours today Dallas Cowboys dot com slash tickets. Welcome back. It is the second segment of the break Life from the s WBC Mortgage Studios. We're talking about the cowboys big win yesterday they beat the Minnesota Vikings thirty one, twenty eight. Now they start turning their attention towards the Washington football team, who will be here at AT and T Stadium this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day game.

We'll get into that tomorrow and Wednesday. We'll actually have Bucky Brooks on with us on those two days to talk about the Washington football team's offense and their defense and start getting you guys ready for that game on Thursday. Let's focus back on this game yesterday, though, and let's jump into some of the moments that mattered. Let's start first with you, Dave, what was the biggest moment that

mattered for you in that game? You know, there's a lots and shoots from but how about how about Donovan Wilson's second forced fumble, you know, the one that snuffed out the Vikings drive there at the end of the first half. It led to it. It It led to a Cowboys field goal, did it not. Yeah, it leads to

them taking a two possession lead going into halftime. Obviously, you know the Vikings fought back and negated that, but it still helps you set the tone for the second half, the sense that you know, you have this two possession lead that you can protect. And I think everybody in the world probably thought the Vikings were gonna go I mean, obviously get at least three, but maybe even get six the way that their offense was starting to get rolling.

And maybe I'm biased too because it was just so much fun to see a safety make a play like that, But that kind of it was the opposite of what you expect to happen watching this team, like the Cowboys don't make plays like that, and not, like I said, now, only did it kill a Vikings scoring opportunity, but it led to some pretty I mean, it led to three points in a game that you won by three. So yeah, that's that's probably where I go. Yeah, that was a

huge play. And I actually want to talk about We're gonna talk about Donovan Wilson a little later in the show, just what he's meant to this defense really over these last two weeks. Has been two games now that he's had a really, really a big impact on the game, much bigger of an impact than we've seen from safeties with this team in a long time. Nick, what was your moment that matter? I'll go a little bit before that.

In the second quarter, you know, the Vikings had a fake punt and they converted and they got down to the Cowboys thirty three yard line, and the course of penalty brought him back. And then the next thing, you know, the same guy who made that catch, Chris Boyd, he ends up getting a penalty after the next punt. So, you know, at ten o six to go in the second quarter, the Vikings look like they've got the ball

in the Cowboys thirty three. At nine fifty six to go, the Cowboys have the ball at their own forty eight. I mean, it was a huge change. They go down and score, so I thought, you know, it's a seven to six game. The Vikings look like they keep it rolling. Next thing, you know, the Cowboys have the ball and they go score. I thought that was a huge flipping of the field. Go back with me to that the

play before the fake punt. What were they What was Dallas Dallas doing there because it didn't seem like I don't know why the guy shifted down as though he were gonna gonna go and try to get the punt. It just seemed like a bad decision to leave that guy to sitting out there because all he did was basically raised his hand. Now, he moved around more than he should have, but if he wouldn't have moved and just kind of sayd hey, do you see this? Yeah,

like that's an easy conversion. Something seemed off with that. Yeah, it did seem often. I asked a little bit of people about it, and I got different answers because one of the somebody said that, yeah, the coaches knew that it was an illegal formation, so they said go ahead and send it because because he knew, because they knew that they're not lined upright and they're gonna call it. Plus their yelling in the guy's ear that that was the call. So I don't know if that's the case

or I've seen that before. They just kind of clamp in and hope to block the punt. But I don't know. Dabball I think is supposed to get over. I have a hard time. This is a team that has messed up. How many dudes they have on the field on special teams a couple of times this year, Like that is impressive. If they knew that the Vikings were lined up illegally in the moment, like just in the moment they were like, yeah, he's lined up wrong, so go try to go get

the punt. Like, I'm not saying it's impossible, but I'm dubious. I'm very dubious. I think it's it's stemmed from the play before the punt before they weren't lined up right. They're telling the officials that they see it again, they just go after and try to block it because nothing's gonna nothing bad's gonna happen. Yeah, you know, I don't know. I'm not necessarily buying it because both of the gunners went. So it's not like just that guy from that sideline

hearing the coaches ain't go go go. That both went, so that was a called play. Yeah, it just seems like it's a bad design because that seems like that's something easy. And I would assume most special teams, most punt units know, hey, if you got a guy out there sitting out there, you're gonna basically the pun isna just throw it to him. Yeah, exactly, because there's no harm in doing that midfield right. It just didn't That didn't seem like a well thought out decision. That was

a decided play that they wanted to run there. That was a moment that mattered it definitely was a moment that mattered. Amber what was the moment that matter for you? Well, that was what I was gonna choose as well. I mean, even though it was still very early in the game, I think that that decision that benefited the Cowboys. The flag up benefited the Cowboys was huge because we know how plays like that can easily shift and change the

momentum of a game. But if I had to pick something else from the game, I mean, there were many things and many players that definitely stood out during this game that made really big things for the Cowboys. But I gotta give a shout out to see Lamb and that amazing catch that he had in the end zone. I mean, I don't think any one thought that he was gonna get that. As I watched it, I definitely thought, oh, man, here's Andy Dalton. He overthrew that and then next thing,

you know, freaking ceedee. Lamb turns with this whole body and falls on the ground with the ball in his hands. So that was an absolutely big moment for the Cowboys there. Yeah, that play, I don't know. That catch was just amazing. His ability to be able to contort his body find the ball track the ball and then make the catch.

Not a lot of NFL wide receivers can do that, and his ability to do that, it just shows you why the Cowboys, even though they didn't need a receiver, and you can argue there were a lot of positions they could have taken that would have been better suited for them at the time, they had to jump on the pick to get Ceedee Lamb because he is a he is he is looking more and more like the kind of player that is that is going to have a very long and a very very successful career. Yeah.

I thought he was amazing, and not just on that. I thought he had I love the way they used him yesterday. They were running the ball with him and baking you know, runs with him, and he was very physical too. He had some plays in there. He was running over people in that one run, that one catch where he fought for extra yards. I thought that was a really pivotal play. So I just really liked what they It was almost like they took the bye week to say, wait a second, he's our first round pick.

Let's utilize this guy in more ways. And we saw it. You have some of you are about to say, yeah, I was just gonna say they might not have needed a receiver, but they needed Lamb, Like, yeah, you can't order to pass on that. And thank god they didn't because sixteen other teams are sixteen because you know, teams took some quarterbacks that look really good. But there's a few teams right now that feels stupid for letting that.

There's no doubt in my mind's I actually he made that catch in training camp, like maybe the fourth day, maybe the fourth day of camp, he did something very similar, and you know, Mike McCarthy wouldn't let us know anything or show anything, and I remember being really frustrated that not more people were going to get to see what he did. Oh, it's nice that he'd managed to do that in a game and just let everybody know like

he's the real deal. That was. Yeah, he's awesome. Every GAP fan should be really excited that he's here for the long term. Yeah, he just decided to do it for national audience rather than just you guys out at training camp practice. You know, I'll throughout this other play too. It was fourth and one. It was another CD Lamb play, that fourth and one jet sweep where he picks up the first down that was in the second quarter, about seven minutes left, But that was a huge play for them.

And really yesterday they were pretty aggressive when it came to fourth downs. They went forward three different times and converted two of them. What were your thoughts on just their ability to be aggressive yesterday And not only that, but they did some things just from a play calling standpoint, like you said, Nick, that were a little different to pick up some of those first downs. Yeah, I mean the touchdown. Both touchdowns were plays that we hadn't really

seen a lot of. The one, I mean not both touchdowns. First, the first one to Ze throwing it out there, and then the one to Schultz. Schultz actually said to me, and you guys would laugh if you knew where I interviewed Chiltz. But he, uh, bust bathroom, bust bathroom. No, no, the plane play bathroom, bathroom close to the bathroom, not not in the bathroom. Y. Yeah, everyone's looking up there like what's going You know, it all helps when you win,

you know, you win, no one really cares. But yeah, he said, they've been working on that for about four weeks now, and I'm thinking, well, you've lost four games at row why not whipping it out? I mean, you know, I'm talking about talking about the play obviously, not anything else by the bathroom. But I think it was a good um. I think it was obviously a just just a dynamic type of play call. And Kellen Moore should get a lot of credit for that game he did.

He did a really nice job ball game he did. Did you have something we're about to say, Dave? I heard somebody saying, I just I was, well, I was really I was muttering under my breath about Nick's um plane to plane humor bathroom humor. But sorry, no, I completely agreed. I just remember I was so frustrated and stupefied that they would try to line up and run right up the gut on third and one with such a compromised offensive line. I mean, there was no chance

that was going to work. And then on fourth down they ran the jet sweep to CD, which I feel like I've been begging for more of that for not just this season, literally for like three years. So it was really exciting that they dusted that off right there. I don't I don't think you need to wait until fourth and one to do that. You should probably do it five or six times a game in all sorts of different situations, but it's a step in the right direction.

That was really exciting. Yeah, it was good to see the combination of play calling and execution because I think that throughout the season we've seen moments where Kellen Moore has had some interesting play calling that had the Cowboys been able to execute on the field, it would have been great. But that's been the problem. They haven't been necessarily able to combine the two and make it work.

So finally we get to see a game where the play Collie was good and then you get the combination of execution and actually seeing it work on the field. So that was that was a good thing, and that and that's why I might be getting a little excited for the rest of the season. I don't want to. I want to stop myself here, but but it was good. It feels good. Water tasted better yesterday when I was watching the game. So yeah, it feels good when the

Cowboys win. Hey, by the end of the show, hopeless but conce herself that this is a super Bowl team. I'm telling you, she is moving quickly in that direction. All right, That water tasted better? Well, the water tasted better that happens did your team's winning, everything seems a little bit better, right, Like, like I can talk on who said that after five minutes ago. All Right, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna take our final break.

When we come back, I want to talk about Zach Martin and how great he is and how much he meant to this team and the biggest question, why the heck did it take until this week for the Cowboys to realize how great he is and how much he could mean to this team. We'll do that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. We're back in a tasty treat that's sweeping airwaves and taste buds. It's new Doctor pepper and Cream Soda. Let's take a listen, Doctor pep and Cream Soda. Is he

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the quest of living life. The Cowboys Way. Copyright twenty twenty Bank of America Corporation. Dear, it's nineteen o eight. Don't you think we should get electricity and stop using candles to see it? Money? It's just electricity lights up the room fast, it's more reliable than candles blowing out, and people seem to love it nationwide. Well, ken, Da, did you just run into the wall? I have a new candle. Please. Historically, switching to new technology is a

no brainer. Today it's AT and T five G, fast, reliable, secure and nationwide. Switch to a T and T five G. It's not complicated. Five G requires compatible plan may not be in your area. See att dot com slash five G for you for details. Back to the break. Are you looking for something to change up your dinner routine? Helps support local Frisco businesses, Derek by choosing one of the thirty restaurants at the Star District. I hope you

guys did yesterday for your lunch. We did. For information on delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and dine in availability, visit the Star District dot com. Would you have we had what's the name of the place. I'm sorry it was on the spot, Howard Wangs. Howard Wangs, Yeah, Howard Wangs, That's what it was. It was. Okay, it's pretty decent. Okay, that's here in the Star District, in the Star District. Yeah, not bad. All right. We're gonna get to some performance

reviews now. We got some players we got to talk about, and I want to start with Zach Mardin. We found out a Sunday morning that Zach Martin was going to start at right Tackle something that we have been talking about. I know I've brought it up on this show as a question for you guys at least at least seven to eight times over the last month and a half, just seeing you know what the thoughts are, Why isn't he not being the guy that they want to put

out there. They were committed to Terrence still being the right tackle him. Mike McCarthy went as far as Steven say he even called it fantasy football nonsense. And when being asked about the possibilities of moving I know right the possibility of moving Zach Martin to right tackle, but they make the decision to do it. They put Steel on the bench. They put mc governor at right guard, which again is what we've all been asking for, and as a result, the offensive line gives up one sack.

They have one of their best rushing days that they've had the season. Zeke goes twenty one rushes for one hundred and three yards a four point nine average. Paula goes five for sixty twelve yard average, and he at big forty two yard touchdown run. So the question is his first question is is this proof that McCarthy should have made this move weeks ago? Let's start first, you Dave, Yeah, absolutely, it's proof everybody knew that he already did this. That's

what made this whole thing frustrating. Zach Martin already did this in Week three. Necessity dictated that they throw him out there. He handled it just fine, he played great. And then you know, Mike McCarthy had the audacity to call it fantasy football nonsense, that a Hall of Football Hall of Fame caliber player couldn't make that switch. It was insulting then, and it's kind of vindicating to see

Zach Martin ball out like we all knew he would. Yeah, I mean, everybody knew this should have happened a long time ago. You want to put your five best players on the field. This gave him an opportunity to do so. I don't know, I don't know why they waited so long. I guess I would probably chalk it up to arrogance or insistence on trying to develop a swing tackle. And

Terrence Steele. You know, maybe if you're looking at the big picture, the more reps he can get, the more chance he has to be a viable player for you in the future. But if you're trying to win games and stay in the division hunt, like the Cowboys have said a million times that they are, this is something

you should have done a month ago. Nick, Well, I think that this has nothing to do with Zach Martin as much as it does with the guards, you know, like getting the five best guys and them to realize that that is McGovern better for them? Is he is he better than playing steel outside and Zach Martin at is natural position. Now that's what we think is a natural position is because he's played it for six years. I kind of think he could do anything, really might

be able to play fullback. But I just think that it was more about McGovern and I and I said it about a couple weeks ago when we did we did an article about which young player do you want to see more down the stretch, and my choice was mcgoverned because you got to figure this out. As a third round pick, he's gotta play, and so this is the best way to get him on the field to play. So I think it was all about McGovern and getting him in and I'm curious to see how he grades out.

I thought he played pretty well. I know some of those big runs were on the right side with him and Zach Martin both, so he didn't seem like he was a problem to me. So I thought it's great that Zach Martin can do that, but I think it was about McGovern and today's point. I mean, he played the Washington game, so maybe he could have kept playing. They could have done this before, but you know, Zack Martin was coming back and all that. I think this is probably this the best time to do that. Amber.

I think, I mean, we've everything that they just said, and we've been saying it that we wanted to see this change for a long time. But I think it maybe simplified it this time around, because now you knew that you had Joe Looney in the center because you had to move Biadish to the injury reserve. So that's one move there. Then you've seen you've had a few games where you've gone to see Connor McGovern at guard, so you know he's very capable of handling that position.

So at this point I think that maybe maybe and I'm just trying to find some kind of reasoning as to why they waited this long, but maybe this was one of those things that looking at your line at this point, you actually only need to make one move, and that's moving your all pro guard to tackle. Other than that, you're not really messing with the rest of the line, and we've known that sach Martin. If any guy can be moved at any point without needing a whole bye week to adjust and do all that is

Sich Martin. So I'm just glad that at least they made it happen finally. It took a really long time, and maybe it did cost them a few games, maybe, But at the same time, based on the results that we were able to see this yesterday, it's clear how bad they needed to make this kind of move, and it's clear how much of a help or how big or how much of a need you need your like offensive line to be able to perform better, and how it affects the rest of your offense as a whole.

One of the things that we've heard from McCarthy about this on this subject was, and he's been consistent about this, is he wants continuity on the offensive line. He thinks the offensive line is bigger than just any one player playing well or getting reps. He was saying he wanted to continuity and it's about having all five as much as you can have those guys playing together. Do you think that maybe one of the reasons why they waited so long to make the decision was because they were

waiting for the bye week. And maybe again we're not able to see all of practice. Maybe at practice they were doing some of these things a little bit to start moving them in that direction. But the bye week gave them the ability to really get a little bit more continuity before they rolled it out. Nick, Yeah, I think that that's what you do in the bye week, is that you figure out different wrinkles you can have it. No, of course, this is more than a wrinkle. This is

a big change on the line. But this is the time that you make those changes. And and I don't think it's a coincidence that that, you know, like like Amber said, I mean, they kind of knew exactly what they were going to have to do at center, and so from there they just figured out this was this

was the best time. But I really think more than anything, it was the development of McGovern and and the trust in him, because now you know, it's a little different for him when he when he started against Washington, he had beadish and he had steel on the right side. Then he plays this game. He's got Looney in Zack Martin. So, um, you know, I think it allowed him to be more comfortable too. But but you know, I'll say this, Let's don't forget that that they haven't faced like a dominating

defensive line yet. I don't think Zach Martin's really faced like this premier pass rusher and entered the Washington football team. Yeah, he's about to amber. What do you think was the question question was is it reasonable to assume that the bye week gave them the ability to be able to make this continuity and get the continuity that he's been

searching for. Well, I feel like, I mean, that's what I kind of alluded to in my other response is, yeah, the bye week, obviously it's always gonna help because it's the time for you to take a step back and

rearrange and reevaluate things. But at the same time, like I said, the only thing that I see is them knowing that Tyler is out and now you kind of have a better idea of the guys that you have in your line and you're not really having to reshuffle everyone around and it's more just one guy moving to

the outside. So obviously it's gonna help. And the fact that everything that Nick just said about Connor McGovern and then maybe having enough trust in him to this point allow them to finally go ahead and make that move, because when you when you look at the option, I mean, who would you rather have a guard? A rookie like McGovern or Zack Martin. Obviously it's going to be Sack Martin. So at this point it's just good for them to finally look at, Okay, who are our faith, sorry, our

five best guys, And that's exactly what they're doing. They took out Terren Steele, which he has not been any part of their best fives at all at any point of this season. So I'm just glad that it's finally happened to where they're like, okay, let's now at this point actually try to have our best five out there on the field. Dave, I think Nick's theory about McGovern

is pretty good and I like it. I still don't think I buy it because you've got like nine You've got nine games of tape on Terren Steele that tells you it ain't working. Whereas even in the glimpses that we saw of Connor McGovern, you kind of get the sense that, Okay, maybe he can hold his own, especially if he's got Zach Martin next to him, so maybe that's part of it. No, the bye week thing doesn't

hold any water whatsoever in my opinion. They didn't practice during the bye week because of the COVID issue with the Steelers, so didn't practice, didn't get to do any of this stuff. Zach said last night that they didn't tell him he was moving to tackle until Monday when they came back from the bye and he tweaked his calf, so he was limited in practice going into this game. He didn't get to do as much as he would

probably prefer in terms of on field reps. He's just that much of a badass that he can step out there on the right side with limited experience and hold his own. So no, I don't think that's why. I think, you know, for whatever reason, I don't know why, but they were like, enough is enough and we've got to do something. I mean, better late than never. But I don't buy any sort of like grand epiphany that they were like, this is why this makes sense right now.

I think it would have made just as much sense three weeks ago, but at least they did it. My personal opinion is I think this had everything to do with this upcoming game. Think they wanted to do it before they got to the Washington game because they knew they were going to be facing the kind of players where it would be more important for you to make sure that you could show up the outside and uh.

And then I think they wanted to give Zach this game where he didn't have that kind of matchup to be able to kind of get used to it before heading into the game against Washington. I personally believe that has a lot to do with the timing on why they decided to do it. Now, that's actually that's a really good point. And you know, za Zack Martin is a consummate professional with the media, like he's never he's never gonna give you anything. I don't think it's a

complete coincidence. I know he heard his calf, but he didn't talk to the media this week, and I just I don't think that's a complete coincidence that they were maybe like, ah, let's let's keep people in the dark for as long as we can. But he said last night after the game, he was like, well, you know, for this, for this first game, I thought it went really well. And I asked him I was like, you keep saying for this first game, does that mean you

anticipate staying out there for the foreseeable future? And he was like, well, I'll be out there on Thursday and then we'll see what happens after that. So I think that makes a lot of sense that they were like, Zach, please help us deal with these Washington edge rushers. This is gonna be a problem otherwise. All right, let's talk

about Andy Dalton. He was twenty two to thirty two, sixty nine percent completion rate, two hundred and three yards, three touchdowns, one interception, and one hundred and four quarterback rating. Was it better, worse or the same as what you expected coming into this game from him? Nick, Let's start with you. I thought it was a little bit better

than what I thought. I mean, mainly more his presence in the pocket, you know, because he ran for a first down at one time, and I thought he didn't, you know, for a guy that took a big hit, and then you know he's he's been out for a couple of weeks. He didn't look timid to me too bad. I don't think he was rushing his throws or scared to be in the pocket. I thought he hung in

there pretty good. And and you know, I thought what Bucky Brooks said on Our Shore last week about how he doesn't have to be a superhero here, just go out and play within himself, and I thought that's what he did. So yeah, it was it was a little bit better than than what I thought, but you know, I think it was. It was. It was a good

solid performance by him. Amber I think, uh yeah, a little bit better than than I expected, at least at this point of the season, based on everything that we've seen. Obviously we just got done talking about the old line that was a huge help for him. I thought he did a nice job and that Kelly Moore did a nice job just kind of creating place for that would

accommodate to him and his skills. I think that the fact that they were able to get so many guys involved so many options for him, so many different targets, and yeah, he wasn't perfect or anything, but at the same time, just uh we and we've known he's a very capable guy. It is just the fact of being able to plug him in in this type of offense and making it work. So I thought that the what Kellen Moore did as far as adjusting everything to hopefully to what I think favor him and give him as

many options as possible definitely helped. And I thought he did a very nice job overall, because I didn't have any faith at that Before Sunday, I had no faith, no faith at all. So now now, yes, I'm on the Andy Dalton boat again. Man, I suck. I sucked because I switched my feelings so much with this team that it just sucks. But yes, good job by Andy Dalton, Dave. Nobody believed in my guy, Andy Nobody. No, everybody wanted Derek Gilbert, which actually so I thought he played great.

But at the same time, I'm not trying to hate on him. I thought it was worse than what I was expecting, to be honest with you, just just by a little bit. And when I say that, I mean, yeah, he distributed the ball well. I thought he looked he looked so poised and like he looked like a ten year vet who's been to three Pro Bowls, Like he

didn't look phased by any of it. But six yards per attempt is really it's not wonderful by NFL standards, like the vertical element of the offense was not really there. I thought. I thought he'd be capable of a few more explosive plays. Some of that isn't his fault, you know, Michael Gallup dropped along completion and you know, so it's but like I said, you know, the explosive elements of the offense wasn't there, but it can still come. So you know, I don't think that's awful. And again, he

played great. You know, he was clutch, he had three touchdowns, he threw the game winning touchdown pass. You can obviously win games with him playing the way that he played, but against obviously everybody left on the schedule kind of sucks. But against a better defense than Minnesota's. You know, they've got like four rookies in the secondary. Against the better defense than Minnesota's, yeah, I mean against I mean, Washington's got this great front that's gonna make life difficult on him.

So against a better defense, I think you're gonna need him to. Like I said, there's gonna be a need to need to be more explosive in the passing game, probably if I had to guess, But it's a hell of a first step in the right direction. I thought he played really well. All We're gonna flip to the defensive side of the ball. We got to talk about Donovan Wilson yesterday. He has two takeaways. He is among the league leaders with nine tackles in the last two weeks.

He has three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two and a half sacks. Has Dallas finally found a playmaking safety again? I'm not saying these perfect or great. I am saying he might be the best prospect that they've had at the safety position in quite a long time. What are your thoughts, Amber, Let's start with you him. Well, I want to ask this question to you guys who have a more experienced eye and perspective of the game. What

was the big difference here? How come like all this funny we we keep seeing Donival Wilson in this game making plays and he's like, Okay, where has this been all year? So? What was the how? How? How did that make this happen? And how did he all of a sudden start making plays like this like we saw last night? So I need one of you guys to answer this for me, please. Well, I wrote a whole college I'll take a stab at it. Letting Nick, unless you've got well, I just laughed because my whole time

was based off that question. Like, I really hope people don't say where has this been all year? And of course, um that was the question. But of course I'm gonna ask it, you know, ask for Donovan Wilson. It's it's actually fair because I don't have a great answer for that one. I had answered for other ones, but because all he's ever done is made a play. Yeah, since he got here, Yeah, I mean yeah, I just I

don't did he run poortally at the combine? I mean I don't know, because apparently he did it at A and M I mean, Rob was going nuts on Twitter, you know because with his achie making plays like that. I just I don't know. I don't know what the thought process is. I think I think the game was kind of big for him, Um, you know, just just learning and learning, you know, just picking up and being aware and stuff like that. But when he was out there, you know, he always seemed the ball just seems to

find him. And that's a huge that's a huge strait for safety. It was interesting this morning I saw on Twitter someone put up Dane blue Brugle, who also does some draft coverage for US his draft right up on Donovan Wilson, and one of the things he said was he's a guy that can make plays, but he's a guy that can also be overly aggressive, and that can be frustrating at times because it causes him to overrun plays, it causes him sometimes to get targeting calls because he's

just a little too aggressive. Um, And so I think that may be part of it. Is all we've seen since he's got there, Like you said, even in practice. We've been talking about him making plays in practice for a while now. Yeah, the issue is that they just haven't gotten him on the field. And now he's on the field, he's making plays. My question is, and what

I want to go back and watches. Were there plays in the game yesterday and last week where he should have been in a place that he wasn't or he didn't quite get to make a tackle because he made he was a little too overaggressive. That's the kind of stuff that doesn't always show up, especially for guys making plays.

You kind of gloss over that kind of stuff. I wonder if that's what's happening when you talk about a guy like this that's kind of a you know, he can do some big things, but he can also make some mistakes. For you, Dave, do you have an opinion on that? I don't want to, Well, I don't want to. You're right, like I need to go back and watch it. I need to go back and watch it before I form an opinion. But I'm pretty sure he had a hand in jeff justin Jefferson's long touchdown, Like I think

he was back in single high on that touchdown. So I'm sure he did not play a perfect game, but it sure is refreshing to just see a guy who can make plays on the ball. Like, you know, I'm not trying to say Donovan Wilson's definitely gonna be the next great Cowboys safety, but we just, like I said when I you know, when I said, that was the big moment of the game, Like, we just haven't seen that from the position. Lord knows Xavier Woods, He's had

plenty of opportunities in his career. He doesn't usually cash in on them, So it was just nice to see a safety who was capable of doing that. I'm positive he didn't play a perfect game, but I'll take what i can get. Yeah, At this point, it's kind of you know, those kind of the same things we've talked about with trey Von Diggs. You know, he's not perfect, but at least you like the fact he's making a play every now and then, right, he's doing something to

make a play. And if you could turn the ball over on this team, then that's a guy I want to keep on this team because they don't have enough of those guys that are making those kinds of plays. And he turned like literally both those turnovers yesterday's those are plays that he made. This was not a quarterback that kind of overthrew a guy and you just happen to be in the right spot and you make the interception. These were situations where he literally the quarterback's going down

and he strips the ball from the quarterback. Yeah, or the guy's coming across the middle of the field, he makes the catch and then you light him up in order to get the ball out and then to turn over. Like, those are opportunities that wouldn't be there but for his play. Can't give you some bad news. Sure, I don't know if it's next I don't know if it's Thursday or in Baltimore or whatever. He's gonna get a fifteen yard

penalty here pretty like, yes, a cup probably. I mean he could have actually got one on his hit to Cousins, you know. I mean if it was because he's very aggressive. Yeah, but I'll tell you this, serry, if you would have played for Arkansas, I have been targeting. I will tell you this. I will tell you this. I will take a little bit and kicked out of that game. Here we go, Here we go. I don't want to get

into that. I will tell you this, though. I do think that he's going to be the kind of player that I will take that from some of the time. If he can give me some of the plays like we like he gave him yesterday. I'll take a little bit of over aggressive at times for this particular defense, because I think they need a little bit of that. All right, I appreciate you join us. Go ahead, Dave. Can I just I just one. I hate to be mean, be I get it has nothing to do with Donovan Wilson,

but it's just something that I'm thinking about. Because we're talking about safeties, we're talking about being aggressive. Blah blah blah. Can we can we stop giving Darren Woodson's number to the waldough of the defense, like it bums me out, like twenty eight deserve I'm not saying, I'm not saying it needs to be retired, but it was Darryl Worley at the start of the season. And I'm not trying

to hate on Richard Robinson. Lord knows why. I mean, I put that on the coaches more than anything that a practice squad guy had to play that many snaps. But it just hurts my heart a little bit to see number twenty eight just get picked on by the opposing offense like all season long, like all all year. So just I don't know, maybe maybe do something about that, like, you know, have a heart for Darren Woodson Mayan. I

don't know. The equipment managers have told has told me before that they try to protect certain players, like, yeah, you won't see a thirty three at a running back. You might see him defensive back or whatever, or forty eight it's not going to be a fullback or whatever. They're gonna protect those guys. So that surprises me that a dB. I mean, they gave it to Felix Jones as a running back, but at twenty eight, no, I think I think, right, Dave, that's a bit more discerning, right,

offensive player. Yea. At this point, if you're gonna do it, then do it for a guy that you feel like is a little better player. Pick or right, do it the other way, like you're ninety four, or of course you're eighty eight, and say, all right, this guy, are you worthy of it? Yeah? Exactly, I certainly haven't seen that twenty eight. That's that caliber and of safety we have. Now, all right, we appreciate you, Jonas. We'll be back tomorrow.

We're gonna start getting into Cowboys versus the Washington football team. Till then. For Nick Eatman, Dave Hellman, and Regarcia, I am Derek Eagles and this has been The Break live on Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. This has been a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.