Cowboys Break: Is Houston's Defense Still Legit?

live from the s WBC Morgan Studios. At the start, we got out of great information for you guys. To day, we're getting you ready for this Cowboys versus Texans game. It's gonna be a fun one. I love when it's Texas versus Texas because everybody's in the same boat. Everybody has that same Texas pride. It's Texas ou weekend. Everything's good. At what you really aren't? Wait? Just real quick, just take a guess at who's the Houstonian who went to Texas in the room today. Yeah, but you guys not

excited about this week? I mean, I'm excited about every Cowboys game, but I don't this is I'm excited. Well, you're a Louisiana guy. I don't get up a Texan. Yeah, I don't feel any extra juice for this. All right, Well you can just lay out on this part while I'm saying this might bee no this And you're not a Texan either, so you can lay out too if you want to. You'll feel it. You'll feel it when you get to the stadium. Though. Yeah, it's gonna be. It's gonna be one of those. It's gonna be a

really good one. Not Texas either. I mean you grew up in Texas. I grew up here. I'm here in Southwest, but I've lived in Texas. It moves around a little bit, gets more than yes, sorry, I didn't mean it like it's been in Texas for a long time. Yeah, more double any other part of my life. So yeah, twenty But you're a text definitely, and you appreciate games like this just because you know this is um, this isn't

really like oh you Texas. This is more like you know Texas and Texas tech maybe yeah, well well Texas Texas, yeah yeah kind of yeah, And it is No, it honestly is though. And I noticed that living in Houston all my life. This rivalry, if you want to call it that, between Houston and Dallas is way more on the Houston side than is on Dallas side. On the Houston side, people look at the Cowboys and they hate if they're not Cowboy fans, because they're a bunch of

Cowboys fans in Houston. But if they're not Cowboys fans, they hate the Cowboys. I mean hate the Cowboys. I don't think Cowboys fans really look at the Texans and are like, we hate the Texans. They're kind of well, okay, yeah, we kind of hate them because they're around the corner. But I don't think it's that big a deal to Cowboys. Every column about that yesterday, how they should play every year,

and I think it ranks eight create one. It ranks eighth on our list of top ten columns from Yesterday, Stories from Yesterday. Who cares? But I'll tell you this, if if the NFL took your idea and they said every team in the league's gonna play a rivalry game every year, that's gonna be every year you play it, and you're looking for people in your geographic area or have some connection to you, and you play that game every year, I guarantee you within a matter of five

to ten years, would be a very strong rival. Would probably be as big as some of the division rivals, just because you have that in connection. There are people you know personally who are on the other side of that rob that creates great rival thinking about every office, but from Dallas to Houston, that's got fans that are you know, it's like a big game. It's like and it happens, but there's a Giants fan somewhere or whatever.

But for the most part, if you're in Austin, I would imagine a lot of Texans fans like a Cowboy fans. So it's kind of just creates an excitement for the week. But you'll feel it when you go to the almost said reliant what do they call in that and our energy energy? And if I was the NFL, I would even make it like I would make that those games all played on one weekend and I would call it rivalry Weekend, and I would people that thing up and have so much fun with it. Fans would have a

special time with that. A lot of people don't want to hear this, especially Cowboys fans, because those NFC East rivalries are so important. And you know, I'm from New Orleans like things. Fans live to hate the Falcons, but everybody's got one. But I would do away with divisions, and I would if it were up to me, I would have every team in each conference play everybody, so you play fifteen games against the NFC and then you have a permanent AFC rival. So for the Cowboys, it

could be the Texans. For the Steelers, it could be the Eagles. For the Giants, it could be the Jets. Just way fairer division the divisions, for sure. But that's what I would do. Yeah, but I think it's it'll be fun this weekend. Is this freezing press box? Yes? Bringing jackets, bringing jacket? Oh yes, they were in pre seasons. Yep, I hate Yeah, you were up there free stadium. I had a jacket on the I'm bringing I'm bringing a parka. It was there. I thought the coldest press box in

the stadium was Detroit before that, or New Orleans. It was to a pretty cold, but then it was cold and then well, I both have something in common because you're both sitting up up by the ac events. I hope you don't have a problem with heights. If you're working in the press box in those stadiums, you think this game will be more entertaining than the last time we were in Houston. Yeah, yes, watching, Yes, really that's what you're talking. I mean, is that what I was asking?

Is that what you're talking about the last game? Like, well, I mean there was something that happened in that game that actually was meaningful. Made the team when he made the team, Yeah, he made that kick, and it's like, you know what, we should cut Dan Bailey. I think that happened somewhere. You literally think they were sitting there watching that game and somebody said, you know this, Dan Bailey guy may not be as important to us as I think it was. Like it was like, you know what,

remember what we talked about the other day. I think maybe we should do that. Maybe it's kind of like that look where you're sitting there with with people friends and all of a sudden you both kind of look at each other like yeah, like yes, yeah, did you just see that. Um, maybe we need to rethink this a little bit. I think that's exactly what happened. It doesn't change the fact that that game. So I hate that game every year, though. The fourth game of the

preseason is the worst. It really is brutal. All right, let's jump into it though, we're talking Cowboys Texans. Before we get to Dave's breakdown out of the Texans defense versus the Cowboys offense, we got to go through the injury report yesterday. The guys that did not practice included Travis Frederick, which was expected, Sean Lee, which was expected, and Terrence Williams, who we've been talking about. I don't know that there's any more clarity on why he's missing.

It's just not injury related. Do we know anything more? Uh, sort of, we know he's not practicing again today, and we know that we know that they're they're now saying that his foot injury has been reaggravated, the one that he had repaired in the off season. So is he gonna be added to the injury report as an actual injury rather than not injured. I wouldn't really surprised if he's got foot next to his name this afternoon instead of not injury related. He question did he reinjure it

not practicing? I think he reinjured it that I think it's been something that's been aggravating him maybe and I mean and credit the terry. Why would they be telling about personal issues. I mean, that's that they're in. They're in lives the rub Amber. There's about nineteen things going on. He's like, how did I end up being the Actually a pet peeve of mine is when I tell you what the cowboys are saying and you come back at

me like it's my fault, Like I'm not. I'm not. Literally, it's my job to report the news to you, and I'm telling you they're saying he reaggravated his foot. There's still speculation that he might be suspended. Uh, there's speculation that he's it's not speculation. They said he was dealing with some off field stuff. Jason Garrett said that himself. Uh, I don't know, and I don't remember, I said Dave,

like I didn't realize that was fun. I do not remember so much uncertainty and speculation surrounding a guy that has contributed so little to a season, except for maybe when they signed Bryce Butler two weeks ago and everybody lost their mind. Um, I don't know. I think I said this yesterday like something's got to give and it will eventually. I don't and that doesn't necessarily mean Terrence

will go to IR or be suspended or whatever. Like maybe this will resolve itself and he'll continue to play. I don't know, but the slimbo's got to end at some point. I have a question. Let's say it was the suspension thing. If he was put in I R. What does that really do? It takes him off the rosters, him off the roster, but they could still suspend him. Yeah. I mean, if you're suspended, you're off the roster too.

You're not getting paid. And when you said they can't suspend you talking about NFL Cowboys, I mean yeah Cowboys kid, Yeah right, I don't know. I don't have to be conduct detrimental to the team for the team to do, right. I was just wondering what would the benefit of doing that move. Actually, it's a way to get him off the roster if they don't think he's going to contribute,

especially and still hold on to his rights. Yeah right, And if his foot is bothering him, he can rehabit without doing this week to week like well what can you do? What can't you do? Type of dance. But if she suspended, you know that that changes a lot of things because of um, he's got guaranteed money and if you you know, if you don't, if you're suspended, I think some of those guarantees or all of them will go away. That's a league rule, right, Yeah, that

those that it gets avoided. Right, So if you if you you know that happened to Zeke, you know his

guarantees were avoided. So if he doesn't have any guarantees on the contract, then makes a lot more sense to part ways with him because you're not feeling any kind of you know, financial fun little uh well, sort of changing the topic, Our esteemed colleague Rob Phillips just told me, um, no Randy Gregory and no David Irving at practice today, which I don't have an answer for that yet, because Randy Gregory was not on the injury report yesterday, yes,

and j Randy Gregory was not on the injury report yesterday, and Jason Garrett said this morning that they're going to see what more David Irving can do, so and maybe they decided there's not more he can do. Maybe, So those two guys, you never have nothing in common. Those two guys you never know, You just never know. So sorry, I don't have more information at this time. Thanks Rob. Maybe they showed up after the fifteen minutes. Maybe maybe, Yeah,

that's true, because that happens a lot. Yeah, things we see. Keep an eye on the old injury report. Probably about three pm Central time. Let's talk about some of the guys that were limited that we think could play. Cheeto has an ankle, he was limited, Cole Beasley with an ankle, Malie Collins was limited yesterday with an ankle, DeMarcus Lawrence with a shoulder, and Antoine Woods with a calf. Um, let's talk particularly about Malie Collins, who's missed a couple

of games here. Um, what's the expectation for him? Is the expectation that now they're trying to work him in to see if he's ready to go. The word coming from them is that he did pretty well and practiced yesterday, step at a time. See how he responds to the work. See if he can do more. I think he did more yesterday as I understand it, than he has at any point since he got hurt. So see how he spawns, and you know, it's probably gonna be one of those

typical wait and see on Friday type of deals. Are how many games has he missed? How many games has he missed in his career? I know he's had a couple different injuries. Is this a situation where he's been injured and not missed games or is this situation where he's missed an order number of games in his in his career? Memory might be hazy, even I don't remember him missing games last year. I remember, you know, year before that, he didn't miss any games. The year before that.

He broke his foot in the off season in off season and then was back in time for the start of the regular season. Okay, so he's just a guy times right, He's he's had some injuries issues, and that's what I was trying to get battle injuries every step of the way. Even though he's had injuries, it sounds like from what you guys are saying, he hasn't missed

games very often, which is a good thing. That means that either he's able to play through pain, or he had the injuries that have not happened in times when they affected his ability to play. He had not missed the game until now. He played all sex and yeah, it's really good, so um, which yeah, tells you it must be somewhat severe if if he is missing times so and judging by the size of the rap on

his knee, yeah it sounds yeah, not great. So, but if you're limited on Wednesday, that's typically a good sign. So we'll see. So for all those guys, you feel pretty good about their ability to play this weekend. Cheeto, Cole, DeMarcus, Antoine. Yeah, Antoine's the other one. And that's which the fact that David Irving was not at practice today is not awesome if he is gonna miss because that's Jason Garrett not only you know, I think Antoine Woods did pretty well yesterday,

but again, you see how he responds. He's definitely not out of the Woods. So that defensive tackle situation is kind of dicey. Need probably needs one of those guys to step it up this week. All right, let's take our first break when we come back. I want to jump into the Texans defense. Let Day give us his breakdown. We'll talk about some of these players on that defense that are real, real difference makers. JJ Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, We'll talk about some of those guys we come back.

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Restaurant Week is actually coming up to it's up. Um, it's actually now through October fourteenth. Ye, so it's us like food like me. You need to be out here. There's some good spots up here. There are Nickles, the Sushi I do too, Sushi Marquis. It is a very good place. Good stuff, good stuff. All right, let's step back into sure do it seems like there's an inside joke. Dave likes next next the Empire. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. There's an inside joke. There's somewhere because of the way

Nick said Dave at Sushi Marquis. That is a fact. All right. Then we'll talk about it off absolutely and we'll decide whether she go on there. No, it's good. It's a good place, all right. Good. It's especially if you're trendy and you like the eighties and back to the Future and clips and stuff like that. Sushi markis all right, good, all right, Dave, It's time for you to give us your breakdown of this Texans defense versus the Cowboys offense. Well, what did we say yesterday? We're like,

why is this team? One in three? Okay, let's go. I mean, I don't want to dog him too much because there's some talent here. I'll start with the scary part, which is obviously the front. Nobody listening to this needs an introduction to JJ Watt or Jadeveon Clowney, and they are playing like you would expect them to. Watt is right, so Whit's back. Wat's back. He is what he was before. I don't know if he is the guy that I would have voted for NFL MVP in fourteen or fifteen?

Was it? I don't know, when he was literally just trying to drag him into the playoffs on his own, when he was just stroying offensive lines. If he I don't know if he's that guy. But he's still damn good, which is the point. And they don't need him to be that guy because Jadeveon Clowney can be that guy. He's got He's got sacks. He's got oh my god, he you know, you remember the play in college where he just single handedly blew up that Michigan guy. He

can still do that in the pros, which is terrifying. Um, these guys he's six five, two seventy And that's really the thing that you notice the most when you watch them, is, Okay, he's an end or a rush linebacker, but he does everything like he plays on the right side. He plays on the left side. They stand not And I don't

just mean they stand him up as a linebacker. I mean I watched this guy blitz through the A gap and just bulldoze the cults center and um nahem Hines tried to block him because it's a screen pass, and he just knocked him to the ground and then chased Andrew Luck out of the pocket. And Hines was the guy that was supposed to get the ball, so he's scrambling to get it, like he just blows play. Blockers are basically just speedbumps for him. He just kind of

go over them and keep going. Yeah. Um, the scary thing for me, you know, given what we've talked about with Cowboys inability to protect and Dak's pocket awareness, I know I wrote this down. Where is this statum? They have contributed on on five fumble plays and recovered four of them. I believe they did it. Tho, Yeah, they get in there. We go four fumble recoveries this season, and they did it. They were created by those two guys. Yeah, well one of them was the Colts center screwed up

and snapped it on the ground. But literally Clowney was like wide nine on the left side or on the right end position, ball hits the ground underneath the center, and he cut through two blocks and dove on it in the end zone and scored a touchdown. Like he's just unbelievably athletic. I think if the Cowboys are going to have a problem, it's going to be because of those two guys, which you didn't need me to tell you that. Good news is the secondary is very bad.

Like they're not good at all. Um. They are twenty seventh in the league in passing defense two hundred and eighty eight yards per game, and that is actually inflated because they only gave up one hundred and ten passing yards to none other than Blaine Gabbert. Because Marcus Mariota was hurt and couldn't go so against good quarterbacks. They gave up two sixty seven to Tom Brady, they gave up two sixty five to Eli Manning, and Andrew Luck threw for four thirty seven on them. They're not good.

I know. Jonathan Joseph had his moments in the past. He looks like he's lost it. He used to be a really good cornerment. He doesn't look good anymore, at least not on the tape I watched. Aaron Colvin is the guy. A J. Bouyer went off to Jacksonville and he's part of that great defense. Aaron Colevin's not bad. But these are just not lockdown guys, and it shows like they give up separation they have to, like they

play soft because they have to. I think. So you see, you know, Colts receivers are just running like ten yard digs where the corners ten yards behind him because they're so afraid of getting burnt over the top that they're just giving up chunk after chunk. And then you know, I'm the guy hammering on the safety situation. Tyron Matthew definitely hasn't been bad. He's got twenty three tackles, four pass breakups and a pick. The pick came on a deflection.

You can definitely pick on this guy like he's not He hasn't looked like this all world safety. I think, you know, he's what like five to nine, and it looks like it when he tries to go up against bigger guys, you can box him out. So I still think it would be nice to have him on this team, but he's not some kind of he's not ed Reid secondary just gives up a ton of plays and it offsets their front seven because they actually have they have big linebackers, Merciless as a guy everybody knows he kind

of functions as a rusher too. And then Zach Cunningham is a guy that Brian really loved in the draft coming out of Vanderbilt. He's a tackle machine, but him and Bernardrick McKinney have not tackled that well. So yeah, they're not. They're number nine and run defense, but I think that's more because teams aren't trying them that much honestly, than because they're like this juggernaut. So yeah, I don't know what kind of backs have they run up against

so far this year? They went up against they went up against se Quon, Yeah, and the Colts have nothing. Yeah. And then but and they've been stout. I mean, they're allowing ninety four yards per game, But I don't think I buy that they've just been in a game where they were getting pounded against them. You asked me a question.

I don't have the answer. Sorry, you're okay for the show, um, But I guess the point after what I'm trying to figure out is when you talk about the running backs, sometimes this early in a season, the numbers can be a function of who you've played way more than your abilities right now. And that's I think I said this last week. If you're up at the top of the stat standings after four weeks, that doesn't mean a lot to me. If you're at the bottom, it means a

little bit more because it means you're getting exploited. But you know, if you're top five in rushing defense after three games, that just might mean you haven't run up against the right matchup yet, right or you could be really bad against the pass. You know, we saw that last week. I mean with the Lions, they were the worst runde fence in the league. But you know they were the best in pass and you know, I think we kind of saw that, we saw why they were

worse than a run. But I mean, they really weren't that great in the past, right, But we also saw that that was why, I mean, that's why the numbers are what they are, is because you don't have It's like Cowboy, you don't have to pass run the ball. Okay, So Sequon Barkley ran seventeen times for eighty two yards in a touch, which that's four point eight yards for carry. He was fine. That's kind of my point is I respect him, but the linebackers don't tackle as well as

they should. And Clowney specifically not so much JJ Watt, but Clowney's a rusher, like He's not this all around great run defender pass rusher guys. So I think, regardless of what the stats say, I think you can run on these guys. I just think this is going to be one of those games where it will be a shootout. I've just thought that since it came out on the schedule, and I just think, you know, run, pass, whatever. I think it's going to be one of those games that

kind of has a life of its own. And you see a lot of plays type down and as I see, you know, both teams kind of you know, making plays. Didn't mean that they're throwing for three hundred four hundred yards. I just think that they're going to be moving it up and down the field and it should be fun. Yeah, I will say, And it goes back to my point. We're gonna find out if this receiver corps is good enough to take advantage of these guys, because, like I said,

these guys were playing soft against the Colts. The Colts also have t Y Hilton and he can't get behind you. He abused them specifically Jonathan Joseph like I mean, he was two steps behind him all day. So, but are the Texans that afraid of what any of these guys bring? Like maybe this is a game hopefully Tavon Austin always has a role, but maybe even Deontay Thompson when you know speed. Nick always talks about it like will they

play that soft if they're not afraid of you? That's my point, So I'll be interested to see how that goes. Talking about about the matchup of the offensive line versus these pass rushers squat clowney merciless, how do you see

that matchup, those matchups playing out. That's the funny thing is, well, first they're so multiple, like they're gonna line up in a bunch of different spots, but what has become the left end at this point, so like that's Lyle Colinsky, which that sucks because you would in this we always talk about like in this day and age, you think your right tackle gets this easier matchup, Like not, really do they do? They line up Clowney on the same

side as him often no, typically it's opposite side. They usually, well it's what is kind of fixed on the left side more often than not. And then Clowney he plays on the right a lot, like he's gonna be Tyrn Smith's guy. But also they're gonna line him up like they line him up basically at will linebacker sometime and that that's my point, Like he's not like DeMarcus Ware on the corner in a two point stance. He's like back behind the nose tackle like like a regular linebacker,

and he'll just like shoot through the gap. Like he's such an athletic freak that they can do all kinds of stuff with him. So that didn't face Looney before that Well, that's what I was gonna say. That That's where it does beg the question. You know, the most inexperienced part of this line now may have to deal with him shooting the gap right there with Williams and luniar M and last week the offensive line played extremely well.

That also could be a function of the fact that they were facing a defense that didn't really have this certainly didn't have this kind of these kind of pass rushers, didn't have their two best pass rushers, right, and Texans have their two best pass rushers and who maybe two of the best in the league. Yeah, I will bet I would bet you Clowney and or they're both gonna make a play in the backfield or like have the

opportunity to make a play. I mean, you think about the famous Romo spin against what like I mean, I think, yeah, Dak and or Zeke is probably gonna have to make a nice play to get out of that. And that you know, Dak's pocket presence is something we talk about a lot. He's gonna have to have his head on

a swivel, don't get stripped like that. That's what's like I said, that's what scares me is like they'll knock the ball out of your hand or just blow a play up to the point where it reminds me remember what game was that was that? It was the Giants game where they ran the reverse and if not for Zeke making a heads up play landon Collins probably blows it up. I'm worried about something like that happening. Here. Tell me where this defensive front can be exploited in

the run game. We've talked a little bit about the pass game, talked about their secondary. If you wanted to run against this defensive front, where do you think there are weaknesses where maybe the Cowboys can can get some traction up the middle? Because for I mean, so DJ Reader and the Angelo Blackson play tackle for them or well it's a three four front, so tackle and whatever. But they're not anything special to me, and they're nowhere

near as athletic as Watt and Clowney. Like I said, I don't think the world of Clowney is this great run defender, But I wouldn't want to run too much to his side less because he tend to be overly aggressive. Where maybe you can exploit that. No, absolutely you could, And I'm you know, I think Brian actually wrote today like hammer him as much as possible with Tyrn Smith and wear him down because he's gonna be trying to

rush and maybe he won't have any energy. I still don't like the idea of running putting the ball near a guy with that much athleticism. And like I said, Merciless and Cunningham and McKinney, like they're very impressive and they hit hard when they hit, but much like the Cowboys in the first few weeks, like they haven't they don't wrap up, like they haven't tackled as well as they're supposed to. So I think I think you can

get them just by running right at him. To be honest with you, like, I don't think you have to ras it up too much. Another point I wanted to me, I wonder another guy we talked about in the draft is Eric Reid's little brother, justin safety out of Stanford. He's gotten some reserve playing time kind of as a third safety. I wonder if they might try to give him more playing time because Tyron Matthew's been fine Kareem Jax and hasn't been terrible at the other safety spot.

But again, like they just they give up too many plays in the secondary. So I have my eye on him as maybe like an X factor that they try to use more because he has looked good in the short amounts of playing time that he's gotten. So, if you were going to pick one wide receiver, and I'll go around the table, if you're gonna pick one wide receiver this week that against a secondary that may be

more susceptible to big plays or just plays. Who which receiver do you think actually has an opportunity here to make some make some place for the Cowboys. I like Gallup. I think he's He's a guy that we've already seen go down the field a little bit. Um, I think they'll start doing that a little bit more. He's got him once Dad kind of figures him out a little bit better and vice versa. I think that they that has a chance to be, you know, a steady playmaker

for this team. Like gall We've seen him down feel quite a bit. I mean, that's a that seems to be something they're really working on. So I think you could say that, um, any of these guys really And my biggest problem is I'm not being a fan of this whole rotation thing because I think it's messing up the rhythm, like they're not in there long enough for

them to get going. It's like you keep rotating them, and let's see, with any of these guys, they come out pretty quickly and it doesn't allow them to get going, and that's a problem. If they were throwing the ball down the field more, I would I would definitely like disagree with you because they're you know, you got guys who are doing things all over the place, but they're not you know, there's really no reason to, in my opinion, to rotate as much as they do, but they do.

The thing about it is, it seems like to me anyway, it seems like they've been doing that for years. Even when Dez was here, they seem to rotate their receivers quite a bit. I mean, there would be times when I'm looking for Dez on the field and he was on the sideline and it, I mean just seem like they kind of rotating guys around. I mean, you had guys, you had guys like eighty five eighty five Brown, Noah Brown that's on the field. You know, there's a pretty

significant amount of snaps last year and year before. I just I don't think that this was ever in the last few years. I don't think it was ever a situation where they had their two main guys and they were always on the field. And while yeah, yeah, I agree, but those were guys that were pretty comfortable already with this offense. I feel that these guys, being as new as they are, it still may take him a little bit to get accustomed and used to what this offense is.

And the fact that there's so much rotation. I think it thinking, I can't think of the word. It just messes up with the progress of them being out there and making place, especially with a guy like you talk about Michael Gallup. He's a rookie and you need to allow him and we've seen him make place, so we know it's in him, but you need to put him out there more and give him more chances to allow him to do those things. I don't think I can

go with you on that. Yeah, like Noah Brown had a he definitely was on the field and especially when they wanted to run the ball, and Bright Butler's had his moments. But if you go back to like sixteen, sixteen and seventeen, the last two years Daz was here. I bet him, Terrence and Beasley blow everybody out of the water in terms of snap count. I don't know.

I'd have to go back and look it just it may have been my own perception just looking at the game and watching the game and noticing and noticing that there were times when I was I mean, it would be times when they'd have they'd have thirteen personnel and it would be Noah Brown as the wide receiver. Which, what are you doing thirteen personnel? Get it. All I'm saying, though, is maybe that changed my perception, that maybe that was what affected my perception of it. I was asking the question,

was this something that's been happening for years? Because it seems like to me they've been rotating receivers here for a while. I don't think it's remotely. Let's play a game similar to what it is. Play game, all right, let's do it. Let's play four games into the season. All right, this is these are your leaders and snap count for receivers one fifty four, one fifty three, and then the next is one nineteen. Who's at one fifty four? Who guess that's your guess? Yeah? Yes, all right, who's

at one fifty three. Yeah, I mean, m Deontay Thompson. What's your guess? Is that right? Camp? I would guess Hearns. Oh yeah, I forgot about Herns. Um it has to be hur Hearns is one fifty three. Yeah. Who's that one nineteen either? Yeah? Probably Deontay Gallup at one nine. Really I thought Deanta Thompson was one, and Tavon Austin freaking sixty five not even sixty five, Holy crap. And that's so dumb. Terrence Williams thirty nine and Bryce Butler

zero with us, I am shocked that. Um, that Gallups count is that high. To be honest with you, I would what I guess it was like eighty or ninety. So so really, I mean standpoint twenty and twenty three and the twenty four What do y'all think? I bet you. I mean, I'm just I was just trying to figure out whatever. I'm just trying to Oh, okay, I was gonna say, Jimmy's doesn't have that many snaps. He's probably

got ten. I mean, who's the other running back? He said there were two running backs there were in the twenties. I just Rod Smith has twenty three. I'm sorry, Okay, my bad. You know what I'm looking at? Tight ends? Yeah, two twenty nine, and then Blake Jarwin has seventy five snaps. Wait, so Swim has that many more than the next place this guy. Yeah, it surprises me that they haven't. That that would be number highed just because of them running twelve and he's he's on ninety two percent of the

offensive snaps, which is more than Zeke. You know. Oh Swam, Yeah, Swaim's playing every I mean, it's dak the line. I don't. I don't have any ill will toward Jeff Swim, but I I buried my dream of ten personnel the other night because literally like five times during that Lions game, I was like, oh, they're doing ten, They've got ten on the field, and then Swam with motion and I'm like, never mind, that's Jeff my bad. Um, but he's not doing a bad No, he's not doing a bad job.

I just I just would like to see it. I think I think it could work. Um. I do want to go back though, to the to the point that you're trying to make I agree with you. I wouldn't. I would like to rotate these receivers less. But you hear the phrase like eating up cushion. Why, Like it's like the guy's got ten yards of cushion and it's just gone in an instant. Who's doing that on this team? That's like Alan Hearns is number two in snap count. I don't trust that that's he's going to do that. Um,

maybe Gallup could if they gave him a chance. And that's my point is Deonte Thompson and Tavon Austin certainly could. So maybe getting well they are, Maybe this is a game where you change that. Hey, they freaking they targeted key Key Kuti fifteen times in his first game as a pro. You mean to tell me that Tavon can't do that? I don't. I'm just hoping that maybe they're they have some grand design and they're saving him for it.

I don't know. I can't figure out the Super Bowl, No, honestly, right, I can't. I just can't understand why you can have how you can have a guy that's a weapon like that and not figure out a way to get him more involved in what you're doing. Mean neither saying and again, you know, I think Jeff Swam has played pretty well this year. But they just you gotta have a tight end. Apparently you just have to. Yeah, I don't know why. Let's take our final break. We'll come back. We'll get

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SWBC Mortgage Studios at the Star. That's I mean, sometimes you know, I'll just I don't mind saying it on the air, Like you watch tape to watch the opponent, and sometimes you can't get over what you're not supposed to be looking at, which in this like I just the Indianapolis Colts just do not have much talent obvious. You know, Andrew Luck's a good player, even if he's coming back back like he had a huge day as

far as numbers are concerned. But is he back to being Andrew Luck that was one of the better quarterbacks in the league. I don't think so yet, But I he threw for four thirty seven, Like I think he's on his way. But like by the time the Cowboys play him, he'll be and he's got he's got t Y Hilton and then like just not a whole lot else to work with on that whole of running back offensive line question. Got the Notre Dame kid in there as a rookie, like not much else, Nahem Hines as

a guy we liked in the draft. He's like he's a third round pick though, and like anything, they're poor guy. He's supposed to be like a third down back and he like, for lack of a better option, he's basically their feature back, which like, I don't think you want to do that with it. No, it's not working. And I think t Yse got a hamstring now, so he might not even be available. That sounds about ross. Well, Cowboys will have him and I don't know in December

or November, mid December. It's like it's one of the last three games. It'll be cold. Yeah, good things. You're indoors, so it doesn't really matter. You'll be in the big barn out there in Indianapolis. So in Indianapolis, he that one of those cities that has all the tunnels. Yeah,

you can basically not go outside of you could. But I always hear stories about the combine, how Dave and Brian are all in that snow and and walk through the snow like the feats of strength, right right, If Brian can impress you by doing something stupid and tough. He's going to stick it right up your rear. Here, here you go, We go, right, sir, that's impressive and tough. It is stupid for the person. Well, all right, give me a Tommy John Red. Can somebody give me a

Tommy John. Oh yeah, speaking of impressive and tough, Um, Tommy John. I'm trying to do Tommy John Red. It's all right. Tommy John is backed by the best Peri'll everwhere or it's free guarantee. So if you don't think it's number one of all time, call them, email them, send it back and they will watch them first. Now then send them all because you gotta know that why it's not good. Drop exclusive Cowboys Underwear Tommy John dot com forward slash Cowboys. You get twenty percent off your

first order. Actually went on the website the other day and I'm looking at it and you have to go up there and type cowboys up there. And because it says fifteen percent off your first order if you go to Tommy John dot com. But if you type in cowboys at the time, extra five, extra five I got five on there. We go. All right, let's jump back in. We got a phone call here from Chris and Indiana. Chris, what up? How's it going everybody? Um, gotta gotta observation.

I know a lot of fans always talking about picking up these high price wide receivers and and stuff like that, But do you think our offense, the way it's made up and how the offensive coordinator and the head coach likes to do things, do we really need that high price wide receiver when it looks like the plays and the scheme would not benefit those guys like I don't think somebody like Sammy Watkins that would have came in and then the off season would have a great year,

just because of the way everything is schemed and how we use our wide receivers. There's really no movement, no bunching, no people running behind the line getting lost and kind of getting open and stuff like that. It just seems a little basic as far as what they do with the receivers that I don't I just don't think bringing somebody high dollar, high quality in they would benefit us.

I agree, thanks for I agree with that call. And you know that's kind of one of the reasons why we've said that we don't know if Dez is really making much of a difference, And Sammy Watkins, you're right, I don't think you know would and you know that's a real to me, and maybe that the caller is not saying it, but to me, that is a nice way of saying your quarterbacks really not that good if your wide receivers, If a really good, talented, high price

wide receiver is not going to come help the offense, then that to me, I don't know if it's scheme or not, it's is the passing game going and benefit utilize a really good wide receiver in this offense. Are you really saying that he wouldn't benefit them or is it that for the cost it's not worth the benefit, Because I think there's a difference I really do think

there's a difference there. I don't think the Cowboys are saying if we had a great wide receiver, if they had you name it, Antonio Brown or Odell whoever, certainly they can help this team. The thing is for the price of what you'd pay for that, I think what they're saying is strategically, we think we'd rather put that money into an offensive line and a running back, then we'd rather put it into a wide receiver. We think that's a better strategic decision for us. Yeah, that's at

least my impression. I'm actually writing about this in my column right now, and I feel weird saying it because obviously the offense has been bad for three of the four games, thirtieth in the league in passing. I'm not trying to suggest that it's good, but like, are the Cowboys overly surprised by what they're seeing because this was the game plan. It was complimentary receivers who are not

going to be too upset that their stats suck. Basically, I mean, that's what it comes to Town two and center. Everything around you're running back. That Detroit game is what they want it to be. Is like three or four guys finished with twenty to fifty receiving yards. But it's really all about Zeke and it hasn't happened in the first three games. But I think that's really the design that they had in mind, and I think in that regard, sure it hasn't been as good as they wanted it to,

but it has followed the overall blueprint that they set up. Now, whether that was the right strategy, I don't know. We'll see how it works. Out over sixteen games. But that's what they put in motion this whole time for this season at least. I mean, they can change it in the offseason. But here's the part that worries me though about that whole thing, is you look at a team like the Rams, and somehow they're able to get it all.

Like they got the quarterback, They've got good, really good receivers, I think all. I think their three top receivers are probably better than the Cowboys best receiver. They've got an all world running back, they got a good offensive line, they got a great defensive front. How is it some teams are able to get it all and the Cowboys have to choose which they're gonna do and not do?

A couple thoughts come to mind. What I agree with Nick to a degree that it's an indictment of quarterback play to some degree to say that a good receiver can't help you. But I just I mean, I think the Rams have a better scheme and are better coach to exploit mismatches and things like that. Like you watch them, I don't. Yeah, I mean, Cooper Cup's a nice player and Brandon Cooks is good too, But like, I don't think that it's these receivers making Odell Beckham one hand

and type players. I think they're just schemed well. And I also think it's amazing you think those those receivers are comparable to of the Cowboys receivers. I think they're more No, they're more talented. Okay, this is probably this is one of the three least talented receiver groups in the NFL. Problem just just on talent alone. But again, like, are we surprised to hear that? I remember, No, No,

it's just when you say it. It's like ESPN. ESPN did a thing in the summer that pissed everybody off where they ranked the skill players not including quarterback and running back, so basically tight ends and receivers, and Dallas was like thirtieth. I think everybody lost their minds and I was like, what are you all mad about? Exactly exactly what it is. Um. And on top of that, the other thing with the Rams is when you have a number one overall pick quarterback playing like it on

that deal, you can afford a lot of other stuff. Yeah, that's and if they can get if the Cowboys can get their quarterback to play up to that level. Now, they would have the benefit of that, and now they really could use those receivers and maybe make those receivers a lot better than where they are right now. I if it was up to me, and I've said this back, yeah, I would have a number one receiver in this offense because Dak at this point in his career, he does

need the help, the extra help from another player. That's nice to say, where are you going to get that? Guys, that's not I'm not worried about that. That wasn't the questions because that was the problem this offseason when you got rid of this. There wasn't a lot there was there was, Hey, that was not the question. It has part of it because this off season there weren't a lot of guys out there in free agency that you look at and say, he immediately comes in and becomes

a true number one in this offense. I don't think those guys were That's the that's the closest thing you've got. Okay, death was not working out there. He wasn't for whatever reason it was, he just wasn't. But here's the thing. I'm the type of person that I don't like relying fully, relying on one person you need to have backup plans. And when it comes to Zeke, yes, run the balls as much as you can. But at the same time, you never know what's going to happen or what could happen.

So have your backup plan, have someone that you can trust, and I can throw himself and catch the ball like, um, what's his name, Julio Beckham, No, Hopkins. I was just breaking down a play yesterday. So Hopkins from the Texas. He can throw himself and catch the ball and just make the play. Dad may not be as precise as he would want to be, but here, yeah, exactly. You

have a receiver that can help you out. I'm really happy that Sammy Watkins isn't wasting away on this offense right now with the account amount of money he would have cost. I agree with that. All right, guys, we'll be back tomorrow. We'll wrap this thing up for you and let you know what's going to happen this weekend. Cowboys versus Texans still in for Nick Eatman, Dave Hellman, Amber Garcia. I'm Derek Eagleton. 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