Cowboys Break: Lesson Learned?

episode number fifty eight. Welcome to the latest edition of The Break Life in st WBCT Mortgage Studios at the Star. Today we turned the page. We start looking forward. We moved away from Denver and head toward Atlanta. Cowboys face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday at noon at at and T Stadium. It's our job to get you guys ready, and that's exactly what we will do on today's show. Let's let's start first with some news. It broke yesterday,

kicker Greg Zerline added to the COVID list. Um, let's start first with how big of a deal is this for Dallas? Because I get the impression. Well, I'm gonna tell you my thoughts on Zerline. I think he's a good kicker. I don't think he's an elite kicker, and but on the flip side of that, I think he's pretty money when it comes to money kicks, When it comes down to end the game kicks, he tends to make them work. So how big of a deal is this for them if they can't get him to play

on Sunday. Hopefully it's not a big deal at all. Hopefully it just means they won't kick. I hope. Just just go for it every time, Just go for it. You name two elite kickers one I can name one, right, I mean Tucker two younger young Waiku in Atlanta's pretty damn kicking. But yeah, yeah, he is doing well as a matter of fact that we will see him this Sunday. Yeah him. I bet there's another one I thought hard. Oh yeah, Harrison Bucker in Kansas City. Yeah, it's good.

There's probably three. I just I mean, I think he's been pretty good, Zerline, and I think most kickers are pretty good. You know, last time we saw a Tucker, he missed. I don't know if he's missed since, but I know he missed against the Cowboy. He doesn't miss he doesn't and he can make it from what sixty six, Yeah, wherever them he pretty much whatever, put the ball down,

up and put the ball down. But my point is that, I mean, I think I think Zirline has been pretty good based off of, you know, just what most kickers are around the league. When I was gonna say, when the news came out and I was looking around on Twitter and seeing like what fans were saying, you know, the amount of comment of people just being really excited that this happened because he gives a cow with an opportunity to bring another kicker in, try him out, hopefully

be better than Shirline. But but then, and although I agree to a certain level or extent, I'm like, to you guys this point, who is better out there? And if whatever other kicker you bring, he's not going to be that far better than than what Sterling has been. So it's like, yeah, it's not great that sometimes he misses, But at the same time, it's like, okay, what else,

what what's the other option? We as a fan base are spoiled by having a guy that was a Justin Tucker for a decade, and they had Dan Bailey he was automatic for eight years, um and and it goes back to you know, you you you're harsh on Dak because you see every throw that he makes, and you don't follow every quarterback that closely. You're probably only seeing

other kickers if they're not playing your team. It's when Fox cuts in to show you their game winner and you're like, damn, that's a good kick, right, and you're not seeing the miss from forty two that he had earlier in the game. And it's subjective. Um, I think the thing, and I think you've said this, Derek. The thing that concerns me is he does have a pension for the dramatic kick. Um Like he hit game winner against atlant last year, had a fifty five yard game

winner this year. His uh the go ahead against Tampa that ultimately didn't win him the game was from forty eight. So he's he's reliable in those clutch situations from what we've seen. Um, you'd like to think that it won't come down to that against Atlanta this week, but you never know, so that that worries me. Um. But he's seventy eight percent on the year, which is not a

good percentage at all. So I think I said last week it was like I think he's twenty first, I want to say in the league in kicking percentage, I'd rather not have to think about this. But I don't think it's such a dramatic drop off that I'm worried about it. And I'm I said it tongue in cheek, but I'm serious, Like fourth and three and in unless it's just an unless it's a pressure situation where you need the points because it's late in the game or whatever,

I just go for it. Take it off your kicker shoulders. There's been, hey haven't. It's fine. I know that. That's what's frustrating about it is that it because a lot of people are, especially on the second one was like, just just get the field goal. But how have they been this year when when it comes to fourth downs? Because I don't know it to me and I don't know the stats. I don't know the stats, but it feels like they're not a great fourth down team. They're

They're not. Really Yeah, I still don't care, and I do think that at some point. The reason why I think statistically everyone always talks about, hey, it's always good to go forward and fourth downs because there was a time in the NFL when basically you could get a fourth down just like this, especially its fourth and short, still a quarterback sneak. Now teams that isn't as easy as it once was, And I'm starting to wonder if

the stats aren't. The data isn't starting to say, and maybe it's not a good idea to go for it on fourth down as frequently as maybe it was years ago. I don't think it. Offensive line isn't as good as it was a few years ago. It's not. It's not very I mean, Connor Williams is kind of just an average guard. I think Beyondest is not an average center. Right now. You know they're left tackle. Yes, last week

was not very good in the game. You know, Lyle's working his way back in and Zach Martin's probably the best guard in football. But it's hard to you know that the line is just not something you could count on like you used to. So fourth and inches, fourth and one, fourth and two, you know, it's that's something that they're having to deal with right now. Well, and you don't have to crowd people into the box and telegraph what you're gonna do. I mean, they didn't get it.

The call to centric Wilson was perfect. It was it was perfect. He might have scored. Throw a better ball, and don't let the fact that it didn't work scare you in the future, because I'll take Dak completing that past ninety nine times out of one hundred. Yeah, just is what I mean. And that's what makes football so great is you get one shot at these things and he normally makes that throw. That's yeah. But the but the fourth I mean, but the fourth and ones and

stuff like that. We saw it in New England. We saw it in the goal line in New England. We saw it that whole game. You know, they're just not pushing people back and that's just plain and simple. They're not doing that. So you know they they're gonna have They can't just run up to say I'm better than you and we're gonna just get this yard yard because it's not always working, all right. They're twenty seventh and fourth down conversion percentage, which is rough. That's not they're

six and two. I mean, it hasn't gotten in their way too much. I'm and and again you're in a situation where if you're well, it depends on who wins this tryout. You our Buddy Brett Maher is one of these guys. You read that right, um? But and Hira Lula whom leram Hira lah who ain't that fall? Thank you? But I'll take I'll take Dak Prescott converting a fourth down over putting a guy who's never kicked an NFL

kick in into too much of a pressure situation. Like I said, if it's if that's the sensible call, then do it. But if it's close, I'd rather put faith in my offense. Yeah, And I guess this goes back to the old line conversation and how they've been this year because a lot of the times they're trying to run the ball in situations like that, and I'm not. I feel like I wasn't as used to seeing this

as like early on when he first got here. But with Zeke, for example, sometimes it's like he bounces off, like he hits a wall and just like bounces back. So there's not that kind of power that he's used to having. Some comes from the online, but some I guess from himself too. He's lacking and I love what he's doing. I don't think he's having a bad year or anything. I think he's doing a good job, especially

opposed to last year. But still there's like a tiny tiny bit of lack of that extra that extra power that he he's used to showing us earlier on when he first got here. All right, real quick, before we take our first break, giving an update on who's practicing today, the injury list, just the guys that are going to be in and out that we that we I guess need to keep an eye on this week. Tyrn Smith is not going to practice. He will be in the rehab group, so will be out on the field doing things.

He just won't be taking reps. It's a step in the right direction. It's probably not as good as you would have wanted to hear today. We'll see how it goes. Zeke, Zack Martin are gonna they're taking vet days. They'll be involved, but they're not gonna get the full workload. I think there was one more guy in that group, Amari maybe, um, yes, thank you. Amari Cooper is also in that group. So those three they're fine, but they'll be limited today. That's

Gallup is the full go guy. Yeah, Gallup will be CD will be full today. As far as I'm I just I really am. That's my own concern. I really want this receiver group back out there practicing because I think that was a part of it last week. I think Dak needs the work. I think the receivers need the work, and I think they all need to work together in order to get that timing back right, because it certainly was not right last week. All right, here's

what's gonna do. We're gonna take our first break and we come back. We'll be joined by Bucky Brooks of NFL Network. He will talk to us about this Atlanta offense facing off against the Dallas defense that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. Before there was a draft, you could size up a cowboy by three simple factors. The crease in his hat, the bend of his brim, and his unbending attitude a man. Stetson didn't just protect him from what life throw at him.

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Are you okay? Oh? I'm not? Gary? Anymore. I'm Jackie Flash. What see? I want the latest smartphone, But the best deals are only for new customers. So to get a new customer deal, I changed my name to Jackie Flash. Okay, but the best smartphone deals at AT AT and tare for everyone, new and existing customers. That's huge. Then guess who's getting the deal? Is it Jackie Flash, Jackie Flash? It's not complicated at AT and t our best smartphone deals are

for everyone. Restrictions apply. Is it att dot com for TT? Yes? Back to the break Rowdy's holiday deliveries are now available. Spread joy this holiday season with surprise and exclusive gifts from your favorite mascot. Book your holiday delivery today at Dallas Cowboys dot com slash Rowdy. Welcome back to the second segment of the Breakloft in s WBC Mortgage Studios. At the start, why are you smiling over that? Don't know? I can't just bring you joy? I just can't read

that right and without laughing or smiling. Exclusive gifts from your favorite mascot. I just see like he's opened the door. You know it's not Daily, He's not it's not it's not the Hall of Fame guy. You just opened the door, like, who's at the door. That's rowdy with this little box of food and saying nothing. Yeah, just looking at you the smile. You know what. He might say something which can be weird too. Yeah, all right, we gotta do we We're joined right now by Bucky Brooks of NFL

Network as as usual, bringing in Bucky. You talk a little bit about the opposing offense on Wednesday. Bucky, let's start first with the fact that this is an offense in Atlanta that that has changed I think a lot over the last several years, losing some of the mainstay players. Uh, what do you think this offense does best? Where? When are they at their best? I don't know if I've got him all right, Well, we'll go ahead and talk about this a little bit nothing before we get him back.

Maybe he was trying to answer it's nothing. They don't do anything. Well, I'm sure they did something to beat the Saints. What does that say about the Saints? Again? I don't know anything. We are not acting like the last week, Tali member, we are talking, we are not. I mean, yeah, they're they're doing something right. Yeah, they're you know, just gonna get their ass kicked I mean, I can tell you that, but but they're doing something right now. Why can't you tell us that they just will?

Because they just will. I I don't know. Okay, I'll put it down thirty one to ten. I'll just put my score. Okay, it's Wednesday, cool Gill some time to get through this thing. I might give him a field goal later in the we got we got Bucky Brooks joining us. Now, Bucky, I was asking about this this offense that I think has changed quite a bit over the last couple of years. Tell me what this offense does best. When are they at their best? Give it the Maddy Ice and that mighty Ice go to work.

I think when you look at this talking team and what they have, they have really good skill players. And so you have Canaryl Patterson, who was doing a little bit of everything. You have Maddie Ice, who's throwing the ball to anyone is open, and then you have Kyle Pitts, who is a bit of a unicorn on a perimeter.

And so it's a very interesting matchup. Is one that it doesn't look like they have a lot of names, but man, they're playing really well and Arthur Smith is figuring out how to use all the pieces that he has around it. Is Patterson like, I mean, I know Hester is probably gonna go in the Hall of Fame. Is Patterson like at that level of like as a returner dynamic player. I know he's doing great on offense, but I mean, he seems like he's one of the

most feared kick returners ever. I mean, he is definitely one of the best two have ever played the game. I don't know if he's Gold jacket worthy, but he's a difference maker. I think when you think about a guy who's been a multiple time All Pro returner, someone who can take it the distance anytime he touches it, you certainly have to be aware of him. I think the thing that he's done the last couple of years, though,

has reinvented himself as a multipurpose dynamic player. His ability to do it as a runner, a receiver, a returner has really allowed creative minds to do some things with him. And then he's put it all together down in Atlanta because Arthur Smith certainly understands how to utilize him in a way to create and take advantage of mismatches. So I don't know if he's a Hall of Fame player,

but he's definitely a dangerous player to watch. I want to get into that a little bit more Bucky, because he's probably he's gonna set a career high for receiving this week. He only needs eleven yards. He's at all I mean, he's at five hundred yards at the halfway point. He's never had that good of a season as a receiver. Arthur Smith gets a lot of credit for being really

creative the offense that he had in Tennessee. Is it that where is he just making it easy for him or is it more him developing as a route runner, because we just as dynamic as he is as an athlete, we just haven't seen this level of production from him really ever. I think Arthur Smith is the first coach who understood how to tap into all the things that

could Patterson brought to the table. If you go all the way back to when he was a player at Tennessee, he played the game in a way that is very similar to the way he's been utilized with the Falcons. He was a mix of a runner, a receiver, a returner, and at the University of Tennessee he was terrific in the one season or two seasons that he was there, Arthur Smith's being able to find a way to take all of those skills and to put him in a game plan where he doesn't go these long stretches without

touching the ball. And so when you're able to get him matched up on linebackers, advantage goes to Kadero Patterson and they're putting in sets and formations where you're forced to put a linebacker or a safety on him and he's tearing them up. And so it's a combination of Kadera Patterson continue to evolve, but really it's about the play calling play designer put him in spots where he

can do the things that he does well. Fucky with Trevor Diggs getting a lot of criticism this past week, what are some of the things that they can do with him against an offense like this to kind of get him back on track and on course? Well, I mean, one, you gotta let him know that he's going to be

a target. As much as he's taking the ball away, he's also giving up some plays and so teams are going to test them early and often to see if they can catch him with his hand in the cookie Jarb and so he just has to be disciplined enough to know when to pick and choose when to gamble. But right now he is a target because he has

given up so many big plays. And the first thing that you do as an offensive coordinator is you try and find I don't want to call him walter, but you try and find the guy who is gullible enough to double move and to get on trick plays. Right now, Diggs is putting enough stuff on tape that people are going at him. He just needs to be solid, solid in this technique, soiling his fundamentals, and just play the

game the right way. You would think in a week like this, Treyvon Diggs would be matching up quite a bit with Calvin Ridley, but as we know, Calvin Ridley is out at this point, he's out taking a break from football, as he calls it. How much has the loss of Calvin really hurt this offense and who is stepping into his role at this point for them? Well, I mean it's certainly hurtson because he's a guy that

was a Pro Bowl caliber player. He was the number one receiver a season ago, and that's when Julio Jones was on the field, you lose him. Now you kind of have to spread the well. Originally, cow piss was the biggest beneficiary of Calvin Ridley being gone two weeks back to back, he went over a hundred yards. Well last week it was a little slore, and so now

they're kind of doing it by committee. Christian Blake, Russell Gage a little bit of anybody and everybody touching the ball because Mattie Ice is just throwing it to the open receiver. And so the challenge for the Cowboys is you don't really know who is going to be the guy because matt Ryan has enough trust and his guys that he's just throwing it to the open man. That makes it very very difficult on the defense. Who are the running backs? Um, because last week, you know, well,

I mean that's what I'm saying. Last week we didn't even know who Denver's running backs were. You know that they weren't like household names. But yeah, they just you know, ran through the Cowboys defense time and time again. Or do they have those type of backs that can that can hurt them that way? Well, I mean everybody in the league has backs that can can hurt you. If you're not focused. I think the Cowboys problem last week was more of handling success as opposed to what the

town on the other side did. This week. You're talking about Mike Davis, You're talking about Goodell Patterson, Wayne Gallman making in. I wouldn't say that any of those guys are a level running backs, but they do just enough to make them dangerous. Mike Davis is a big, physical back. If you let him get going, he's certainly been able to put up one hundred right games in this league. I think this is a game where, if you're Dan Flint, you stand in front of the room and say, look,

it's less about them, It's more about us. Let's make sure we're detailed on the gap fits, we're playing with the right effort and energy, and let's play the right way. It's not necessarily about who we're facing on the other side. It's about playing the right way. This week seems to me like Arthur Smith kind of got famous for leaning on twelve personnel when he was with the Titans. It doesn't seem like Hayden Hurst is having this amazing year for Atlanta, But is that something that they do do

they lean on twelve personnel. I see they run it like thirty thirty five percent of the time, and is especially with Calvin Ridley not playing, is that something that we should be looking for from their game plan. We know a good thing about Arthur Smiths. He just kind of takes the talent that you have and try and figure out the best way to use it. The way that he played at Tennessee is not quite the same way that he is at Atlanta. Maybe it's because the

quarterback is better, maybe the quarterback does different things. They still will mix in some twelve, but they're really kind of all over the place in terms of their personnel groupings. They're gonna put players on the field and see what gives the defense the biggest challenge, and then they're gonna sit in there. So early in the game, he's gonna spend the wheel, give you a bunch of different looks, and then whatever is looking like it's working the best,

he's gonna stay in that package. But Yeah, I wanted to ask you. We've seen, and we've talked about it this season with the Cowboys defense, how they've struggled in allowing big plays. I haven't watched a lot of film from this team. But is this a team that has been putting out despite their losses here and there? Is this a team that has been putting out big place on tape. Well, last game they had four players of thirty yards or more. So if they can doll it up,

they will doll it up. And they have a handful of players that can get it done and can get over the top. Mandy Ice likes to play a ball control possession game where it's short and intermediate. But man, if you give him the lottery ticket, he's gonna cash it in. And so for the Cowboys, it literally is

about being sound in their technique. I think this is a great get right week in terms of a maybe simplify the package even more, clean up the mistakes, try and make it where they're just playing without thinking and see if they can get back on track. But no, they can't let the ball flower over their head. Because the Atlanta Falcons are sitting in a situation where they feel like they may be able to get into the playoffs, and so they're going to bring the effort and energy.

The Cowboys gotta match it, and they can't let them have success early because then you're dealing with a sixty minute affair. All right, Buck has good stuff. Man. We'll catch back up with you tomorrow. Talk a little bit about this Atlanta defense versus the Cowboys office. We're gonna take our final break and after that we'll come back. Cowboys defense will be our topic. Will do that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. Hi,

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big news, Gary, Are you okay? Oh? I'm not Gary anymore. I'm Jackie Flash. What see? I want the latest smartphone, but the best deals are only for new customers. So to get a new customer deal, I changed my name to it Jackie Flash. Okay, but the best smartphone deals at AT and T are for everyone, new and existing customers. That's huge. Then guess who's getting a deal is it? Jackie Flash, Jackie Flash? It's not complicated. At AT and

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nothing you don't, a visual metaphor on the radio. I do deserve that, Doctor Pepper, zero sugar, the zero you deserve is finally here. Before there was a draft. You get sized up a cowboy by three simple factors. The crease in his hat, the bend of his brim, and his unbending attitude a man. Stetson didn't just protect him from what life through at him. It projected a rugged, unstoppable spirit. Stetson hats are still American, made with pride.

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com slash start to get yours today, Welcome back. Final segment of the Break, live from the SWBC Mortgage Studios at the Start, Nick, give me a fifty eight um. Scott Shanley, Wow, you pull that one out. Linebacker ended up with the Saints. Do you go to Super Bowl with them? Yeah? I was a good player for them. He was a good player for them. The Oreo defense. Yeah, okay, that's where are you going with it? No, that's what they called it. It was because they had Scott Shanley,

Scott Figeta, and another white guy. They all played linebacker and they were the only white guys on the defense. Like basically the secondary. Yeah, defensive live I'm not kidding. They called it the Oreo defense. We called it that for years in New Orleans. Anyway, Sorry, got it, learned something? I mean. The real answer is a guy named Mike Hegman. He played like thirteen fourteen seasons. Is he good? Yeah? He was a good player. He scored a touchdown in

the Super Bowl seventies, which eighties they were both thirteen. Okay, what happened on the play. He stripped the ball from Terry Bradshaw and returned it for maybe forty one yards for a touchdown early in that game. But they ended up losing thirty five to thirty one in the Orange Bowl over there because Jackie Smith dropped the past. He probably was the sickest man in America, and they lost the brilliance of well I knew that I didn't know

about the well he laid out the whole. Yeah, that's great. I love about this guy. That was great. Who else does it? Verne Quist brad Sham. I'm guessing you weren't doing that in math class, but if you were, you would have been My god, my grades were so terrible. But if they would have had a sports class, you'd have killed it Dallas Cowboys sports like he would have killed Nick and I aren't similar. I'm sorry, go ahead, I'm just saying my mom is famously said to me

on a bad report card. You can't just work for Dallas Cowboys. That is not a job. You have to study and get your books right. And here we all are working for all your dreams. Kids. Nick and I aren't all that similar, like across the board, but we have that. And like I might not know what day of the week it is, but I can tell you the score of Super Bowl whatever. And I don't love that about myself, but greatness, here we are. We have a lot in common. We'll be watching the same football

game this week, slightly different ruling interests. Let the Pigs are playing the Tigers on Saturday, Red versus the battle for the Golden Boot is what I'll do, should it be. I feel like this is a break. I'm not trying

to talk trash. This is probably this is the first time in a while where Arkansas and LSU are kind of like on a level playing field where we both think we've got a chance to win the problem with the t shirt bet okay, because because we'll probably one of us is five six because I have to wear Dave. I have not cool. The day's gonna walk in here like well, like he's wearing his dad's shirt about the Hulk Hogan. You're you're I think this will be awesome. I got, I got an article, I got, I get

Danny mccrazy. This is perfect. Let's do that. Actually, I'll bring you. I'll bring you Brian's sugar bowl jersey. All right. If LSU beats Arkansas, I will wear I will wear Okay, this is a good one. I will wear the broadest jersey. This is fifty five. If Arkansas wins. What do I have to do? You have don't have to okay, And it's a number nine Jones jersey. You have a John Stephen Jones. No, it's a Matt Jones right now. It's he does wear nine, right, So yeah, the important the family.

I'll do it. Oh, no, I don't wear that. I was gonna say, no, I'll wear I'll wear anything. Before I put a pig snout on my face. That actual would be funny. I'm kind of the same way I do that. All Right, we got a bed here. I have a lot of face paint whoa, Yeah, let's take one more knots the guy whose team got run out of aims. You're right over here, exactly. I got nothing else to root it for it right now, but just craziness. Okay, so yeah, let's do it. I'm in all right, let's up.

Let's get back to Dallas defense talk. Um, here's a big question for you guys at this point, after what we saw in Minnesota. I'll speak for myself. I thought this defense was turning the corner from being a byproduct of a high scoring offense to being a defense that really could win games for this team. I'm not sure what I think after Denver, where do you land with this defense? After watching both those games? Now, you gotta have help to be a good defense, you gotta have

some help. The offense wasn't giving him any help there, so to just keep you know, never scoring, never really putting pressure on the defense to go out like or to put pressure on the Broncos like, okay, we got a score right now. I mean they never really did that. So it was a difference though, because they did against Minnesota,

and you would think Minnesota is a better offense than Denver. Right, No, but I mean, my point is that at least even in Minnesota, the offense was kind of helping them a little bit. They were scoring three points in the first half. Well, then they scored one coming out of the second half. I mean like that, that game was completely different. It's a different type of game. But at least they got some points there. But I don't know, they didn't tackle.

They just chose not to tackle this game. That's what it was. They just said, we don't need to tackle. Definitely agree with that. That is the number. I think I'd already talked about this, like they've never they have not been great against the run all year, but they have got they have rallied to the ball and gotten guys down. And you give up a twelve yard play, you live to fight another play, you forced the punt

on the next series. Like that last week, they just they just looked like they forgot how to do some of the basic stuff. I will say sometimes I think we get into this echo chamber where like it's only about what the Cowboys do. I think the Vikings helped them a lot in that game, like the way they called that game. Kirk Cousins is notorious for being inconsistent. They did some stupid stuff where they and I mean the Cowboys get credit too, but like they're the plays

they're calling, they're not helping themselves. I felt that way in the whole second half, like, man, they kind of they forgot these receivers play on this team, Like what's going on? So I think that's part of it too, I don't. I don't feel a ton different. Like I refuse to take the bait that this is an elite defense. I argue with Danny McCrae about this, Like every week he's like, we're gonna be top ten by the end of the year. I'm like, I really don't think that's true, Danny.

But now still are though, right, I don't know the whereas of last week, they're I mean they are much They're much closer than I would have ever given them credit for it. They're better than I expect them to be. I still just don't think that this defense is ever going to be the calling card of this team, especially

when they're not getting takeaways. But even more so, to Nick's point, if they're not tackling, I mean, that's if I could fix anything, it's that and just in general, like the way that it always felt like every other game there's like two or three, preferably even four hats around the ball. Just didn't feel that way on Sunday. And that's the big thing for me. Where are you ever? I absolutely hate this term, well I hate that I'm gonna say it, but to me, they it is what

it is. It's that whole band, don't break type of defense. To me, that's what they've been. They've improved a whole lot compared to last year, but they haven't been impressive. You know, They've made impressive place, but overall, I just take last week's loss as something that Okay, let's just live it behind. Let's see what they do this week. Why because it wasn't it just like in this area. It wasn't just like oh the secondary, the linebacker. It was like all across the board, all over the field

offense defense. So yeah, they need to improve the tackling it. But at the same time, and I'm like, okay, this is going down the drain or anything. I just want to give them another week see how they react. I really do like Dan Quinn a lot, and I think that based on what I've heard him say and the way he speaks, He's gonna turn it up several notches this week in practice and really put them to work.

Yeah yeah, So I want to really see how they come out this week and the kinds of things that dan Quinn does with them, I mean, bringing the fireback. As I went back and watched this game, Nick, I was mentioning this to you this morning, So I went back and watched this game. I know, yesterday I said on the show, I don't really think anybody could have had a good game after the way they the outcome was of this game. But there was one guy that stood out when I watched the game back, and I'm

really really impressed with also Diggi Zuoa had. He didn't just flash like there were plays when he didn't actually make the play, and he still destroyed his guy like he just had at The more I watch him, the more I really really like him. My question for you guys, is is he the best interior defensive linemen that they have on this team at this point? M good question because you lean toward Neville. Gallimore hasn't played this year, only played eight games last year. I'm still not ready

to say that. Ever, this disruptive No, that's a good point. I mean he's second in the league among rookies and pressures. That's they couldn't do anything with him the first few series. I feel like it kind of got away once Denver had the lead and you're not rushing the passer as much. But second in the league among rookie tackles, rookie, no pressures, just pressures any play among rookies. Because mikeuld leads the league. So the Cowboys have the top two rookies in the league.

Two of the top four play for the Cowboys. Yes, uh o Way in Baltimore and I can't remember the other one right now, but two of the top four. Yeah, I mean pressure you you know, that's that's a defensive end. That's not even a linebacker. So to have a linebacker in height. Yeah, he is consistently disruptive all year long. He has been, and that's I definitely think he deserves mentioned.

That's that's a really good question because like now I'm thinking maybe not even Neville, But then you think about a guy like Brent Urban, who does not rush the passer at all, that's not his thing, but he's fantastic against the run. Hasn't been as good this year as he was last year, but just different skill sets. Um embarrass Fans will tell you he's not playing the position that they they did he played in Chicago like he was more of a defensive end, you know, and that

you know in a three four scheme defensive end. This is a little bit different where he's playing closer to the ball. He's been okay, but yeah, not No, he hasn't three tackles this year. But it's hard to just say, well, that's just that he hasn't been great. I'm just kind of thinking it's it's hard for me to say a guy who's played eight career games is the best interior

lineman on your team. Well, we say Mike is the best linebacker, so right, he's he's he's having a little different with the position he's I mean, yeah, because one guy, for because of the nature of the position, is going to stand out a lot more than the other. Yeah, and then you're rotating a lot more as a defensive tackle as well. I think he's having the best season of any interior linement on this team. That's not even

up for debate. I wonder if I mean, I wonder if George Edwards, either the veteran coach and coaches the linebackers, um wonder what he would say has been the best linebacker this year? Like, like, is is Layton van ersh playing you know good football? Is he's playing better than than Micah. Michael got has more stats and he's doing a lot more things. But you know, because see, I think Mica he's got five sacks. I would guess four of the five have been from the linebacker position, can you.

I mean, I know that he rushed a lot, but I only think that one sack against the Chargers where he just exploded. And even that one, I still don't even think that was a real sack, but they gave it to him. But that's the only one I can remember, I can be it's the one that stands out to me. You're saying, we're literally he's just lining up at defensive end and he's just rushing and gets a sack. I think most of his sacks have been from this, like

you know, different spots on him wherever you line him up, wherever. Right. Yeah, I want to say maybe I agree with you. I want to say maybe he did it against Philly, but for the most part, it's been pursued plays as a lineback. I think Layton's playing pretty well, but not not No, it was all pros a rookie. Yeah, he came in. He was howling at the moon every single play. You now, how about them cowboys? He doesn't. He doesn't look as

explosive as he used to. To me, lay there was a play he made the play, So I'm not trying to trash talking, but there was a play out in the flat this past week where he knifed out into the flat. Guy had the ball and the back or the receiver cut it back in and Layton kind of dove back. It looked like it was going to be a broken arm tackle, but he did enough to trip

him up and so he made the tackle. But in my head, I was like, two or three years ago, he would have just knifed in and destroyed that guy. He would have. It wouldn't have even been a doubt that he was going to get him down, And it felt lucky that he pulled it off in this particular instance. He's happy he's playing through the season without an injury. That's what I was about to say. Do you think

he's playing slower? Than usual, or maybe not not not slower, but like you know, not as quick to the ball because he has been injured or because he has been healthy. And I don't know, if you're healthy, you're kind of honestly, maybe you don't want to play as recklessly because you're trying to preserve yourself. I don't know if it's either one track year for him. Layton doesn't. He doesn't strike me as that kind of guy though, Like he's so intense. If he heard that, he would probably come in he

would be pissed. Yeah, he has pissed it every time I ask a question. Every time I ask him a question, question, it might be. It might be and I and I of you a lot of guys, especially after the game. For some reason, I don't know what it is. Layton is not happy with any of the questions I ask. Maybe it could be I think even it's I just

think that's his demeanor. And you think, you think about where his career is gone, Like he got about as high as you can and that's We talked a lot about his conversation with Micah at the Hall of Fame game that Hard Knocks picked up. He was I think he was kind of chuckling at Mica. He was like, Buddy, I've been there where you're the talk of the town

right away, and you just just be prepared. And Mica hasn't had that downturn yet, maybe he never will, but the ebbs and flows of playing in this league come, and I just think Layton realizes that. And I I doubt he's unhappy with your questions so much as like he does not like the media. No, he doesn't like us. I think that happens. I think as you go to that top and then you just get just kind of

destroyed after that, I think it hardens guys. Yeah. It's one of the reasons why yesterday we ran into into Sean Lee in the hall talking to him, and it's one of the reasons why I like Sean so much is because he would have gotten very hardened because obviously there was always to talk, Oh, he's injury prone, he's

injury problem. Sean was just like, look, yeah, I've had injuries, Like I don't know, like I'm trying not to, but I've got Even when Sean was in the thick of it, he was never like a jerk, but you had your own back and forth with him in that regard. Like we always used to joke, Sean only wanted to talk on Friday and only after he was done with everything he had to do, so he'd come in like thirty seconds before the locker room closed and oh shucks, guys,

I just missed you for that. By the way, that is just kind of like I'm gonna game them the way they gave me. But he wasn't a butthole about it. He was he was still like he would still have the conversation with especially feels off the record and he caught him. You could have a conversation in his final speed in his final like you know, when he made his quote at the end of the season or when he retired. You know, he gave his statement. I mean even had some jokes in there. He was just like

and of course the training staff. I mean, I, you know, my best friends because I was there all the time. Yeah, I mean, he could have gotten he could have been one of those guys that was really really mad with the media, and I don't think that was the case. And I can tell while he's here. Sure, I don't know. I assume just to visit this some people, I guess I don't know. I guess that's a good question. He came to see the Broncos game former former players just

kind of in the building. Man, he was on he was on the show the other day, was on one of those other shows. Yeah, was that hanging not Players Players. He's good friends with Barry Church. Well, we did kind of mention that, like, man, uh, you know, you go do that show and don't come to our show. Amber would really like you to come do this show. He's like, yo, if I see him, I'm definitely asking for a photo. I never done this. Back back to Layton real quick.

I laughed because Layton was with us this week. He came out and talked away from you, and like in the more group setting, we're not gonna go as far as he was. He's still he's always gonna be kind of gruffing and tense, but like he was very thoughtful and to be that way, if you're gonna like hunt a wolf, true, you're right, that's a good point, but like, okay, he was almost like necessary. He was as eager to talk as I've ever seen him, which isn't to say

that he was eating. But and then you know, he gave a lot of quotes about I think we needed this, I think this can be good in the long run, and I was. I was kind of surprised because when I heard he was on our list. You do this stuff mentally where you're like, oh boy, here we go Layton vander esh after a loss, this will be fun. But I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging he was.

I do that when I when I get the list of who I'm going to talk to, and it's like it was like Lyle Collins, Terrence Steele, and then it was literally when I got the list, it was like holding seventy eight, holding seventy one. I was like, this is awesome. Great, they're going to be in a great

mood going back to Land. When you mentioned his name and asked the question, immediately in my head, before you even made that point, I thought, well, you know, I'm just glad he's playing, Like I'm glad he's out on the field. But then I call myself like, no, screw that, No, this is a young guy. He barely how many years three has it been? This is fourth year already, but he's still fairly young. We have not really squeezed them out you know, we have not gotten enough juice from him.

So I'm like, no, no, he should be playing at a higher level than what he has been giving you this year. To me, he tends to become a little forgettable this year when I watched the Cowboys play as opposed to previous year, where you even I mean he's been hurt here and there, but even with that injuries, and then when he comes back, you know, oh there's Layton. You see him, and I don't know if maybe that's the contract contrast against a guy like Jalen playing with him,

that maybe he stood out more. But I don't think so. I think that that he's just not playing at the same level. Actually, I actually think lay Nissalid this year. I don't think Layton has been a bad player this year. I think I don't think it's obviously the year he was an All Pro. Yeah, but I think he's been solid. I think he's been solid on this team. I think he fills the role for them, he plays the role nicely. I think he's the second best linebacker on this team.

And I think, you know, maybe that's not what you want in your contract year. Maybe you want a little bit more a few more splash plays, but I think he's been solid, and that actually may end up working for the Cowboys because if they want to keep him, I don't know if they do. If they want to keep him, it may make it make it very financially feasible to keep him if he's just a solid linebacker. I just think about all of the other decisions they have to make, and that one is further down the

list than a few of them. True though, because if you don't sign him, then who's playing linebacker for you next year? That's it's low key devastating. Might be an exaggeration, but it's low key a big deal that your brial Cox got hurt because in a perfect world, you groom him as the season goes along, and Layton vander Esh gets paid too much and you say, all right, like

we'll sign somebody or draft somebody. But the ideas that you and Mica can be are nickel linebackers moving forward like that is the hope, and it still could be. It's just a roadblock for him that it's gonna have to come after a rehab. Keano Neil thing hasn't really developed like you thought, and so I mean, you know, if you don't sign him um in March, then you get into the draft and you're you're thinking, probably have to here here we go again. You probably could draft

another linebacker pretty high. Well, I think this too. I think that what are they gonna do with jay Ron Curse? Because that also affects in a little bit. He's been down there a lot in the box. There's just a lot of questions in regard to Yeah, but there there's just a lot of questions with regards to what they're doing linebacker and some of those big that that big safety and that all they all play together. It all

will be a part of the calculations, accordinator back. I mean, that's the question you have to ask, too, big part of the decision. All Right, we appreciate you guys, join us. We'll be back tomorrow. We'll talk a little more Cowboys versus Falcons. Tomorrow we'll focus in on the Cowboys offense versus the Falcons defense. For Nick Eatn, Dave Hellman, Amber Garcia. I am 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