Cowboys Break: Pro Bowl Snubs?

episode number eighty five. Welcome to the latest edition of The Break, presented by Geico Got My Crew, Nick Amber, Dave, Dave. I really don't know what's what that is he's wearing, but it is helping him. Look, I guess a little more festive, Sanahan, isn't You don't know what I'm wearing? You live in America. Oh, it is a sad I mean it's it is like a ubiquitous symbol of American culture. But yes, sure it's our local Santa. Dave's gonna be our Santa for the show. That's good work, trying to

brighten the mood around here. Good. I appreciate that, Dave. It is Christmas week. We will have a different schedule this week, Just so everyone knows We got our shows today and tomorrow as normal. On Thursday, though, there will be a couple of joint shows, will mix in some different different people on different shows, but we'll do two shows that morning, and then there will be no shows on Christmas Day this Friday, and then back on our normal schedule on Monday, so make sure you check the

website for more information on that. Lots of football coming up this weekend. The NFL has games on Friday Saturday, and the Cowboys play on Sunday with the normal Sunday till for the NFL, So lots of football, lots of stuff to talk about today though on the break, we are going to get into a lot of different topics. We're gonna catch up on some updates. We're going to talk a little bit about the Pro Bowl, some interesting things there, not for the Cowboys, but interesting things there. Yeah,

it will be as will the playoff talk. Well, we'll let you know what's what's going on as far as the playoff picture and what has to happen this weekend for the Cowboys to either still be in or be eliminated. And then we'll talk a little bit about the Dallas offense, defense and special teams have a few questions for these guys on each of those three parts of the team. Let's start first injury updates. Dave, give me an update

on the guys that got hurt in this game. You got Layton Vanderesh, you got Michael Gallup, Antoine Woods, Xavier Woods. What do we know about them at this point? We know that Layton vander esh is probably dealing with a multiple week issue, which obviously you know, there's only two weeks left in the regular seasons, so it seems like a long shot that he would be available, especially since Mike McCarthy was willing to say that. You know, he basically said, I don't have a ton of optimism. He'll

be ready for Philly. The other guy, it sounds like it's gonna be you know, the more typical. See how they go through the week, so you know, we'll follow their progress as the practice reports come out. But it sounds like everybody else at least has a shot to play Sunday. Layton not so much. You know. I'll add this about Antoine Woods, and I understand that you have boots on your ankle feet. You know, sometimes that's just

to kind of you know, get things. You know, healed quicker, but he doesn't look like he's he could play this week. If I'm just guessing, just based off the lamp, based off the size of the boot on his I guess it was his ankle. I'm not really sure what his status. I mean, which injury it was, but I would say Antoine Woods is probably gonna be tough to make it. Oh, were you talking about Xavier Antoine? Antoine Antwine? Okay, got it, got it all right, let's nick. You didn't mention yesterday.

I think it was off the air. You and I were talking a little bit about Ezekiel Ella. Do we know anything more about kind of how he ended up in the position where he didn't play, because it seemed like last week that was real optimism that he would play, And what do we know about that and how it may stretch into this week or next week. It was a bruise for two weeks now, and then on Saturday, he said before the game, he said he felt a tug. He said he felt like it was kind of more

of a pool and the calf. He said, I can do everything. I can play through the bruise and the pain, but when there's a when there's like a pool and a strain, I can't be as explosive as I want to be. And that's why they shut it down. He said, he's not for that game. He's not shutting it down for the season. But if this thing persists, you know, I mean it was that was what Zack Martin had

and so you know, he didn't come back. And I'm you know, obviously the difference between a calf strain and a calf bruise and so you know, and with what we saw out of Tony Pollard, I mean, I would just imagine it did not going to rush Zeke back at all. Yeah. I actually we talked a little bit yesterday about the about this team, in particular about Tony Pollard,

Zeke Elliott. There's a narrative that I've heard, and I've heard of from some people that cover the team here with us for Dallas Cowboys dot Com that kind of rubs me the wrong way, and I wanted to get your opinions on it. I've heard of several people mentioned, well, if you take out the forty yard run, then he was only averaging two point three yards per carry. And my thought is, when you talk about Tony Pollard. That is why you like Tony Pollard is because he has

the ability to make that forty yard run. He might have that two point three yard average throughout most of the game, but when he has that big forty yard run, he can turn games. And that's what you're not getting from Zeke Elliott. Do you guys find that same is that the same analysis or do you buy into the idea that you know you're not getting enough consistent runs from Tony Pollard so he may not be as good

an option. I'll start with you, Hamper. I'm just honestly getting a little tired of trying to compare these two guys because they are just two different backs with different type of talent. And the thing is that the real problem here is the old line. I think that that's the real problem, and that's why neither of these two guys have been able to be as consistent as you would want them to be. And Pauler and we saw in that game, regardless of those explosive moments that he had,

they were having problems trying to run the ball. They still had problem with the running games. So it just comes to me, it just comes to the old line and Pauler, he's just gonna give you something different that Zeke is not gonna be able to give you, maybe not anymore, but Zeke at the same time, it's gonna provide you other things that Pauler is not gonna be able to give you. So I'm just started trying to

compare these two guys. I think that we should just be happy that the Cowboys have these two bags and hope that they just find a way to utilize them better next year. Dave, Hey, gee, if everybody's happy, then we don't have anything to talk about. So I guess we can't have that. For I've always hated that idea that, well, if you take away the eighty yard run, he didn't have a great day, like, well he went eighty yards

like that that counts, right. So I've always hated that, and for that matter, I'm looking at it right and like Zeke's a good player, Like I always feel self conscious that people are going to think that I like hate Zeke or don't think he's a good player. I don't think he's a good player. He's not living up

to the contract. And another point of evidence of that is Zeke is not even averaging four yards per carry on the season, like that is the baseline of what you're supposed to do to be considered a good running back in the NFL, and Zeke's not even doing that. So it's not like he's got this crazy good average either.

And he also hasn't been creating explosive plays, so that criticism doesn't ton of hold does not hold a ton of water for me, because you know, and you know, that's the narrative on Zeke is that maybe he's not explosive, but he's steady and physical, and that's true. But I still want better than four yards per carry from my fifty million dollars running back. So no, Yeah, I even wrote that in the column after the game that I don't like that. You can't take you know, plays off,

you can't take that out because it happened. But but I think that what you can see is that, you know, where did the forty yard run happen? It happened, and he got out and he got out in space with Richard Sherman. I believe it's who it was. He made the move on and they need to spend and all that, so he made an outstanding play. I think it's clear that that where he's doing his damages in the outside, which is fine, that's that's what you would expect now, but it won't work if you don't run up the

middle every every now and again. And they do that, they run him up in there, but that's not gonna be his bread and butter. That's not what where he's gonna make a living. And that's fine, Like Amber said, they don't have to like this. These are two good backs. That's what they need to do all offseason and figure out some good ways to utilize both of them. And you know, I think he could be a dangerous he

is a dangerous player on the outside. Now. I did see his stat on I think it was on Twitter, and this is one of those where like you can make a stat anything you want, and it was average per touch for Pollard and Zeke and it's like night and day. I forgot exactly what it was, but it's like they factored in kickoff returns and come on, I mean,

that's the twenty that's twenty five yards. You know, twenty five yards is not really that great if a kickoff return, if you're taking it four yards back, you know, in your end zone, So he's had some big ones. But I'm just saying that that is one of those narratives of like, oh, we're really gonna hammer this thing home, and that's not really fair to yep. But you know, the one other thing I'll add to that, Nick, and I kind of agree with you from the standpoint that

I don't know that Pollard is the running back. Do you look at and say, Okay, he's gonna be pounding the rock like regularly. What I do think though, is that particular play that forty yard he broke tackles like it was it was a physical run. Um, Yes, he did make a guy miss, but there were two guys that were there that that got to him, and he broke the tackle least fun out of the tackle and then sprint it forty yards to get to the end zone.

And I think that's the part to me where I look at him and I say, that's what I would think. We all know And he goes back to what Amber said, we all know. This offensive line isn't great blocking as far as the run game is concerned. But if you're gonna have if you're gonna be a really good back, you have to have the ability. Even when you're running your blockers aren't having their best season, you still gotta find ways to make guys miss. You gotta find ways

to break tackles, and you gotta find make ways. When you do that, then don't get caught. And that's what Paula did. That's what we haven't seen from Zeke. And again this is not to me, this is not so much a referendum on Zeke. I think it's more a referendum on the offensive coaching staff and the fact that they haven't figured out how to get Tony Pollock more involved. And if that means that Zeke gets a little less involved, I'm okay with that because Paula brings you that explosiveness

that you just don't get from Zeke. Right now, Yeah, all right, here's what we're gonna do. We're going to take our first break really quickly, and we'll come back. We're gonna talk a little Pro Bowl, We'll talk a little playoff pitch. You'll then we'll come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot com. Real. There's nothing as unique as our eyes, which is why Selor pioneers ways to

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See att dot com slash five for you for details. Back to the break, Santa is back and is Dallas Cowboys Cottage at the Star and Frisco Appointments are available to take your socially distance holiday photo with Santa through December the twenty fourth. Look now at the Star in Frisco dot com slash Santa. You know if we put some pounds on Dave and whiten his hair. We actually might have Santah here on this show, Like it actually

might work. What do you think? I appreciate you saying that I need to put some pounds on, because like I feel like I'm getting there all on my own during this quarantine, especially you know it's Christmas with all the goodies and stuff. It's it's been a rough month. Yeah, it doesn't help. It doesn't help there that you got the big favor bag behind you. It looks like you're just kind of like, yeah, all in, you know, all day, every day, more food and get free deliveries for two

weeks if you sign up shout out favor. Oh my god, good to know. All right, let's uh, why what do you want? Oh? Just because we have like eighteen other sponsors on here that like, you know, we got this sponsored by Geico and this over here by which is great. That's how we make money. Yeah, but that's for Dave's show, that's for the Star Night Favors their sponsors. So yeah, I'm good looking out. All right, here's what we're gonna do. Let's talk a little bit about let's look a little

bit about Pro Bowl. No. Cowboys made it. I think first time since nineteen eighty nine. I think it is Yeah, you don't want to do anything since nineteen eighty nine. Well yeah, yeah, gotcha, point yeah yeah. But here's my question for you guys. Were you at all even mildly surprised that not at least one guy made it? Like I was looking at the list and I look at the special team and I talked yesterday about C J. Goodwin and how much I think he has been a

like a really really great special teams player. Not even a guy like him makes it like, are you at all mildly surprised? And who would be the guy that maybe you think had an outside chance? Nick, Yeah, I'm surprised just because it hasn't happened. There's been bad teams before, and you just think somebody's gonna, you know, would would would get in, but you know didn't. When you get a little closer and you're like, okay, but who, then you're like, I don't, I don't know. I mean, it

just depends on what people view of Zach Martin. Yeah, I mean, but that would be the one. I mean, did you deserve it? I don't know, that's debatable. Because there's not a better offensive lineman that we've seen. I mean, look what he did this year. I mean he's he's an All Pro players. Just unfortunate that he didn't play enough games, but yeah, to play a number of games, right, yeah? Yeah, Amber, What do you think? Um? I think I would have been surprised had the Cowboys had a player who made

it into the Pro Bowl, if I'm being honest. I mean, yes, you talk about Sack Martin, but then the whole thing about how many games he's missed and all that, I'm sure that goes into play. But and also you mentioned you mentioned c J. Goodwin. Even if a guy like that would have made it into the Pro Bowl, that would have surprised me because usually those kind of players don't usually tend to get that kind of recognition, at least from the Cowboys that I've seen in previous year.

Usually it's someone with like a bigger spotline, someone with a bigger name, bigger recognition. So it's just it's it's hard to pick anyone when you've seen the kind of season that the Cowboys have had this year. So I'm sure when people are voting and things, I'm sure they're not necessarily thinking of the Cowboys players this year. So if I'm being honest, I wasn't really surprised, Dave. I was surprised very briefly because I know that the Pro Bowl voting system is flawed and a lot of guys

get voted in more on reputation than anything. And then I realized that the big two reputation votes are Tyrn Smith and Zach Martin, and they just not to say that. You know, those guys deserve like they're great players, but once you kind of especially as an offensive lineman, once you start getting voted in, it kind of snowballs on itself.

But Tyron hasn't played for most of the year, and it's kind of amazing if you go look at it, Like Zach has missed almost half the season, you know, because he got knocked out of two games very very early, Like he got hurt in the first quarter of two different games, and he's missed another four, so he's really missed six of fourteen games. It's basically half a year.

So when you once you think about the fact that you know, Zach and Tyron really haven't played a lot this year, it's not surprising And and truth be told. You know, I don't think they really deserve it. Zach would have deserved it if he'd played more. But that's about it, you know. I mean, Jalen Spans obviously leads the league in tackles. Okay, okay, I'm good. Get a headache if you do that too, If you do that fast, you get a headache. Yeah. Sorry, I'd get in trouble

when I was a kid. You're doing that rolling of that anyway. But what the linebacker position at the Pro Bowls is flawed anyways, you know, and is an out side linebacker in a four three it's it's it's really impossible. And that's why I think they need to make a change there. And I'm not saying that if that happens, he would get in. I don't think he is. You know, I don't think he's having a Pro Bowl season at all.

But I just think that the outside linebacker spot are for three four guys and and those guys have sacks, and so I just think that, you know that they need to they need to make those pass rushers. Actually, and I'll ask you this this year, they're not sorry. I was just gonna say that this year they're not selecting alternates. So yeah, I mean that's how he made it last year. Yeah, yeah, I mean, and this is a I bet you there were a small snates. I

mean they probably did. They probably had three or four. But I don't I mean, Amari probably was a was an alternate. I would guess what's Evan ingram stats. I really don't know that he's not. Evan Ingram does not belong does not know. But but how many Evan Ingram does not belong in he's I mean, I don't know. It can't be great. I had him in fantasy he was I know, I know I had him in fantasy. I don't even want to it was. It was very pedestrian.

I would nobody cares people's fantasy at least, but nobody had a worse bad beat than me last night. I mean nobody. You don't I had to steal his defense now? No? Yeah, okay, go ahead, no, never mind, go ahead, um no, And I agree with you. I mean I think there were some different I was like the Cheltz is what I was saying, Okay, what is Ingram's numbers? Because I mean Schultz has got fis five catches and four touchdowns. I mean, I don't know what Ingram's numbers are, but I'm just

saying I'll tell you. I'll tell you what Evan Ingram's numbers are fifty four catches for five seventy two and one touchdown. Like it's a joke that he's there. Yeah, there, he isn't joking. I wonder who else is. I mean, I don't know, but I know that Schultz would be close. God, if he made the Pro Bowl wouldn't have been They had the pullback Amber's clip from like August person. She was like, he needs to be cut, and we were all I didn't think that. I said the same thing.

I said, I don't even know why he's still here. I said that we all were. I mean we were like, I remember it was like week two. I was like, I think Schultz is gonna play a little bit better this week because it was against the Ram The Rams

he filled in for Jarwin didn't play very well. And I was like, right, yeah, And I was like I think, you know, just because he was ready to be cut, and but he's had a good Dalton Schultz has one fewer catch, fifty fewer yards, and three more touchdowns than Evin Ingram, Like, I'm not saying he should be in the Pro Bowl, but he's got a better case to be there than Evin Ingram does. I'm trying to think, you know, he's not a first round pig. What are the tight ends are in the NFC? The best two

tight ends in the league or in the AFC. There's no doubt about it, and yet most of the season so um, I don't know. I can't think when you think about it, I mean, it's it's really hard to get in usually in the NFC because you have Kittle and you had Hurts catches all these passes. But he just missed a lot of season anyway, he hasn't played great this year. Statistics no, no, and then because he has Goddard get some of those catches sued, he didn't

had that great of a season either. He's been injured. But yeah, I mean, I don't know. I don't know the other tight ends. I mean, Tampa Bay, haven't anybody. Oh Gronk, did Gronk make it? I don't think wrong, But I mean if he mayn't looking at I'm trying to pull up the rosters right now. Yeah, but that it is amazing that we're even talking about like it was possible snub for Shultz, TJ, TJ. Hockinson, and Evan Ingram.

I don't. I didn't know t J. Hockinson had that good of a year, right, Yeah, but it doesn't sock you had to have a great year to get to the Pro Bowl as a tight end the NFC, it didn't seem like there's a ton of competition there, Dave, just real quick before we move on another topic where you'd all surprised your boy Jefferson got in. No, I mean he's he's killing it. He's like, I mean, he's he's been absolutely amazing. He might win Offensive Rookie of

the Year as a wide receiver. So no, I wasn't surprised, all right. I was just a little bit. And I went to look at his numbers, and that's when I was like, I didn't realize he'd had that good a season with the numbers that he'd put up. I thought he was. I thought he was kind of on that cusp. I was also I was thinking, like, are there other guys that that maybe got snubbed here, that that maybe

it had been ahead of him? And I think there may have been one other guy that that could have made a claim that maybe they should have been in that spot. But yeah, he was right up there with him. I mean, he's right there in the mix, and I was, I was pretty pretty surprise. He he ain't. He ain't Randy Moss, but he is putting up Moss like stats. I mean, I like Randy Moss was so much more talented, Like I'm not I want to compare him, but his stats are pretty crazy for a rookie wide receiver. There's

not a narrative that he wasn't surprised. Is there being Is there a narrative that they should have drafted him over a CD Land I haven't heard. I haven't heard that either. I haven't heard No. I think the narrative. I think the narrative is just the you know, the wide receiver classes as advertised. I mean, yeah, for the most part, all of those guys are really kicking. But I mean CD was, CD was on an insane pace

before Dak went down. Jefferson's doing his thing. Um you know, I you is having a nice season for San Francisco. Judy's been pretty good. You know, Rugs and Rager haven't been great, But there's more to it than that. Yeah, it looks really good. If he got a good trigger man, he might have. Yeah. True. I'm just saying, all right, let's let's move on. Let's talk a little bit about the playoff picture. Right now, it's very clear for the Dallas Cowboys. They gotta win out. Washington has to lose out.

Washington will be playing the Carolina Panthers um this Sunday, UM, and then they got Philly the final week of the season. Dallas has Philly this week and the New York Giants next week. Right now, I like each of you to give me your percentage chance you think the Cowboys get into the playoffs knowing that they gotta win out and that Washington has to lose out. Let's start with you. Amber. I don't know about percentages, but I think that I do think that the Cowboys can win this this last

two games. But at the same time, I do think that Washington can also when when this last two games. So it's it's gonna be one of those things that I hate when this happens with the Cowboys, that it gets like, oh, it's out of their control. Now, it's out of their hands, and our faith depends on someone

else's faith. So once again we're seeing that kind of scenario here, and I just I think that even if the Cowboys play better and keep carrying on what they've done this past two games, it's just not gonna be enough, because Washington is gonna win this two last games, all right, Dave, I think. I mean, you know, the stats say that the Cowboys have a five percent chance. It feels higher than that to me. I mean, I know, you know, math is not really negotiable, but it just feels more

likely than five percent. I still think I would say it's unlikely, though, because I mean, you know, this is a flawed team. You're going you know, Philly clearly has a spark since they put Jalen Hurts back in the lineup. And then if you even if it stretches the week seventeen again, Washington with that defensive front going against Jalen Hurts, you'd think the Giants probably have Daniel Jones back for

the Cowboy game. I don't trust the Cowboys. I don't trust the Cowboys to win four straight games, which is what they would need to do to be in that position. And even then Washington gets two cracks at two flawed teams, so I leaned toward thinking it won't happen. But I think it's more likely than five percent. I would say, like twenty five percent chance it happens. Okay, yeah, I mean that seems right. I mean I saw the five percent as well, and it doesn't you know, that doesn't

seem it seems a little low. Um, I mean, is Christian McCaffrey playing see out because that difference, that makes a big difference for Carolina to go win that game. I don't know his status. We obviously trying to figure out our own team. But um, you know, I just I agree with them. I don't think Washington's gonna lose two. I mean defense travels. I mean, defense is always there, and they played well against Seattle. I mean they had

they had shots in that game. So I just I just don't see those two teams both beating you know, Washington, but or the Cowboys went in four straight. I mean, yeah, that's that's they just haven't shown a level of consistency. So it's not stacking up to do it. But you know, the NFL is making sure that you have to tune in. You know, they they flexed the game up for Washington, so it's not noon anymore. So now it's all happening

at the same time. So because because if if Washington would have won at noon, Philly and the Cowboys will both be out. And then all of a sudden, you just like, wait, why is Gilbert playing? You know, like what's going on? You know, it's like, oh, we've seen that before. There's nothing worse than being in the stadium for a game that that. Now it doesn't matter, even though you thought it did earlier. That's terrible. That's happened

a few times. I'll tell you this. I actually think I'll do two different percentages if if if Haskins plays, I think that percentage is higher. You look at what he's done this year, even with that good defense they has, he's only won one game. He started one, two, three, four, five. He started five games and they've won one of them. Um,

I think if if he's the guy, that's your starter. Now, again, a lot of those were against good teams, so you gotta give a little bit to that, and these last two games they're not playing teams that, statistically from their win loss records, are good teams. But I will say this, if Alex Smith. I feel more comfortable with the idea that Washington will will win this thing. If Alex Smith is a quarterback, then I do I Haskins at quarter Well, do you think that Ron rivera Queen Haskins has bigger

stuff to worry about? Right? I wasn't gonna even get into that, even going to play, I would guess. Yeah, he's apologized for those that don't know. He was supposedly was seen in a strip club on Sunday night after their loss with no mask on. So a little bit of a little bit of drama coming out of that, not protecting his team and those kinds of things. But which I mean, I don't know the answer to this, But what I mean, what if he what if that leads to him testing positive for COVID? I mean, that's

just so unbelievably stupid. Never mind like the immature, like the immaturity. But then all I mean, what are they gonna do? What are they gonna do if he liked tests positive for COVID and Alex Smith isn't ready? Yeah, I mean, I that is that is unfathomably bad decision making. Yeah, definitely borrow bend Nucci. I guess it definitely was a bad decision, and he's apologized for it. I don't know how he came to the conclusion that he thought it was a good idea in the first place, but he's

apologized for it him. Maybe we're to keep an eye at this point. Maybe where he went to was was you know they test there? Maybe it was clean. They test everybody walking in the door. Maybe I don't know, you know you know this? How do you know this? I don't. I wouldn't know any I wouldn't know anything about that. I wouldn't know anything about talking to one of the beat writers though that and I know a couple that that might see what he thinks they might know.

Um oh um oh. I was just talking about Ron Rivera. You know, he would love nothing more than to clinch the division against Carolina. You kill me. I mean now he doesn't get to play. Yeah, no doubt, it doesn't matter what a coach, how motivated the coaches. But you know, maybe the I just don't see it happening. I see it him winning this week, Washington winning. Yeah, I honestly, I do believe it's going to be about whoever's playing quarterback.

And I think if You're right. If McCaffrey's back, that changes everything because that's their big that's their big horse. They get him back for this week, but that changes everything. But why would you play him? You know? I mean, you know, maybe the flip side of that, they don't want Rivera to come in there and get that win, right, I mean, that's it goes both ways, right, true? Yeah, So I don't know, we'll see all. We're gonna take our final break when we come back. I have a

couple of questions for these guys. I don't know that we'll get to offensive, defense and special teams, but we will start with one of them and see how far we get, and maybe we'll say some of those other questions for tomorrow. We'll do that when we come back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. We're back in a tasty treat that's sweeping air waves and taste buds. It's new Doctor Pepper and Cream Soda. Let's take a listen, Doctor Pepper and Cream Soda. Is he a new Combonet's

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the final segment of The Break, presented by Geico. We're gonna talk a little bit about the Cowboys offense for the remainder of the show, and we'll say defense and special teams for tomorrow. But let's talk first about this offense. And I want to start by focusing in on the offensive line. We did, Nick. I know you mentioned something yesterday about the offensive line, but I'd love to hear from reg guys, how you assess the offensive line play

as a whole versus the forty nine ers. They did some things decent, but obviously again not a great performance. I don't think you're at a point now where you're like, oh, the offensive line is fixed. That being said, how do you assess their play? Let's start first with you, Dave. The amount of stunting that the forty niners did in that game was crazy, and it makes sense because it confused those guys a lot. You know, there were, you know, just a handful of plays where guys had free runs

at the quarterback just based off of stunts. And that's understandable when you think about the number of guys who were playing their first season. Um, I mean it was it was a tough day, you know, like, you know, the run game wasn't really there all day. Tony Pollard's long run counts, but it's way more on Tony Pollard

than anything else. I mean, he did the legwork there, and you know, the offense was just not very attractive in the second half of the of the game, and I think the offensive line play has a decent bit to do with that. So you know, they played well enough to win, and you know, you think about, you know, there's talent on that San Francisco front even with Nick Bosa not being there, so good for them for hanging in there. But yeah, I mean that was that was

a tough day at work. I thought, you know, they looked like a bunch of first year players going against a more experienced line. But what he thin. I think that what they're doing right now, I mean, with what they have, it's something that can allow you to still get a win. But at the same time, it's not an area where you go in thinking, Okay, this is our strong point. We feel confident and secure with this old line, but it's still I've seen some improvement week

to week. But at the same time, I mean, and yesterday you talked about a specific play that Random Night did that was bad, and there are bad moments here and there, but just overall, I think that we've seen an overall little improvement to where they don't necessarily stand out every single play where you're like, oh my god,

this old line is absolutely terrible. They still do enough to where you can still find yourself getting a win, whether it's even with the passing game, not necessarily with the running game, because that's another story there, but it is what it is right now. I think that they're doing what they can. And I am surprised to say this,

but still he's been making some improvement. I'm not ready to say he's the right kind of starter for you just yet, but to give him credit after receiving so much criticism throughout this whole season, I think it's it's good that at least at this point of the year, we're finally getting to see some little bit of improvement

from him. Yeah. I mean I think the line, you know, it was a tough battle um Sunday, and they you know, they hung in there and they you know, they it's not it's not perfect, but you know, I do think

that that Steele has played better. I mean night. I mean, you're talking about some some backups now that you know, if you get through this season and you get to next year and and and your guys come back, and then you're like, you're gonna think totally different about these these year depth because you're like, well, these guys were starting, you know, and then they weren't that great, but they can start and they have and so if those or if six through ten has got a lot of starts

on your offensive line, and maybe you don't play ten guys, but I mean, you know, if you're if your second line is gonna be talented, I mean, are experienced, then then that's a good thing moving forward. Do you think any of these guys that are on the offensive line have made a case, a strong case for heightened roles next season? Obviously most of them will not be starters, although I do have one question for you about a starter,

and let's start there. Do you think McGovern has done enough to where maybe he could get some consideration for that left guard spot over Connor Williams will start with you, Nick, Well, I mean he might, he might do that, but he also might spend the summer being a center. You know, one of those Connors could be actually be playing center, and maybe they're better than be Oddish or literally well possibly,

you know mcgovernor. That was something that was mentioned from McGovern when when he was drafted, that he could play some center. So that that I mean, now Connor, you know, Carthon said he had his best game, you know, Connor Williams, So that's good, I mean competition. But I'm just saying that might need something that you look at to see if if can one of these guys play center, and if so, can they be better than Beottish? Yea, So it's a good problem to have, Dave. I think Tyler

Bottish will be the starting center next year. And you know, I'm sure whether it's Connor McGovern splitting time or you know, they signed you know, maybe they bring Joe Looney back. But I mean, he played well. I think, you know, I thought it was interesting, Kellen Moore said last night.

Kellen Moore, which he's not the head coach, but he basically was like, you know, we really feel good about Tyler, but we're gonna stick with Joe Looney because and I think that's because of the continuity, you know, finally having a chance to start the same five guys for a while. But I still, like, I was so impressed with Tyler Beiottish and again like follow the money, the cheap fourth round draft pick who's got three years left on his deal. So I you know, I would say he's the prohibitive

to start. Um. I think, you know, we keep trying to take Connor Williams job away and he just keeps getting more snaps he's the only member of this line that's played all year. You know, that's that's invaluable. He's gonna get, you know, a thousand snaps at left guard, and he's had to do it with lesser players, so stands to reason he'll, you know, he would probably look better if he gets to go back to play with Tyron Smith. So we keep trying to take his job,

and I'm gonna stop assuming it'll happen. So Tyler beattest, Yes, but I know, I mean, you know, I would be surprised if anybody else claims the starting job. If we can assume that Tyrn and Lyell will be back next year, which you know, I hope, I hope, So I hope that's the case. Amber, I'm still fixated on the idea of wanting to see Connor Williams move to tackle and

give that position a try. Now every time if you look at that scenario, I find it hard to actually imagine that the Cowboys would do this, because then that would mean you would be given a starting job to McGovern, a younger guy, and take away a veteran guy, and he put him as a backup essentially to whatever tackle because you're assuming that you're gonna have Lyle Collins and

Tyren Smith Smith back in the lineup. So it's hard to imagine that a scenario like that where they take a starter like Colonel Williams and just move him as a backup. But I still want to I still would want to see that. I still would want to see the Cowboys resigned Joe Looney because I still see him as someone who is reliable. He's someone that can still

get the job done. And I just don't feel confident enough about the injuries, and we keep assuming that they're gonna all be healthy at the beginning of the year next year for the next season, but you cannot trust what's gonna happen because we've seen it over and over and over again. So it's just one of those that it scares me, the idea of getting comfortable about thinking, oh, these are the guys that we're going to have back because of what might happen. But at the same time,

I mean, I don't know. I think that's a tough one, Derek, because it's like you can see it going very very good, but at the same time, you got in a taste of what this year can look like. And me, I want to see a successful running game. We keep talking about that Prescott coming back and all these wide receivers and all that, but I need I need a good running game, and so therefore I need a good online that has good backups in case any of these injuries reoccur. Again.

All right, let's flip over to the wide receiver position. We talked a little bit about it yesterday. We didn't actually get into the subject though, of Noah Brown and how they're really using the wide receivers from the standpoint of number of times I got them on the field for snaps, how many staffs are getting in addition to how many targets are getting. Yesterday and that I mean a Sunday. In that game, nor Brown gets six targets and only one reception. Amari Cooper, on the other hand,

has three targets and two receptions. My question for you guys, is is it normal? Is this a normal way to rotate receivers, particularly your primary targets, and particularly in situations of the game, whether they are critical third downs where you don't have your best best receivers on the field

you're opting to have. And this is not about Noah Brown, but just you don't have your best players on the field, and you're certainly not targeting your best players to try to give them opportunities to be able to make plays. Let's start first with few, Dave. I will let me let me preface by saying this, because I think there's two different there's two different ideas here. I really I hate hate the idea that like everybody on the offense has to have a big day for it to be

a successful day. I think fantasy football has worked people's brains. You know, there's only one football and oh, by the way, you have a backup offensive line and a backup quarterback. If Ceedee Lamb is having a great day, that might not mean Michael Galloper Amari Cooper is going to have this huge day. And that's okay, especially if you win the football game. Now, what I don't like is that Noah Brown is a focal point of this offense when

Amari Cooper's not. Like, if Amari Cooper is quiet because everybody else is balling out, that's a okay. If Amari Cooper is not getting targeted because they're making this crazy concerted effort to get the ball to Noah Brown, I do not understand that. And I love Noah Brown. I all like I've been one of the few people I feel like I've backed his entire career. I wanted him

on the team when nobody did. But that doesn't mean I don't I want him getting six targets in a game where Amari Cooper goes by the wayside, Like, I don't get it. No, I don't think it's normal the way they rotate these receivers where any one of the big three might be out of the game for a pro period of time. And I know Michael Gallup got hurt in this game, so maybe that's part of it,

But no, I thought it was bizarre. Kellen Moore was kind of asked about it yesterday and he was like, well, it stands to reason you want to go with the favorable matchup. Can't the favorable matchup be ceedee lamb? Then like just Noah Browns like Noah Brown six targets, and it certainly seemed like a lot of those were like a concerted effort, like this is a Noah Brown play, and it baffled me. So Amara Cooper doesn't have to be great every week if the offense is still good,

but I still thought that that was really perplexing. I didn't get it. Amber No, I agree with everything that Dave said, it didn't make any sense to me. And I don't know if it's just my own memory or what, but I feel that not just in that game, just in general throughout the whole season. This is a year where I feel that Amari Cooper has been very forgettable.

Like there's nothing that necessarily stands out in my head when I think about the passing game and him, and I just I feel that I would I don't know why. I don't know why I would want the Cowboys to utilize him a lot more. And I know you've got Ceedee Lamb and he's been a great player. I mean, he's made some amazing catches. But at the same time, I mean, why not use all your best wide receivers. And it's not a matter of just one game specific I just think that that's how I see it throughout

the season as a whole. So in this game specifically, I have no idea why the Cowboys choice can't even speak now, chose to target Noah Brown so many times instead of other receivers. I don't know what Noah Brown gives you you know, and he's a physical guy that can be a blocker. And I don't know if I said this on this show or somewhere else, but there's one particular play where it's just like you ran a

bubble screen to Noah Brown for for a block. I mean, Cooper is not a blocker, and Noah Brown is not really a playmaker like that. He can block, I mean flip it like you know. Yeah, I did say them there because I said him, you know, I thought that, yeah him, it never blocked for Moose, Like, well, why you have to flip this around like that? So you know, he just doesn't seem like a guy that's gonna go up and just make a great catch and contested play.

He's just a your fourth or fifth receiver, big body guy can block something for you on the running game, maybe play some special teams. Yeah, I just I didn't get that either. Yeah. It's a bit baffling. And especially when you see the number of targets that that a Mark Cooper got, you would think the reason why Mary Cooper is making the money that he's making is because

he is an appreciably better wide receiver. So to me, it seems like in critical situations of the game, I want my best wide receiver on the field, and if he's not your best wide receiver, then don't pay him. But if he's that guy he needs to be on the field in those critical situations, then you need to

make a concern. If you're gonna make a concerned effort to get anybody the ball, make a concerned effort to get him the ball, because you're if I'll tell you this, if No Round was a good matchup for them, I guarantee you, in the exact same situation, you replaced No Brown with Amark Cooper. Mark Cooper isn't even better and even better match Joe right, So give him more opportunities. In my opinion, I just I didn't get that. That was completely baffling. I mean, what do you got, Dave.

I just want to I mean, maybe I have a soft spot for Amari Cooper because I like the guy and I do, but I just, I mean, I don't want to dog him too much. Like I think it's actually amazing Amari Cooper is probably going to set a career high for catches and if he has, you know, I mean, he's fifty yards away from a thousand, So I would like, you know, as long as he doesn't have two more games like Sundays, he should hit that mark.

And to do that in a year where he's had to play with four quarterbacks and hasn't had his starting quarterbacks since early October, I think he's had a really nice season. And I mean, I think Amber's got a point. He hasn't had any of these crazy two hundred yard days where he just took over a game like we've seen him do. But I think he's had a remarkably productive season for the cast that he has been forced to work with. Um, it doesn't mean he had a

great game on Sunday. I don't know how much of that is his fault. They didn't seem very interested in targeting him, So I just, you know, I don't I don't want this to turn into a narrative of like, why why did you pay Amari Cooper because he's actually had a pretty damn good season for not having a quarterback. Yeah, And just to be clear, and I wasn't accusing you of saying that, Yeah you know, I'm not, Yeah, this is I'm just saying that for yeah, Yeah, no, I

would just saying I agree with you. I'm just saying that for people at home. Yeah, I agree with Mark. Cooper has had a really good season. That's even more of the reason why it's so baffling, Like, get him involved. The guy has been playing really well this season. Even in games when a lot of other people weren't showing up, he was playing pretty well. And so I just didn't understand why they would throw so many balls into a Brown and so few to Amari Cooper in that kind

of situation. But they won the game. So going back to Day's original point, when you win the game, it worked. But I just again, I just don't get why. I don't get why they did. Hey, maybe he thought it a CD A couple of those times. They do look very similar sometimes out there in the field. All right, appreciate you guys. You wantus back tomorrow, we'll have Bucky Brooks joining us. He'll give us a breakdown of the upcoming Cowboys versus Eagles. We'll do that when we on tomorrow.

Till then for Nick even Dave Helmet, amber Garcia, I'm Derek Eagleston. 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.