Cowboys Break: Where’s Waldo?

episode number thirty five. Welcome to the latest edition of The Break, live from the s WBC Mortgage studios at the Star. Got Nick David Amber along and we got a forty five minutes of Cowboys talk with you guys. Today. We're gonna be joined momentarily by Bucky Brooks, as we are every Wednesday and Thursday. Today he's going to be talking about the Browns defense versus a Cowboys offense. But until he gets here, we'll start first by catching you

guys up on a little injury information. Dave, why don't you tell us what Coach McCarthy had to say this morning's press conference with regards to the status of Tyrn Smith. He's back, at least that's what Mike told me. They're at practice right now, and I'm in here on the show, so I guess I don't know that for sure. But Tyron Smith was at practice yesterday. Kind of a miscommunication, I guess you want to call it. He was at practice.

The plan was for him to go through individuals, but then he was listed as did not participate on the practice report. Kind of some cross wires there, because McCarthy today said, no, he did what we thought he would do. He went through individuals. But I think you have to mix into eleven on eleven to be declared even limited,

I guess, but we made sure to clarify. I think McCarthy asked was asked like five questions today about Tyron status, including so he's gonna do eleven on eleven, he's gonna play real football today, and he said, yep, that's the plan. So always a good sign when somebody's practicing on a Thursday. I guess we'll see what the injury report says. But I'm feeling I'm feeling optimistic about Tyrant Smith's availability. I like your optimism, Nick, I'm sensing skepticism from you or

was it no? I just laughing because I'm like he just said he got asked five times about Tyrn Smith and I'm thinking that's six more questions than he wants to talk about tyrants. I mean, and to me, and we talked about it yesterday when when when you did not practice? You know, I just look at that like you're sitting in your room, you know, watching your family

feud or something like that. You know what I mean, Like you didn't practice, but being out there with the uniform on and doing stuff and actually going through the drills. I mean, I just think that would be classified as limited. But think, what do I know? Yeah, I would think I yeah. And what's funny is we kind of tripped McCarthy up because he was basically like, I don't really know what the designations are, Like I all I can tell you is that he was out there doing individual stuff.

And you know, he didn't really have an answer for why tyrant was classified as it did not to participate. But like I said, I assume, you know, you have to mix into the real football to be upgraded. I guess,

but we'll see. We'll see what it says at about three o'clock today, I guess, But it did seem like it was it was at least the plan that he would be practicing today, and if he practices today, I think you probably feel pretty good that maybe he can play come Sunday when they have to face the Browns, particularly have to face Miles Garrett. Give me an update on de Marcus Lawrence. What do you guys know about DeMarcus Lawrence? At this point, he is still expected to

be with the rehab group. He's been, you know, doing the conditioning with Britt Brown, the rehab director. Those those Neon yellow chords we're all familiar with. Um it sounds McCarthy all to say, you know, like he hasn't had a setback. I think it's just injury management at this point. I would imagine this, this might be a trend. You know, typically when you see stuff like this, it's a trend for a while until he can get get more healthy. UM.

I think he'll I think he'll play. But I think this is a load management thing where they're not going to ask him to do a whole lot in the hopes that he can get some snaps on Sunday. And beyond that, I assume there's really not anything else that the Cowboys are worrying about from an injury standpoint of go get possibly play this week, and maybe he's on the board a line. There are obviously guys that are hurt, but there are no other guys that are that were

really keeping a nisle. Not really. I mean sounds like Treyvon Diggs is good and he's on the report, but I think he's good to play, and you know, he needs to play, so that might affect any anything he's got going on. Anyways. Yeah, all right, let's let's go ahead and move our attention over to Cowboys offense versus Brown's defense. Like I said, we should be joined here momentarily by Bucky Brooks to talk a little bit about

that Matt Show. But let's start first with a conversation that I saw kind of being had around Twitter surrounding the Cowboys offensive strategy, particular to the running game. And when you look at how the Cowboys are running, I think they're running effectively for what they're trying to do. I think Zeke's been good. I don't think this is ever there is an issue. And I saw a stat yesterday that I kind of dismissed. It was kind of stupid.

But the Cowboys and the Jets are the only two teams in league that don't have a run of over fifteen yards. I really don't care Zeke is putting up the kind of production he put up the first two games. Now last week, obviously they were having some issues getting the running game going for those first two games, I

felt like it was a productive running game. That all being said, do you guys buy into this concept that maybe the Cowboys need to run the ball more in order to protect their defense, because if you get into these shoot up shootouts, your defense is on the field a long time and it really exposes him. Let's start first with you Amber. I think it depends on your opponent. I guess you can buying the whole idea. And also

depending on how the game is going. There are sometimes that you just want the Cowboys to go ahead and get the ball movie and get points on the board because we keep talking about the tempo and can they get into that rhythm. So I think depending on the opponent and how the game is going. Otherwise, I would like to see the Cowboys run the ball more. You seek more, because it does buy them or help them kill time a little bit more to help your defense

in that way. But I would just base it on how the game is going, not as a as a specific idea to go into it every week. Nick, Yeah, that's fair. I mean, like you know, it's always dictated by the game and the opponent. So but but you know, and I rode right after the game, I do believe that that there. It wasn't a complaint about the play calling to say why didn't they run more? It's more about the fact that they couldn't run is her them, you know, And it's not you can just say, well,

look at all the yards. Yeah, but they needed to run the football there at the end of the game when they had the you know, they were down to they needed to get a field goal, maybe even a touchdown. They couldn't even try to run the ball. And I thought that that would have burned some time outs by Seattle. That would have burned um, you know, some more minutes off the clock. And so they do need the ability to be balanced and run it. Yes, they are moving the ball, but when it gets down to it, they

still don't don't have the ability to run it. And then a lot of that is the ineffective, you know, ineffectiveness of the offensive line. I mean, they seem like they want these agile guys, you know, but not really the malers think about it. Connor Williams as a tackle in college, now he's moving to guard. He's got these quick feet and all that, but I certainly don't see it helping in the screen and you know, wide and

all that kind of stuff. So they are missing the fact that they don't have big, strong guys that can I mean, they're big and strong, but they're not like the mall types Dave. I mean, I do. I don't necessarily disagree with any of that. I mean, fifty seven pass attempts is probably not ideal if you're trying to

win football games. But I think I said this on Monday, right after the game, is like, I've seen what it looks like when they just stubbornly ram their heads into a brick wall, even when the passing game is working. And I commend them for going with what's working. And I mean, you know, to go to Nick's example of the last four minutes of the game, there's a point there, but at the same time, like you can accomplish the

same goal by throwing the ball. Amari Cooper has twenty five receptions through three games, he is, you know, and Dak Prescott's completing almost seventy percent of his passes, like you can throw to run the clock and extend drives. The Cowboys took two shots at the end zone on that field goal drive. They didn't have to do that. They could have looked shorter and looked to keep the

offense on the field a little bit longer. But I think Dak was probably feeling himself with with the success he was having with Mike Gallop and was just trying to go for it all. But passing the ball can keep you on the field the same way that running it can. Especially is as much successive they as they've had getting their guys open. So yes, I would like to see the run be a little bit more successful, but I commend them for adapting and not just stubbornly

going for one and two yards per carry. You know. I brought it up on Monday too. Like the Viking game. The Vikings game last year, they put themselves in holes and wound up in way too many third and longs despite the fact that the pass was working, because they wouldn't go away from the runs. So I admire the fact that they changed it up to go with what was working, but maybe there are ways that they can throw the ball or run their offense to keep themselves

on the field a little bit longer as well. Amber and Dave, I want to go back to something that Nick was talking about with the run, and there it sounds like Nick and correct me if I'm wrong. It sounds like you're saying you're a little bit concerned about their ability to run the ball. That being said, Amber and Dave will start with you, Amber, are you concerned

about their ability to run right now? Basically looking at this last game particularly and some of the problems they have, particularly in the middle of that offensive line with being able to run the ball. I mean it is concerning because you don't have your usual offensive linemen playing the way that we're used to seeing them. So yes, when there is a change like that, it is going to

affect your running game. And we know Zeke has all the power and strength to push through and get those extra yards that we always see him get, but at the same time, there's only so much you can do. And after seeing last game and the inability of them really getting Zeke going and then them being able to rely on the passing game. I do think that regardless of the situation, I do think that it's going to start improving with what they were able to get from

last game. So I hope that made sense. I'm just thinking that the running game is just going to keep improving. I don't see it getting worse. Okay, Dave, what do you think? No, I'm definitely not concerned. I mean, it's way too small of a sample size. The running game look just fine in the first two weeks, including against the Rams, who have a pretty stout defensive line. Zeke average four and a half yards per carry. You get Dak involved, I mean they ran for one hundred and

forty yards in that game. So no, I'm not worried about it. If I mean, if it keep you know, if that's a trend over multiple games. Sure, but one week where an opponent was able to do it and by the way, wasn't able to stop the pass, No, that doesn't bother me. All right, we're gonna go to our first break. When we come back, we're gonna be joined by Bucky Brooks. We're gonna ask him that question. He had a lot of things to say this week on Twitter regarding the Cowboys and running the ball and

needing to do it more. We'll talk to him about that when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot com Radio. We're back in a tasty treat that's sweeping airwaves and taste buds. It's new Doctor Pepper and creep Soda. Let's take a listen, Doctor cream Soda. Is he a new Combone's music to my ears? Okay? Do times music's players and mouth new Doctor Pepper and cream Soda? What delasis do bay want to use? What the pros use? How about the official men's skincare brand of the Dallas Cowboys,

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we fly back to the Break. There are tickets still available for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns at AT and T Stadium Sunday, October the fourth limited number tickets are on sale. Get yours Dallas Cowboys dot com slash tickets Welcome Back. It is the second segment of the Break with Life in the s WBC Mortgage Studios. At the start, we got Bucky Brooks joining us from NFL Network. Welcome to show, Bucky. We appreciate you joining us today.

And we're gonna start, well we normally start. I want you to walk through and we got some something we're gonna get to a little later, but I want you first start with give me your greatest strength and greatest weakness of this Brown's defense. Well, the greatest strength is right up front. Miles Garrett is obviously the guy that you have to stop. He is the focal point of

their defense. He's playing at a high level. He's superman, off the edge, athletic, fast, disruptive, He's added some tools to his toolbox when it comes to being a pass rusher. He is a nightmare to have to deal with in one on one situations. But he's joined by a guy up front that you have to keep an eye on, and that's Sheldon Richardson. Sheldon Richardson is a dominant interior player, and if he has an opportunity to win against an interior player on the inside, he is going to be

a problem. And so it starts up front. In the secondary, they're fine. Denzil Ward is their number one playmaker in that back end. He has the ability to snuff out and compete against number one receivers. But really it's all about their pass rush. If they are able to rast the quarterback and have success, like we've seen them have success, they can force turnovers because they want to get their

eyes on the quarterback and get turnovers. I heard everything you just said and the players that you mentioned, and they have talent. But I do feel very, very comfortable this week. I feel like this game, the Cowboys are going to go in there and dominate and start scoring points everywhere and get the ball moving. So I don't know, I just want you to make me a little less comfortable. Oh man, you're very confident. I'm a little more worried.

This is a scary game for me looking at it because the Browns have kind of found their identity, and their identity stems from their offense. The reason they're able to win games of late is because they've discovered the running game, and so by playing a little more conservative on offense running the ball control cloud Lemon and Baker Mayfield's past attempts, they put their defense in position to play with the lead and to play in favorable situations, and so I just worry about this being a game

where the defense can't control it. So now the offense is forced to throw on situations where everyone knows that they're throwing, and then Dad allows Myles Garrett and Sheldon Richardson and those guys to really come after the quarterback. And I don't think that's the kind of game that Dallas wants to get into, despite their offense being so prolific. Dave you up. Oh shoot, I'm sorry. I thought Nick went before me. My bad, everybody. That's great, because I

don't want Nick to steal mine. Steal mine, Bucky. I think before you hopped on we were talking. Nick actually was talking about the lack of power on the Cowboys offensive line, specifically on the interior. We all know about Myles Garrett. That's all well and good, but I'm curious, what did you think of Tyler Beatis when he got into that game the other day against the Seahawks, And what's he impressive enough? I'm thinking, not just Sheldon Richardson,

but Larry Ogan job too. Do you worry about their power up front? And is beyondish worthy of a look to maybe help address that you know, I actually liked the reshuffle line the way that they played out when they put inside it allowed them to put Zack Martin on the outside, and I thought the edges were a little better. The problem really doesn't necessarily stand from beyondest. I think the guys who from defensive terms they would call Waldo will be Connor Williams and Joe Looney like

those are the guys that are the weakest links. And so what we're seeing is when the Cowboys have problems up front, particularly inside, one of those guys are typically the culprit. So how do you protect those guys. It's tough because you want to protect the interior, but then you don't want to expose the guys on the outside. At least with Zack Martin, you kind of feel you believe that at least on that right side, we're protected. We could slide protection a little more to the left

and maybe get by. But it's tough because when you're not great upfront, it really limits what you can do. We can talk about running it, throwing it or whatever, but you're very limited with what you can do with the patchwork office line that you're working with right now. Well, I don't want this to be my question, but you said it about Waldo, and I do recall Dave and Amber had a nice little Twitter exchange last year during a game. But can you explain where's Waldo and what

that means in a scouting term? So where's Waldo is when you're going into the game, you try to figure out who the weakest link is and what you want to do. You want to target those players. In old school terms, in old school football, what they would do is during practice, those guys would wear the yellow jersey. A lot of times it would be secondary people or whatever, but they were wearing yellow jerseys. So everyone knew that those were the guys who were the targets. We're looking

at the offensive line. Connor Williams and Joe Looney. They will wear the yellow jersey because they have had the struggles and those struggles have shown up on tape. How they play really dictates how the Cowboys play, and so they're the ones who have to kind of get it done if the Cowboys offense really wants to play at a high level. Yeah, I'm gonna go again because I don't think it'll make it around. Um. Speaking of that sort of where's Waldo. Miles Garrett gets to rush, probably

from both sides. So if he gets to choose between Brandon Knight and Tyrn Smith, I have this feeling he's gonna be rushing from the left side. Does he Does he do that? Does he go to all over the place? Because I haven't you haven't feeling he'll He'll probably go that route, Baldo. Like you know the funny thing about defensive cordinas, when you put bad stuff on tape, they're a little more adaptable. When they see that the Cowboys are having problems on the edges, they may have Miles

Garrett come from either side. The one thing that we've seen on tape with Brandon Knight, when they line up in a wide nine alignment, like really outside of the tackles outside shoulder, he has a problem because he's worried about his own ability to kick, slide and step on the outside move, and it makes him susceptible to the inside move. So we saw Alton Robinson get a sack

on the inside pressure because of that. They see the tape Miles Garrett is going to test him with his speed and quickness initially and then going to try and find a way to work inside. This is a huge challenge for the Cowboys. Is one of the reasons why you're worried about them throwing the ball thirty five forty times because the more that you put it up there, the more times that Miles Garrett is going to make an impactful play, and that's not what you want to

see from the Cowboys. So looking at all those options that you've seen the Cowboys run out there at tackle between Brandon Knight, Terrence Steals, Zack Martin. Obviously Zack Martin is the best player, but I want you to factor in moving him from guard. Who do you think is the best option for the Cowboys to assume Tyrren plays on the left side, who do you think is the

best option for the Cowboys at right tackle? Well, I mean if you can kick it over like depending on Terren Steele situation or Brandon I you have to evaluate which one of those guys is playing better and which one is comfortable. Naturally still is played right tackle, so

you're probably more comfortable there. And if you go that route, maybe you feel like you have three and a half solid players, meaning that you feel good about Timer Smith, you feel good about the center situation and Zach Martin, and then maybe you're hoping that we can kind of mix and match how we're going to help Connor Williams and Terring Steel. It is a tough situation because for so long Dallas has been so good with the offensive

line that it hasn't been a consideration. You're able to just run your offense without thinking about what puts the offensive line in harm's way. Is different now, and so it has to impact your play call, Bucky. We've seen the Cowboys have some struggle. The Cowboys offense specifically have some struggles with controlling the ball. You know, little drops here and there where they shouldn't have been there, shouldn't have happened. You know that things that are a little

unusual for vettering guys to be doing. But as far as the their defense goes, how good can are they are just taking away the ball, are just getting their hands on the ball. Well, it all starts up front. The disruption happens up front. All of the bad things typically happen when Miles Garrett and company are being able to get around the quarterback. And the way that you can and do that is you stop the run on

early downs. If the Cowboys elect to run it, you put Dallas in backed up situations where it's obvious passing nows. So now they can spread out a little bit, they can pin their ears back, they can get in those

tracks stances and come after the quarterback. Here's what's concerning about the Cowboys when you look at them over the last couple of years, when Dak Prescott throws the ball over thirty three times, they're thirteen and twenty in his history over the last nineteen games, fourteen times he's had to throw at thirty three or more times. When the turnovers begin to happen, more throws they win eighty one percent of the games when he doesn't have any turnovers.

They only win eighteen percent of the time when he has two or more turnovers. The more you throw it, the more you putting them in harm's way, and so it's kind of the conundrum that you find yourself. You want to throw it because it's the best option based on your personnel, but when you do that, the odds go up that he is going to turn over the ball. And that's been the biggest issue that the Cowboys have had run game all that the turnovers are killing them.

If you eliminate the turnovers, then you have a chance to win games. This kind of this kind of compliments that Bucky because I mean, I do hear what you're saying, and I understand that Lamar Jackson has arguably the best tackle duo in the NFL. But Baltimore absolutely diced this back seven I'm looking. I mean, he averaged eleven yards per attempt and had three hundred yards and only through

five incompletions. So how do you balance you know, the danger of having Dak dropped back against the very obvious reality that that's not something Cleveland defends very well. I think you take this game and treated in two halfs. I think the first half you're super aggressive when you come out throwing early downs. You're trying to run up and see if you can get a fourteen point lead on the Cleveland Browns. That is the way that you want to play. Fast, aggressive early down throws, attack, put

points up on the board early. The second half then becomes a little more of a balance game where you're mixing in runing throws on those early day and you're beginning to control the game. But the first half you can pay the first half at a frenetic pace and really try to put points. So I just think it has to be in Kellen Moore's mind. I have to get to a certain number of rushing attempts, not necessarily for the production, but to make sure that the clock

is running. And I will say this, I came on here a couple of weeks ago and I advocated the Cowboys playing fast. They're playing faster than any team in the league. The problem is when you play that fast, the offenses in a rhythm, but you give the defense more opportunities to be on the field to be exposed. It's that fine line of playing fast but also calling the game from an offensive standpoint to protect my defense. I'm not trying to be the dead horse here. But

let's flip it on the Browns. Who's Waldo over there, who's wearing the yellow jersey here in practice this week? And who the Cowboys maybe trying to exploit? Can we do that? Can we go Bolton board? Yeah? I mean, look, there are plenty of people for the Cowboys to exploit, because I just don't think the Browns can cover all the way happens on the outside. Denzil Ward is their number one, but Terrence Williams and those guys are certainly vulnerable. The problem is can I find a way to protect

to give them shots. Because Dallas hasn't been a twelve personnel team with two tight ends, you can't really go max protect and allow Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup or Ceedee Lamb to go to work. And so you have to figure out a way to maybe hold the tight endend and maybe do some three man routes where you can push the ball down the field while still protecting Zach, protecting Dak from having that pass us right in his face.

When you, I know, earlier yesterday, I think it was you said that you thought that this offense that the Cowboys will be facing, the Cleveland offense, was as talented, if not the most talented offense that they would have faced so far this season. Where do you rank this defense, like especially the defensive front, Where do you rank them relative to the other teams the Cowboys have seen so

far this year? I would put them behind the Rams, maybe right there with the because maybe a little head of the Falcons, because you would swap out Grady Jared from Miles Gary, both of those guys are kind of comparable in terms of like their command. The thing is the outside pass russure is dominant. So I would say you're looking at the Atlanta Falcons defense, and remember early in the game couldn't control that defensive line. The first

quarter was problematic. Turnovers were coming because the pressure was so it missed. They had to turn up the pace and the tempo to kind of slow them down and get the game under control. I think that's what you're potentially looking at. How the Atlanta Falcons started out the game with their defensive pressure really harassing Dad Prescott and calls and turnovers. Before we let you go, I did

have one more question I wanted to ask you. Cleveland right now is ranked fifth in rush defense, only allowing two hundred and eighty two rush yards so far this season. That being said, are they more susceptible to the past than they are the run and or is that just a function of how the games have played out so far for them in the first three weeks. Now, it's still very vulnerable in the back end. When they're not

able to get home, it's a problem. Also, it's a function of who they've really played like they face the Washington Redskins. They face the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow throw its sixty times and they conceded yards from twenty twenty found a way to slow them down in the red zone, so some of that is the numbers are kind of skewed based on how they played. This by far would be the toughest challenge that they have facing a Cowboys offense,

so we will see how good they are. Dallas can be an attack mode, but I think the biggest thing is game management. If the Cowboys just take care of the football, don't give it away on offense, and don't make mistakes in the kicking game, they should be able to win this game. They have to tend to their own knitting. If they take care of the football, they should be able to walk away with a w. All right, Bucky Man, we appreciate you joining us. That was really

great stuff. We'll see again next week when we match up to talk about the next opponent, the Cowboys AFP. We're gonna take our final break when we come back. We're gonna get to some questions to have for these guys, maybe get some fan questions we'll do when we come right back. This is Dallas Cowboys dot Com. Radio Sam's eighteen sixty five Stetson Hats are American maid with pride right here in Texas, and Stetson is proud to be

on the field with America's team. Want to show your Texas and team pride too, You can by purchasing your own stetson. You can look just like how the flag guys do on field at every home game. Stetson hats the official crown of all self respecting Cowboys and your favorite football team. Get yours today at Shop Dallas Cowboys dot com or at Stetson dot com. I'm Jay Novachek, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. Back in the day. I was the guy who always got the tough yards,

and that's why I run with John Deer today. In fact, I have a John Deer three zero twenty five E tractor that can handle any yard work I need to do, even the tough yards way out back. So if you have one acre or a thousand, John Deer has the equipment that's just right for you. Visit a John Deer dealer today and run with us. We are the official tractor provider of your Dallas Cowboys. Want to use what the pros use. How about the icial men's skincare brand

of the Dallas Cowboys Jack Black. Right now, you can get the Jack Black Starter, a curated collection of Cowboys locker room favorites, for just ten bucks with free shipping. The starter includes four Jack Black skincare favorites plus a full size and tense therapy lip bomb. Go to get Jack Black dot com slash Cowboys and use the code word Team JB. That's get Jack Black dot com slash

Cowboys the Jack Black Starter ten bucks, free shipping. We're backing the tasty treat that's sweeping airwaves and taste buds. It's new Doctor Pepper and Cream Soda. Let's take a listen, Doctor back and Cream Soda. Is he a Newcombonut's music to My ears? Okay, Doctor back Time, put in a glass music to my ears and mouse new Doctor Pepper and Cream Soda. Delas, Just do back, head back to the break. If you're going to the game the Sunday,

just please be aware of all safe stadium policies. Priors who are arriving at at and T Stadium is a Dallas Cowboys dot com slash Safe Stadium for details, it makes you can check that out, so there are no surprises. You know exactly what you what you gotta do in order to come and enjoy the game, and hopefully you have a great time enjoying. The Cowboys versus Browns. All right, let's jump back in. We're talking about the Cowboys offense versus the Browns defense. The question I have for you,

guys is a similar question what I asked Bucky. This defense has only given up or has not given up a hundred yards or not giving up more than a hundred yards per game and given up on average ninety four yards per game. Their ranked fifth in rush defense in the league. Is this the week for the Cowboys to consider going more run heavy or is this one of those weeks where you say, this team clearly appears to be one that is better against the run than

they are against the pass. So maybe you're going with the exact same strategy that you've had in some of these other games. Let's start first Union. Well, you know, it's clear last week that they they were starting the game just pass, pass, pass, and uh, you know, I think just that being said, because you do try to change it up, I would imagine they're going to just try to run the ball a little bit more, just because you don't want to put tendencies out there. There's

quality control coaches out there for a reason. So I would imagine they will not start the game like they did last week with I think it was six or seven straight passes. I mean just you know, and they were they were moving it. But I think that they'll try to, you know, establish Zeke earlier. Amber Um. I don't know what it is about this game. And I know that the Browns, I'm supposed to previous years, they

have bettered their team. You know, they do have a lot of talent, and I get that, but for some reason, I'm just not as worried or concerned. So I do see this game. Even though everything that Bucky said, I get it, I heard it, I processed it, but everything, but I still I still feel okay. And I feel like the Cowboys this is the game that they can use to kind of find the balance. Fine, just kind of play around with both things and just try to

figure out exactly what will work best. And I get that every game and every opponent is different and you have to plan for whoever you're facing every week, but I do think I see this game as something where they can just play around with, trying to find the right balance between both. I don't want to hear it on Sunday. I don't want to hear it on Sunday Amber when Miles Garrett has his third sack and you're like, oh, the Cowboys are They're awful, They're so bad. No like it.

It turns out the Browns are better than the people want to give them credit for. I think he actually Dave real quick. I just gonna say, I think ever might be thinking about next week's game against the Giants. That's the one that maybe she's thinking this week where she's not as worried. I'm worried. I don't know about everybody else. I'm worried. I don't know what it is. I don't know. I know it's exactly what it is. It's because it's the Browns. They haven't had a win.

This is the first time they've had a winning record in six years. Twenty fourteen was the last time before this week they had a winning record. So it makes sense that it makes sense that you feel that way based on the logo, but based on the roster, I think you should feel a lot more worried than you are. Um. I look, I didn't drive the CD LAMB train to pound the rock fifty times. Let's wing this bad boy around.

I understand it's gonna be tough with with Miles Garrett coming after you, without Lyle Collins, and hopefully with Tyrn Smith. We'll see. Um, but I just think I love what Bucky said, throw it early, try to get up a lead. Baker Baker Mayfield can't keep up with them if they're humming the way that they were the other day the other day. You know, Russell Wilson's a whole different animal. I think. You know you're gonna have to win shootouts

with the way this team is constructed. I think maybe not maybe not forty to thirty nine every week, but like you know, the Cowboys are gonna need to score in the thirties most weeks to win games, I think, and passing gives him the best bet to do that. All right, let's let's move on one stat that stuck out to me. Stuck out to me about this Brown's defense. They have allowed six There were six opportunities where teams

had fourth downs, and they converted all of them. They're six or six and giving up fourth down attempts by their opponents. So obviously you look at the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy in and the lot has been made about how aggressive he tends to be. Do you think this is a week where he is a little, even even more aggressive on fourth downs knowing that this team has not done well so far this season on fourth down attempts. Let's start first with you, Dave. I don't. I don't

first see him being more aggressive. I mean, I mean, that's an interesting stat but i'd also have to know the context, like are they given have they given? Have they given up six fourth downs or three yards or more? Or we're five of those fourth downs, fourth and inches where you really like your chances to convert no matter what. Um So I don't think that's that's gonna make Mike

McCarthy more aggressive. I just think he has shown through three weeks that he's willing to be aggressive pretty consistently. So I would guess we're going to see a fourth down or tenth or two this weekend. I would guess we're going to see them opting to do that over special teams plays. But that's just that's just been a trend through three weeks, more so than because of anything

the Browns do. Amber Um, Well, if the if Mike McCarthy's stats guy come into the office and present this stat I think that McCarthy would probably be like, hmm, okay, take note of that, based on the fact that he's spoken about statistics before and all that. So I do see him going for it. Obviously, it always depends on the situation and how many yards you need to convert there. But I do see him just based on I see

him being aggressive, just like he's been so far this season. Nick, just it's gonna come down to down in distance and just see you know how you know what what situation it is. But I do think that you know that that means to me that the Browns, you know, are not tightening you know, the ship when it when it's fourth down. I mean, they're they're able to you know, teams are able to convert. And I don't know exactly all of those, but I don't think you're going to

be worried about it as much. All right, And but real quick, let's get a couple of fan questions. We haven't had chance to get some of those fan questions. Let's see if we can get a couple here before we end the show. Okay, I have one right here that says this person is saying it's been implied a few times on the show that Mike Nolan u is a great coach. I've gone back to look at the teams and the defenses he's been a part of in the past. I'm missing something here. What has warranted so

much praise? Mum anyone. I'm trying right here. No, I'm trying to think. I'm trying to think of how I want to phrase this, and I'd have to go back and listen. I think the big thing that I've always said with Mike Nolan is experience. I mean if he was if he was great, then I think he wouldn't have had as many jobs as he's had over the years. So yeah, I mean that that's a fair criticism. I just think in terms of, you know, what we thought bit the Cowboys a lot last year was guys learning

on the fly. You know, coordinators who are in their first year on the job, Guys who don't necessarily have a lot of experience. Mike Nolan might not be the best coach in the world, but you can't say that about him. I mean, he's I imagine he's seen everything the NFL can throw at you, and like I've said already this week, that gives me optimism that he can adapt his game plan to fit what he's working with as opposed to other guys that have been here in

the past. So it's fair though, and maybe that's part of the off season hype train that you know, new doesn't always mean better, I guess, but I think his experience at the very least is valuable. Yeah, I mean I think that you know, it's easy to say, well, you know when you're doing and implementing a new defense that maybe you know it's you're behind the eight ball when you don't have as much time to practice and you know, with the off season the way it is.

But I mean, I think he's one of those guys that's proven to be a pretty good coordinator, a versatile coordinator. But you know, through three games, it hasn't it hasn't happened yet. But I mean, let's just wait and see. Let's see what happens when you face you know, the Browns, the Giants, the Cardinals. Let's see what happens at these three home games, and if we're having a different opinion over the defense, if if it's just average, if it's still bad, if it's maybe decent. Now, I don't know,

try to get another question your amber. I think it was earlier this week where we saw one of us someone mentioned Randy Gregory and the you know when he gets back in and all that. So there's a question just kind of going back to that whole subject of what happens when Randy Gregory gets back into the team. How much are you guys expecting him to be of an impact? I think I mean I expected that. Go ahead, I'll go ahead. Nick, I'm sorry, but I think I

think um McCarthy said he was. He's, you know, making some progress, he saith he said that today. But you know the good thing about him is that schemes and all this stuff. He'll come in at times on third and seven, third and nine, and he's got one goal and that scheme and that that plan is the same when he was at Nebraska, when he was you know,

in Rod Marinelli's defensees go get the quarterback. So I'm not saying it's as simple as that, but you can that's a good way to ease him in on passing situations, to say, get around, you know, the edge and try to get to the quarterback. Well, we'll continue to work with the rest of the scheme. If he can just get in and rotate, then that that's enough for me. It's funny because you know, maybe Aldon Smith is changing people's expectations of what you can do after a long

time away from the game. But Aldon Smith was also a twenty sack all pro at one point during his career. We haven't seen that from Randy. So Randy's walking past me as we speak out on the practice field. UM, I mean the guy had well, he's walking inside. He's I'm not giving away strategy. Um, anyway, Um, he had

he had six sacks in twenty eighteen. You know, I think he can rotate start out somewhere between twenty five and thirty five percent of the snaps, and I bet he can contribute a handful of sacks to this defense once he gets up to speed. I have a follow up question that real quick and real quick. I want to ask these guys, um, like, right now, you look at this team and Alton Smith obviously is performing above expectations.

He's leading the league in sacks, but I think all of us would probably agree that you're not getting as much pass rush as you may be hoped for from Everson, Griffin and uh and from Tank Lawrence. That being said, do you think that maybe part of the issue is scheme related? We are seeing these guys out and coverage some that's not something that that Tank is done, I

know here before. Do you think that maybe some of the things they're asking them to do schematically are affecting their ability to be able to be effective pass rushers. I mean, you can say that, but I don't think they're in they're in coverage that much. I mean, the three four defense is designed for those guys to get wide and to kind of really open things up and

get to the quarterback. So everything I've ever been told about a three four scheme or at least guys that are standing up, is that it should allow them to get to the quarterback more So, I'm not there yet to say that it's it's the scheme so much. I just don't. I don't know, I don't. I don't think that they're as healthy as they need to be or conditioned. You know. Remember Griffin was off all off season and

before he signed with the Cowboys. So I mean, I just think that they're they're they're working back into this, but I don't know if it's scheme just yet, Dave. Everybody was so sick of the last scheme by the time the you know, Rod Marinelli and that staff finally left. So even if it's not great, I'm just you gotta i gotta be a little bit more patient before I'm

talking about blowing things up three games into a new situation. Um. Like I said, though, like I mean, there's there's gotta be ways you can tweak to make to make improvements. In the meantime, I'd love to see Mike Nolan blitz a little bit more often. I don't think the Cowboys have done enough of that. But as far as like overhauling things, it's you know, it's week four of the first year. I'm I'm not there yet, Camber, what do

you think. Look, I I've never been on a football field without wearing heels, so it's tough for me to say certain things. But the way I see it, all of these guys are a professional level, so there is a certain knowledge and expectation once you hit the NFL, And to me, I just don't understand how complicated or how difficult it is for these guys to be able to adapt to something that the coaching staff is doing,

to be able to adapt to something new. And I keep mentioning this because I keep hearing it from certain defensive players where they talk about wanting the game to be simplified a little, and you know, we talk about the secondary and the miscommunication there. So I guess I'm just having a difficult time kind of understanding why this is so difficult after I guess three weeks that have

gone by. Yeah, you know, the thing about it for me is, as I look at that amber, just particularly your point, this is a fast game, and we all have been on the sideline during games. We see how fast this game moves. These guys are big, but they

move and they move quickly. That being said, I don't think it takes if you're just even second guessing yourself just a bit, like if you're off just a tick, it makes a huge difference in your ability to be able to get to a certain spot, or be able to be effective and pass rush or whatever it is

that you're trying to do on the field. And that's where I do kind of understand the idea that if they're not completely if they don't completely understand and are just playing just by instinct because they know the defense, that that could be a problem for them, because I do think it may slow them down just a little bit.

They're thinking a little bit too much, and when you have to do that, that slows you down just a tick, and that may put you off, especially when you're playing position like linebacker or where you're coming off to try to get a pass rush to get to the quarterback like time is important, and so if you're off just a tick, I think that could make a real difference.

And I think maybe not saying it is, but I think maybe that could be a part of the factor of part of what we're seeing here from this defense

so far. Early on. All right, we appreciate you guys, you're gonna we'll be back tomorrow and we will break down all the final breakdown that needs to happen, Cowboys versus Browns, tell you who's going to win, and give you our predictions for the game till then for Nick, even Dave helm and Amber Garcia, I'm Derek Hields and this has been the Break live on Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio Wow. This has been a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club