Player's Lounge: Will McClay Joins The Show

he's Danny McCray and Buried Church. This show brought to you by Hotels dot Com. And let's bring in the guru right now. He is playing Will McClay, who is gonna drop some knowledge on us because there's a lot of moving parts going on here with the Cowboys. You guys have question, So all right, Church, take it away. We're going ahead. We're gonna let Danny go ahead and take it away. I think he had a great first

question for Will. And by the way, Will, I mean most of our viewers they already know you as the guru, the guy that brings all the talent into the Dallas Cowboys. But little known fact for our listeners. Will McClay on the side is an amazing DJ. If you want your playlist right, that's the man you gotta talk to. Get you for the jogs, He get you for the workout, anything you need. My man is an amazing DJ. Man. A little no fact, just a little no fact. I'm

just a DJ forth that earns you know. There we go, nah man, Yeah, so hey, we'll listen. We definitely appreciate you for coming off first. And I'm gonna say it personally for myself when I played, I know that you always looked out for me. So I definitely appreciate that. And Church the same because you have to go find both of us to get us to come on. So appreciate it. But so lead lead from that. We'll leading that.

I guess the at least to our next question is so speaking with Jerry Jones and hearing what he said about, you know, working in the house to find some replacements

for some of the guys who are injured. Just trying to like pick your brain and see like what what's the process for deciding if you're going to go in house, and how you how you kind of evaluate those guys to see if they're able to be starters for the remainder of the season or however long they need to be starters, versus going you know, outside to go find talent.

You know, it's it's really next man up first off, because when you have a roster and guys that have been working on things and all that we didn't have a full preseason. The players that you have, hopefully you get the right ones to start with. They learn kind of what they're doing, uh, and then the coaches have to look at the players that we have and see how we're going to use the guys that are on

the roster. If they're serviceable, serviceable for us to run the offense or defense, or be able to adjust and still do what we do, we go in house. If it's something that's a little bit more concerning, we would go out, you know and try and find somebody that fits specific what they were looking for. The best part about it, though, is going back to the draft and working with coach McCarthy and the staff is get us

good football players. If we got good football players, you know, then the coaches can find places to put them in, things to do to work within the scheme. Well why. Well, for me, my question would have to be, well, you know, I mean, you've you've dealt with and you've been around playing plenty of secondaries and including some of our better secondaries when I was there, and some of our worst secondaries.

But for my question is what did you think of the play of this young secondary for a Week one? I mean, I know they're young, they have some experience back there, but they're pretty young. M what did you feel like their play was for the Week one and against the Rams? I felt like, you know, for the

whole team, it was kind of a new deal. Was like the first preseason game, and it seemed like because now you're out there live and so there were some things technically that we didn't complete all the way, but you see the opportunity to grow, and you see some of the plays that they may you know that there's gonna be some guys that just sep up and do things. And then we're getting Jay Lou back and so there's

a bunch of flexibility and versatility within the defense. So if they just hit the queues and in La was playing the game more lateral than vertical, So it was probably the way that the guys stepped up. And you know dbs, especially corners. You safety's tackle, but corners don't like to tackle. But our corners stepped up and tackle and played well they did. And for our viewers out there, can you can explain what you meant by the Rams

playing more of a lateral game than a vertical game. Yeah, you know, typically you want to see that they didn't want to face our pass rush, and so they ran a lot of screens and a lot of their passes were under three to four yards, so you know, the pass rush wasn't able to get there, and they were playing the game sideline. The sideline, they were trying to make us run laterally as opposed to vertically, you know,

running the deeper routes and doing those sort of things. Okay, okay, And then part two of my question, I should have prefaced it by saying there was two parts to it. But with the addition of Brandon Carter, what do you think a better like him? You know, he's a consummate pro. He pretty much can show you the ropes of how to watch film, how to break down things. But what

do you think he can bring to this Dallas Cowboy secondary? Yeah, he brings that leadership like you talked about number one, and you know, with a group of young guys, you know, there's there's something that you have to learn about being a pro, like you said, like watching the tape about how to prepare, you know, what to expect those things.

So he brings that knowledge, but also his ability to play all over and one of the things that we're looking for in the defensive versatility, the way the game is played offensively now you know, it's about matchups and doing those things. So he's just another piece. He can play nicol, he can play the dime linebacker, he can play safety. You know, he can play free, you can

play strong. So I think with all of that that experience he has, he understands the things that can happen him, communicate well and help these young guys, you know, as we go into the next phase of it. Well, cool, gotcha.

And then for me, you know, just looking forward, I mean, I know you're not coach McCarthy, but just just to kind of get your idea on a few things that we may be able to do better to, you know, to perform a little bit better as we move on in the season, right, because I know we had a few issues with the run, and like you said, this team that they didn't want to face our pass for us,

so they want to go sideline the sideline. So I would imagine that, you know, a few teams will watch the film and try to do the same thing as the Rams did. So just just your idea on some things that we could possibly do better to negate teams that come in and think that that'll be the way to beat us. I think, you know, from every experience, you learn and we understand that, you know, they were running more of the zone scheme, trying to get us

to go lateral those things up front. So when you go and you adjust, uh know, like we did in the second half, from from limiting them being able to score and limiting the run some we're playing a little bit faster upfront and then in the secondary, you just there's there's a number of different things that we can do differently. It's it's you know, we're gonna play a little bit more man coverage if you mix your man's and your zones together the right way, and you you

dial up your fronts a little bit different. Not to get into any sort of scheme wise stuff, but I just think we have to play with more consistency, your more urgency early on, right and so, and I mentioned that, you know, so we got a new DC. Everything's pretty much new, new defensive coordinator news, especially coordinator, new offense. Uh, you know, Kelling is in the second year. But you got you know, a little little stuff from Mike McCarthy

coming in. My thought was that just like when Rob Ryan came in and we had the lockout and we've missed the entire offseason, it was a little difficult for us to pick up the defense because we didn't have as much time to install and get those rips. So, you know, just me watching the game, I didn't see as much you know, exotic type stuff. So I just imagine that that stuff will come in. Do you see these guys being able to you know, were they able to pick up I guess everything that that that that

was thrown at them throughout training camp. Yeah, they've done a good job of picking things up. And there's uh, you know when when you say, geez, get me good players, um, and we'll fit the scheme around it. There's multiple parts of the scheme that the players have to learn too. So, you know, first time in live action doing all that stuff. It does take some time. And just like you said that, uh, you know like when Rob came in, uh that that year. Uh,

it was new things that you had to do. Well you think about it, Um, the guys are going through those steps and kind of understanding the defense. And you think so many of our players that we're coming back from last year. We're in the old scheme and it's different from going verticals and now, you know, especially upfront, to playing more two gap and playing more flat. So you have to continue to get those game reps to get that skill set down to to you know, to

understanding to play the new scheme. And guys are getting it. And that's the thing. It's that you know, like Tyrone Crawford was saying to me, it's like, hey man, we were so used to going up field that you know, for your first instinct is this, you know, to play it that way. But the more reps you get, the better you'll get at it. And a new opponent is

going to bring new challenges. So it's just everybody being on the same page that that's really perfect man, because because and I said it, just because from experience, it's difficult for like if you get into like week three and you and your team is not able to stop the run, right, usually like for the rest of the season, you're just knowing as the team is not able to stop the run. It's hard to be to be able

to fix that after you get into the season. But when you go into you know, the explanation that you gave man, and it makes me feel more positive about it because it's like, it's some things that we can change. The familiarity with the scheme and you know, old ways have to turn into new ways or things that we can fix and help us become, you know, a dominant run stopping team versus hey, man, we just we're just not physical. We can't stop the run. We're just out

of place, right. So it's it's things to look forward to. It's definitely things to look forward to. The thing that I feel good about is that you have people that can do the and then their commitment to doing it.

It's just like out there at practice today, you know, defensively, you have enough veteran leadership and guys that have been around and have pride in what they do that are going to force each other to get better and eliminate the mistakes and do the things that's necessary for a team to overcome the You know, some of the things from last week will be much better this week because

the guys are taking it on themselves. And that's the thing I'm most proud of is the people that you bring in and how they push each other to be better and hold each other accountable. Dope, Yeah, I'm meaning it. Go ahead. I thought I dropped the mic. I'm trying to let the guys ask the questions here because it's their show. But can you help me in two situations here? One with Sean Lee having surgery here talk, can you give us some information more about your you know, what

you're doing to reinforce the livebacker spot? And also is Jordan Lewis expected to play against Atlanta on Sunday? Yeah, Jordan's taking reps. Uh Luke Gifford, who didn't play last week, He's taken reps. You know, Joe Thomas stepped in. We you know, we've got players that we feel like can come in and fill in the spots. You never replace a Layton vander Ess or a Sean Lee, but the guys that come in, they can do their deal. As

well and fit into the defense. Well, that's why we kept them here, so I expect them to step up and play. This their time to shine too. All Right, on one thing that we've had people talking about, and you get the overreaccents the first game and it's just cowboy nation and they want to go overboard. But I've heard people say, well, maybe this time to put Carter Williams and tackle and then maybe put Joe Louie at

guard to put it. I mean, people want all kinds of changes here on the old line after what we tell people the process of what training camp is like and what combinations guys are used to, and that you just kind of don't throw out the whole thing after one week because you lost by three. No, we believe in the people that we have and they have to improve what they're doing. We have to help them out with some of the things we're doing and with it's like riding a bike. The first time you wrote it,

you might have skin your needa first time. Now the second time you got better, The third time you got better. We feel good about the group. No, it's not Leo Collins out there and some of the stuff, but these guys are paid to do, you know, to do their jobs, and that's what we expect to do well. You can't just switch everything around. It's not fantasy football. You can't take a piece and put it into place and think that everything runs consistently from the beginning. Um, you know,

it's like you go into your job. If you've got somebody new working next to you, you you have to figure them out and you still have to do your job. And that's that's where we're at right now, and we feel better about it, and we have to continue to do things to uh, you know, work to use our strengths to you know, to the positive and overcome some of the negatives by doing some things that way schematically. And that's what all our teams are going to have

to do. The teams that are wanting to know, they're gonna have problems next week and then everybody will be talking about them. So it is a marathon, not a sprint. Let me ask one more question. This is talking about the tight end Blake Jarwin, who's a guy you identified two years ago as a player, really liked him and we all thought this was going to be the breakout season. But he's out for the year. With a torn acl

You helped draft Dalton Schultz, he's the backup. How does coach McCarthy and Kellen Moore, how did they coach him up to be able to now take over this role that Blake Jarwin had. I mean, I think we're going to do it by committee. You know, Blake Jarwin broughts something something a little bit different, that element to threaten the seam, you know, from the tight end position. Dalton can do some of those things. Maybe we do it formationally.

We have other weapons that can you know, achieve the same kind of what Blake's role might have been on some plays. We have different ways of setting it up and doing that. I think you never replace him. But then we use the strength of Blake Bell, Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon, you know, we use those guys and maybe some of the other receivers. There's just a different way to attack it. But great Church, what else you got form? Will McClay, I'm good. I mean I think he pretty

much hit on all figures. I mean, as always, he's a proud what he does. Man. Thank you once again, Will for us stepping on the player's lines with us. I got to appreciate it. Yeah, one question for you. No, no, no, it's and it has nothing to do with football. The Rockets are out. You know, we both agtown guys, right, So we still have we still have we still have to pick somebody to win. Who's winning the NBA Championship this year. I hate to say it, but it's probably

gonna be the Lake Show. But he he didn't surprised me. That he didn't surprised me. Uh. And the way they play, and that's one of those deals where that's a great story and looking at a team coming together when people didn't think you know, that whole deal. And before I leave, I wanted to say the reason why I love coming on this show and seeing Danny McCray and Burry Churches players. No, you know, I used to always go to them and practice. We would talk about a guy, a young guy coming

in and what are you thinking? And it's just like on this radio show. You guys work together and do well and enjoy listening to you and doing those things. And I'm proud to be part of the old dB crew. I'm the oldest of the crew. Yes, all right, DJ will so so I need your professional opinion is better Tupac or Biggie who you got? Oh yeah, you can't do that to me. No trouble, trouble, no, No. I am from the South, so we typically liked the West Coast when I was younger, but Biggie was the guy.

Was the guy to me. Biggie was the okay, was the guy that I'm talking about East Coast coast representative. I love it. I'm I'm really, I'm really, I'm really scarface, So don't even go there. Okay, all right, okay, I've never seen a man cry till usen a man die. Okay, scarface. So we have another player's lounge kind of debate at times. Will and went away in on this. Danny and Barry love the movie Life with Eddie Murphy. I don't think it is a better movies at all. I'm down on Life.

So where do you stand on that movie? Like I quote Life, Maybe it's because I spent time around them young fellows, but I watched Life, and I actually watched Life with my son. Oh, I don't know. During the we were staying at home and we were both dying laughing. It's it's not it's not as funny as Harlem Nights, it's top five? Is it Eddie top five? Okay, because I don't think it's. Oh, there's no question, there's no questions. There's no question because because because of all of the

Beverly Hills cops, they all run together. So that's one movie right there. So okay, yeah, yeah, So so it's life, it's Harlem Knights. Um, it's that one where he was talking to the tree. Now I'm just kidding. Thanks, it's three. What's your top five new? What's your what's your top five new? Okay? From from my Eddie Murphy h forty eight hours. Loved that when he played Reggie Hammond in there Beverly Hills Cop. Beverly Hills Cop is in there.

Um one that the guys shot me down on. But I think was was really an Oscar performance and he should have won. It was when Eddie Murphy played in dream Girls. He was fantastic playing that character Jimmy in that movie. I thought he was sensation. You watched that with your wife, See there's a difference. Watch you talk about the ones with the colors. No, no, I did not. I did not watch that with my wife. I actually watched that on the road in my car driving from

Dallas foot or to Austin. What you yeah, Yeah, that's like I thought it was so good. Yeah, you only watched ten minutes of it because you were watching. I watched the whole thing. I watched the whole thing in my car because Lusaka Polite and some other guys um had this hook up with a with a car guy and they could go ahead and switch your screens that you could actually watch your screen while you dropped while I drove, So remind me to never drive when you're

on the highway. Knew it because you might be watching a movie and it might be a tear jerker. I don't want to be on the road. He gonna be called the correct, he gonna be calling the correct Cowboy. You keep all right. We're late for our break. We're late for our break. We'll thank you so much for stopping by, and we appreciate talking in cowboy football and other things with you. My man. I'll have a good one.

We'll well, we'll be looking for Cowboys victories. They take on Atlanta, the first first game with home game with ye Jerry World. Thank you, buddy, appreciate all right. That's Will McClay here on the Players Labs with Neuis Scrugs, Danny McCray and Barry Church. We've got to take our first break right here on the Players Launch brought to you by Hotels dot Com. Hey, they're Cowboys fans with Ty Cleaners at Home pickup and Delivery. Cleaning your clothes

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at two thirty pm Central Time. And there we scrupts a long time Cowboys reporter joined by former Dallas Cowboys players safeties Danny McCray and Barry Church. And we want to thank Will McClay for popping on here to guru who helps pick the Cowboys players. Will one of the more knowledgeable football guys out there. I always enjoyed my football conversations with him, and hopefully you guys enjoyed what

we brought to you as well. Danny, Barry, tell me what stood out from you from what we heard from Will McClay. For me, we stood out the most is how how firm he was on the belief of, you know, they have to bring him in house. I mean it seems like when I'm talking about in house, I'm talking about bringing up with the injuries of you know, Blake Jarwin and Lvee and Sean Lee. It stood out to me that they all had that same philosophy. It's like, look, we gotta look in house first to bring it up.

And he basically broke down the whole situation, like how they go from training camp to or from you know, well, this year it was just training camp, and however you can't just you know, put pieces here and here like this fantasy football. These guys have jailed together through all of camp and they got to figure it out that way. So definitely bringing it up through in house and I

thought that was pretty interesting. Yeah, And for me, I think it was it brought me from the disappointing Monday morning quarterback to you know, feeling more positive about what we have going forward, right because I watched the game and as upset as I was, you know, watching us not being able to stop, to run and do certain things, it brought me back to you know, he said, riding a bike, right, the first time you get on, you might you might scratch your knee up, and you do

have to realize that we didn't tackle, we didn't really hit, we didn't have preseason. There's a lot of stuff that we didn't do that we normally do, and it just you know, he made me feel like it just showed up in Game one. And you know, as we as we progressed through the season, we should be able to fix some of those things, right, the players not being used to two gaping and being in Twitter from a two one gap to a two gap and those type of things, those are really big changes, right, So it'll

take them from time to learn that. So I won't I won't so much expect them to turn it around this week. I expect them to play better, but as the as the year goes on, I think they'll be able to pick that up and get rid of those always and uh you know and buying and be able to compete in this new defense. I first met Will McClay when he was the Dallas Desperadoes head football coach. Well actually was assisted then he ended up taking over for Joe Avazano and they were really good football team.

And so getting to talk to Will and seeing how he actually ran a team in the confidence the guys had in him, um, that's where I first got to meet him. So I know he knows his football and the understanding of the game. I just really liked how

what Barry was saying. He set us straight because after the first week, you know, he got people want to fire Kelly Moore, people that were well throw running, take out steel, put right, put put Carter Williams at the right tackle spot, moved Joe Luny off center, put in a rookie. I mean, all these changes after one game in which you lost by three points. We saw other people get destroyed week one. The Cowboys are right there till the very end of this football game, and I'm

wearing this. Dallas Stars had congratulations and the Stars they won the West. They're gonna go play for the Stanley Cup four wins away. And one thing that I'm reminded about is how their season started. Guys, the Stars were one seven and one to start the season. People were saying, you know, this team's no good. These guys don't have any heart, and they got it. It's a long sports or a long season. We like everybody to start out with a bang. But guess what Cowboys started out three

and old. Last year. People sitting there talking about Super Bowl and this is not a team that ended up in twenty nineteen making the playoffs. So just just hold on, Okay, hold on football teams take a while ago. Yes, yes, mccraig ahead, No, No, I want to. I want to make this clear while we're on the show. I was

specifically talking about the defense what I saw office. I am still not happy with the play calling, you know, some of that that it had nothing to do with the players being out there and being able to take contact right, And I was specifically talking about us not being able to stop the run, and it turned not us not being able to rush the passer and having an opportunity to some of the stuff I saw offense. I still feel the same way that I felt on

Monday about it. My mind can be changed. But I was specifically just talking about the defense, you know it shuffling up re shuffling in the old line and all that stuff. I don't think so. But I was specifically talking about us utilizing our playmakers to stretch the feel and make big plays. So you're still mad, No, I was mad. I was mad when I'm confused, and then hopefully hopefully on Sunday, I'm no longer confused. I'm either what I what I'm thinking is right or I was like,

I'm wrong. All right, now we're putting are we putting some real stuff in? Okay? All right, all right, Well it's Wednesday, and and Mike McCarthy already said his press conference said they're moving forward. You can't do anything else about the Ram game. It's time to go ahead and go to Atlanta. And one of the differences, and I thought Will McClay pointed out very well, the Rams have decided we are going to go with quick passes. We're not going to allow your pass rushers to We're not

gonna get in that game. We're not going to have our quarterback dropping back doing five seven step drops. Well, we know Atlanta with Maddie Ice, he likes to go ahead and drop back and sling that thing. So the matchup this week, if Atlanta doesn't change, if they go out there and do what they did against Seattle, this can play into the Cowboys hands. It's going to be fun to see exactly how both defenses, okay, both defenses

have warts, how they slow this down. I expect the high scoring game between the Cowboys and the Falcons because both teams have some really good receiving weapons in this game here, so I'm looking forward to Yeah, I'm looking

forward to it as well. And like you said, it was it was very interesting that how he broke that down, how they wanted to play more lateral instead of a vertical and I think that was a great point and MC they did a great job coaching that, but it took basically, they took the aggressiveness from the defensive line because if you if you don't have time to get back there, if you start to get frustrated and then you say, Okay, how else can I impact this game?

Maybe if I put my hands up and jumped in, you know, try to bat balls and everything, but then that takes away from your pass rush. So I have to think the Rams did a great job of basically, like Will said, playing ladder onstead of vertical. Now with Atlanta, I think they're more of a vertical team. You always see Maddie Ice back there taking those five step drops rather than those three step jobs. So I think that

plays into the hand of our defensive line. I think we can be a little bit more aggressive this week, and hopefully we can get after Matt Ryan because we're gonna need to. Yeah, I still feel the same I think that the that the Falcons can actually run some of the same stuff that the that the Rams ran. So if we have to adjust and we have to prepare to see this throughout the rest of the season, teams trying to negate our pass rush by getting the

ball out quick and possibly running lad eally. So you know, defensively, our defensive line and linebackers like the number one focus is being able to stop the run because those sharp passes don't work. You can't do that all game if you aren't able to pick up three and four your games on runs consistently, So we're still going to have to stop it. Okay, stay with me there, Danny, on

your point. I was talking to a former coaching player who said to me one of the issues that the Cowboys had was from a defensive backstandpoint, if you know, all right, they're going to go quick, all right, And Jared Golf was basically wherever he looked, he threw the ball. So if he took the snapstartered looking left, he was

throwing left. His feeling was that the Cowboy dbs needed to play up closer, and he said, because they were not trying to go over the top, they weren't trying to throw deep because they were getting rid of the football quicker. So if they're doing that, why not play up on them closer? And so that'll go ahead, go ahead. Well, well,

see that that's what the rams do. That's great, right, So they get you in these tight formations, and as dbs, what happens was when you put the receivers so tight, dbs have to get on different levels, right, So it's difficult for them to get up and press every play because that would create a lot of pick routs. And I'm sure that McBay had some options to where we're pressing all the time, they'll figure out a way to pick us and run wheelwrights and get the get the

ball deep down the field. So it's just something that we're gonna have to scheme up and you know, figure out how to blitz them and stop the run and get them out of those type formations and make them run a true offense down the field. All right, we've got to squeeze in another break right here on the Players Lounge, brought to you by Hotels dot Com. When we get back, let's get into Randy Gregory, Sean Lee

and Jordan Lewis and Cowboys News. There Knewy Scruggs. You also have Danny McCray and Barry Church, two former Cowboys safeties, riding along with you right here on Dallas Cowboys dot Com Radio. Hey, they're Cowboys fans with Tight Cleaners at Home pickup and delivery. Cleaning your clothes has never been more convenient. Simply sign up at your local store, set out your dirty clothes, and one of our Tight Cleaners professionals will come directly to your home for a totally

contactless experience. Your clean garments will be returned promptly the next scheduled delivery day, So skip the errand enjoy life not laundry. Visit ty Cleaners dot Com or your local store to sign up for Type Cleaners at Home pickup and delivery today. We can't wait to see the Cowboys back on the field, and we can't wait to pack eighteen te Stadium to watch them play when that time comes.

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dot com. Back here for another segment of the Player Round. Danny McCray, Barry Church, former Cowboys Safeties join me every day at two thirty pm. And I'm just merely Knewy Scrugs, longtime Cowboys reporter. We are in our SWBC Mortgage virtual home studios. Here all right, Sean Lee, cowboy linebacker. We were thinking was gonna come off the ir after three games. That's not gonna happen. He's gonna be on longer. He

had surgery for a sports hernia there. So what is the concern level, Danny McCray, because we have Sean Lee out for an extended time and Layton vander Esh two of your top three linebackers not going to be in the lineup for a minute. For me, it's a pretty big concern. Like I said, I know, I keep harping on being able to stop the run, but we need linebackers that are able to get in there and take

on those blocks and stop the run. And when LV goes down, you you you assume that you have a pretty strong backup and the Great Sean Lee, and then now that he's out, now you possibly have to go to it was a second year and then a rookie player or somebody or if you go outside, somebody that's not familiar with the defense. So I think it's a

big concern. But you know, like Will came on here and I feel more positive about it that he believes in the guys that we have in the locker room, so you know, he's never let me down, so I'm with him. To me, it's it's a little concerning, even even with us with the stuff the Great Will had

had said to us earlier. I mean, we did struggle a little bit versus the Rams versus a run, and that just compounds even more with Lve going down, and we don't have a backup with the capabilities like Sean Lee who's experienced, who knows what to do and can

bring everybody together. We don't have that. So right now, I think we got Joe Thomas as there in there as as a backup with the in house bringing it up, and he's he's a good but I see him more of that dime linebacker role, that that coverage type linebacker role. I don't see him, you know, sticking his nose in there and being a banger each and every down. And then what happens if he goes down they were going back.

Then we've got to go to Luke Gifford, who I think this is his second year in the league and he hasn't had a lot of playing experience. So I'm pretty concerned when it comes to this defense stopping the run in that front seven. So hopefully they can find something to get done for this week coming up against Atlanta. I know their run game doesn't look as strong as it did in years past, but Todd Gurley, I mean, he might not be the Todd Gurley of old, but

he can still run the ball well. And we're gonna need that linebacking corps in there to help stop it. So hopefully they will have a solution by Sunday. The shame of it is is something we spoke about before the draft, talking about the linebacker situation. We said, hey, look,

you already know Sean Lee traditionally doesn't give you sixteen games. Okay, it's just in his career he's only done at one time, and with late vander Esh missing time that you had two guys who if you're just being honest, you shouldn't look to to finish sixty football games. And we're already at that point. If you're the Cowboys, obviously you patch work it and you deal with it. But you start looking into the draft in twenty twenty one, this now

becomes another position you have to look at. You know you've got this. You've got the tight end spot because Blake Jarl's gonna be coming off at ACL. You gotta look at the tackle spot here. You may have to draft yourself a swing tackle. After watching Lell Collins deal, he's gonna miss games this year. He's on the ir right now. We've seen tyre and miss mini games the past three seasons. This you got issues man, and then up front the defensive tackle spot. So it's just kind

of a it's a tough pill to swallow. And this is where Mike Nolan's gonna earn his cash. How do you fix your linebacking corps? Here? All teams are gonna have issues to deal with, but right now, the Cowboys, the linebacking corps gonna be interesting, and you've got to tight end and hayten Hurst coming in here this week, and Matt Ryan likes to isolate them. If he's putting Joe Thomas and Jalen Smith and different and coverage right now, you've got to think that that's going to be an

advantage for the Falcons. Barry, well, yeah, let me and let me ask you guys both the question, because I want to see what you guys think about this. Now. He did say Jordan, He did say Jordan Lewis could have a great possibility of returning this week. So with the mention, like you said, of hating hrs at tight end, how he can stretch the field, how they can come out in twelve personnel or twenty one personnel and stretch

the field with him at tight end. Do you feel as though the Cowboys can go with a Nickel package versus base, seeing as though Jordan Lewis will be back and he's good against the run. He's not that you know, he's not a linebacker or anything like that, but he can do good against the run. Plus it'll be able for an extra cover person for hating Hurst. Do you believe that's the approach that the Cowboys would go going

against this, this Atlanta Falcons offense. I don't, just because we already have a problem stopping the run, so we get out there in base and throw an eleven. I think they're gonna be looking their chops. I'll tell you this. The linebackers are getting keamed up right now in the Atlanta Falcons meeting room right now. They're pointing out who's missing and what we showed a weakness, and they're out there and they're scheming up everything to do that. So

I don't think that will be a thing. Hopefully, you know, in the perfect world, they would just bring in b Car and let him be that safety that walks down and covers and let the other safety room or figure out out kind of how they did in Baltimore. That's the solution I see. Especially if you get into eleven and you're playing couple one, you need somebody cover of tight end. I think Brandon caused the best person for

the job. Mccrayon with you one hundred percent. I'll tell you where the pressure and who can help the defense the most. On Sunday, it is the Dallas Cowboys offense. They need to control the football. The Rams held the ball for thirty five minutes and change. On Sunday, the Cowboys offense needs to hold the ball thirty plus minutes

and keep this defense off the field. We've seen the past few seasons when the Cowboys have been able to win games, it's because the defense was being able to have some rest and put other teams in some third

down situations winning those third downs. So a whole heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott to me, it's going to be the key for the Cowboys to go ahead and win because if you can keep Atlanta off the field, you're fine, and if you force them because you're able to go out to a lead and make them play from behind. We know the more Maddie Ice is throwing the football,

the better off it is for you. If you get him throwing forty fifty passes because they're behind, making them one dimensional, it's gonna get the Cowboys a better opportunity to win fellas. Yeah, this is true. This is very true. If you if you got Maddie Ice schooling back there, dropping them back for forty six attempts or fifty attempts, I think that plays right into the hands for the Dallas Cowboys. I think they'll be able to use those

pass rushers off the edge. We've seen Alden Smith coming in. He looks like he's ready to keep going. So hopefully we get to that point where we make the Atlanta Falcons one dimensional. My only worry is, man, who's gonna stick Julio Jones? You know who's gonna stick Calvin? Really? I mean, I don't know. It's a daunting task, man, but we gotta make them one dimensional in my opinion, Yeah, this has been a very different ahead. This has been

This has been their very different cover coverage game. For our defensive backs. They will be tested more than they were last week, just because Sean McVay came out with this side to side playing and quick passes. I don't see Atlanta doing the same thing. I seen them trying to run and play action and use the ability that they have on their offensive weapons. Hint, hint, some stuff that we should probably be doing with Calvin Ridley and

Julio Jones. And Julio Jones will be a big part of the game plan for Atlanta, as Mark Cooper should be for us. So hopefully we see a battle of receivers. All right. Last night, Uh, the Clippers did what I didn't think they would do. I thought they would win the game against Denver. Um. They didn't get They didn't just lose. They got embarrassed. Denver took them pride up twenty points late the fourth quarter. I just thought that

was just pure, pure embarrassment. And then on social media, Damian Lillard c J McCullum just clowning Paul Paul and Pat Beverley Man, I mean playoff p and they called a pandemic pe. I mean it was it was that. I actually feel sorry for Kawhi Leonard Man. I feel sorry for Kawhi Leonard because if you think about this, considering,

you've got Boston and Miami. Now in the East, what if Kawhi Leonard ended up deciding to go back to Toronto running back, they might have repeated as Eastern Conference champions. But it's clear that the Clippers did all this talking and produced nothing but playoffs. Pet Let me tell you something. Kawhi Kawhi and pandemic Pete went out there and played like straight garbage last night. They looked bad. They lost, they lost. They lost four in a row. Right, they

were down three months and then came back. Right. They lost three straight. They lost three straight, They lost three straight. They lost three straight. Um, yeah, it was bad and they you know, I don't know how much I believe in karma, but I do remember Patrick Beverley and all of them laughing and kickinging and cackling on the sideline when when day a little missed that miss those two free throws and lost the game. So I say he gets the last laugh. Yeah, Dan definitely got the last

laugh on this one. It was definitely embarrassing man to be up three one and then get outstin Game seven by plus twenty. I mean, it's embarrassing. Now. I'm not gonna put it all on Kauhi. I felt like Hawaii carried him a lot of this way, but he fell up short in the fourth quarter. I think he only scored like two points in the fourth quarter. But this team right here, I mean they were known for talking

all that smack. I mean, like Danny said, you got Pat Beverley on the sidelines, who half of the time he wasn't even playing because he was injured, still over there just talking, just choking it up, just making fun of everybody. And then they ran into a buzz all of a team in Denver. I mean, this team has already come back from three one when they were playing Utah, so they were they already had that in their veins. Like this game seven is ours. We got ice in

our and they went out there and proved it. Man, It's just I feel bad for Doc. Man. I just feel bad for Doc. I feel bad for Hey. Now, this this is three times Doc Rivers blown has blown a three one lead as a head coach. Now is that I like this? It's a specialty right now, man, right, this is what he's done. Despite winning a championship with the Celtics in two thousand and they Doc Rivers is that dude? Who's coached these guys, and they can't they

can't close the show. I also go back to old Marcus Morris of the Clippers who told Paul Millsava that they were going to go to blank home and also that mess he pulled with Luca don chich So. So to see this whole group of guys who talk so much, who in their own way really kind of disrespected the game of basketball and how how you go about your business? Did do all that talking and they've won nothing, and to see them blow a three one lead and then

in Game seven getting embarrassed. Okay, I mean they just didn't lose, they got embarrassed. Denver took their heart from them. That was something to see and we'll see what what how did they bring it back? They're in luxury cap. Heck, they don't have a first round pick apparently until twenty twenty seven. Uh, I guess there's an extension that's supposed to be coming for for a playoff Peece, So they've got to pay him that they've got. No they really have no choice but to try and dip into the

luxury tax and bring these guys back. This is this is a problem out there for the Clippers and then for Paul Pierce and Paul Pierce. But for Paul George to say they didn't expect to win the championship in the first year, how could you come up with that week excuse the press compence after the game like that. We have a total garbage go ahead the Matt. The worst part for for for La is if you zoom out and you and you really look at the at the players in the game, Denver was better than them.

I don't think if they if they met up again in the playoffs, that they could beat beat Denver. So so they have some real stuff to deal with that they're not not even only the second best team in the West. They not they might not be the third because they could have lost the Dallas. So they got

some real problems. They got some real problems when you think about, you know, giving up paula extension and figuring out what you're gonna do with You know, you need a big man if you're gonna be in the West, you know you need some stuff. And I don't know if they have enough to get it. So they might not make it back to make it to the championship, let alone the Conference finals they know one thing, they're

better than not paid. Yeah, they never made it and they better not to play paid playoff here or whatever they calling him, I mean after that performance and he shrunk, I mean it was a just went down into a ball and just he was a he was a no show man. And for the whole playoffs, the entire playoffs, they have to pay Paul George. They don't. They're rosy. All the assets that they've given up in draft picks, they have no option but to pay Paul George. So

so he's getting his money. The big, big issue is Kawhi Leonard is playing on a one year deal now because he's he has a two year opt out for himself. So if they run this back, which I expect them to try to bring as many pieces as they can run it back next year and it doesn't happen, then Kawhi Leonard is a free agent after the season. So you about, Kawhi Leonard will be free. Jannisannaton Coopo, unless he signs a big old extension this offseason, he's going

to be free. And we'll see. Because one thing we know, guys want to play with guys they like and Jimmy Butler, in my opinion, show people a whole lot that you know what, go where guys and an organization wants to win the way you want to. Because what they're doing in Miami right now, man, that's some tough stuff. The best thing he did was get out of Philly. Could have made more money in Philly, but he said, I want to go to a place where I want to win and guys want to win like me and put

in that work. I mean, if you look at his game, Jimmy Butler, I mean he's a scrappy defender. I mean he's not flashy, but he'll get you some buckets. And that's basically what that Miami team is. It's just a bunch of scrappy dogs out there who just don't care what anybody says about him. They keep everything in house and they do what they do to try to win games. I mean, that's a perfect fit for Jimmy Butler, and

he's a perfect guy to lead that team. I love how everybody you know, Crowns, Brad Stevens is this great coach and here's Eric Spoelstra doing his thing and people give him one don't want to give him credit for coaching to Miami Heat teams to the championship. But you know what I thought, Spoelstra and what he's done with this team has done an outstanding coaching job. All Right, we're late, all right, we can't make once again, Poor Chris, poor Chris Bean work any harder than he has trying

to get this show together. But it was fun stuff. While we gotta thank Will McClay for popping off the Players Lounge brought to you by Hotels dot Com. Danny, you're off tomorrow, so it's just gonna be buried Church and I running things here on the Players last week, looking forward to a fun show on Thursday. Fellas. Appreciate you now, all right, appreciate it. See you on the next one. H This has been a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.