August 7, 2025 • 47 mins
With all four guys together, good analysis on the Cowboys scrimmage with the Rams and a pregame look for Saturday’s the first preseason game. Concentrating on the offensive line, cornerbacks, defensive front and vanilla game plan.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
The following is a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com
and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Cowboys.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
This is Mick shot screaming live on Dallascowboys dot Com
and the official Dallas Cowboys at now. Here are Bill Jones, Hecma, Harrison,
Everson Wolves, and Mickey Spagnola.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
It is a Thursday morning here inside the SWBC podcast
studio at the Star in Frisco, and outside at the
corner of Ventura en Vineyard in Oxnard, California. That's where
the star of this show, Mickey Spagnola still is.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
And meanwhile, where is he?
Speaker 5 (00:51):
Where is he?
Speaker 4 (00:52):
Exactly at the corner of Ventura and Vineyard.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Is that way they're That's exactly right, Okay, yeah, all right, yeah,
where the Cowboys have called their training camp home for
some nineteen summers now, And of course Everson was a
part of those training camp homes for basically a full decade.
Up the down the road, thousand down the road in
two thousand and ozerhe is.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
It CLC or CLU, it's now CLU.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
California Lutheran University used to be California Lutheran College. But
you got Bill Jones, You've got Hecma.
Speaker 5 (01:24):
Harrison Harris Moles who we areoy hexus strong baby, that's right,
and we are we.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Love welcoming hecma to the team to keep us straight here.
And Everson Walls, who was not here on Tuesday because
he didn't get the memo.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
I did not get the memo. You guys got to
look out for me. Have you all forgotten you remember
last Are you supposed to call me?
Speaker 6 (01:48):
No?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Even if you guys.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Who show is it it's mixed shots?
Speaker 5 (01:52):
If you guys, even if you're not here and it's
a minute, I'm calling your number.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Hey man, what are you?
Speaker 5 (01:58):
But I get no kind of I don't.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Get that reciprocate.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Wow, no reciprocation at all. That's okay.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I think I think it was on Mickey not to
let you know that we were getting together on Tuesday,
and uh, Mickey Spagnola, I'll let you start things off
out there because I know you can't wait to get
things started. Looks like it's not as hot and sunny
out there today. You don't have the sun shining on
your forehead this morning.
Speaker 6 (02:27):
Only because Producer Supreme put an umbrella over my head.
The sun is out brightly it's warming up. It's sixty
three degrees, which is five degrees warmer than it was
when I woke up and it was fallah right, I
do mean fahrenheit, and I had to take my sunglasses
(02:50):
off right in my bike in because it was so
foggy my sunglasses got it.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Such a tough life, Yes, it's such a tough life.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
It is, Umbrella.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Thank you for really sacrificing yourself the way you are.
Speaker 7 (03:04):
I do it every year just for you guys.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Meanwhile, here it's eighty.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Eight degrees with a high of ninety six, and Mickey
will have a high of about seventy.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Two as usual.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
So much to get to on this edition of the show.
As we had the joint practice on Tuesday. What you
missed Everson? On Tuesday morning, we previewed the joint practice
the Cowboys and the Rams, and so now we got
to get the review.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
But to get kick.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Things off since Everson, it's been six weeks or so
since we've seen you, let's just find out from Everson
what his preliminary thoughts are on this Cowboys team. Now
more than two weeks into training camp and just two
days away from the preseason opener at the Rams on
Saturday night.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
Believe in not bild. I have very few thoughts on that.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Okay, that's it. Heck, may you take it away now.
Speaker 8 (04:00):
I figured we get more than that, but I'm learning
a lot about Uh.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
We we got more questions than we have answered.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, I know, but that's okay.
Speaker 8 (04:09):
I tried to pick his brains on some things earlier
when he came into the studio and I.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Got literally the same. I thought it was me and
it's not.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
You didn't think you'd bring that to the ad do that.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
But he did keeps it on us, keeps it real. Absolutely,
he does.
Speaker 8 (04:26):
You know, after the joint practice, after watching it, you know,
I really felt like the tempo of the practice had changed,
especially for the Cowboys, which you've seen them in practice,
and when you saw them get into you know, obviously
a guy with a different color in front of you,
a lot changed. I loved the the interview yesterday with
coach Schottenheimer when he was basically saying, look, it was
(04:48):
good to get those looks with the team like the Rams.
That gave them multiple things to think about. So they
gave them you know, hey, when when you're scheming up
against a team like that, and especially going into Saturday,
gives these guys a lot to consider, especially when you've
been going up against your own guys and you've kind
of become accustom.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
And used to those plays.
Speaker 8 (05:07):
And I know, you know a lot of guys, Hey,
they know what's coming, but when you go against the
other team, you don't know what's coming. So we saw
those changes, and I think it's just gonna be an
adjustment for this young team.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
All right, So Mickey, what's your takeaway?
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Being an eyewitness to what happened on Tuesday in Oxnard?
Speaker 6 (05:25):
I basically watched the offense the entire time, so I
thought they had some moments. But as I wrote at
the beginning of the week, I like all the skill
players they have here, the fact that Dack's back, You've
got C d Lamb, George Pickens, Cavante Turpin is starting
(05:48):
to show up as a true wide receiver Ferguson, and
that's fine and good, but none of those guys can
do what they need to do if the offensive line
doesn't play well. And the offensive line did struggle some,
especially in the running game, and so it probably should
(06:09):
have been expected at least for this first scrimmage against
somebody else. They've been working against the four to three
defense the whole time here, and the Rams came in
with a three four and they got a pretty darn
good front. And we can start with Jared Verse. They're
outside linebacker who's basically a pass rusher. So I saw
(06:33):
a lot of missed assignments, meaning they weren't physically getting beat,
but they were mentally getting beat. And there were too
many times the running backs were getting hit behind the
line of scrimmage. And when that's happening, you're allowing guys
to just come through without being touched. So they struggled
(06:55):
running the football. And if you look at Brian Schottenheimer's
history as an offensive coordinator at different places, one of
his calling cards was running the football. So the offensive
lines got to improve. But again, if you look at
it realistically, Nate Thomas is playing late left tackle. He
(07:21):
hadn't played in a game since twenty twenty three, and
it wasn't left tackle.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
And it wasn't in the NFL. It was at the
University of Louisiana.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:32):
Brock Hoffman, who had been playing mostly backup center, now
is your backup left guard, and then Tyler Booker has
not played against an NFL team with a different color jersey,
So there was a lot of young guys on that
offensive line getting somewhat exposed for their lack of experience.
(07:57):
So I thought Schottenheimer said it best yesyesterday during his
press conference. He said, you know, when you're talking about
line play, it's got to be like a symphony. Everybody's
got to be on the same page. You got to
be orchestrated, and a lot of times they weren't. So
we'll see if this improves on Saturday. And the other thing,
(08:20):
let's point out they didn't prepare for a three to
four defense.
Speaker 7 (08:25):
They didn't prepare for maybe what the Rams were gonna do.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
They just said, hey, go out there, use your eyes,
play your technique, and let's see what happens. Well, they struggled.
But when they blocked it the Cowboys and this got
lost in the shuffle here the passing game, they were
ripping the Rams secondary apart when they gave Dak the
(08:52):
proper protection.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Hey, Spags, I was wondering, but you didn't even see
the defensive side of it. But you know, before Bill
moved on from my open statement I was gonna say,
I have been worried about what's in the trenches for
the Cowboys this year. Of course, we have all the stars,
we have all the receivers, we got the running back,
(09:16):
we got the quarterback, tight ends and all of that.
But where we were getting our butts kicked last year
was in the trenches, not just offensively, but also defensively.
I don't think we shored ourselves up enough this off
season in regards to girth. You know, we need some
big guys down up front, and we seem to go
(09:38):
the opposite way. We have more athletic guys than we
have guys that can clog.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Up the middle.
Speaker 5 (09:44):
Was that were we exposed any at all by the
Rams running game yesterday?
Speaker 6 (09:51):
They hit some big runs against the Cowboys, but again
I think of it, a lot of it had to
do with, you know, not knowing enough about the Rams.
There was too many holes for a couple big runs.
(10:12):
And again I'm not sure who was on the field
when they did that.
Speaker 7 (10:19):
But the only.
Speaker 6 (10:20):
Spot they got bigger at up front was their seventh
round pick, Jay Toya, who has been somewhat surprising for
a seventh round pick.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
I still need more.
Speaker 6 (10:35):
Yes, I think so. And he's getting some snake. He
actually got some snaps with the first team. That'll be
a position they need to keep their eye on. They
did bring in a veteran, a guy Perry On Winfrey,
who didn't play. I don't remember how much he played
(10:57):
last year. If he was hurt, he was, and he
he was in the USFL or the UFLU, so he's
a little bigger body. They need him to get going
if it's gonna help in the middle. And then Mazie,
we'll see where he's at. He did got a little
bit of a knee irritation. The defensive ends I think
(11:21):
will be pretty strong. Aaron Whitecotton, the defensive line coach,
was high and really high and Azeroku, as a matter
of fact, he was trying to get him to draft
him in the first round, not the second round. And
I think from a defensive ends standpoint, I think they've
(11:42):
hit a home run there. Now he's young, right, but hey,
he led the you know, the acc in sacks last year.
He was the defensive player of the year, so he's
got something. So that helps. I think Kneeland healthy is
playing well. You know, Folloer's going to be the rotational
(12:03):
defensive end. But none of that answers your question because
the guy that they the biggest guy, or I should
the most experienced guy they added, is Solomon Thomas, and
he's he's basically a three technique, not a one technique.
So I'm gonna have to say how that position plays out.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
I gotta say, spags. I remember when I was with
the Giants and we were pretty good at stopping the run,
and the main thing that Diasce and Peppa Johnson were
doing they were closing that that they were bursting that
bubble between them and the offensive lineman. In other words,
they didn't leave any gap when it came to running
the ball. They were going to make sure and attack
(12:44):
those guards right off the bat once they realized it
was run.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
Do we have any linebackers like that right now? How
are they playing?
Speaker 5 (12:53):
Not necessarily against the Rams, but how have they been
playing all training camp in regards to playing, you know,
being able to play downhill against the run as linebackers.
Speaker 6 (13:05):
So Everson, I got to qualify it because you know,
until Saturday, they haven't actually tackle played tackle football, right
It's thumping up trying to fill the spot. And I
thought Jack Sanborn might be a pleasant surprise. He's about
the size of Sean Lee. Now, does he have the
(13:26):
instincts of Shawn Lee. He's shown a little bit of that,
and that's what he's going to have to rely on
because he's not the biggest middle linebacker. But then again,
KENDRICKX last year, if I remember correctly led the team
with one hundred and forty five tackles and he wasn't
the biggest linebacker either. Kenneth Murray was really playing well
(13:48):
until he missed about a week he went home for
the birth of a child, and so he's just getting
back in the swing of things. Leo File I think
is doing what they're are expecting him to do.
Speaker 7 (14:02):
And then there.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
It was fourth round, fifth round draft choice Shermar James
as a rookie. I think he's got I think he's
got caught their eyes. So from a linebacker standpoint, if
they can at least give them an opportunity, I think
they'll be okay. And now the other thing I'm going
to add and and Everson might or might not appreciate this,
(14:30):
but eber Flus, the defensive coordinator, said, if we're going
to play the run, well, the cornerbacks have to tackle.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Oh yeah, no house guests, No house guests.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Right, all right, heckma, let's let's hear you way in
on this front.
Speaker 8 (14:47):
Seven on defense now, I think what you know, what
Everson brings up about the defensive line is what all
Cowboy fans have been talking about. I mean, I think
Mozzie Smith and his struggles in the middle of the field,
and you see the running game from other This is
what the Dallas Cowboys haven't been able to stop in
years has been the run and they've needed that guy
that that plugger in the middle basically. And what you're
(15:08):
talking about schematically, are our guys two gap guys?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Are they you know, are they shooting the gaps? Things
like that?
Speaker 8 (15:14):
And I think that's the excitement that Ibra Fluss brings
as a defensive coordinator because you need to see that
change because when you bring up the linebackers and just
go back, going back to last year, it was a struggle.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
You know those guys.
Speaker 8 (15:29):
I'm putting it mouthly, but it was because you know,
they had you know, they had these guys, you know,
those offensive guards and tackles in their laps at all time,
and so if you bringing in a guy like Solomon
Thomas bringing having Osa Diggi Zua on a new contract.
You know, Perry and Winfrey. The guy that they're talking about,
(15:50):
he's six four, two hundred and ninety pounds. But the
guy that Mickey was just speaking of, Jay Toya, he's
six four, three and thirty.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Pounds to Okay, So a guy like that, you probably
isn't very easy to move.
Speaker 8 (16:07):
And that's all those linebackers need to have to be
able to diagnose and read right. And so going back
to that, Johnny, you bring up a team that you say, yeah,
we were able to stop the run, Well, heck yeah,
y'all were, I mean, but all the other pieces that
y'all had around were able to shed and get to
the ball because guys were not going ten yards the
other way. And so that is literally the one thing
(16:28):
that coach Eberflus has to implement with this defense is
guys getting up feeling. If you're a two gap guy,
take up that space and don't allow for yourself to
be taken back. And that's what we've been seeing year
after year.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
And the other thing ever soon to remember about Perry
on Winfrey is that he's in Oklahoma.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
So wow, wow, that got plugged.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
Right well that yeah, you should have a calendar, a
calendar around here.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
So there's one one Oklahoma's mention right there, all right.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
When we come back on mix shots, more takes from
Mickey on what he saw at the joint practice, says
we get you ready also for the first preseason game
of the year Saturday night. In fact, we've got preseason
football tonight. Yes, more mix shots than justin Ballman.
Speaker 9 (17:24):
Middle Light, the legendary light beer, the originator, the inventor.
If this beer could talk, it'll tell stories about that
one time that night, that one guy, that one gal.
Writing a story fifty years long and fifty million friends wide,
because legendary stories start with a light. Here's the fifty
(17:46):
years of mill time. Celebrate Responsibly twenty twenty five Milli
Boom Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Star Sports Tours is the only official fan travel partner
of the Dallas Cowboys, offering exclusive game weekend travel packages
with pregame sideline access and photo ops with current players, cheerleaders,
and Cowboy legends. You want to stay at a team hotel,
attend the best tail gay party in Texas. Tour the
Star and talk ex'es and ods with me Everson Walls.
(18:15):
With Star Sports Tours, you can visit Cowboystravel dot com
to book your travel package today.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
AT and T has.
Speaker 10 (18:23):
A new guarantee because most things in life are not guaranteed,
like getting through self checkout by.
Speaker 11 (18:29):
Yourself warning, each item must be placed in the bagging area.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Not guarantee.
Speaker 11 (18:34):
Place item in the bagging area. Place item in the
bagging area.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
You know what.
Speaker 10 (18:38):
AT and T guarantees connectivity. You depend on deals you
want and service you deserve, or we make it right.
Burms and conditions. Supply is at ATT dot com. Slash
guarantee for details. AT and T Connecting changes everything.
Speaker 12 (18:52):
The National Medal of Honor Museum is now open in Arlington, Texas,
just a few blocks from AT and T Stadium. Immersive
exhibit and exciting technology allow you to fly a rescue
helicopter mission in Vietnam and have conversations with virtual Medal
of Honor recipients. Come be inspired by these incredible stories
(19:12):
of ordinary Americans who did the extraordinary. Get your tickets
at mohmuseum dot org.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
To mixed shots.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
The official twenty twenty five Dallas Cowboys Star magazine, Training
Camp Preview is now available. This year's edition features scouting reports,
position analysis, a pull out schedule poster, and articles from
your favorite Cowboys writers spags. Get your Training Camp Preview
today at your local pro shop or Dallascowboys dot Com
(19:49):
slash store money.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
All right, Oh, it's so great to hear the voice
of Everson.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Wow, thank you read once again.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
So I feel at home.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I feel and sounds like you've been practicing a lot
that was flawless.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Did I need the practice?
Speaker 5 (20:08):
It sounds like I needed the practice.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
They need the practice that you got that burner education.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
Yeah, all education, there you go.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
All right, Mickey Spagnola, what's the what are they doing
out there today?
Speaker 4 (20:27):
They had a day off yesterday?
Speaker 5 (20:28):
Is that what?
Speaker 4 (20:29):
No practice yesterday?
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Right?
Speaker 6 (20:31):
No, no practice a day off, so they they had
they had to walkthroughs or talk throughs.
Speaker 7 (20:40):
However Schottenheimer describes it.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
Uh, they'll get on the field with a pre practice
walk through here in about about an hour or maybe
by time we finish here, and then a full practice today.
I would imagine they back off a little bit on Friday,
though they have a practice scheduled and then leave for
(21:02):
LA on Saturday morning. They're expected to arrive at the
stadium around noon for a four o'clock game.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Okay, very good at six o'clock game Dallas time on
Saturday night. Aside from the run defense, heck, mo, from
what you're hearing from out there, what is it that
coming out of the Tuesday joint practice that caught your eye?
Speaker 8 (21:27):
Well, I guess you know, coach Schatt Nahumer talked about
DeVante Adams is still pretty good. You saw that they
still have Pookinaka and other guys out there, and they
just look basically playing of vanilla coverage, you're gonna get
burned and you're gonna get shown up, especially with a
Sean mcvay's offense.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
So some of those things you see, I think.
Speaker 8 (21:47):
It for people from the outside looking in, you're just like,
oh my god, these are just the same problems that
we had last season. Because you ended the season on
a Terry mcclaurin touchdown in the corner. So that's the
last thoughts of everyone, right, and so you want to
see the secondary get better. You want to see these
guys ball hawking. But like Everson Wall said, look, man,
(22:08):
nobody's counting interceptions. You know in training camp right now,
but you just want to see these guys be able
to turn, you know, and pivot and isolate isolate themselves,
but also you know, get to the ball immediately.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
Has anyone shown.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Yeah, let's talk cornerbacks it right.
Speaker 5 (22:26):
Yeah, especially whether they've been seeing Heck or Spags. Have
any dbs shown.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
And you're going to be out of the conversation.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
I was out there for two weeks, will you Yeah? Okay, well, Bill,
you know what I do.
Speaker 5 (22:40):
See the Golden Tan.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Everybody came.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Ba's why you got the camera?
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Yes, absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
I mean when you tell me where the concern is
the injuries at cornerback right now, I mean when you
don't have a Treyvon Diggs out there, and you don't
have the third round draft picks of owned rebel out there,
and the list goes on and on with other cornerbacks
as well, and so these other guys, who's going to
be ready September fourth at Philadelphia? But Mickey, who's caught
(23:08):
your eye as a kyer elam is one I.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Was going to ask you. He was playing pretty well.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Yeah, And of course you got de Ron Bland did
miss some time for the birth of a child. But
he has been back for a week now and so
you're starting to see it come together a little bit.
But Kayln Carson the fifth round path, he's out for
six weeks so, and he battled injuries last year. Mickey,
what are you seeing out of the corners out there?
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (23:37):
Not enough Without Trayvon Diggs out there, you know, he's
kind of holding that position hostage because he's not ready.
Speaker 7 (23:49):
And and you know, I understand he had a pretty significant.
Speaker 6 (23:55):
Operation surgery on the cartilage in his knee, but he
chose not to train rehab with the Cowboys trainers. He
did it whoever he paid in Miami to stay there
and do it. So the big thing right now with him,
(24:16):
I see him working out, he's starting to re engage
with his teammates, but his conditioning is keeping him out
of practice. And I can't get a straight answer on
when he's going to be ready.
Speaker 7 (24:33):
But he's not ready now.
Speaker 5 (24:34):
So Alie, but his conditioning. Is that what you're saying
right now?
Speaker 6 (24:40):
It's his conditioning, yes, and so they're working them hard,
but let's see when he gets on the field, because
without him on the field, here's the dilemma. Their best
outside corner on the field now is Deron Bland. Okay,
their best to play in the slot right now is
(25:02):
Doron Blant just playing both? I guess he can do yeah,
I guess he can do both. But if he plays
in the slot, who's on the outside. Kyir Elam has
caught everybody's eye? Yes, now, he he never really engaged
and injuries had something to do with it with Buffalo
(25:23):
and why they were willing to trade him. So they
need him to really step up on the outside they're
gonna put he has now.
Speaker 7 (25:36):
I don't know how he played in the scrimmage.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
I didn't get a chance to see that part, but
in practice he's been the guy on the outside, so
that helps. But after that, it's pretty thin. You know,
without Digs out there, you know, they've given booth An opportunity,
They've given Troy Pride opportunity. You probably can go out
(26:04):
there and cover better than those guys.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
So that is not a good sign that side.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
The depth, the depth that cornerback without Digs on the
field is troublesome and I think it probably showed up
in the scrimmage and I would imagine it'll show up
in the game now.
Speaker 7 (26:23):
Here's the other thing.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
As Schottenheimer pointed out, they play everything they did offensively
and defensively was vanilla. As he said, we pulled out
a seven iron and we played eighteen holes just using
our seven iron. And I thought this was a pretty
pretty on the spot because he said, you know, everybody
(26:47):
knows what Sean McVeigh does with their offense and defense.
He's been doing it for seven or eight years, so
he's got nothing to hide. What he does has been exposed.
They don't know what the Cowboys are going to do,
and he's not going to reveal anything till they get
to Philadelphia, so you can count on a vanilla offense
(27:07):
and a vanilla defense. And as he said, and we
were going to be real vanilla on offense until I
got pissed off and I decided we're throwing deep. And
that's when Milton hooked up with Jalen Brooks. But they
weren't supposed to call those because they didn't want to
show anything, and.
Speaker 7 (27:25):
So they said, well, what are you going to do
going forward?
Speaker 6 (27:28):
He goes, We're going to play with the seven iron
until I get pissed off.
Speaker 5 (27:33):
Okay, so you you have what were the rams playing
with Were they playing with the seven nine as well?
Speaker 6 (27:40):
They they with everything everything.
Speaker 7 (27:44):
They had nothing to hide. They didn't have nothing to hide.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Because people have scouted and they know what Sean McVay
does on offense.
Speaker 5 (27:52):
Yes, yeah, yeah, I have. That was the question.
Speaker 8 (27:56):
My question is, you know, when when Mickey says that
Trayvon Diggs is holding the secondary hostage, that is, well,
that's hot off the press.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
When did get hurt last year?
Speaker 8 (28:06):
I know?
Speaker 5 (28:06):
But but what time of the you know what it
was at.
Speaker 7 (28:10):
The end of the year.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
He ended up on ir and they they had to
do a surgery.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
And I'll just explain it.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
He he had like a divot in his cartilage and
they had to pack in, uh, some replacement for the
cartilage that had the hole in there.
Speaker 5 (28:27):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
And you know, and and let's look at it this way.
Speaker 6 (28:31):
He had a workout clause in his contract right that
if he didn't do eighty percent of the work with
the Cowboys at the facility, he was going to get
docked five hundred thousand dollars off his base salary.
Speaker 7 (28:46):
He was willing to.
Speaker 6 (28:47):
Lose five hundred thousand dollars not working out with the Cowboys, Okay, and.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
So that's a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
The reality of the situation quickly, a lot of money.
Speaker 6 (29:02):
Yoh, did I emphasize the five thousand dollars five hundred
thousand dollars?
Speaker 7 (29:08):
Right? And here's the other thing.
Speaker 6 (29:10):
He's got a per game bonus in his contract where
uh he if he plays in all seventeen games or
as active for all seventeen games, he's going to make
another million dollars. So every game he is not active,
he's going to lose out on fifty eight thousand dollars
a game. So not only did he not work out,
(29:34):
if he's not ready to start the season, now he's
he's not getting deducted money, he's losing the ability to
make the money.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
I get it. But here's the things.
Speaker 7 (29:45):
But here we are.
Speaker 5 (29:46):
He's not going to be ready. He's not going to
be if he just got hurt at the end of
the season last year. They didn't expect for him to
be ready for the season this year, did they? Oh?
Speaker 7 (29:57):
No, they expected him to be ready. They did off
of a Yes, a c L injury.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
It wasn't.
Speaker 4 (30:04):
It wasn't an a.
Speaker 5 (30:05):
C It wasn't.
Speaker 7 (30:05):
No, it wasn't an a CL It was it was cartilage.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
It was cartilage, but it was some special surgery that
that Mickey explained.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
I wasn't listening to.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
Write each other trying to do business up here with bags.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
I'm admired.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
He was looking at my flip cards for the Preson
game on Saturday. Well, what professional broadcasters would do it
on a computer?
Speaker 4 (30:33):
And everything?
Speaker 2 (30:34):
I do it.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
Right everything, So, just so you know, he was trying
to decide to dissect what I've written on my flip side,
and so he wrote a little note to me, and.
Speaker 8 (30:45):
These are his spot of boards for the game. And
I told him that the spotter board looked like a
cheesecake factory menu.
Speaker 4 (30:51):
Right, I'm the only one who can read it.
Speaker 5 (30:55):
Grand Look, that's exactly what is this you do?
Speaker 4 (31:00):
That's why I don't Mickey.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
Mickey is my spotter on a lot of most of
these preseason games. And the reason Mickey can't do can't
spot the players is because he can't read it.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
He can't read.
Speaker 3 (31:12):
My my flip card, my spotterboard in order to find
who made that tackle.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
And so.
Speaker 4 (31:21):
No, I can read it.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Okay, that I can read.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
It, Okay, Button, you digressed?
Speaker 7 (31:31):
Yes, all right?
Speaker 3 (31:32):
When we come back here, we had the assistant coaches
talked to the media for the first time yesterday, and
I'm going to assume Mickey Spagnola was doing his job
and was in on those interviews, and we need to
hear uh his takeaways from some of those assistant coaches
when we come back on Mixed Shots in just a moment.
Speaker 5 (31:53):
Star Sports Tools is the only official fan travel partner
of the Dallas Cowboys, offering exclusive game weekend travel packages
with pregame, sideline access and photo ops with current players, cheerleaders,
and Cowboy legends. You want to stay at the team hotel,
attend the best tail gay party in Texas, tour the
Star and talk ex'es and odes with me Everson Walls.
(32:15):
With Star Sports Tours, you can visit cowboystravel dot com
to book your travel package today.
Speaker 12 (32:22):
The National Medal of Honor Museum is now open in Arlington, Texas,
just a few blocks from AT and T Stadium. Immersive
exhibits and exciting technology allow you to fly a rescue
helicopter mission in Vietnam and have conversations with virtual Medal
of Honor recipients. Come be inspired by these incredible stories
(32:42):
of ordinary Americans who did the extraordinary. Get your tickets
at Mohmuseum dot org.
Speaker 10 (32:49):
AT and T has a new guarantee because most things
in life are not guaranteed, like getting through self checkout
by yourself warning.
Speaker 11 (32:57):
Each item must be placed in the bagging area.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Not guarantee.
Speaker 11 (33:01):
Place item in the bagging area. Place item in the
bagging area.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
You know what.
Speaker 10 (33:05):
AT and T guarantees connectivity. You depend on deals you want,
in service you deserve, or we make it right, burns
and conditions about it is a att dot com slash
guarantee for details. AT and T Connecting changes everything.
Speaker 9 (33:20):
Middle light the legendary light beer, the originator, the inventor.
If this beer could talk, it'll tell stories about that
one time, that night, that one guy, that one gal.
Writing a story fifty years long and fifty million friends wide.
Because legendary stories start with a light. Here's the fifty
(33:42):
years of mill of time. Celebrate responsibly twenty twenty five
Milli Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Speaker 7 (33:50):
To Mixed Shots.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Cowboys Nation.
Speaker 5 (33:57):
The twenty twenty five Dallas Cowboys schedule is a fit.
Actually here and limited tickets are available now. Get ready
to bring the noise as you watch your cowboys live
at AT and T Stadium when they host NFC East Rivals, Eagles,
Giants and Commanders plus Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings and Cardinals.
Visit Dallascowboys dot com slash tickets or SeatGeek dot com,
(34:20):
the official primary ticketing partner of the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 4 (34:23):
See any easy marks on that home schedule.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
There, I did not.
Speaker 5 (34:28):
Maybe Giants, Maybe Giants, we might be the easy Yeah,
that's my stat date.
Speaker 3 (34:41):
All right, our third and final segment on this episode
of Mixed Shots. Let's kick this segment off with Hekma
posing a question of Mickey and Oxnard California.
Speaker 8 (34:52):
Well, you know, I thought it was interesting when Mickey
is talking about Deron Bland and I think Duran in
a contract year, the position flexibility may be not adding
to his value as a player. When what I mean
by that is nickel corners don't make the same that
the guys on on islands make. So they've been playing
(35:13):
even in OTA's he's been playing the nickel a lot.
And so you know, in this in an environment where
you're trying to add and get more money, I see
that as something that may be a hindrance to him
as an athlete.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
We know how good he is.
Speaker 8 (35:26):
He set NFL records, you know for returns on interceptions,
And I just wanted to know from you, Mickey, have
you heard anything about that? It's any whispers of that
from Deron Blain's camp. Are just talking about how that
may affect him when he comes to sign.
Speaker 3 (35:41):
Let me let me throw this in there before you
answer that, Mickey, I'm thinking that I wouldn't be surprised
if Deron Bland doesn't go into a contract year this year.
In other words, they get something done here just a thought.
Speaker 6 (35:56):
What would not surprise me either, And that makes him
more valuable. Remember what Barber did in Tampa Bay in
base defense, he played outside corner. When they went to nickel,
he played inside. So you can do both, and I
think doing both makes you even more valuable to this team.
Speaker 5 (36:19):
I agree with you on that. Yeah, that's I did
the same thing.
Speaker 6 (36:23):
I mean, think about it. Not every outside curtainer can
go into the slot.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
Well tell me about and play. And I think the
fact that he's he'll be playing rundowns on the outside
based defense on the outside and then able to switch
inside on the slot, I think that just makes him
that gives him another bullet in his gun. You know,
I truly believe it makes him more valuable as opposed
to less valuable, because he's able to do both. What
(36:52):
it does, it brings an opportunity for another player who
may not be able to play the slot. It gives
him an opportunit. I wanted to stay away from this
weak spot and be able to play outside like most
base corners are accustomed to doing. I had to do
it as I got older, and the guy from Tampa
he had to do it as he got older as well.
(37:15):
So coming in able to.
Speaker 7 (37:16):
Do that, it was Rondez bar Rondez.
Speaker 5 (37:19):
Bareseah coming in coming in being able to do that
at this time of his career is a bonus because
most of us don't were forced into it later on
in our careers.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
All right.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
I think how they line up Bill on Saturday. They've
been using Keemen Hall quite a bit in the slot,
so that's an opportunity for him to kind of show
what he can do. And I talked to Kayer Elam
about the slot, and he said, you know, he he
has done both. He said he did both at Florida,
(37:57):
but they've primarily used him as one of the outside
guys because they're without digs there. They're pretty thin at
outside cornerback, and you know.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Let's in case. I'm sure a lot of fans understand
the difference between that slot and being the base corner.
You know, when you play the corner in base defense,
then you always have alignments that you can count on
to give you a tip off on what the offense
is trying to do and what the wide receiver is
trying to do against you. If you're lined up too
(38:29):
close to the sidelines, then you can kind of as
a defensive back, you can play further inside things of
that nature. If he lines up tight, then you can
look for him to possibly setting up something for going
to cross the field. Basically, what I'm saying is the
positioning of the wide receiver on the outside it depicts
what they might be trying to do when they run routes.
(38:50):
But when you get at the slot area, when you're
playing slot defense, that wide receiver has the entire field
to work with. And that can be this concerning for
dbs because you there's no tip unless you really study hard,
there's no obvious tip on what route this wide receiver
(39:12):
might run based on alignment. When you lined up in
the slot, you can go anywhere the hell you want
to go as a wide receiver.
Speaker 6 (39:18):
So Everson, So Everson, If it's is it harder to
double the receiver in the slot?
Speaker 2 (39:26):
It is not.
Speaker 7 (39:26):
On the outside, it is not.
Speaker 5 (39:28):
As a matter of fact, you can disguise it very
well as long as you and your safety can be
creative on how you can disguise. So, No, a double
from the slot to me, and especially the fact that
that's your number one receiver on most third down passes
and plays, that's that slot position can get you in trouble.
(39:48):
As we saw the Cowboys do against Green Bay. You know,
when you know that Cede Lamb is on the move
and he's making that move as a slot receiver, they
jumped it right away from the double ti. They had
somebody waiting inside while the cornerback that was covering him
played the outside, and of course that resulted in the
pick six for Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 3 (40:09):
Okay, Mickey, assistant coaches talked yesterday, give me one assistant
coach that you listen to that cut your ear.
Speaker 7 (40:19):
Well, a couple.
Speaker 6 (40:22):
We can start with Connor Riley, the offensive line coach.
He was talking about how Tyler Booker needs to just
go out and play football.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
It said.
Speaker 6 (40:37):
He said, he's trying to be too perfect and he's
trying to think too much. He just needs to cut
it loose, is one of the things he said. And
the other thing about Nate Thomas, he said he's.
Speaker 7 (40:53):
Got the tools.
Speaker 6 (40:55):
Now he has to believe he has the tools and
play with more confidence. One of the things that I know,
it's not an assistant coach, but talking with Naytan in Frisco,
that Thomas needs to play more with his arms. He
was letting the defensive ends get into his body and
(41:20):
he's trying to play with his shoulders. He said, he
needs to get his arms out. He's strong enough to
be able to hold guys off and you can direct
him that way. So that was one thing I saw
about that Aaron Whitecotton. It's pretty sharp the defensive line coach,
and I think the more people hear from him, the
(41:42):
more they're going to say, Okay, they ended up with
a really, really top notch defensive line coach. And you
know his deal is making sure that you know their
guys are attacking but doing their assignments. And let me
tell you. One thing I learned about him. You remember
(42:04):
when the Cowboys brought in the former players to watch
practice that day.
Speaker 7 (42:09):
I wasn't an ota or.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
One of those players, right, Yeah, I forgot watch.
Speaker 7 (42:16):
Practice and.
Speaker 6 (42:20):
Larry Larry Cole, the former Cowboys defensive tackle. Uh, we
were talking and he said, Hey, this this defensive line coach.
He goes, I said in the meeting, uh, And he goes,
I like this guy. He said, you know, you reminded
me of Ernie Stuttner. And I said, whoa, that's pretty
(42:41):
big compliment for a guy that was a defensive line
coach defensive coordinator for so long, and as a player
is in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 7 (42:51):
Uh. So uh yeah, you're gonna like you're gonna like
this white cotton. Uh for sure.
Speaker 6 (42:59):
I listened to little bit of David Overstreet, the secondary coach,
and he was talking about how he can't stand when
receivers catch a ball. He goes, I don't want anybody
to catch a ball. And he goes, when my guys
(43:19):
let somebody catch a ball, I get pissed off. And
so I said, oh, that's a different approach to coaching
the secondary. But that's how aggressive he wants his dbs
to be to be able to play the ball, and
that's one of Matt Eberflus's deal. And they felt like
(43:40):
they didn't play the ball enough to get takeaways in
that scrimmage. So I'm sure if you do that too much,
you'd probably get burned once or twice. But if you're
playing the way you're supposed to play and cover, then
I think that's probably would be a good sign. So
you know, they attack this four on one in my
(44:01):
case because I'm by myself and they had four guys
talking at the same time.
Speaker 3 (44:06):
Okay, we've got one minute left. I asked Mickey for
one coach and he gave me three. But we had
one minute left. We had a preseason game on Saturday night,
and so I want to go around the horn real quickly,
and one player that you're you want to see on
Saturday night you want to go first.
Speaker 8 (44:25):
I'm gonna start our rookie first round draft pick, Tyler Booker.
You know, I'm really excited to see him. I think
that he can bring a dynamic to this offensive line.
After losing Zach Martin, I mean, our offensive line has
struggled and then we couldn't get the run game going,
and having a piece like him, I think really will
help this offensive line in totality. The injuries right now
(44:46):
for the offensive line are starting to mount up, and
that's what's making me nervous right now for the group.
Speaker 2 (44:52):
But just seeing him, that's what I want.
Speaker 5 (44:53):
Ever soon you got one second rounder. I don't know
how to say his name. What's his name?
Speaker 2 (44:57):
Is a Roku?
Speaker 5 (44:58):
Is a rakkup?
Speaker 8 (45:00):
Use it?
Speaker 5 (45:00):
That's Bill's job, but.
Speaker 4 (45:03):
It's fun to say, what.
Speaker 5 (45:07):
Is a Roku? I want to see if that motor
can continue to work. I want to know if he's
going to be that guy to where you say when
he comes on the field, he's going to leave it
all out on the field. I want to see if
he's that guy. All right, get MVP Defensive, MVP of ACC.
Speaker 2 (45:21):
Then you're doing special.
Speaker 3 (45:23):
As Iroku number forty one, Booker number fifty two, Mickey,
who's your guy?
Speaker 6 (45:30):
Number twenty Cayir Elam. They really need this guy to
be a player. Even when Diggs came comes back, and
by the way, you remember we covered his dad, abe Elam.
He was out here the other day and he looked
good enough in shape that they could put him out there.
Speaker 4 (45:50):
Well, there you go.
Speaker 3 (45:51):
That could solve some of the problems there in the secondary.
Speaker 5 (45:55):
All right, you can add dad to the boss.
Speaker 4 (45:57):
Huh, that's right. Yeah, he's a little bill.
Speaker 7 (46:00):
Who's your guy?
Speaker 3 (46:01):
My guy's number ten. Joe Milton, Oh, Milton needs going
to be the star of the preseason. The thumb is
good to go, and as the broadcaster of the games,
I want Joe Milton to play as many snaps as possible.
We're not going to see dak right, he hasn't made
that efficient.
Speaker 7 (46:17):
I doubt it.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
Okay, Joe Burrow's playing for Cincinnata tonight, and around the
league there's a difference of opinion on whether your player
starters anyway. All right, we're done for this edition of
Mixed Shots. Enjoy the game on Saturday night, and they
will be back on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week.
Speaker 4 (46:37):
Is that what we're doing?
Speaker 3 (46:38):
Monday and Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (46:38):
Next No, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Monday and Wednesday.
Speaker 7 (46:42):
We leave on Thursday.
Speaker 4 (46:44):
Okay, very good.
Speaker 3 (46:45):
So you're a week away. You've almost conquered it. Oxnard Mickey. Yeah,
so he's speechless. Finally rendered him speechless.
Speaker 2 (46:55):
All right, I think that's right.
Speaker 4 (46:56):
Yeah, is Supreme cut his bike. I love it all
right because he knows that we gotta be done. He's
got another show.
Speaker 3 (47:03):
We got the Break coming up at the top of
the hour, and we'll see you next time, eleven o'clock
Dallas time on Monday on mix Shots.
Speaker 2 (47:11):
Oh Cowboys.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
This has been a production of dallascowboys dot Com and
the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.
The following is a production of Dallas Cowboys dot Com
and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Cowboys.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
This is Mick shot screaming live on Dallascowboys dot Com
and the official Dallas Cowboys at now. Here are Bill Jones, Hecma, Harrison,
Everson Wolves, and Mickey Spagnola.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
It is a Thursday morning here inside the SWBC podcast
studio at the Star in Frisco, and outside at the
corner of Ventura en Vineyard in Oxnard, California. That's where
the star of this show, Mickey Spagnola still is.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
And meanwhile, where is he?
Speaker 5 (00:51):
Where is he?
Speaker 4 (00:52):
Exactly at the corner of Ventura and Vineyard.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Is that way they're That's exactly right, Okay, yeah, all right, yeah,
where the Cowboys have called their training camp home for
some nineteen summers now, And of course Everson was a
part of those training camp homes for basically a full decade.
Up the down the road, thousand down the road in
two thousand and ozerhe is.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
It CLC or CLU, it's now CLU.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
California Lutheran University used to be California Lutheran College. But
you got Bill Jones, You've got Hecma.
Speaker 5 (01:24):
Harrison Harris Moles who we areoy hexus strong baby, that's right,
and we are we.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Love welcoming hecma to the team to keep us straight here.
And Everson Walls, who was not here on Tuesday because
he didn't get the memo.
Speaker 5 (01:41):
I did not get the memo. You guys got to
look out for me. Have you all forgotten you remember
last Are you supposed to call me?
Speaker 6 (01:48):
No?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Even if you guys.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
Who show is it it's mixed shots?
Speaker 5 (01:52):
If you guys, even if you're not here and it's
a minute, I'm calling your number.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Hey man, what are you?
Speaker 5 (01:58):
But I get no kind of I don't.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Get that reciprocate.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Wow, no reciprocation at all. That's okay.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I think I think it was on Mickey not to
let you know that we were getting together on Tuesday,
and uh, Mickey Spagnola, I'll let you start things off
out there because I know you can't wait to get
things started. Looks like it's not as hot and sunny
out there today. You don't have the sun shining on
your forehead this morning.
Speaker 6 (02:27):
Only because Producer Supreme put an umbrella over my head.
The sun is out brightly it's warming up. It's sixty
three degrees, which is five degrees warmer than it was
when I woke up and it was fallah right, I
do mean fahrenheit, and I had to take my sunglasses
(02:50):
off right in my bike in because it was so
foggy my sunglasses got it.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Such a tough life, Yes, it's such a tough life.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
It is, Umbrella.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Thank you for really sacrificing yourself the way you are.
Speaker 7 (03:04):
I do it every year just for you guys.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Meanwhile, here it's eighty.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Eight degrees with a high of ninety six, and Mickey
will have a high of about seventy.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Two as usual.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
So much to get to on this edition of the show.
As we had the joint practice on Tuesday. What you
missed Everson? On Tuesday morning, we previewed the joint practice
the Cowboys and the Rams, and so now we got
to get the review.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
But to get kick.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Things off since Everson, it's been six weeks or so
since we've seen you, let's just find out from Everson
what his preliminary thoughts are on this Cowboys team. Now
more than two weeks into training camp and just two
days away from the preseason opener at the Rams on
Saturday night.
Speaker 5 (03:54):
Believe in not bild. I have very few thoughts on that.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Okay, that's it. Heck, may you take it away now.
Speaker 8 (04:00):
I figured we get more than that, but I'm learning
a lot about Uh.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
We we got more questions than we have answered.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, I know, but that's okay.
Speaker 8 (04:09):
I tried to pick his brains on some things earlier
when he came into the studio and I.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Got literally the same. I thought it was me and
it's not.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
You didn't think you'd bring that to the ad do that.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
But he did keeps it on us, keeps it real. Absolutely,
he does.
Speaker 8 (04:26):
You know, after the joint practice, after watching it, you know,
I really felt like the tempo of the practice had changed,
especially for the Cowboys, which you've seen them in practice,
and when you saw them get into you know, obviously
a guy with a different color in front of you,
a lot changed. I loved the the interview yesterday with
coach Schottenheimer when he was basically saying, look, it was
(04:48):
good to get those looks with the team like the Rams.
That gave them multiple things to think about. So they
gave them you know, hey, when when you're scheming up
against a team like that, and especially going into Saturday,
gives these guys a lot to consider, especially when you've
been going up against your own guys and you've kind
of become accustom.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
And used to those plays.
Speaker 8 (05:07):
And I know, you know a lot of guys, Hey,
they know what's coming, but when you go against the
other team, you don't know what's coming. So we saw
those changes, and I think it's just gonna be an
adjustment for this young team.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
All right, So Mickey, what's your takeaway?
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Being an eyewitness to what happened on Tuesday in Oxnard?
Speaker 6 (05:25):
I basically watched the offense the entire time, so I
thought they had some moments. But as I wrote at
the beginning of the week, I like all the skill
players they have here, the fact that Dack's back, You've
got C d Lamb, George Pickens, Cavante Turpin is starting
(05:48):
to show up as a true wide receiver Ferguson, and
that's fine and good, but none of those guys can
do what they need to do if the offensive line
doesn't play well. And the offensive line did struggle some,
especially in the running game, and so it probably should
(06:09):
have been expected at least for this first scrimmage against
somebody else. They've been working against the four to three
defense the whole time here, and the Rams came in
with a three four and they got a pretty darn
good front. And we can start with Jared Verse. They're
outside linebacker who's basically a pass rusher. So I saw
(06:33):
a lot of missed assignments, meaning they weren't physically getting beat,
but they were mentally getting beat. And there were too
many times the running backs were getting hit behind the
line of scrimmage. And when that's happening, you're allowing guys
to just come through without being touched. So they struggled
(06:55):
running the football. And if you look at Brian Schottenheimer's
history as an offensive coordinator at different places, one of
his calling cards was running the football. So the offensive
lines got to improve. But again, if you look at
it realistically, Nate Thomas is playing late left tackle. He
(07:21):
hadn't played in a game since twenty twenty three, and
it wasn't left tackle.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
And it wasn't in the NFL. It was at the
University of Louisiana.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:32):
Brock Hoffman, who had been playing mostly backup center, now
is your backup left guard, and then Tyler Booker has
not played against an NFL team with a different color jersey,
So there was a lot of young guys on that
offensive line getting somewhat exposed for their lack of experience.
(07:57):
So I thought Schottenheimer said it best yesyesterday during his
press conference. He said, you know, when you're talking about
line play, it's got to be like a symphony. Everybody's
got to be on the same page. You got to
be orchestrated, and a lot of times they weren't. So
we'll see if this improves on Saturday. And the other thing,
(08:20):
let's point out they didn't prepare for a three to
four defense.
Speaker 7 (08:25):
They didn't prepare for maybe what the Rams were gonna do.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
They just said, hey, go out there, use your eyes,
play your technique, and let's see what happens. Well, they struggled.
But when they blocked it the Cowboys and this got
lost in the shuffle here the passing game, they were
ripping the Rams secondary apart when they gave Dak the
(08:52):
proper protection.
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Hey, Spags, I was wondering, but you didn't even see
the defensive side of it. But you know, before Bill
moved on from my open statement I was gonna say,
I have been worried about what's in the trenches for
the Cowboys this year. Of course, we have all the stars,
we have all the receivers, we got the running back,
(09:16):
we got the quarterback, tight ends and all of that.
But where we were getting our butts kicked last year
was in the trenches, not just offensively, but also defensively.
I don't think we shored ourselves up enough this off
season in regards to girth. You know, we need some
big guys down up front, and we seem to go
(09:38):
the opposite way. We have more athletic guys than we
have guys that can clog.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Up the middle.
Speaker 5 (09:44):
Was that were we exposed any at all by the
Rams running game yesterday?
Speaker 6 (09:51):
They hit some big runs against the Cowboys, but again
I think of it, a lot of it had to
do with, you know, not knowing enough about the Rams.
There was too many holes for a couple big runs.
(10:12):
And again I'm not sure who was on the field
when they did that.
Speaker 7 (10:19):
But the only.
Speaker 6 (10:20):
Spot they got bigger at up front was their seventh
round pick, Jay Toya, who has been somewhat surprising for
a seventh round pick.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
I still need more.
Speaker 6 (10:35):
Yes, I think so. And he's getting some snake. He
actually got some snaps with the first team. That'll be
a position they need to keep their eye on. They
did bring in a veteran, a guy Perry On Winfrey,
who didn't play. I don't remember how much he played
(10:57):
last year. If he was hurt, he was, and he
he was in the USFL or the UFLU, so he's
a little bigger body. They need him to get going
if it's gonna help in the middle. And then Mazie,
we'll see where he's at. He did got a little
bit of a knee irritation. The defensive ends I think
(11:21):
will be pretty strong. Aaron Whitecotton, the defensive line coach,
was high and really high and Azeroku, as a matter
of fact, he was trying to get him to draft
him in the first round, not the second round. And
I think from a defensive ends standpoint, I think they've
(11:42):
hit a home run there. Now he's young, right, but hey,
he led the you know, the acc in sacks last year.
He was the defensive player of the year, so he's
got something. So that helps. I think Kneeland healthy is
playing well. You know, Folloer's going to be the rotational
(12:03):
defensive end. But none of that answers your question because
the guy that they the biggest guy, or I should
the most experienced guy they added, is Solomon Thomas, and
he's he's basically a three technique, not a one technique.
So I'm gonna have to say how that position plays out.
Speaker 5 (12:22):
I gotta say, spags. I remember when I was with
the Giants and we were pretty good at stopping the run,
and the main thing that Diasce and Peppa Johnson were
doing they were closing that that they were bursting that
bubble between them and the offensive lineman. In other words,
they didn't leave any gap when it came to running
the ball. They were going to make sure and attack
(12:44):
those guards right off the bat once they realized it
was run.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
Do we have any linebackers like that right now? How
are they playing?
Speaker 5 (12:53):
Not necessarily against the Rams, but how have they been
playing all training camp in regards to playing, you know,
being able to play downhill against the run as linebackers.
Speaker 6 (13:05):
So Everson, I got to qualify it because you know,
until Saturday, they haven't actually tackle played tackle football, right
It's thumping up trying to fill the spot. And I
thought Jack Sanborn might be a pleasant surprise. He's about
the size of Sean Lee. Now, does he have the
(13:26):
instincts of Shawn Lee. He's shown a little bit of that,
and that's what he's going to have to rely on
because he's not the biggest middle linebacker. But then again,
KENDRICKX last year, if I remember correctly led the team
with one hundred and forty five tackles and he wasn't
the biggest linebacker either. Kenneth Murray was really playing well
(13:48):
until he missed about a week he went home for
the birth of a child, and so he's just getting
back in the swing of things. Leo File I think
is doing what they're are expecting him to do.
Speaker 7 (14:02):
And then there.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
It was fourth round, fifth round draft choice Shermar James
as a rookie. I think he's got I think he's
got caught their eyes. So from a linebacker standpoint, if
they can at least give them an opportunity, I think
they'll be okay. And now the other thing I'm going
to add and and Everson might or might not appreciate this,
(14:30):
but eber Flus, the defensive coordinator, said, if we're going
to play the run, well, the cornerbacks have to tackle.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Oh yeah, no house guests, No house guests.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
Right, all right, heckma, let's let's hear you way in
on this front.
Speaker 8 (14:47):
Seven on defense now, I think what you know, what
Everson brings up about the defensive line is what all
Cowboy fans have been talking about. I mean, I think
Mozzie Smith and his struggles in the middle of the field,
and you see the running game from other This is
what the Dallas Cowboys haven't been able to stop in
years has been the run and they've needed that guy
that that plugger in the middle basically. And what you're
(15:08):
talking about schematically, are our guys two gap guys?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Are they you know, are they shooting the gaps? Things
like that?
Speaker 8 (15:14):
And I think that's the excitement that Ibra Fluss brings
as a defensive coordinator because you need to see that
change because when you bring up the linebackers and just
go back, going back to last year, it was a struggle.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
You know those guys.
Speaker 8 (15:29):
I'm putting it mouthly, but it was because you know,
they had you know, they had these guys, you know,
those offensive guards and tackles in their laps at all time,
and so if you bringing in a guy like Solomon
Thomas bringing having Osa Diggi Zua on a new contract.
You know, Perry and Winfrey. The guy that they're talking about,
(15:50):
he's six four, two hundred and ninety pounds. But the
guy that Mickey was just speaking of, Jay Toya, he's
six four, three and thirty.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Pounds to Okay, So a guy like that, you probably
isn't very easy to move.
Speaker 8 (16:07):
And that's all those linebackers need to have to be
able to diagnose and read right. And so going back
to that, Johnny, you bring up a team that you say, yeah,
we were able to stop the run, Well, heck yeah,
y'all were, I mean, but all the other pieces that
y'all had around were able to shed and get to
the ball because guys were not going ten yards the
other way. And so that is literally the one thing
(16:28):
that coach Eberflus has to implement with this defense is
guys getting up feeling. If you're a two gap guy,
take up that space and don't allow for yourself to
be taken back. And that's what we've been seeing year
after year.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
And the other thing ever soon to remember about Perry
on Winfrey is that he's in Oklahoma.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
So wow, wow, that got plugged.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
Right well that yeah, you should have a calendar, a
calendar around here.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
So there's one one Oklahoma's mention right there, all right.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
When we come back on mix shots, more takes from
Mickey on what he saw at the joint practice, says
we get you ready also for the first preseason game
of the year Saturday night. In fact, we've got preseason
football tonight. Yes, more mix shots than justin Ballman.
Speaker 9 (17:24):
Middle Light, the legendary light beer, the originator, the inventor.
If this beer could talk, it'll tell stories about that
one time that night, that one guy, that one gal.
Writing a story fifty years long and fifty million friends wide,
because legendary stories start with a light. Here's the fifty
(17:46):
years of mill time. Celebrate Responsibly twenty twenty five Milli
Boom Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Star Sports Tours is the only official fan travel partner
of the Dallas Cowboys, offering exclusive game weekend travel packages
with pregame sideline access and photo ops with current players, cheerleaders,
and Cowboy legends. You want to stay at a team hotel,
attend the best tail gay party in Texas. Tour the
Star and talk ex'es and ods with me Everson Walls.
(18:15):
With Star Sports Tours, you can visit Cowboystravel dot com
to book your travel package today.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
AT and T has.
Speaker 10 (18:23):
A new guarantee because most things in life are not guaranteed,
like getting through self checkout by.
Speaker 11 (18:29):
Yourself warning, each item must be placed in the bagging area.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Not guarantee.
Speaker 11 (18:34):
Place item in the bagging area. Place item in the
bagging area.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
You know what.
Speaker 10 (18:38):
AT and T guarantees connectivity. You depend on deals you
want and service you deserve, or we make it right.
Burms and conditions. Supply is at ATT dot com. Slash
guarantee for details. AT and T Connecting changes everything.
Speaker 12 (18:52):
The National Medal of Honor Museum is now open in Arlington, Texas,
just a few blocks from AT and T Stadium. Immersive
exhibit and exciting technology allow you to fly a rescue
helicopter mission in Vietnam and have conversations with virtual Medal
of Honor recipients. Come be inspired by these incredible stories
(19:12):
of ordinary Americans who did the extraordinary. Get your tickets
at mohmuseum dot org.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
To mixed shots.
Speaker 5 (19:27):
The official twenty twenty five Dallas Cowboys Star magazine, Training
Camp Preview is now available. This year's edition features scouting reports,
position analysis, a pull out schedule poster, and articles from
your favorite Cowboys writers spags. Get your Training Camp Preview
today at your local pro shop or Dallascowboys dot Com
(19:49):
slash store money.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
All right, Oh, it's so great to hear the voice
of Everson.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Wow, thank you read once again.
Speaker 5 (19:58):
So I feel at home.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I feel and sounds like you've been practicing a lot
that was flawless.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Did I need the practice?
Speaker 5 (20:08):
It sounds like I needed the practice.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
They need the practice that you got that burner education.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
Yeah, all education, there you go.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
All right, Mickey Spagnola, what's the what are they doing
out there today?
Speaker 4 (20:27):
They had a day off yesterday?
Speaker 5 (20:28):
Is that what?
Speaker 4 (20:29):
No practice yesterday?
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Right?
Speaker 6 (20:31):
No, no practice a day off, so they they had
they had to walkthroughs or talk throughs.
Speaker 7 (20:40):
However Schottenheimer describes it.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
Uh, they'll get on the field with a pre practice
walk through here in about about an hour or maybe
by time we finish here, and then a full practice today.
I would imagine they back off a little bit on Friday,
though they have a practice scheduled and then leave for
(21:02):
LA on Saturday morning. They're expected to arrive at the
stadium around noon for a four o'clock game.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Okay, very good at six o'clock game Dallas time on
Saturday night. Aside from the run defense, heck, mo, from
what you're hearing from out there, what is it that
coming out of the Tuesday joint practice that caught your eye?
Speaker 8 (21:27):
Well, I guess you know, coach Schatt Nahumer talked about
DeVante Adams is still pretty good. You saw that they
still have Pookinaka and other guys out there, and they
just look basically playing of vanilla coverage, you're gonna get
burned and you're gonna get shown up, especially with a
Sean mcvay's offense.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
So some of those things you see, I think.
Speaker 8 (21:47):
It for people from the outside looking in, you're just like,
oh my god, these are just the same problems that
we had last season. Because you ended the season on
a Terry mcclaurin touchdown in the corner. So that's the
last thoughts of everyone, right, and so you want to
see the secondary get better. You want to see these
guys ball hawking. But like Everson Wall said, look, man,
(22:08):
nobody's counting interceptions. You know in training camp right now,
but you just want to see these guys be able
to turn, you know, and pivot and isolate isolate themselves,
but also you know, get to the ball immediately.
Speaker 5 (22:22):
Has anyone shown.
Speaker 4 (22:24):
Yeah, let's talk cornerbacks it right.
Speaker 5 (22:26):
Yeah, especially whether they've been seeing Heck or Spags. Have
any dbs shown.
Speaker 4 (22:33):
And you're going to be out of the conversation.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
I was out there for two weeks, will you Yeah? Okay, well, Bill,
you know what I do.
Speaker 5 (22:40):
See the Golden Tan.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Everybody came.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Ba's why you got the camera?
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Yes, absolutely so.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
I mean when you tell me where the concern is
the injuries at cornerback right now, I mean when you
don't have a Treyvon Diggs out there, and you don't
have the third round draft picks of owned rebel out there,
and the list goes on and on with other cornerbacks
as well, and so these other guys, who's going to
be ready September fourth at Philadelphia? But Mickey, who's caught
(23:08):
your eye as a kyer elam is one I.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Was going to ask you. He was playing pretty well.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
Yeah, And of course you got de Ron Bland did
miss some time for the birth of a child. But
he has been back for a week now and so
you're starting to see it come together a little bit.
But Kayln Carson the fifth round path, he's out for
six weeks so, and he battled injuries last year. Mickey,
what are you seeing out of the corners out there?
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (23:37):
Not enough Without Trayvon Diggs out there, you know, he's
kind of holding that position hostage because he's not ready.
Speaker 7 (23:49):
And and you know, I understand he had a pretty significant.
Speaker 6 (23:55):
Operation surgery on the cartilage in his knee, but he
chose not to train rehab with the Cowboys trainers. He
did it whoever he paid in Miami to stay there
and do it. So the big thing right now with him,
(24:16):
I see him working out, he's starting to re engage
with his teammates, but his conditioning is keeping him out
of practice. And I can't get a straight answer on
when he's going to be ready.
Speaker 7 (24:33):
But he's not ready now.
Speaker 5 (24:34):
So Alie, but his conditioning. Is that what you're saying
right now?
Speaker 6 (24:40):
It's his conditioning, yes, and so they're working them hard,
but let's see when he gets on the field, because
without him on the field, here's the dilemma. Their best
outside corner on the field now is Deron Bland. Okay,
their best to play in the slot right now is
(25:02):
Doron Blant just playing both? I guess he can do yeah,
I guess he can do both. But if he plays
in the slot, who's on the outside. Kyir Elam has
caught everybody's eye? Yes, now, he he never really engaged
and injuries had something to do with it with Buffalo
(25:23):
and why they were willing to trade him. So they
need him to really step up on the outside they're
gonna put he has now.
Speaker 7 (25:36):
I don't know how he played in the scrimmage.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
I didn't get a chance to see that part, but
in practice he's been the guy on the outside, so
that helps. But after that, it's pretty thin. You know,
without Digs out there, you know, they've given booth An opportunity,
They've given Troy Pride opportunity. You probably can go out
(26:04):
there and cover better than those guys.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
So that is not a good sign that side.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
The depth, the depth that cornerback without Digs on the
field is troublesome and I think it probably showed up
in the scrimmage and I would imagine it'll show up
in the game now.
Speaker 7 (26:23):
Here's the other thing.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
As Schottenheimer pointed out, they play everything they did offensively
and defensively was vanilla. As he said, we pulled out
a seven iron and we played eighteen holes just using
our seven iron. And I thought this was a pretty
pretty on the spot because he said, you know, everybody
(26:47):
knows what Sean McVeigh does with their offense and defense.
He's been doing it for seven or eight years, so
he's got nothing to hide. What he does has been exposed.
They don't know what the Cowboys are going to do,
and he's not going to reveal anything till they get
to Philadelphia, so you can count on a vanilla offense
(27:07):
and a vanilla defense. And as he said, and we
were going to be real vanilla on offense until I
got pissed off and I decided we're throwing deep. And
that's when Milton hooked up with Jalen Brooks. But they
weren't supposed to call those because they didn't want to
show anything, and.
Speaker 7 (27:25):
So they said, well, what are you going to do
going forward?
Speaker 6 (27:28):
He goes, We're going to play with the seven iron
until I get pissed off.
Speaker 5 (27:33):
Okay, so you you have what were the rams playing
with Were they playing with the seven nine as well?
Speaker 6 (27:40):
They they with everything everything.
Speaker 7 (27:44):
They had nothing to hide. They didn't have nothing to hide.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Because people have scouted and they know what Sean McVay
does on offense.
Speaker 5 (27:52):
Yes, yeah, yeah, I have. That was the question.
Speaker 8 (27:56):
My question is, you know, when when Mickey says that
Trayvon Diggs is holding the secondary hostage, that is, well,
that's hot off the press.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
When did get hurt last year?
Speaker 8 (28:06):
I know?
Speaker 5 (28:06):
But but what time of the you know what it
was at.
Speaker 7 (28:10):
The end of the year.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
He ended up on ir and they they had to
do a surgery.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
And I'll just explain it.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
He he had like a divot in his cartilage and
they had to pack in, uh, some replacement for the
cartilage that had the hole in there.
Speaker 5 (28:27):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (28:27):
And you know, and and let's look at it this way.
Speaker 6 (28:31):
He had a workout clause in his contract right that
if he didn't do eighty percent of the work with
the Cowboys at the facility, he was going to get
docked five hundred thousand dollars off his base salary.
Speaker 7 (28:46):
He was willing to.
Speaker 6 (28:47):
Lose five hundred thousand dollars not working out with the Cowboys, Okay, and.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
So that's a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
The reality of the situation quickly, a lot of money.
Speaker 6 (29:02):
Yoh, did I emphasize the five thousand dollars five hundred
thousand dollars?
Speaker 7 (29:08):
Right? And here's the other thing.
Speaker 6 (29:10):
He's got a per game bonus in his contract where
uh he if he plays in all seventeen games or
as active for all seventeen games, he's going to make
another million dollars. So every game he is not active,
he's going to lose out on fifty eight thousand dollars
a game. So not only did he not work out,
(29:34):
if he's not ready to start the season, now he's
he's not getting deducted money, he's losing the ability to
make the money.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
I get it. But here's the things.
Speaker 7 (29:45):
But here we are.
Speaker 5 (29:46):
He's not going to be ready. He's not going to
be if he just got hurt at the end of
the season last year. They didn't expect for him to
be ready for the season this year, did they? Oh?
Speaker 7 (29:57):
No, they expected him to be ready. They did off
of a Yes, a c L injury.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
It wasn't.
Speaker 4 (30:04):
It wasn't an a.
Speaker 5 (30:05):
C It wasn't.
Speaker 7 (30:05):
No, it wasn't an a CL It was it was cartilage.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
It was cartilage, but it was some special surgery that
that Mickey explained.
Speaker 4 (30:13):
I wasn't listening to.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
Write each other trying to do business up here with bags.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
I'm admired.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
He was looking at my flip cards for the Preson
game on Saturday. Well, what professional broadcasters would do it
on a computer?
Speaker 4 (30:33):
And everything?
Speaker 2 (30:34):
I do it.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
Right everything, So, just so you know, he was trying
to decide to dissect what I've written on my flip side,
and so he wrote a little note to me, and.
Speaker 8 (30:45):
These are his spot of boards for the game. And
I told him that the spotter board looked like a
cheesecake factory menu.
Speaker 4 (30:51):
Right, I'm the only one who can read it.
Speaker 5 (30:55):
Grand Look, that's exactly what is this you do?
Speaker 4 (31:00):
That's why I don't Mickey.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
Mickey is my spotter on a lot of most of
these preseason games. And the reason Mickey can't do can't
spot the players is because he can't read it.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
He can't read.
Speaker 3 (31:12):
My my flip card, my spotterboard in order to find
who made that tackle.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
And so.
Speaker 4 (31:21):
No, I can read it.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Okay, that I can read.
Speaker 3 (31:25):
It, Okay, Button, you digressed?
Speaker 7 (31:31):
Yes, all right?
Speaker 3 (31:32):
When we come back here, we had the assistant coaches
talked to the media for the first time yesterday, and
I'm going to assume Mickey Spagnola was doing his job
and was in on those interviews, and we need to
hear uh his takeaways from some of those assistant coaches
when we come back on Mixed Shots in just a moment.
Speaker 5 (31:53):
Star Sports Tools is the only official fan travel partner
of the Dallas Cowboys, offering exclusive game weekend travel packages
with pregame, sideline access and photo ops with current players, cheerleaders,
and Cowboy legends. You want to stay at the team hotel,
attend the best tail gay party in Texas, tour the
Star and talk ex'es and odes with me Everson Walls.
(32:15):
With Star Sports Tours, you can visit cowboystravel dot com
to book your travel package today.
Speaker 12 (32:22):
The National Medal of Honor Museum is now open in Arlington, Texas,
just a few blocks from AT and T Stadium. Immersive
exhibits and exciting technology allow you to fly a rescue
helicopter mission in Vietnam and have conversations with virtual Medal
of Honor recipients. Come be inspired by these incredible stories
(32:42):
of ordinary Americans who did the extraordinary. Get your tickets
at Mohmuseum dot org.
Speaker 10 (32:49):
AT and T has a new guarantee because most things
in life are not guaranteed, like getting through self checkout
by yourself warning.
Speaker 11 (32:57):
Each item must be placed in the bagging area.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Not guarantee.
Speaker 11 (33:01):
Place item in the bagging area. Place item in the
bagging area.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
You know what.
Speaker 10 (33:05):
AT and T guarantees connectivity. You depend on deals you want,
in service you deserve, or we make it right, burns
and conditions about it is a att dot com slash
guarantee for details. AT and T Connecting changes everything.
Speaker 9 (33:20):
Middle light the legendary light beer, the originator, the inventor.
If this beer could talk, it'll tell stories about that
one time, that night, that one guy, that one gal.
Writing a story fifty years long and fifty million friends wide.
Because legendary stories start with a light. Here's the fifty
(33:42):
years of mill of time. Celebrate responsibly twenty twenty five
Milli Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Speaker 7 (33:50):
To Mixed Shots.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Cowboys Nation.
Speaker 5 (33:57):
The twenty twenty five Dallas Cowboys schedule is a fit.
Actually here and limited tickets are available now. Get ready
to bring the noise as you watch your cowboys live
at AT and T Stadium when they host NFC East Rivals, Eagles,
Giants and Commanders plus Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings and Cardinals.
Visit Dallascowboys dot com slash tickets or SeatGeek dot com,
(34:20):
the official primary ticketing partner of the Dallas Cowboys.
Speaker 4 (34:23):
See any easy marks on that home schedule.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
There, I did not.
Speaker 5 (34:28):
Maybe Giants, Maybe Giants, we might be the easy Yeah,
that's my stat date.
Speaker 3 (34:41):
All right, our third and final segment on this episode
of Mixed Shots. Let's kick this segment off with Hekma
posing a question of Mickey and Oxnard California.
Speaker 8 (34:52):
Well, you know, I thought it was interesting when Mickey
is talking about Deron Bland and I think Duran in
a contract year, the position flexibility may be not adding
to his value as a player. When what I mean
by that is nickel corners don't make the same that
the guys on on islands make. So they've been playing
(35:13):
even in OTA's he's been playing the nickel a lot.
And so you know, in this in an environment where
you're trying to add and get more money, I see
that as something that may be a hindrance to him
as an athlete.
Speaker 2 (35:25):
We know how good he is.
Speaker 8 (35:26):
He set NFL records, you know for returns on interceptions,
And I just wanted to know from you, Mickey, have
you heard anything about that? It's any whispers of that
from Deron Blain's camp. Are just talking about how that
may affect him when he comes to sign.
Speaker 3 (35:41):
Let me let me throw this in there before you
answer that, Mickey, I'm thinking that I wouldn't be surprised
if Deron Bland doesn't go into a contract year this year.
In other words, they get something done here just a thought.
Speaker 6 (35:56):
What would not surprise me either, And that makes him
more valuable. Remember what Barber did in Tampa Bay in
base defense, he played outside corner. When they went to nickel,
he played inside. So you can do both, and I
think doing both makes you even more valuable to this team.
Speaker 5 (36:19):
I agree with you on that. Yeah, that's I did
the same thing.
Speaker 6 (36:23):
I mean, think about it. Not every outside curtainer can
go into the slot.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
Well tell me about and play. And I think the
fact that he's he'll be playing rundowns on the outside
based defense on the outside and then able to switch
inside on the slot, I think that just makes him
that gives him another bullet in his gun. You know,
I truly believe it makes him more valuable as opposed
to less valuable, because he's able to do both. What
(36:52):
it does, it brings an opportunity for another player who
may not be able to play the slot. It gives
him an opportunit. I wanted to stay away from this
weak spot and be able to play outside like most
base corners are accustomed to doing. I had to do
it as I got older, and the guy from Tampa
he had to do it as he got older as well.
(37:15):
So coming in able to.
Speaker 7 (37:16):
Do that, it was Rondez bar Rondez.
Speaker 5 (37:19):
Bareseah coming in coming in being able to do that
at this time of his career is a bonus because
most of us don't were forced into it later on
in our careers.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
All right.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
I think how they line up Bill on Saturday. They've
been using Keemen Hall quite a bit in the slot,
so that's an opportunity for him to kind of show
what he can do. And I talked to Kayer Elam
about the slot, and he said, you know, he he
has done both. He said he did both at Florida,
(37:57):
but they've primarily used him as one of the outside
guys because they're without digs there. They're pretty thin at
outside cornerback, and you know.
Speaker 5 (38:09):
Let's in case. I'm sure a lot of fans understand
the difference between that slot and being the base corner.
You know, when you play the corner in base defense,
then you always have alignments that you can count on
to give you a tip off on what the offense
is trying to do and what the wide receiver is
trying to do against you. If you're lined up too
(38:29):
close to the sidelines, then you can kind of as
a defensive back, you can play further inside things of
that nature. If he lines up tight, then you can
look for him to possibly setting up something for going
to cross the field. Basically, what I'm saying is the
positioning of the wide receiver on the outside it depicts
what they might be trying to do when they run routes.
(38:50):
But when you get at the slot area, when you're
playing slot defense, that wide receiver has the entire field
to work with. And that can be this concerning for
dbs because you there's no tip unless you really study hard,
there's no obvious tip on what route this wide receiver
(39:12):
might run based on alignment. When you lined up in
the slot, you can go anywhere the hell you want
to go as a wide receiver.
Speaker 6 (39:18):
So Everson, So Everson, If it's is it harder to
double the receiver in the slot?
Speaker 2 (39:26):
It is not.
Speaker 7 (39:26):
On the outside, it is not.
Speaker 5 (39:28):
As a matter of fact, you can disguise it very
well as long as you and your safety can be
creative on how you can disguise. So, No, a double
from the slot to me, and especially the fact that
that's your number one receiver on most third down passes
and plays, that's that slot position can get you in trouble.
(39:48):
As we saw the Cowboys do against Green Bay. You know,
when you know that Cede Lamb is on the move
and he's making that move as a slot receiver, they
jumped it right away from the double ti. They had
somebody waiting inside while the cornerback that was covering him
played the outside, and of course that resulted in the
pick six for Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 3 (40:09):
Okay, Mickey, assistant coaches talked yesterday, give me one assistant
coach that you listen to that cut your ear.
Speaker 7 (40:19):
Well, a couple.
Speaker 6 (40:22):
We can start with Connor Riley, the offensive line coach.
He was talking about how Tyler Booker needs to just
go out and play football.
Speaker 2 (40:36):
It said.
Speaker 6 (40:37):
He said, he's trying to be too perfect and he's
trying to think too much. He just needs to cut
it loose, is one of the things he said. And
the other thing about Nate Thomas, he said he's.
Speaker 7 (40:53):
Got the tools.
Speaker 6 (40:55):
Now he has to believe he has the tools and
play with more confidence. One of the things that I know,
it's not an assistant coach, but talking with Naytan in Frisco,
that Thomas needs to play more with his arms. He
was letting the defensive ends get into his body and
(41:20):
he's trying to play with his shoulders. He said, he
needs to get his arms out. He's strong enough to
be able to hold guys off and you can direct
him that way. So that was one thing I saw
about that Aaron Whitecotton. It's pretty sharp the defensive line coach,
and I think the more people hear from him, the
(41:42):
more they're going to say, Okay, they ended up with
a really, really top notch defensive line coach. And you
know his deal is making sure that you know their
guys are attacking but doing their assignments. And let me
tell you. One thing I learned about him. You remember
(42:04):
when the Cowboys brought in the former players to watch
practice that day.
Speaker 7 (42:09):
I wasn't an ota or.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
One of those players, right, Yeah, I forgot watch.
Speaker 7 (42:16):
Practice and.
Speaker 6 (42:20):
Larry Larry Cole, the former Cowboys defensive tackle. Uh, we
were talking and he said, Hey, this this defensive line coach.
He goes, I said in the meeting, uh, And he goes,
I like this guy. He said, you know, you reminded
me of Ernie Stuttner. And I said, whoa, that's pretty
(42:41):
big compliment for a guy that was a defensive line
coach defensive coordinator for so long, and as a player
is in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 7 (42:51):
Uh. So uh yeah, you're gonna like you're gonna like
this white cotton. Uh for sure.
Speaker 6 (42:59):
I listened to little bit of David Overstreet, the secondary coach,
and he was talking about how he can't stand when
receivers catch a ball. He goes, I don't want anybody
to catch a ball. And he goes, when my guys
(43:19):
let somebody catch a ball, I get pissed off. And
so I said, oh, that's a different approach to coaching
the secondary. But that's how aggressive he wants his dbs
to be to be able to play the ball, and
that's one of Matt Eberflus's deal. And they felt like
(43:40):
they didn't play the ball enough to get takeaways in
that scrimmage. So I'm sure if you do that too much,
you'd probably get burned once or twice. But if you're
playing the way you're supposed to play and cover, then
I think that's probably would be a good sign. So
you know, they attack this four on one in my
(44:01):
case because I'm by myself and they had four guys
talking at the same time.
Speaker 3 (44:06):
Okay, we've got one minute left. I asked Mickey for
one coach and he gave me three. But we had
one minute left. We had a preseason game on Saturday night,
and so I want to go around the horn real quickly,
and one player that you're you want to see on
Saturday night you want to go first.
Speaker 8 (44:25):
I'm gonna start our rookie first round draft pick, Tyler Booker.
You know, I'm really excited to see him. I think
that he can bring a dynamic to this offensive line.
After losing Zach Martin, I mean, our offensive line has
struggled and then we couldn't get the run game going,
and having a piece like him, I think really will
help this offensive line in totality. The injuries right now
(44:46):
for the offensive line are starting to mount up, and
that's what's making me nervous right now for the group.
Speaker 2 (44:52):
But just seeing him, that's what I want.
Speaker 5 (44:53):
Ever soon you got one second rounder. I don't know
how to say his name. What's his name?
Speaker 2 (44:57):
Is a Roku?
Speaker 5 (44:58):
Is a rakkup?
Speaker 8 (45:00):
Use it?
Speaker 5 (45:00):
That's Bill's job, but.
Speaker 4 (45:03):
It's fun to say, what.
Speaker 5 (45:07):
Is a Roku? I want to see if that motor
can continue to work. I want to know if he's
going to be that guy to where you say when
he comes on the field, he's going to leave it
all out on the field. I want to see if
he's that guy. All right, get MVP Defensive, MVP of ACC.
Speaker 2 (45:21):
Then you're doing special.
Speaker 3 (45:23):
As Iroku number forty one, Booker number fifty two, Mickey,
who's your guy?
Speaker 6 (45:30):
Number twenty Cayir Elam. They really need this guy to
be a player. Even when Diggs came comes back, and
by the way, you remember we covered his dad, abe Elam.
He was out here the other day and he looked
good enough in shape that they could put him out there.
Speaker 4 (45:50):
Well, there you go.
Speaker 3 (45:51):
That could solve some of the problems there in the secondary.
Speaker 5 (45:55):
All right, you can add dad to the boss.
Speaker 4 (45:57):
Huh, that's right. Yeah, he's a little bill.
Speaker 7 (46:00):
Who's your guy?
Speaker 3 (46:01):
My guy's number ten. Joe Milton, Oh, Milton needs going
to be the star of the preseason. The thumb is
good to go, and as the broadcaster of the games,
I want Joe Milton to play as many snaps as possible.
We're not going to see dak right, he hasn't made
that efficient.
Speaker 7 (46:17):
I doubt it.
Speaker 3 (46:17):
Okay, Joe Burrow's playing for Cincinnata tonight, and around the
league there's a difference of opinion on whether your player
starters anyway. All right, we're done for this edition of
Mixed Shots. Enjoy the game on Saturday night, and they
will be back on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week.
Speaker 4 (46:37):
Is that what we're doing?
Speaker 3 (46:38):
Monday and Wednesday.
Speaker 4 (46:38):
Next No, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Monday and Wednesday.
Speaker 7 (46:42):
We leave on Thursday.
Speaker 4 (46:44):
Okay, very good.
Speaker 3 (46:45):
So you're a week away. You've almost conquered it. Oxnard Mickey. Yeah,
so he's speechless. Finally rendered him speechless.
Speaker 2 (46:55):
All right, I think that's right.
Speaker 4 (46:56):
Yeah, is Supreme cut his bike. I love it all
right because he knows that we gotta be done. He's
got another show.
Speaker 3 (47:03):
We got the Break coming up at the top of
the hour, and we'll see you next time, eleven o'clock
Dallas time on Monday on mix Shots.
Speaker 2 (47:11):
Oh Cowboys.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
This has been a production of dallascowboys dot Com and
the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!