October 11, 2024 • 36 mins
On this episode of the Twentyman in the Huddle podcast presented by Microsoft, Tim Twentyman is joined by Ben Raven, Amik Robertson and Jon Machota, previewing the Detroit Lions second road game of the season when they visit the Dallas Cowboys for the third straight season.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jared leads in there's the snap. Jared on the Aberam
gives it to adorn Law.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
He's get a.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Throw it to Jarrett. It's not the fuck to the
end of Jared Go.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome to Week six of the NFFL season.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
This is the twenty minute podcast and my guest this
week for our three key segment is Ben Raven. Does
a great job covering the lines for m Live. But
there's also something else with Ben that people might not realize.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Now.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Ben is a large guy right as you can see here,
is very much into wrestling. And you do little something
something on your spare time too, don't you.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
Yeah. I trained at the can Am do Jo and
Windsor and I do play by play like announcing for
Combat one Wrestling and IWTV, an independent wrestling app. But yeah,
I still got the wrestling bug in me. Never been
able to shake it, just.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
From the situar kid, Yeah, from a kid.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
And then I realized I was massive and my basketball
career was done, so I was like, I kind of
want to hit some people still, so let's kind of
you I'll realized that I could do it, and it's
a it's a fun, wacky world, man.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I bet and it fits football wrestling, you know the
nature of it. Well, Ben, they're coming off the by
the Lions and obviously really healthy. We saw the first
day of practice on Tuesday and all fifty three guys
account for it. That's huge coming out of the buy
and that's what you want, right.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Oh gosh yea, especially kind of going into that last
game losing Barns and you don't have Branch, I mean,
getting all guys back, Frank back on the field, that's huge,
and even gaining on Mahogany the window back, so plus
one even this week. That's exactly what you want out
of the bye week. Man.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
All right, so let's get ready into the three keys.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
And one of them is a little unorthodoxed a little bit,
and it's it's to me, it's overcoming the unexpected. Yeah,
And I think we've gotten used to that as people
have covered the Lions, and obviously you guys a Lions fans,
you know, dating back to the picked up flag in
twenty fourteen, you know, to the you know the obviously
(01:59):
what happened with the identification last year, you know, eligible
receiver stuff and.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Just being able. It seems like there's always something in Dallas.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That happens, and I think a big one is being
able to kind of overcome that moment.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah. Absolutely, And it's the weird one about last year
is well, like you got the picked up flag and
all that, you can look at other things that led
to that. Last year, nothing led to that, right, they
put themselves in a position to win and had it
taken from them.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So it's the one thing that I.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Always go back to with this team is as long
as Dan Campbell's here, they're gonna be all right.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
And one of the things I think that that when
you talk about overcoming the unexpected too is I mean,
I think and it was fair that some criticized Dan
Kimbill's decision last year after that, Okay, that happened. Should
it have been a touchdown yes, Should we be winning
the game, yes, But now we're penalized, we're moved back.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
You know, should you adjust? Should you kick the extra point?
Do you still be aggressive and go for it?
Speaker 3 (02:53):
You know, after that happened in the playoffs in twenty fourteen,
you didn't handle it.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Really well, right.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
You had the shang punt, you know, Oh, you thought
you had won the game, and then you can't get
it done on offense with the last chance there. It's
to me, it's you know, those things are going to happen,
and they for some reason, they happened in Dallas for
whatever reason. To me, it's overcoming that and not letting
it become an issue.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
No.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Absolutely, they've been through it before. They went through it
last year, and I look back to going for that too,
what five six, seven times, it felt like Dan Campbell's
going to stay true to himself and how he's built
this team. That aggressiveness is in his DNA, and I
think it would be more harmful if they started to
second guess that and go away from it and then
to stick to it. But yeah, he's he's the right
captain for this ship. Something weird's gonna happen. It's national
(03:36):
television in Dallas, Man Lions, Cowboys. You know something's gonna happen.
But yeh, it's just handle it. Just handle it, trust
and trust in what's got you this far.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Well, another thing they've got to handle is that Cowboys
passing game, and that to me is the second really
key is defending Ceedee Lamb and that Cowboys passing attack.
You look at this this passing offense for Dallas number two,
they averaged two hundred and seventy one point six yards
per game, and that's what they want to do because frankly,
they've ben They've they've struggled running the football. I mean,
(04:05):
they're only averaging eighty two yards on the ground for game,
that ranks thirty first, average rush three point five for
carry that also ranks thirty first. They know where their
bread is buttered on offense. Now it's up to Detroit
Aaron Glenn to counter it. That's going to be a
tall task this week, especially when you look at what happened.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Now.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
They do get Brian branch back, and.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I think that's huge, but they did give up three
hundred and ninety five passing years se Seattle.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
They had a lot of success throwing the football.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
It was probably their worst performance of the year in
terms of their pass defense. They've been pretty good leading up.
That's a big key to this game.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Yeah, I think the Cowboys tried to run the ball
in that Monday night game against the Steelers. I don't
think if the Lions keep doing what they're doing against
the run, it's going to come down to the passing
attack and man CD's just one of those guys. When
he doesn't have ten catches, you're like, what happened? What
went wrong? And I think we saw last year what
that guy's capable of. I mean the ninety eight, ninety
seven yard touchdown, and just he gets open, he gets open,
(04:56):
and he gets open. And there's a reason why they
finally forked over the money for those two guys, because
that's that's the key to the Cowboys success and that's
that's the only chance they're going to have, agin says Defense.
I think, in my opinion, I do not fear Dallas's
rushing attack, and I wouldn't if I were Detroit's. But
as long as you can keep that bottle and you
can keep doing what they're doing the bend, but don't break.
Limitfield goals, big plays, that big moments to get those takeaways.
(05:19):
I mean, that's how that's how they limit that. But
CD's gonna get his. If they can contain everything else,
contain that tight end, contain that running game, they'll be
all right.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
They'll be contain the big play. That's what it is
with CD.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
You know, if you see a line where it's ten
catches for ninety two yards, and no touchdowns. I mean,
I think you've done your job. He's going to catch
the football. He's the focal point of their offense. But
it's limiting the big plays. You mentioned the big play
in the Dallas game that killed them, you know last year,
the big one. They've limited those pretty well this season.
I think that's the big thing. When you talk about CD, Yeah,
(05:48):
he's gonna get his and they generate plays. They do
the quick wide receiver screens they get They even run
him sometimes, you know, with some of the limitations they
have at the running back position. He's gonna get his,
but just don't give the play. Is that why Brian
Branch and having him back is so key this week?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Oh? Big time Because the way Kirby's playing deep, the
Branch being back in the box doing all the things
that Branch does pair so well with the way Kirby's
playing at deep safety right now. I mean, they've got
the recipe to stop this attack. Kirby's playing great deep,
they're gonna need that. But Branch in the box making
plays whenever they try to get CD going over the middle.
They have a guy like Brian Branch there. Man, that's
(06:24):
a that's a pretty good kryptonite.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
They're a different defense with Branch in there, just because
they can disguise things between him and Kirby, because.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Both are versatile.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
You talk about Kirby and obviously the three interceptions, being
able to play the deep part of the field, but
he can come in the box and strike people and
we've seen that.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I mean, he can hit fearless.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
He is, you know, and obviously with Brian, you know,
playing the nickel, he's used to being in the box,
playing up there, but we've seen him be able to
make plays in the deep part.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
And so now when you can rotate and you as.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
An offense, you're Dak Prescott, you come to the line
and you don't know who's going to be the deep,
is it too deep? Is it one which safety is
coming up, which safety is going back? And being able
to be versatile in that regard, I think is a
huge thing that the Lions missed against the Adam It's
going to be huge this week.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
No, And I just think a Meek in the slot
allowing Branch to bounce around. Like you said, it's just
it's what this defense didn't have last year. There's options
at cornerback, options at safety options at slot and I
just think branch Man he's a special player. I mean
he really is, and he's big time in matchups like this.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Yeah, this should be a fun matchup.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, him and Kirby together because because you know that
Dallas is going to attack and they're going to attack
down the field, You've got to think that there's going
to be opportunities for both Kirby and Brian to make
plays this week.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
All right, let's get to the third key to me.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
And you know, I asked Scotty Montgomery, you know this
this week, and just how difficult is it going into
a matchup game planning for a matchup like this when
Dallas is dealing with so many injuries up front along
their defensive line. It's you don't even know who's going
to be there, and now you're having to study guys
that maybe don't have a lot of film and the
(08:02):
challenges that come with that. But look, Micah Parsons is
dealing with a hikel Sprain. They already put to Marcus
Lawrence on IR He's going to be out starring day
Marshawn Niland Shout out to Western Michigan University Hurt the
knee against Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Doesn't look like he's going to be available.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Durell Johnson's already on IR So I mean you're talking
about guys like, you know, Tyres Wheat, Chauncey Colston, Carl
Lawson who was brought up from the practice squad, and
credit to those guys. They each had a half sack
in that game against Pittsburgh. I thought they played pretty well.
But that's a hard thing for an offense. Is maybe
just the unknown about preparing for an opponent when when
there's that much uncertain el on their defensive front.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Yeah, I mean because Eleven Parsons, I mean you have
to prepare for him on every single snap, run, pass,
play action, first down, second down, third down. You take
that away, that's a completely different defense. And then you
take the Lawrence out, the wy le Vat and you're like,
all right, who's left? And Niland was the guy that
I was like looking forward to seeing and it sounds
like he's a long shot to play this weekend too.
So I mean they're going, like you said, Carl Lawson
(08:58):
Man no disrespect to Carl Lawson, was not aware he
was still going. Just so that is where they're at
right now in Dallas right now. But yeah, I just
think it's a perfect opportunity to build off that last game.
Run the ball, more play action with Goff. I mean,
you should have all day in the pocket against this
defensive line with what the Lions are getting, probably getting
Frank Ragnow back. Yeah, I mean, you take out eleven
(09:21):
and that's enough. You take out Lawrence on the other side,
and then his back up, that's big time, man. They
should be able to run that ball and hit the
play action like they were Monday night.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Credit to this to the Cowboys against the Steelers. Show
two hundred and twenty six of total yards allowed by
the Steelers. They were three to twelve on third down.
But to your point, Ben, I mean, you've got to
think of this upon it inside on the fast track,
all the pieces back with having Frank back is huge.
Dallas twenty third in rushing defense, twenty first against the pass,
(09:51):
twenty fourth in points allowed, seventeenth in total. That you
gotta think with the way Detroit played against Seattle, I
think they kind of caught their rhythm, especially in the
passing game, complimented a run game that's been good all year.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
You got to think that they're going to be able
to go in there and score some points.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Yeah, I really am expecting kind of the way they've
been doing it. Punch them in the face with Montgomery
in the first quarter, Gibbs takes over in the second
and third, and Montgomery is going to close it. I
think pounding the ball against this defense, making them stop
the run is just going to open it up for
Golf and Saint brown Man because they're without the pick
six King from last year too in their defensive backfield
Bland right, Yeah, So it's just they can if they
(10:26):
can get into that groove. I really like this offensive
chance to kind of control the day, especially like you
saw it out in Arizona too.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I think you might see a similar similar thing there. Well.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
It should be a fun one in Dallas, obviously, the
Lions are owed one yea in Dallas National TV game
as the early or as the late afternoon National TV game.
Should be fun. This one could mean a lot for
the NFC. So those are the three keys he has
been ravel. Welcome back to the twenty in the Huddle podcast.
(10:59):
Really have the a new guest the first time to
the Twentydle podcast.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Nickel cornerback. A Meek Robertson, thanks for joining me. Appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
Appreciate y'all. Man, appreciate you'll. I have me in man.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
All right, you're you're new, So let's start with this.
What's something Detroit fans don't know.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
About A Meek Robertson.
Speaker 6 (11:17):
It's a lot, you know, But I would think what
all you know? What always come to my head would
probably be what my name? You know my name means?
My name is a Meek, of course everybody knows, and
a Meek is my mom's name is spelled backwards. So
my mom name is Chema. Okay, okay, I am A
and my name is spelled A M.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
I K. I like that.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Yeah, that's good. Kind of unique, man, you know, it's
really unique.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
What was it about Detroit?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
You spent your first four years with the Raiders? What
was it about Detroit? This free agency process, this situation.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
That fit you?
Speaker 1 (11:51):
And has it turned out to be what you thought
it would be when you came here.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
To sign.
Speaker 6 (11:58):
Everything? I thought it would be this it's happening. You know,
free agency came. I don't I don't want to go
into too many details for came. They called me the
first day, couldn't get a deal done, which was on me,
and I was like it was eating up because this
why you know, every other team reached out, even teens
offered more money, you know, but I just felt like,
(12:19):
for some reason, my heart was seeing guys was telling
me to come here. I thought they wasn't gonna call
me back. They coming back again. The next morning. My
agent car like, look, the Lions came in again. I'm like,
let's do it.
Speaker 5 (12:31):
Like whatever.
Speaker 6 (12:32):
I don't care about the Carlton Davis trade whatever, like
I want to go there and earn it whatever they
you know, whatever.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
I want to go there because I felt like.
Speaker 6 (12:40):
I need to be here man, you know, being able
to play with coach a g and Dan like the
fire like. I even went on YouTube and looked at
his videos, the hype videos that the Lions had. I
felt like I belonged there, man. And I knew, you know,
we had a young group, you know, guys coming in
like Calton, uh, you know, other guys.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
We had a young group.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
I knew that those guys were football players, and those
guys were guys that love football.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
You know.
Speaker 6 (13:04):
I could tell the play start the way they played
when I when we played against something, well, when I
was at the Raves against me, I feel like I
fit this fit this team.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
And you fit in really nicely in the Nika. You've
kind of taken that nickel spot. And look that's been
new to you. I mean you played outside with Raiders,
you played a little bit Nikka.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
You're kind of one of those guys that like.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Wherever they needed you you could play. What's been the
adjustment like to to now just be kind of that
nickel spot. And do you like the fact that you've
kind of settled into maybe one spot instead of outside
one week nickel the next week you're playing here here
you can kind of settle into where you're at now.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
Yeah, man, I just love this defense man. You know,
we still getting better, we still working on the detailed
little things. But I'm in the right spot, you know,
because I feel like, you know, I'm a football player,
and you know, as long as I'm going to feel
I you know, AG always tell me just be yourself
within the scheme. And when you got a DC that
tell you that, just be yourself. Even Coach Dan, you
(13:57):
tell me just be you, like just you know, just
being in this defense man like I said, having guys
like CERB B tob on CD like it's it's a blessing, man,
it's a blessing, and I'm just happy to be.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
And it's a relatively young not young, but new secondar.
You guys haven't played a lot together. You guys had
some injuries in training camp, and so for you five
guys to be together all at once, I mean, we
didn't see that, I don't think for at all during
training camp maybe for a week. So it's this thing
still kind of falling together a little bit. You guys
still learning each other.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
A little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
And how long does that take in your history of
being in the league, how long before you maybe really
start to gail when you got such a new group
like you guys have.
Speaker 6 (14:43):
Oh that I can't really I can't really respond to it.
But as long as you try to get as long
as we get better each and every week, man, as
long as we see improvement each and every week, because
you know it's not it's always not enough, you know,
it's always not enough, like it's never perfect, you know,
but we try to, you know, trying to chase chase perfection.
That's what get teams over that hump, and that's what
(15:05):
get teams to be successful.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
And that's what we look for every day.
Speaker 6 (15:08):
You know, we we we try to learn each other,
you know, uh some more the story it is never enough.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
We're trying to get over.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
We're just trying to get better each and every day
and play fast and trust each other, because that's what
it's all about. Like I said, we are done, trust
each other. Everybody could play fast. That's how we're able
to make plays. And that's how we help this defense
ex set. When the defense is set, that's how the
team makes out.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
It was so far this year you've been pretty darn
good in the nickel fifty six percent completion percentage.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
When when people throw your way, when.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Quarterbacks have a seventy four passer rating, win throw at
you this year. I mean, you're you're playing some really
good football in the nickel.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
What do you like about the nickel?
Speaker 2 (15:42):
You've played outside, you.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
Made matchups, always been around the balls.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Uh, Like I say, being myself, you know, uh, and
I know you know, I know in the slot man,
you know, I'm not really gonna especially these defense I'm
not really having help and I like it.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
I want that. I want that hard down because when
I have that hard down.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
It it gives me opportunity, yea, to get my hands
on a H ball like I want, like they you know,
I want to smoke like I wanna you know what
I'm saying. So it's like right now, they probably don't
see it like I'm I'm I'm not really getting interceptions.
I'm not, you know, but they'll come, like I I
know they'll come. I remember, you know, when I was
at at the Raiders, I was always chasing plays like
I was always that guy that may try to make
(16:22):
those splash plays, you know, interceptions, punch outs. But it's
like here, like I've learned, like it's gonna come. It's
gonna come. So, uh, if I can't get my hands
on the ball, you know, I try to get those
people used every now and then, making sure my guy
don't catch catch the ball. But you know, I think
my opportunity will come for those interceptions. I just gotta
keep my head on the silver, keep doing.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
But it's as about playing physical too, being good in
the run game.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
I mean, eight tackles for you against against Seattle, I mean,
you're you're one of those guys you have to be
that kind of player to play in the nickel in
Aaron Clans defense, don't you he know?
Speaker 5 (16:50):
I like he know? You know I like that.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
He know.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
I tell him all the time. Man put me in
a like I need.
Speaker 6 (16:55):
I told him last week, Man, whenever was the before
the ball, I'm like, give me some I tell.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
Him, Man, Dan, give me some aks.
Speaker 6 (17:02):
You man, you know what I'm saying because y'all had
me playing man a lot, y'all have me doing this
whatever whatever. But like I said, Man, I'm you know,
I'm happy to be the I know those plays will come.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
You know it's still early. Those plays will come.
Speaker 6 (17:13):
I just gotta try to stay consistent, continue working and
helping those guys and also us playing together.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
And helping the young guys too. And I want to
ask you this because I'm curious when you were a
young guy coming into the league, how hard was the
transition from the college game to the professional game. Because
we're seeing a little bit with the penalties, especially with Terrian,
because in college you can be handsy, you.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Can be physical.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
You come here.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
Look, the league wants offense, they want scoring, and they
want big plays. And so how tough was that transition
for you. And Terry's a smart guy, and you know,
it seems like he's gonna figure that out. But how
tough was that transition for you? If you put yourself
in his she was four years ago.
Speaker 6 (17:52):
If I'm being honest, man, Tarrion is way past. While
I was coming in. I wasn't a scrappy guy whatever,
but badly playing my rookie years. I was mentally not
you know, not there my rookie years. So I tell
him all the time, man, continue being you. It's just
the fact that sometimes he doesn't, you know. He I
tell him work on certain little things, like getting his
(18:13):
head around, you know, because sometimes just don't pay me.
Because most of the time, man, those quarterbacks, those balls
be horrible, you know.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
So just get your.
Speaker 6 (18:20):
Head around, man, you you'll be all right, continue being you,
because what we don't want is him to lose their
edge and lose his his his great and his ability
to be him, which is being a dog, you know.
So we just tell him all the time, man, continue playing,
Just work on a little thing. As far as getting
his head around, I think turn out want to be fine.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
You see the penalty.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
I think you'd be more concerned if he was getting
beat if he was in a position to make a play,
if he wasn't right there.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
That's technique. You're going to figure that.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
That's something. That's what I'm saying. That's something he's going
to figure out.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Man.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
Mentally, he's he's he's there.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
He's ahead of Like I said, he's he's very far
from wild was you know, and I and I tell
him that all the other time.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
There you go, are gonna love to hear that one.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Let's talk about Dallas a little bit.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
You weren't here last year, but obviously how that game
ended Week seventeen, a lot of controversy.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
The Cowboys have had.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Detroit's number here the last few years.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Just how much are you guys looking forward to this
matchup going on the road us against them mentality? And
then with you personally, Look, you're gonna see CD in
the slot. And what do you like about those matchups
against those all pro those superstar type guys.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Oh, you know, I don't want to seem too far
as a team. You know, we know what we gotta do.
We look at it as you know, another game.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
Man.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
You know it's you know, it's just as portant as
as last week with I mean, you know, a couple
of weeks before with Seattle, you know, we every time,
like I said, we got a twenty four our rulee, man,
you know we win twenty four. Our rule get back
to what's you know, what matter? Which is the next
next team?
Speaker 2 (19:44):
You know?
Speaker 5 (19:44):
So of course Dallas is a good team. No they are.
They're a good team. But we're a good team too.
Speaker 6 (19:49):
Long as we own a detail, as long as we
practice it together, like I said before, we trust in
one another, we'll be fine. We just got to be ourselves, man,
and go out there and play lions lines football.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
How good can this defense be when you guys get
all the pieces figured out? You know that that that
secondary settles and gets more time together to we've we've
seen how good you guys can be in Arizona. Obviously
against the Bucks you were terrific. Just how good do
you think this defense?
Speaker 6 (20:11):
We can be very man, we can be very good.
We can be very good. We can you know, we
can get we can get there and make it happen.
You know, I don't speak to you know. We still
got a lot of weeks you know ahead of us.
You know, like I said, we just got to continue
keep an eye heading the swivel, working on the little
things and continue building because if you're doing that, you
can better each and every week.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Man, the team is going to be. It was already
good last year. You know.
Speaker 6 (20:35):
Now they they got some pieces you know that can
get us, get us over that homep and I know
we can.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
I know we can do it.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
We just got to keep ahead on the swivel and
keep working, trusting one another.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Big one this week, national stage in Dallas.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
It should be fun.
Speaker 6 (20:49):
Man.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
You guys are off.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
You guys are off to a great start and we're
looking for a lot more. I appreciate you taking the time.
It's been really good. Get insight. Appreciate a Meek Robertson everybody.
Back to the twenty of the Huddle podcast presented by Microsoft.
Let's take a look at the other perspective a little bit.
Let's get all the info on Dallas. John Michoda does
(21:11):
a terrific job covering everything Dallas Cowboys for the Athletic John,
thanks for joining the twenty of the Huddle podcast.
Speaker 7 (21:18):
Appreciate you absolutely, thanks for having on.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Well, let's start with this and injuries obviously play a
factor in every game, Detroit Lions afforded the buy in
Week five, so they run the practice field early in
the week. All fifty three players on their active roster
were participating in practice. They're the healthiest they've been since
Week one. The Dallas Cowboys not so much. What's the
(21:42):
injury update with Dallas? There's a lot of big names
on that list. Who can Lions fans expect to be
available not be available Sunday when Detroit rolls into Dallas.
Speaker 8 (21:50):
Yeah, those things lining up great for the Lions. H
This is about as banged up as the Cowboys have
been in a while, and particularly where they've been hit
the most is that defensive end. I mean, it would
be a long shot for Michael Parsons to play in
this game. He suffered a high high ankle spring two
games ago. And it just lines up perfect because a
Cowboys bye week is next week, So just kind of
(22:11):
lined up where you're like, Okay, they have the bye
week and then right after that they get the Niners,
who've been the absolute thorn in their side for several
years now, So it just made sense that, Okay, they'll
probably bring him back for that game. So I think
it's very unlikely that Michael Parsons plays in this game,
so that's obviously the biggest. The biggest loss DeMarcus Lawrence,
who got put on IR recently, so that's their other
starting defensive end.
Speaker 7 (22:31):
He won't be in this game.
Speaker 8 (22:33):
Brandon Cooks, their number two wide receiver, recently put on IR.
He'll be out for three more games, so he's obviously
not playing in this one.
Speaker 7 (22:41):
Those would be the biggest ones.
Speaker 8 (22:42):
But then the other the other part that hurt them
is Marshawn nieland kid that went to Western Michigan. He
gets hurt early against Pittsburgh, and this was kind of
his opportunity a second round pick, step up, be one
of the starting defensive ends and maybe really you know,
take his game to the next level with these opportunities
with Lawrence and Parsons being out.
Speaker 7 (23:00):
But he gets a knee injury. Fortunately for him and.
Speaker 8 (23:02):
The Cowboys, it's not season ending, but he's not going
to probably play for another four to six weeks. And
so those are those are the big ones for sure.
Tyler Goeyitton, the rookie left tackle, their first round pick.
He suffered a knee injury in the game and didn't
come back, but it looked like he potentially could have.
They just wanted to err on the side of caution.
I think there's a decent chance he plays in this game.
The one notable that this news just kind of came
(23:25):
out yesterday is that Steven Jones told their team website
that there is a chance that Droon Blank could play
in this game. Now, he's one of their starting corners.
That he had a foot injury before the season even started,
and he has been out. We've seen him working on
the resistance cords on the side, but not doing anything
team or any any drills. He's still in IR he
has to be activated, and so that's a guy right
(23:46):
there that that would be a big boost them if
he comes back. But also there's the part of it
is just how effective can he be? Certainly not going
to play the whole game, So no, the Cowboys are
definitely banged up.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
Felt nine interceptions for him and I think what five
return for touchdown, So that's a big boost for that defense.
But look, John, sometimes is it a blessing in disguise
that you get some of these injuries and then you
get some of these younger players to kind of start playing,
get some experience start their development. You look at all
the injuries that Dallas had last week, and you watch
(24:17):
that game against Pittsburgh. I think they allowed two hundred
and twenty five yards. You know, they the Steelers were
three for twelve on third down, and you know, you
look at some of the guys like like Lawson and
Goldston and you know, you know Tyrus, we all had
a half sack. So can it be sometimes a blessing
in disguise because you get some of these guys in
and then when you get healthy, now you've got some
(24:38):
guys that have played and contributed, and maybe you're a
deeper team overall.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
You just have to kind of weather the storm while
you're in it.
Speaker 8 (24:44):
So that's the way the Cowboys are looking at it,
and I can get on board with that. I'll just say, though,
I think that you'd prefer maybe the injuries, if you're
going to have this many, be in some different spots
as opposed to just all these defensive ends. Because I
did think it was gonna be a great opportunity for
Kneel and then for him to go down, You're just like,
because he I mean, he was trending in a good direction.
The coaches love him when they drafted in the second round.
(25:07):
It just it really was a kind of a blinking
light of this is probably DeMarcus Lawrence's heir apparent. Lawrence
only has one year left. This is his final year
of his contract, so you see a step going forward.
Speaker 7 (25:18):
It's Kneelan.
Speaker 8 (25:19):
The other thing that's kind of key here at defensive
end is they had a guy in Sam Williams who
they thought was going to be like their number three
guy in that rotation, and he suffered a knee injury
early in camp and was lost for the season. So
it's like they're, yeah, what they went into the season
is their top four d ns none of them will
be on the field against the Lions, you know. So
that and that's you know, I mean, you know from
watching them last year play the Lions, it's that was
(25:42):
one of their strengths, you know, is you don't want
to get behind and the cowboys on the scoreboard, because
that lets them pin their ears back and just come
with this defensive end rotation and sometimes even get more
than two out on the field and really cause havoc.
And they really hadn't had that opportunity this year. And
then as soon as they start playing well, they'll lose
these guys to injuries. So it'll help those young guys,
(26:02):
no question about it. But it's almost too much.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
Yeah, last year you look at Dallas at at and
T Stadium, undefeated. That was one of the toughest places
to play in all the NFL. And it's been a
little bit weird. You know, they're zero to two, they
haven't won at home yet. Just how much has that been?
Maybe a talking point this week, a point of emphasis
that they've got to get back to winning at home
because if you don't win football games in this league,
(26:26):
you're not gonna be where you want to be in
January and February.
Speaker 7 (26:29):
No question.
Speaker 8 (26:30):
And it is so strange because they weren't a great
road team the previous two years, why they were so
great at home, and then this year they start out
on the road three and oher but then can't win
at home, and it's easy to connect to that's to
when this whole streak at home ended, and that was
in the playoff game to the Packers where they just
got punched in the mouth. I mean that game was
basically over before it started, and it made me wonder
(26:52):
how they would come into this season, like, would there
be a hangover over that?
Speaker 7 (26:55):
I mean, that was to me.
Speaker 8 (26:57):
It's the worst loss in Cowboys history when you factor
in everything they had going for them, the talent, how
healthy they were at that time. They kind of backed
into the two seed, I mean, and then to lay
that egg at home where they had been the best
team in the NFL for two years. I thought for
sure there would be a hangover, and maybe they'd just
been the hangover at home because they have been They
(27:17):
have been good on the road surprisingly, and so that's
definitely something on their mind. They know that if they're
going to get to the playoffs, they're not going to
do it.
Speaker 7 (27:24):
But I just went on the road.
Speaker 8 (27:25):
They got to take care of their home games, and
so that's why this one is huge for them, especially
going into the bye week.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
You're another thing that jumped out to me, John, and
again I'm talking with John Mishoud. It does a great
job covering everything Dallas for the Athletic thirty first in rushing.
You know, when you look at Dallas over the years,
and obviously you know when Zeke was humming along, It's
just that was always just something you knew Dallas was
going to come in with that offensive line, with that
run game, they were going to control that part of
(27:53):
the game. Their passing game played off and you knew
you were in for a fistfight, you know, with the
ground game.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
That hasn't been the case so far this year. Who's
the number one running back in Dallas right now? Is it?
Speaker 4 (28:07):
Doubt all?
Speaker 2 (28:07):
And kind of what'spend maybe slowing them up.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
Look, I know they've got DAK and I know they
got CD and they put money, big money into that,
and that's kind of, you know, their bread and butter.
But you've got to be a little bit more balanced.
And what we're seeing number two in passing, number thirty
one in rushing. I don't know if that's sustainable through
seventeen games.
Speaker 7 (28:25):
No, it's probably not.
Speaker 8 (28:26):
And it is interesting how the running game, certainly since
they drafted zeke in twenty sixteen, and really even the
two years before that, you know with DeMarco Murray helped
them kind of turn it around in fourteen when he
led the league in rushing and had the Cowboys all
time you know, best season rushing.
Speaker 7 (28:39):
So they go and draft Zeke.
Speaker 8 (28:41):
U was a top five pick, and that's a time
when a lot of people were talking about the running
back position being devalued. Not only do they use the
high pick on him, then they give him a monster
contract and then that didn't pay off. And it's almost
like it's almost like Jerry Jones and company were like, Hey,
we're going to We're going to go the far the
opposite end, and we're not going to give We're not
spending anything at running back. It's crazy to see how
(29:01):
much has changed because you know, it is Rico Doubdle
To answer your question, that is their number one guy.
We kind of knew that going into the season, just
because he's the youngest guy. He's gonna have the freshest legs. Now,
Zeke has still got the He is the guy that
you need to go do in third and one, you know,
on the goal line, short yard stuff. I mean, he
absolutely still has enough gas in the tank to give you,
(29:21):
you know, five ten carries a game. But it's definitely
Ricodoubdell was their one. But it's also kind of interesting
because down here we're wearing out Mike McCarthy and Jerry
Jones with questions about Dalvin Cook because they signed him,
you know, right before the season started. He hasn't been
active for any of these games, and so for me,
I'm just kind of like, Okay, well, if he hasn't
been active yet, it's clearly not the Dalvin that was
(29:42):
in Minnesota, or he would be out there. It's not
like they're just well, we got so many talented backs,
we just can't get them any time.
Speaker 7 (29:48):
So that keeps on that.
Speaker 8 (29:49):
Mike McCarthy said last week that he hasn't been getting
some some reps with the ones here and there in
some team drills. But I still don't even think this
is the game. I still think they're gonna wait time
for the buye to potentially use him. I think this
game still is going to be a Rico dalut Ezekiel
Ellie game. But yeah, the way that that game went
last year, the way that this team has played this year,
I just do not see the Cowboys being able to
(30:11):
run in the Lions.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
Then what is when you look at this matchup and
you look at some of the rankings and a lot
of similarities between these two teams through Detroit's first four
games Dallas' first five games, what do you see as
the biggest key for Dallas to come away Sunday national
audience with their first win at AT and D Stadium,
get to four and two and kind of continue this
(30:35):
recent dominance over the Lions. What's the number one thing
they have to do in your opinion?
Speaker 8 (30:40):
So I'm kind of laughing just because to be one
hundred percent transparent, I did say this last week going
into the Steelers game, and that kind of surprised me
that this didn't happen.
Speaker 7 (30:48):
But I'm doubling down there.
Speaker 8 (30:50):
I don't see a way that they beat the Lions
without a big day from Dak and CD, and there
really hasn't been that.
Speaker 7 (30:55):
I mean, they were great last year.
Speaker 8 (30:56):
You look at their numbers at the end of the year,
it's there's a big reason why Dak ended up getting
becoming the highest paid player in the league, and CD
is now the number two highest paid non quarterback. So
it's really the three highest paid players in the NFL
right now are Dak, Prescott, Justin Jefferson, and Cede Lamb.
So it's like they gave all that money to those
two guys because it's like, Hey, this is gonna be
(31:18):
this is gonna be our now and this gonna be
our future. And you look at the way they paid
last season. I mean, just you take the Lions game.
How well Dak and CD played in there. That is
That is the key. I just do not see away,
especially with all these injuries that you know. I always
say it's like I'm certainly not a coach. I would
never even try to be an NFL coach. But whenever
I talk to somebody else that covers another team, I
(31:39):
always say, Man, if I was going against the Cowboys,
my number one thing is I'm throwing two three guys
at Cede Lamb. Make them beat you with somebody else.
Jake Ferguson's a very good tight end. Last year they
had Tony Pollard, which which gave them some quality in
the run game.
Speaker 7 (31:53):
They don't have that this year.
Speaker 8 (31:55):
Brandon Cooks is out, So you want Jalen Tolbert to
be the guy that beat you now that we're out
for the Cowboys. He had the game winning touchdown against
the Steelers. But I feel like that's what you want
to happen when you're playing the Cowboys. You want them
to have to go to those other players. You don't
want CD to have two hundred and twenty some yards
and just go off that's when the Cowboys are at
their best, and to win this game, I think that's
(32:16):
what they would have to have happen.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
Yeah, Lions fans found that out firsthand last year. Thirteen catches,
two hundred and twenty seven yards and a touchdown that
game against Detroit Week seventeen. You know, it's funny, John,
I think that game was part of the reason why
Detroit went into this offseason.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
It wasn't the only reason. There are many games leading.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Up where Detroit really struggled against high caliber wide receivers
in passing games. It's a completely different secondary now. I mean,
I don't even think Dallas fans are gonna recognize any
of the names that they saw week seventeen.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Brian Branch is probably the only one.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Kirby Joseph, but this is a completely revamped sepocate secondary.
They think they're better equipped to handle, you know, matchups
like this. Any talk with among Stallus players just about
kind of this Detroit defense. It's an aggressive, man style defense,
and they really trust those guys in the secondary. This
(33:09):
isn't a defense that really double teams guys that looks
to take away one guy.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
They play their style. They play man defense.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
It seems like there's gonna be some opportunities for CD
to make some plays, but but Troy is is gonna
play their style.
Speaker 8 (33:23):
Yeah, it is interesting, but we haven't had locker room
access yet.
Speaker 7 (33:27):
Pretty much.
Speaker 8 (33:27):
On these normal weeks, we get Mike McCarthy and the
coordinators on Monday. Nothing on Tuesday, but covering the Cowboys.
You just Tuesday's always Jerry talks Tuesday morning the radio.
But Wednesday and Thursdays are our days to get locker room,
so we'll have that today. So I haven't heard anything
from them yet because when last time we talked to
him in the locker room was all about the Steelers.
Speaker 7 (33:47):
But it is.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
It is interesting because of the fact that you go
back to that draft that was just so great for Detroit.
Being a native you know, Metro Detroit man, that was
so awesome to see the turnout down there, and then
just to be someone covering the Cowboys and then here,
all of a sudden, in the first round, the Lions
are trading with the Cowboys to move up to get
Terry and Arnold. And it's interesting how this season has
(34:09):
played out so far too, because I know, you know,
Lions fans have kind of been on Arnold for being
kind of grabby and.
Speaker 7 (34:14):
Stuff like that.
Speaker 8 (34:15):
Well, the pick that the that the Cowboys got when
they trade it back from the Lions is Tyler goeyiton
and left tackle. He's been gravvy and had too many penalties,
and so it is interesting to see the.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
Two fas rookie. It must be a rookie thing.
Speaker 5 (34:29):
It is.
Speaker 8 (34:29):
But but I will also say that like with both players,
I just feel like it's like, Okay, I get it,
it's the NFL a more than ever young guys play.
But it's like they're both so talented and just like
just give them time. It'll it'll be fine. Like they
both answer major areas of weakness. But it is also
gonna be interesting because Arnold probably will get his his
moments against Ceedee Lamb, and I do expect Gutton to
(34:50):
play in this game, coming off to the injury, and
he's getting thrown to the Wolves against Aiden Hutchinson who
had three sacks last year with Tyron Smith trying to
block him. So yeah, they're gonna have their hands full there.
Tyler Guidan is definitely this is gonna be one of
those games where, yeah, there's gonna be a lot of
eyes on him.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
I think young players are gonna make a big impact
in this game, and it's a big one. You know,
early in the season, Detroit's, you know, trying to go
on the road. They were hoping to see Dallas in
the playoffs. To be honest with you, I mean, if
they had their choice, they obviously loved hosting Tampa Bay,
but they would not have been upset at all given
what happened the end of that game in Dallas. To
(35:28):
have another chance at the Cowboys in Dallas. They've been
looking forward to this game. They've been circling. It's an
NFC opponent, It's probably gonna have some impact on the
playoffs at the end of the year. It's a fun
Week six matchup. I'm looking forward to it. It should
be a fun one. There should be plenty of points scored,
I'm expecting, and so John, thanks for taking the time
so much.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
I appreciate your insight.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
Really good stuff, and I'll make sure I come and
say hello in Dallas.
Speaker 7 (35:53):
Absolutely, I look forward to it. Thanks for having man
Jared leads in there's the snap. Jared on the Aberam
gives it to adorn Law.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
He's get a.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Throw it to Jarrett. It's not the fuck to the
end of Jared Go.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Welcome to Week six of the NFFL season.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
This is the twenty minute podcast and my guest this
week for our three key segment is Ben Raven. Does
a great job covering the lines for m Live. But
there's also something else with Ben that people might not realize.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Now.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Ben is a large guy right as you can see here,
is very much into wrestling. And you do little something
something on your spare time too, don't you.
Speaker 4 (00:38):
Yeah. I trained at the can Am do Jo and
Windsor and I do play by play like announcing for
Combat one Wrestling and IWTV, an independent wrestling app. But yeah,
I still got the wrestling bug in me. Never been
able to shake it, just.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
From the situar kid, Yeah, from a kid.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
And then I realized I was massive and my basketball
career was done, so I was like, I kind of
want to hit some people still, so let's kind of
you I'll realized that I could do it, and it's
a it's a fun, wacky world, man.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I bet and it fits football wrestling, you know the
nature of it. Well, Ben, they're coming off the by
the Lions and obviously really healthy. We saw the first
day of practice on Tuesday and all fifty three guys
account for it. That's huge coming out of the buy
and that's what you want, right.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Oh gosh yea, especially kind of going into that last
game losing Barns and you don't have Branch, I mean,
getting all guys back, Frank back on the field, that's huge,
and even gaining on Mahogany the window back, so plus
one even this week. That's exactly what you want out
of the bye week. Man.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
All right, so let's get ready into the three keys.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
And one of them is a little unorthodoxed a little bit,
and it's it's to me, it's overcoming the unexpected. Yeah,
And I think we've gotten used to that as people
have covered the Lions, and obviously you guys a Lions fans,
you know, dating back to the picked up flag in
twenty fourteen, you know, to the you know the obviously
(01:59):
what happened with the identification last year, you know, eligible
receiver stuff and.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Just being able. It seems like there's always something in Dallas.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That happens, and I think a big one is being
able to kind of overcome that moment.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah. Absolutely, And it's the weird one about last year
is well, like you got the picked up flag and
all that, you can look at other things that led
to that. Last year, nothing led to that, right, they
put themselves in a position to win and had it
taken from them.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
So it's the one thing that I.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Always go back to with this team is as long
as Dan Campbell's here, they're gonna be all right.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
And one of the things I think that that when
you talk about overcoming the unexpected too is I mean,
I think and it was fair that some criticized Dan
Kimbill's decision last year after that, Okay, that happened. Should
it have been a touchdown yes, Should we be winning
the game, yes, But now we're penalized, we're moved back.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
You know, should you adjust? Should you kick the extra point?
Do you still be aggressive and go for it?
Speaker 3 (02:53):
You know, after that happened in the playoffs in twenty fourteen,
you didn't handle it.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Really well, right.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
You had the shang punt, you know, Oh, you thought
you had won the game, and then you can't get
it done on offense with the last chance there. It's
to me, it's you know, those things are going to happen,
and they for some reason, they happened in Dallas for
whatever reason. To me, it's overcoming that and not letting
it become an issue.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
No.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Absolutely, they've been through it before. They went through it
last year, and I look back to going for that too,
what five six, seven times, it felt like Dan Campbell's
going to stay true to himself and how he's built
this team. That aggressiveness is in his DNA, and I
think it would be more harmful if they started to
second guess that and go away from it and then
to stick to it. But yeah, he's he's the right
captain for this ship. Something weird's gonna happen. It's national
(03:36):
television in Dallas, Man Lions, Cowboys. You know something's gonna happen.
But yeh, it's just handle it. Just handle it, trust
and trust in what's got you this far.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Well, another thing they've got to handle is that Cowboys
passing game, and that to me is the second really
key is defending Ceedee Lamb and that Cowboys passing attack.
You look at this this passing offense for Dallas number two,
they averaged two hundred and seventy one point six yards
per game, and that's what they want to do because frankly,
they've ben They've they've struggled running the football. I mean,
(04:05):
they're only averaging eighty two yards on the ground for game,
that ranks thirty first, average rush three point five for
carry that also ranks thirty first. They know where their
bread is buttered on offense. Now it's up to Detroit
Aaron Glenn to counter it. That's going to be a
tall task this week, especially when you look at what happened.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Now.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
They do get Brian branch back, and.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I think that's huge, but they did give up three
hundred and ninety five passing years se Seattle.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
They had a lot of success throwing the football.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
It was probably their worst performance of the year in
terms of their pass defense. They've been pretty good leading up.
That's a big key to this game.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Yeah, I think the Cowboys tried to run the ball
in that Monday night game against the Steelers. I don't
think if the Lions keep doing what they're doing against
the run, it's going to come down to the passing
attack and man CD's just one of those guys. When
he doesn't have ten catches, you're like, what happened? What
went wrong? And I think we saw last year what
that guy's capable of. I mean the ninety eight, ninety
seven yard touchdown, and just he gets open, he gets open,
(04:56):
and he gets open. And there's a reason why they
finally forked over the money for those two guys, because
that's that's the key to the Cowboys success and that's
that's the only chance they're going to have, agin says Defense.
I think, in my opinion, I do not fear Dallas's
rushing attack, and I wouldn't if I were Detroit's. But
as long as you can keep that bottle and you
can keep doing what they're doing the bend, but don't break.
Limitfield goals, big plays, that big moments to get those takeaways.
(05:19):
I mean, that's how that's how they limit that. But
CD's gonna get his. If they can contain everything else,
contain that tight end, contain that running game, they'll be
all right.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
They'll be contain the big play. That's what it is
with CD.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
You know, if you see a line where it's ten
catches for ninety two yards, and no touchdowns. I mean,
I think you've done your job. He's going to catch
the football. He's the focal point of their offense. But
it's limiting the big plays. You mentioned the big play
in the Dallas game that killed them, you know last year,
the big one. They've limited those pretty well this season.
I think that's the big thing. When you talk about CD, Yeah,
(05:48):
he's gonna get his and they generate plays. They do
the quick wide receiver screens they get They even run
him sometimes, you know, with some of the limitations they
have at the running back position. He's gonna get his,
but just don't give the play. Is that why Brian
Branch and having him back is so key this week?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Oh? Big time Because the way Kirby's playing deep, the
Branch being back in the box doing all the things
that Branch does pair so well with the way Kirby's
playing at deep safety right now. I mean, they've got
the recipe to stop this attack. Kirby's playing great deep,
they're gonna need that. But Branch in the box making
plays whenever they try to get CD going over the middle.
They have a guy like Brian Branch there. Man, that's
(06:24):
a that's a pretty good kryptonite.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
They're a different defense with Branch in there, just because
they can disguise things between him and Kirby, because.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Both are versatile.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
You talk about Kirby and obviously the three interceptions, being
able to play the deep part of the field, but
he can come in the box and strike people and
we've seen that.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I mean, he can hit fearless.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
He is, you know, and obviously with Brian, you know,
playing the nickel, he's used to being in the box,
playing up there, but we've seen him be able to
make plays in the deep part.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
And so now when you can rotate and you as.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
An offense, you're Dak Prescott, you come to the line
and you don't know who's going to be the deep,
is it too deep? Is it one which safety is
coming up, which safety is going back? And being able
to be versatile in that regard, I think is a
huge thing that the Lions missed against the Adam It's
going to be huge this week.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
No, And I just think a Meek in the slot
allowing Branch to bounce around. Like you said, it's just
it's what this defense didn't have last year. There's options
at cornerback, options at safety options at slot and I
just think branch Man he's a special player. I mean
he really is, and he's big time in matchups like this.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Yeah, this should be a fun matchup.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Yeah, him and Kirby together because because you know that
Dallas is going to attack and they're going to attack
down the field, You've got to think that there's going
to be opportunities for both Kirby and Brian to make
plays this week.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
All right, let's get to the third key to me.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
And you know, I asked Scotty Montgomery, you know this
this week, and just how difficult is it going into
a matchup game planning for a matchup like this when
Dallas is dealing with so many injuries up front along
their defensive line. It's you don't even know who's going
to be there, and now you're having to study guys
that maybe don't have a lot of film and the
(08:02):
challenges that come with that. But look, Micah Parsons is
dealing with a hikel Sprain. They already put to Marcus
Lawrence on IR He's going to be out starring day
Marshawn Niland Shout out to Western Michigan University Hurt the
knee against Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Doesn't look like he's going to be available.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Durell Johnson's already on IR So I mean you're talking
about guys like, you know, Tyres Wheat, Chauncey Colston, Carl
Lawson who was brought up from the practice squad, and
credit to those guys. They each had a half sack
in that game against Pittsburgh. I thought they played pretty well.
But that's a hard thing for an offense. Is maybe
just the unknown about preparing for an opponent when when
there's that much uncertain el on their defensive front.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Yeah, I mean because Eleven Parsons, I mean you have
to prepare for him on every single snap, run, pass,
play action, first down, second down, third down. You take
that away, that's a completely different defense. And then you
take the Lawrence out, the wy le Vat and you're like,
all right, who's left? And Niland was the guy that
I was like looking forward to seeing and it sounds
like he's a long shot to play this weekend too.
So I mean they're going, like you said, Carl Lawson
(08:58):
Man no disrespect to Carl Lawson, was not aware he
was still going. Just so that is where they're at
right now in Dallas right now. But yeah, I just
think it's a perfect opportunity to build off that last game.
Run the ball, more play action with Goff. I mean,
you should have all day in the pocket against this
defensive line with what the Lions are getting, probably getting
Frank Ragnow back. Yeah, I mean, you take out eleven
(09:21):
and that's enough. You take out Lawrence on the other side,
and then his back up, that's big time, man. They
should be able to run that ball and hit the
play action like they were Monday night.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Credit to this to the Cowboys against the Steelers. Show
two hundred and twenty six of total yards allowed by
the Steelers. They were three to twelve on third down.
But to your point, Ben, I mean, you've got to
think of this upon it inside on the fast track,
all the pieces back with having Frank back is huge.
Dallas twenty third in rushing defense, twenty first against the pass,
(09:51):
twenty fourth in points allowed, seventeenth in total. That you
gotta think with the way Detroit played against Seattle, I
think they kind of caught their rhythm, especially in the
passing game, complimented a run game that's been good all year.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
You got to think that they're going to be able
to go in there and score some points.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Yeah, I really am expecting kind of the way they've
been doing it. Punch them in the face with Montgomery
in the first quarter, Gibbs takes over in the second
and third, and Montgomery is going to close it. I
think pounding the ball against this defense, making them stop
the run is just going to open it up for
Golf and Saint brown Man because they're without the pick
six King from last year too in their defensive backfield
Bland right, Yeah, So it's just they can if they
(10:26):
can get into that groove. I really like this offensive
chance to kind of control the day, especially like you
saw it out in Arizona too.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I think you might see a similar similar thing there. Well.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
It should be a fun one in Dallas, obviously, the
Lions are owed one yea in Dallas National TV game
as the early or as the late afternoon National TV game.
Should be fun. This one could mean a lot for
the NFC. So those are the three keys he has
been ravel. Welcome back to the twenty in the Huddle podcast.
(10:59):
Really have the a new guest the first time to
the Twentydle podcast.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Nickel cornerback. A Meek Robertson, thanks for joining me. Appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
Appreciate y'all. Man, appreciate you'll. I have me in man.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
All right, you're you're new, So let's start with this.
What's something Detroit fans don't know.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
About A Meek Robertson.
Speaker 6 (11:17):
It's a lot, you know, But I would think what
all you know? What always come to my head would
probably be what my name? You know my name means?
My name is a Meek, of course everybody knows, and
a Meek is my mom's name is spelled backwards. So
my mom name is Chema. Okay, okay, I am A
and my name is spelled A M.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
I K. I like that.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Yeah, that's good. Kind of unique, man, you know, it's
really unique.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
What was it about Detroit?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
You spent your first four years with the Raiders? What
was it about Detroit? This free agency process, this situation.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
That fit you?
Speaker 1 (11:51):
And has it turned out to be what you thought
it would be when you came here.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
To sign.
Speaker 6 (11:58):
Everything? I thought it would be this it's happening. You know,
free agency came. I don't I don't want to go
into too many details for came. They called me the
first day, couldn't get a deal done, which was on me,
and I was like it was eating up because this
why you know, every other team reached out, even teens
offered more money, you know, but I just felt like,
(12:19):
for some reason, my heart was seeing guys was telling
me to come here. I thought they wasn't gonna call
me back. They coming back again. The next morning. My
agent car like, look, the Lions came in again. I'm like,
let's do it.
Speaker 5 (12:31):
Like whatever.
Speaker 6 (12:32):
I don't care about the Carlton Davis trade whatever, like
I want to go there and earn it whatever they
you know, whatever.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
I want to go there because I felt like.
Speaker 6 (12:40):
I need to be here man, you know, being able
to play with coach a g and Dan like the
fire like. I even went on YouTube and looked at
his videos, the hype videos that the Lions had. I
felt like I belonged there, man. And I knew, you know,
we had a young group, you know, guys coming in
like Calton, uh, you know, other guys.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
We had a young group.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
I knew that those guys were football players, and those
guys were guys that love football.
Speaker 5 (13:04):
You know.
Speaker 6 (13:04):
I could tell the play start the way they played
when I when we played against something, well, when I
was at the Raves against me, I feel like I
fit this fit this team.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
And you fit in really nicely in the Nika. You've
kind of taken that nickel spot. And look that's been
new to you. I mean you played outside with Raiders,
you played a little bit Nikka.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
You're kind of one of those guys that like.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Wherever they needed you you could play. What's been the
adjustment like to to now just be kind of that
nickel spot. And do you like the fact that you've
kind of settled into maybe one spot instead of outside
one week nickel the next week you're playing here here
you can kind of settle into where you're at now.
Speaker 6 (13:37):
Yeah, man, I just love this defense man. You know,
we still getting better, we still working on the detailed
little things. But I'm in the right spot, you know,
because I feel like, you know, I'm a football player,
and you know, as long as I'm going to feel
I you know, AG always tell me just be yourself
within the scheme. And when you got a DC that
tell you that, just be yourself. Even Coach Dan, you
(13:57):
tell me just be you, like just you know, just
being in this defense man like I said, having guys
like CERB B tob on CD like it's it's a blessing, man,
it's a blessing, and I'm just happy to be.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
And it's a relatively young not young, but new secondar.
You guys haven't played a lot together. You guys had
some injuries in training camp, and so for you five
guys to be together all at once, I mean, we
didn't see that, I don't think for at all during
training camp maybe for a week. So it's this thing
still kind of falling together a little bit. You guys
still learning each other.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
A little bit.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
And how long does that take in your history of
being in the league, how long before you maybe really
start to gail when you got such a new group
like you guys have.
Speaker 6 (14:43):
Oh that I can't really I can't really respond to it.
But as long as you try to get as long
as we get better each and every week, man, as
long as we see improvement each and every week, because
you know it's not it's always not enough, you know,
it's always not enough, like it's never perfect, you know,
but we try to, you know, trying to chase chase perfection.
That's what get teams over that hump, and that's what
(15:05):
get teams to be successful.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
And that's what we look for every day.
Speaker 6 (15:08):
You know, we we we try to learn each other,
you know, uh some more the story it is never enough.
Speaker 5 (15:13):
We're trying to get over.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
We're just trying to get better each and every day
and play fast and trust each other, because that's what
it's all about. Like I said, we are done, trust
each other. Everybody could play fast. That's how we're able
to make plays. And that's how we help this defense
ex set. When the defense is set, that's how the
team makes out.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
It was so far this year you've been pretty darn
good in the nickel fifty six percent completion percentage.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
When when people throw your way, when.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Quarterbacks have a seventy four passer rating, win throw at
you this year. I mean, you're you're playing some really
good football in the nickel.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
What do you like about the nickel?
Speaker 2 (15:42):
You've played outside, you.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
Made matchups, always been around the balls.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
Uh, Like I say, being myself, you know, uh, and
I know you know, I know in the slot man,
you know, I'm not really gonna especially these defense I'm
not really having help and I like it.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
I want that. I want that hard down because when
I have that hard down.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
It it gives me opportunity, yea, to get my hands
on a H ball like I want, like they you know,
I want to smoke like I wanna you know what
I'm saying. So it's like right now, they probably don't
see it like I'm I'm I'm not really getting interceptions.
I'm not, you know, but they'll come, like I I
know they'll come. I remember, you know, when I was
at at the Raiders, I was always chasing plays like
I was always that guy that may try to make
(16:22):
those splash plays, you know, interceptions, punch outs. But it's
like here, like I've learned, like it's gonna come. It's
gonna come. So, uh, if I can't get my hands
on the ball, you know, I try to get those
people used every now and then, making sure my guy
don't catch catch the ball. But you know, I think
my opportunity will come for those interceptions. I just gotta
keep my head on the silver, keep doing.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
But it's as about playing physical too, being good in
the run game.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
I mean, eight tackles for you against against Seattle, I mean,
you're you're one of those guys you have to be
that kind of player to play in the nickel in
Aaron Clans defense, don't you he know?
Speaker 5 (16:50):
I like he know? You know I like that.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
He know.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
I tell him all the time. Man put me in
a like I need.
Speaker 6 (16:55):
I told him last week, Man, whenever was the before
the ball, I'm like, give me some I tell.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
Him, Man, Dan, give me some aks.
Speaker 6 (17:02):
You man, you know what I'm saying because y'all had
me playing man a lot, y'all have me doing this
whatever whatever. But like I said, Man, I'm you know,
I'm happy to be the I know those plays will come.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
You know it's still early. Those plays will come.
Speaker 6 (17:13):
I just gotta try to stay consistent, continue working and
helping those guys and also us playing together.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
And helping the young guys too. And I want to
ask you this because I'm curious when you were a
young guy coming into the league, how hard was the
transition from the college game to the professional game. Because
we're seeing a little bit with the penalties, especially with Terrian,
because in college you can be handsy, you.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Can be physical.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
You come here.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
Look, the league wants offense, they want scoring, and they
want big plays. And so how tough was that transition
for you. And Terry's a smart guy, and you know,
it seems like he's gonna figure that out. But how
tough was that transition for you? If you put yourself
in his she was four years ago.
Speaker 6 (17:52):
If I'm being honest, man, Tarrion is way past. While
I was coming in. I wasn't a scrappy guy whatever,
but badly playing my rookie years. I was mentally not
you know, not there my rookie years. So I tell
him all the time, man, continue being you. It's just
the fact that sometimes he doesn't, you know. He I
tell him work on certain little things, like getting his
(18:13):
head around, you know, because sometimes just don't pay me.
Because most of the time, man, those quarterbacks, those balls
be horrible, you know.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
So just get your.
Speaker 6 (18:20):
Head around, man, you you'll be all right, continue being you,
because what we don't want is him to lose their
edge and lose his his his great and his ability
to be him, which is being a dog, you know.
So we just tell him all the time, man, continue playing,
Just work on a little thing. As far as getting
his head around, I think turn out want to be fine.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
You see the penalty.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
I think you'd be more concerned if he was getting
beat if he was in a position to make a play,
if he wasn't right there.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
That's technique. You're going to figure that.
Speaker 5 (18:45):
That's something. That's what I'm saying. That's something he's going
to figure out.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Man.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
Mentally, he's he's he's there.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
He's ahead of Like I said, he's he's very far
from wild was you know, and I and I tell
him that all the other time.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
There you go, are gonna love to hear that one.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Let's talk about Dallas a little bit.
Speaker 3 (19:00):
You weren't here last year, but obviously how that game
ended Week seventeen, a lot of controversy.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
The Cowboys have had.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Detroit's number here the last few years.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Just how much are you guys looking forward to this
matchup going on the road us against them mentality? And
then with you personally, Look, you're gonna see CD in
the slot. And what do you like about those matchups
against those all pro those superstar type guys.
Speaker 6 (19:22):
Oh, you know, I don't want to seem too far
as a team. You know, we know what we gotta do.
We look at it as you know, another game.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
Man.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
You know it's you know, it's just as portant as
as last week with I mean, you know, a couple
of weeks before with Seattle, you know, we every time,
like I said, we got a twenty four our rulee, man,
you know we win twenty four. Our rule get back
to what's you know, what matter? Which is the next
next team?
Speaker 2 (19:44):
You know?
Speaker 5 (19:44):
So of course Dallas is a good team. No they are.
They're a good team. But we're a good team too.
Speaker 6 (19:49):
Long as we own a detail, as long as we
practice it together, like I said before, we trust in
one another, we'll be fine. We just got to be ourselves, man,
and go out there and play lions lines football.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
How good can this defense be when you guys get
all the pieces figured out? You know that that that
secondary settles and gets more time together to we've we've
seen how good you guys can be in Arizona. Obviously
against the Bucks you were terrific. Just how good do
you think this defense?
Speaker 6 (20:11):
We can be very man, we can be very good.
We can be very good. We can you know, we
can get we can get there and make it happen.
You know, I don't speak to you know. We still
got a lot of weeks you know ahead of us.
You know, like I said, we just got to continue
keep an eye heading the swivel, working on the little
things and continue building because if you're doing that, you
can better each and every week.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Man, the team is going to be. It was already
good last year. You know.
Speaker 6 (20:35):
Now they they got some pieces you know that can
get us, get us over that homep and I know
we can.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
I know we can do it.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
We just got to keep ahead on the swivel and
keep working, trusting one another.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
Big one this week, national stage in Dallas.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
It should be fun.
Speaker 6 (20:49):
Man.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
You guys are off.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
You guys are off to a great start and we're
looking for a lot more. I appreciate you taking the time.
It's been really good. Get insight. Appreciate a Meek Robertson everybody.
Back to the twenty of the Huddle podcast presented by Microsoft.
Let's take a look at the other perspective a little bit.
Let's get all the info on Dallas. John Michoda does
(21:11):
a terrific job covering everything Dallas Cowboys for the Athletic John,
thanks for joining the twenty of the Huddle podcast.
Speaker 7 (21:18):
Appreciate you absolutely, thanks for having on.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Well, let's start with this and injuries obviously play a
factor in every game, Detroit Lions afforded the buy in
Week five, so they run the practice field early in
the week. All fifty three players on their active roster
were participating in practice. They're the healthiest they've been since
Week one. The Dallas Cowboys not so much. What's the
(21:42):
injury update with Dallas? There's a lot of big names
on that list. Who can Lions fans expect to be
available not be available Sunday when Detroit rolls into Dallas.
Speaker 8 (21:50):
Yeah, those things lining up great for the Lions. H
This is about as banged up as the Cowboys have
been in a while, and particularly where they've been hit
the most is that defensive end. I mean, it would
be a long shot for Michael Parsons to play in
this game. He suffered a high high ankle spring two
games ago. And it just lines up perfect because a
Cowboys bye week is next week, So just kind of
(22:11):
lined up where you're like, Okay, they have the bye
week and then right after that they get the Niners,
who've been the absolute thorn in their side for several
years now, So it just made sense that, Okay, they'll
probably bring him back for that game. So I think
it's very unlikely that Michael Parsons plays in this game,
so that's obviously the biggest. The biggest loss DeMarcus Lawrence,
who got put on IR recently, so that's their other
starting defensive end.
Speaker 7 (22:31):
He won't be in this game.
Speaker 8 (22:33):
Brandon Cooks, their number two wide receiver, recently put on IR.
He'll be out for three more games, so he's obviously
not playing in this one.
Speaker 7 (22:41):
Those would be the biggest ones.
Speaker 8 (22:42):
But then the other the other part that hurt them
is Marshawn nieland kid that went to Western Michigan. He
gets hurt early against Pittsburgh, and this was kind of
his opportunity a second round pick, step up, be one
of the starting defensive ends and maybe really you know,
take his game to the next level with these opportunities
with Lawrence and Parsons being out.
Speaker 7 (23:00):
But he gets a knee injury. Fortunately for him and.
Speaker 8 (23:02):
The Cowboys, it's not season ending, but he's not going
to probably play for another four to six weeks. And
so those are those are the big ones for sure.
Tyler Goeyitton, the rookie left tackle, their first round pick.
He suffered a knee injury in the game and didn't
come back, but it looked like he potentially could have.
They just wanted to err on the side of caution.
I think there's a decent chance he plays in this game.
The one notable that this news just kind of came
(23:25):
out yesterday is that Steven Jones told their team website
that there is a chance that Droon Blank could play
in this game. Now, he's one of their starting corners.
That he had a foot injury before the season even started,
and he has been out. We've seen him working on
the resistance cords on the side, but not doing anything
team or any any drills. He's still in IR he
has to be activated, and so that's a guy right
(23:46):
there that that would be a big boost them if
he comes back. But also there's the part of it
is just how effective can he be? Certainly not going
to play the whole game, So no, the Cowboys are
definitely banged up.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
Felt nine interceptions for him and I think what five
return for touchdown, So that's a big boost for that defense.
But look, John, sometimes is it a blessing in disguise
that you get some of these injuries and then you
get some of these younger players to kind of start playing,
get some experience start their development. You look at all
the injuries that Dallas had last week, and you watch
(24:17):
that game against Pittsburgh. I think they allowed two hundred
and twenty five yards. You know, they the Steelers were
three for twelve on third down, and you know, you
look at some of the guys like like Lawson and
Goldston and you know, you know Tyrus, we all had
a half sack. So can it be sometimes a blessing
in disguise because you get some of these guys in
and then when you get healthy, now you've got some
(24:38):
guys that have played and contributed, and maybe you're a
deeper team overall.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
You just have to kind of weather the storm while
you're in it.
Speaker 8 (24:44):
So that's the way the Cowboys are looking at it,
and I can get on board with that. I'll just say, though,
I think that you'd prefer maybe the injuries, if you're
going to have this many, be in some different spots
as opposed to just all these defensive ends. Because I
did think it was gonna be a great opportunity for
Kneel and then for him to go down, You're just like,
because he I mean, he was trending in a good direction.
The coaches love him when they drafted in the second round.
(25:07):
It just it really was a kind of a blinking
light of this is probably DeMarcus Lawrence's heir apparent. Lawrence
only has one year left. This is his final year
of his contract, so you see a step going forward.
Speaker 7 (25:18):
It's Kneelan.
Speaker 8 (25:19):
The other thing that's kind of key here at defensive
end is they had a guy in Sam Williams who
they thought was going to be like their number three
guy in that rotation, and he suffered a knee injury
early in camp and was lost for the season. So
it's like they're, yeah, what they went into the season
is their top four d ns none of them will
be on the field against the Lions, you know. So
that and that's you know, I mean, you know from
watching them last year play the Lions, it's that was
(25:42):
one of their strengths, you know, is you don't want
to get behind and the cowboys on the scoreboard, because
that lets them pin their ears back and just come
with this defensive end rotation and sometimes even get more
than two out on the field and really cause havoc.
And they really hadn't had that opportunity this year. And
then as soon as they start playing well, they'll lose
these guys to injuries. So it'll help those young guys,
(26:02):
no question about it. But it's almost too much.
Speaker 3 (26:05):
Yeah, last year you look at Dallas at at and
T Stadium, undefeated. That was one of the toughest places
to play in all the NFL. And it's been a
little bit weird. You know, they're zero to two, they
haven't won at home yet. Just how much has that been?
Maybe a talking point this week, a point of emphasis
that they've got to get back to winning at home
because if you don't win football games in this league,
(26:26):
you're not gonna be where you want to be in
January and February.
Speaker 7 (26:29):
No question.
Speaker 8 (26:30):
And it is so strange because they weren't a great
road team the previous two years, why they were so
great at home, and then this year they start out
on the road three and oher but then can't win
at home, and it's easy to connect to that's to
when this whole streak at home ended, and that was
in the playoff game to the Packers where they just
got punched in the mouth. I mean that game was
basically over before it started, and it made me wonder
(26:52):
how they would come into this season, like, would there
be a hangover over that?
Speaker 7 (26:55):
I mean, that was to me.
Speaker 8 (26:57):
It's the worst loss in Cowboys history when you factor
in everything they had going for them, the talent, how
healthy they were at that time. They kind of backed
into the two seed, I mean, and then to lay
that egg at home where they had been the best
team in the NFL for two years. I thought for
sure there would be a hangover, and maybe they'd just
been the hangover at home because they have been They
(27:17):
have been good on the road surprisingly, and so that's
definitely something on their mind. They know that if they're
going to get to the playoffs, they're not going to
do it.
Speaker 7 (27:24):
But I just went on the road.
Speaker 8 (27:25):
They got to take care of their home games, and
so that's why this one is huge for them, especially
going into the bye week.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
You're another thing that jumped out to me, John, and
again I'm talking with John Mishoud. It does a great
job covering everything Dallas for the Athletic thirty first in rushing.
You know, when you look at Dallas over the years,
and obviously you know when Zeke was humming along, It's
just that was always just something you knew Dallas was
going to come in with that offensive line, with that
run game, they were going to control that part of
(27:53):
the game. Their passing game played off and you knew
you were in for a fistfight, you know, with the
ground game.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
That hasn't been the case so far this year. Who's
the number one running back in Dallas right now? Is it?
Speaker 4 (28:07):
Doubt all?
Speaker 2 (28:07):
And kind of what'spend maybe slowing them up.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
Look, I know they've got DAK and I know they
got CD and they put money, big money into that,
and that's kind of, you know, their bread and butter.
But you've got to be a little bit more balanced.
And what we're seeing number two in passing, number thirty
one in rushing. I don't know if that's sustainable through
seventeen games.
Speaker 7 (28:25):
No, it's probably not.
Speaker 8 (28:26):
And it is interesting how the running game, certainly since
they drafted zeke in twenty sixteen, and really even the
two years before that, you know with DeMarco Murray helped
them kind of turn it around in fourteen when he
led the league in rushing and had the Cowboys all
time you know, best season rushing.
Speaker 7 (28:39):
So they go and draft Zeke.
Speaker 8 (28:41):
U was a top five pick, and that's a time
when a lot of people were talking about the running
back position being devalued. Not only do they use the
high pick on him, then they give him a monster
contract and then that didn't pay off. And it's almost
like it's almost like Jerry Jones and company were like, Hey,
we're going to We're going to go the far the
opposite end, and we're not going to give We're not
spending anything at running back. It's crazy to see how
(29:01):
much has changed because you know, it is Rico Doubdle
To answer your question, that is their number one guy.
We kind of knew that going into the season, just
because he's the youngest guy. He's gonna have the freshest legs. Now,
Zeke has still got the He is the guy that
you need to go do in third and one, you know,
on the goal line, short yard stuff. I mean, he
absolutely still has enough gas in the tank to give you,
(29:21):
you know, five ten carries a game. But it's definitely
Ricodoubdell was their one. But it's also kind of interesting
because down here we're wearing out Mike McCarthy and Jerry
Jones with questions about Dalvin Cook because they signed him,
you know, right before the season started. He hasn't been
active for any of these games, and so for me,
I'm just kind of like, Okay, well, if he hasn't
been active yet, it's clearly not the Dalvin that was
(29:42):
in Minnesota, or he would be out there. It's not
like they're just well, we got so many talented backs,
we just can't get them any time.
Speaker 7 (29:48):
So that keeps on that.
Speaker 8 (29:49):
Mike McCarthy said last week that he hasn't been getting
some some reps with the ones here and there in
some team drills. But I still don't even think this
is the game. I still think they're gonna wait time
for the buye to potentially use him. I think this
game still is going to be a Rico dalut Ezekiel
Ellie game. But yeah, the way that that game went
last year, the way that this team has played this year,
I just do not see the Cowboys being able to
(30:11):
run in the Lions.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
Then what is when you look at this matchup and
you look at some of the rankings and a lot
of similarities between these two teams through Detroit's first four
games Dallas' first five games, what do you see as
the biggest key for Dallas to come away Sunday national
audience with their first win at AT and D Stadium,
get to four and two and kind of continue this
(30:35):
recent dominance over the Lions. What's the number one thing
they have to do in your opinion?
Speaker 8 (30:40):
So I'm kind of laughing just because to be one
hundred percent transparent, I did say this last week going
into the Steelers game, and that kind of surprised me
that this didn't happen.
Speaker 7 (30:48):
But I'm doubling down there.
Speaker 8 (30:50):
I don't see a way that they beat the Lions
without a big day from Dak and CD, and there
really hasn't been that.
Speaker 7 (30:55):
I mean, they were great last year.
Speaker 8 (30:56):
You look at their numbers at the end of the year,
it's there's a big reason why Dak ended up getting
becoming the highest paid player in the league, and CD
is now the number two highest paid non quarterback. So
it's really the three highest paid players in the NFL
right now are Dak, Prescott, Justin Jefferson, and Cede Lamb.
So it's like they gave all that money to those
two guys because it's like, Hey, this is gonna be
(31:18):
this is gonna be our now and this gonna be
our future. And you look at the way they paid
last season. I mean, just you take the Lions game.
How well Dak and CD played in there. That is
That is the key. I just do not see away,
especially with all these injuries that you know. I always
say it's like I'm certainly not a coach. I would
never even try to be an NFL coach. But whenever
I talk to somebody else that covers another team, I
(31:39):
always say, Man, if I was going against the Cowboys,
my number one thing is I'm throwing two three guys
at Cede Lamb. Make them beat you with somebody else.
Jake Ferguson's a very good tight end. Last year they
had Tony Pollard, which which gave them some quality in
the run game.
Speaker 7 (31:53):
They don't have that this year.
Speaker 8 (31:55):
Brandon Cooks is out, So you want Jalen Tolbert to
be the guy that beat you now that we're out
for the Cowboys. He had the game winning touchdown against
the Steelers. But I feel like that's what you want
to happen when you're playing the Cowboys. You want them
to have to go to those other players. You don't
want CD to have two hundred and twenty some yards
and just go off that's when the Cowboys are at
their best, and to win this game, I think that's
(32:16):
what they would have to have happen.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
Yeah, Lions fans found that out firsthand last year. Thirteen catches,
two hundred and twenty seven yards and a touchdown that
game against Detroit Week seventeen. You know, it's funny, John,
I think that game was part of the reason why
Detroit went into this offseason.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
It wasn't the only reason. There are many games leading.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Up where Detroit really struggled against high caliber wide receivers
in passing games. It's a completely different secondary now. I mean,
I don't even think Dallas fans are gonna recognize any
of the names that they saw week seventeen.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Brian Branch is probably the only one.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Kirby Joseph, but this is a completely revamped sepocate secondary.
They think they're better equipped to handle, you know, matchups
like this. Any talk with among Stallus players just about
kind of this Detroit defense. It's an aggressive, man style defense,
and they really trust those guys in the secondary. This
(33:09):
isn't a defense that really double teams guys that looks
to take away one guy.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
They play their style. They play man defense.
Speaker 3 (33:16):
It seems like there's gonna be some opportunities for CD
to make some plays, but but Troy is is gonna
play their style.
Speaker 8 (33:23):
Yeah, it is interesting, but we haven't had locker room
access yet.
Speaker 7 (33:27):
Pretty much.
Speaker 8 (33:27):
On these normal weeks, we get Mike McCarthy and the
coordinators on Monday. Nothing on Tuesday, but covering the Cowboys.
You just Tuesday's always Jerry talks Tuesday morning the radio.
But Wednesday and Thursdays are our days to get locker room,
so we'll have that today. So I haven't heard anything
from them yet because when last time we talked to
him in the locker room was all about the Steelers.
Speaker 7 (33:47):
But it is.
Speaker 8 (33:48):
It is interesting because of the fact that you go
back to that draft that was just so great for Detroit.
Being a native you know, Metro Detroit man, that was
so awesome to see the turnout down there, and then
just to be someone covering the Cowboys and then here,
all of a sudden, in the first round, the Lions
are trading with the Cowboys to move up to get
Terry and Arnold. And it's interesting how this season has
(34:09):
played out so far too, because I know, you know,
Lions fans have kind of been on Arnold for being
kind of grabby and.
Speaker 7 (34:14):
Stuff like that.
Speaker 8 (34:15):
Well, the pick that the that the Cowboys got when
they trade it back from the Lions is Tyler goeyiton
and left tackle. He's been gravvy and had too many penalties,
and so it is interesting to see the.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
Two fas rookie. It must be a rookie thing.
Speaker 5 (34:29):
It is.
Speaker 8 (34:29):
But but I will also say that like with both players,
I just feel like it's like, Okay, I get it,
it's the NFL a more than ever young guys play.
But it's like they're both so talented and just like
just give them time. It'll it'll be fine. Like they
both answer major areas of weakness. But it is also
gonna be interesting because Arnold probably will get his his
moments against Ceedee Lamb, and I do expect Gutton to
(34:50):
play in this game, coming off to the injury, and
he's getting thrown to the Wolves against Aiden Hutchinson who
had three sacks last year with Tyron Smith trying to
block him. So yeah, they're gonna have their hands full there.
Tyler Guidan is definitely this is gonna be one of
those games where, yeah, there's gonna be a lot of
eyes on him.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
I think young players are gonna make a big impact
in this game, and it's a big one. You know,
early in the season, Detroit's, you know, trying to go
on the road. They were hoping to see Dallas in
the playoffs. To be honest with you, I mean, if
they had their choice, they obviously loved hosting Tampa Bay,
but they would not have been upset at all given
what happened the end of that game in Dallas. To
(35:28):
have another chance at the Cowboys in Dallas. They've been
looking forward to this game. They've been circling. It's an
NFC opponent, It's probably gonna have some impact on the
playoffs at the end of the year. It's a fun
Week six matchup. I'm looking forward to it. It should
be a fun one. There should be plenty of points scored,
I'm expecting, and so John, thanks for taking the time
so much.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
I appreciate your insight.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
Really good stuff, and I'll make sure I come and
say hello in Dallas.
Speaker 7 (35:53):
Absolutely, I look forward to it. Thanks for having man
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