January 17, 2024 • 37 mins
Chris and Rob tell us how much pressure is on Lamar Jackson heading into this weekend’s playoff showdown with CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans, explain why Jerry Jones’ insistence on being the puppet master in Dallas is the biggest reason why Mike McCarthy is still employed after that embarrassing playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers and debate whether the Dallas Cowboys should dump Dak Prescott.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're listening to the Best of the Odd Couple with
Chris Bruce and Ron Parker.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Lamar Jackson, who we all presume is going to win
his second MVP Award. The only question really seems to
be Willy winning unanimously. But the last time, of course,
that he won it unanimously rob They went out very
meekly in the playoffs. They lost to the Tennessee Titans
(00:52):
as the first seed. Number one seed had to buy
in all of that and Lamar Jackson robbed. The playoffs
have no been kind to him, to say the least.
He's one in three, but that doesn't really sum up.
Just to keep it real, how bad he's been in
the playoffs. And so here's the deal. He's won fifty
(01:14):
eight games in the regular season, which is more than
any other quarterback his age. He's twenty seven well, he's
twenty six, twenty six years old.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Let me check on his age before we firs.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
He's twenty just turned twenty seven ten days ago, so
he's twenty seven years old. One more regular season games
than any quarterback is age. That includes, of course, Patrick Mahomes,
who sat out his first year, and yet the only
quarterback to win more than fifty games in his first
(01:48):
six seasons and have fewer postseason wins Rob than Lamar
is Andy Dalton. Lamar's won in three, Andy Dalton's zero
and four. And it's not just oh, you know, teams
lose is a team game. Lamar's thrown four touchdowns and
or has four total touchdowns, passing and running seven turnovers
(02:13):
in those four playoff games. And in the regular season,
Rob Lamar's QBR sixty five, it's the seventh best in
the NFL since he joined the league in twenty eighteen.
In the playoffs is qbrs forty one point five, second
worst among quarterbacks with multiple playoff starts over that span,
(02:34):
and he's only ahead of Mitchell Trubisky. And we all
know what Trubisky is. So Rob, I think Lamar. Look
if he loses to say Kansas City or maybe even
Buffalo in the conference championship, but plays fairly well. He
doesn't even have to be spectacular. I don't know that
he'll get criticized, but if he loses this game to
(02:59):
a rookie quarter back the Houston Texas and CJ. Stroud,
who's fantastic, Rob, He's going to get really criticized publicly.
And for the time being, people will say, well, yeah,
he's great in the regular season, but whether they think
it's his style of play or whatever the reason, they
(03:20):
will say, we want to see it in the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Until then, we're not impressed.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
Yeah, we've heard that before. And there was a guy
that people talked about a wand up with two super
Bowls and couldn't win in the playoffs and he was
the best regular season quarterback and five MVPs and all that.
So we have seen this before. This is not Peyton Manning.
Is that guy who people just and he finished his
postseason career. Chris, I believe I don't have it in
(03:48):
front of me, but a game under five hundred, I
want to say.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Like Peyton Manny, Rob playoff record fourteen and thirteen.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Okay, so one, but he only got above.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Five hundred when he went to Denver, right, But I'm
just saying that what he was, he was.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
But that's what But that's but that's what he said,
what people said about him as well, and I'm just saying.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
So that means he was nine and ten when he
left Indianapolis is probably what you were thinking about.
Speaker 6 (04:15):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Let's keep it real. He's got two Super Bowls. The
second one they won kind of inspired him.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Yeah, but he won one. But he won one.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
And that's that's ultimately like when you have when you're
such a talent, you want to believe that a guy
can win at least one championship.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
I mean, not too how hard it is.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
The two does help, Oh yeah, and the two and
the two does and and and he played and remember
he got benched that year and didn't play that great.
I don't think he had more than one hundred yards
or right at one hundred yards that game. Uh, he
was like the ten man. But but the point is,
I think this is by far, this is that moment
for Lamar that I'm looking at because I picked him.
(04:54):
I picked him before the year started. Chris to get
to the Super Bowl. I like their team. I like
Lamar picked them to be MVP. All those things, and
they checked all the boxes. They're beating all the good teams.
They've played well, so there's no excuses. They're healthy, they
got everything they need to do with So this is
the year for me. Well I'll really take a look
and say, Okay, what kind of guy is Lamar? And
(05:16):
I'm confident going in the way that they've played that game.
And I know it was just one game, but that
game in San Francisco to me was one of those
moments for me and looking at it, it wasn't a playoff game,
Chris obviously, but it felt like there was something on
the line. The MVP was on the line, the way
(05:39):
people look at the Ravens was on the line, and
Lamar flying cross country playing a team that was on
par with them, and some people thought it was the
best team in the NFL. You know, like I thought,
that was a moment and he performed with flying in
(06:00):
that moment, and that is the confidence from that game
I have about Lamar going into the postseason.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Rob as great as he was or good as he
was in that game, he was spect His better game
was Miami Miami when they beat him fifty six nineteen.
Remember that game, if I remember correctly, wasn't that for
the number one seed or number one seed was on
the Livene. No, that was a great game. Bushdowns in
(06:29):
a perfect passer rating.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
That was great.
Speaker 5 (06:32):
But you're San Francisco, I know, but that was still
a big game. I just I just thought, I thought,
I thought that's what I thought. That was the one
where he got the MVP. Like people were like, okay.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Well, because it was a combination of him playing well
and Brock Purty really struggling. I think Party might have
entered that game as the number one guy as far
as the odds for MVP. But yeah, the bottom line
is Lamar was great and Rob, they they beat They
beat every good team you're placed in front of them.
(07:04):
They beat Miami, they beat the Niners and they beat
them soundly. They beat Cleveland, they beat Houston, who they
play this weekend, beat them by sixteen points. Now granted
that was opening weekend, so that was Houston's first game,
but you know, they did beat them. And Lamar said
(07:25):
himself after that game he was rusty.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
They beat the Rams, they beat Jacksonville, they beat everybody
who Yeah, so all of that, though, speaks to why
there's really no reason for the Ravens not to at
least win this game. Now again, it's Kansas City going
to flip the switch. I thought they played well against Miami.
(07:48):
It's what I expected. I wasn't overly like what they
did and what Buffalo did the Pittsburgh didn't change my
mind about either team. I expected them to beat those
two teams pretty solidly. But obviously those are good teams.
And if Baltimore meets them in the Conference championship and
(08:09):
lose it, I'm with you, Rob. I picked them to
get to the Super Bowl, and now I've picked them
to win it. You picked them to win it in
the preseason.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
I like that team.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
I think they got everything chrish that you need. And
they're healthy.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
I mean, what is not to like. They have a
good defense, and they.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Part of the greatness of Lamar this year. Rob, and
I think something that is indeed baked into his MVP
argument is that they weren't healthy. He lost his two
top running backs, starting with JK.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Dobbins.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
He lost his you know all pro or Pro Bowl
tight end Mark Andrews, his favorite target. It's security blanket.
They caught him and yet likely yeah, and he still
kept moving and they didn't miss a beat. And so
I think that's a big part of why he's also
you know, it looks like he's going to win the
(09:10):
MVP Award. But yeah, it's big for him. He's got
to go out and get it done. And so it's
a huge game. And I'm with you. I think he
will get it done. But it's a lot on the line,
and if he doesn't get it done, he will likely
be I will.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
Say this though, I agree with that, But Josh Allen,
this this is because that team in this window is
closed if they don't beat Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
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Speaker 4 (09:47):
Hey what's up everybody?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
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Speaker 4 (09:55):
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Speaker 6 (09:56):
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Speaker 4 (10:12):
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Speaker 3 (10:29):
We can talk a little DAC later too, But let's
start with the news that just broke that Mike McCarthy
will not be fired as the head coach of the
Dallas Cowboys. Now, let me kind of set the stage.
McCarthy four years in Dallas, has been there, been to
(10:50):
the playoffs the last three years, has won twelve games
on twelve and five each of the last three years,
and Robbie's the first coach to do that since their
heyday in the nineties win thirty years ago when they
won their three Super Bowls he has. This year, he
helped Dak Prescott have the best season of his career
(11:14):
and then in the playoffs in the first round at
rob after going sixteen straight games at home with a victory,
they won sixteen straight at home. Outscored opponents this year
in their eight home games by one hundred and seventy
two total points. They get slaughtered, not walloped, slaughtered by
(11:41):
a Green Bay Packers team that was nine and eight,
that barely made the playoffs, that became the first seventh
seed ever to win a playoff game, and that became
the youngest team in nearly fifty years since nineteen seventy
four to make the playoffs. And Rob it wasn't a game.
You wouldn't even lower twenty seven points. And they have
(12:05):
decided a team that the owner, Jerry Jones says the
most important thing to him is winning another Super Bowl.
He decides to keep Mike McCarthy's head coach. Your thoughts
and Chris, you just said it.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Actually the last three years of being twelve and five,
that's the indictment, is that the team has been good.
That's the indictment, not that he's working all the where
they were nine and eight, Chris, or they were ten
and seven or whatever, and they got in the playoffs
and they lost. No, they were twelve and five the
(12:41):
last three years and have nothing to show for it.
Chris just talked about it sixteen in a row at home.
What what if it wasn't for the NFL adding them
the extra playoff team.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
The Packers would.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Have been at home. It wasn't even right they would
have been at home.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
That's the team that they didn't just get a bounce
their way, Chris or a squeaker or something went wrong
or oh my god, it was bad luck.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
They got steamrolled at home.
Speaker 5 (13:11):
If you can't get fired off of that game, you
can't get fired.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
I'm sorry. And that is the game where you get fired.
Because they weren't ready to play. They choked it down.
All the stuff they did during the regular season went
for naught.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
It was embarrassing, to say the least.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
And Rob he got as a coach undressed by Matt Lafleur. Right,
I mean, how many wide open Packers did we see?
I mean guys where there wasn't a Cowboy within ten
fifteen yards of them. Throws guys so wide open, you
(13:54):
or I could have made the throw to.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Him, right, Jordan Loved n't have to throw the thread
the needle. Crits, it was wide open.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
And Rob again, you know I've been saying this for
a few years now. The main problem with the Cowboys
is that their owner, Jerry Jones, has set a culture
that I don't believe in Rob, the evidence is there, right,
The proof is in the pudding that is not conducive
(14:26):
to winning a championship. Greg Jenny said it earlier. We
didn't know at this point that Mike McCarthey actually coached
Greg Jenny's to a Super Bowl was going to remain
as coach, But Greg said he feels like those Cowboys
players have too much pressure on him. Guess where the
pressure is coming from Jerry Jones. And it's not coming
(14:48):
from him saying to them, hey, you better win this
Super Bowl. You better go out there and get done.
It comes from the culture in Dallas where they are.
The talk is about Super Bowls. Rob, how much before
they lost to the Packers, I heard more talk from
(15:08):
the Cowboys players about the Super Bowl than I did
about Green Bay?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Right?
Speaker 5 (15:13):
What about Green Bay? Are you forgetting the opponent that
you have in front of you? It doesn't even make sense, Chris,
I mean, what has transpired there in Dallas? And you
know they were my Super Bowl picked Chris twelve and
five sixteen in a row at home.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
And I get it.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
They only beat one good team I think all year
that was the Bugga Boo. But I didn't expect them
to lose the Green Bay I just didn't know.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I really did anybody expect I really other than like
the Green Bay players and Green Bay package fans, you
know what I mean. But you know sometimes when you like, hey,
I hope we can win, and you say you think,
but you know what I mean, Like you just know
they're up against a better team and Chris, but I
think there's very few people that thought Dallas was gonna
lose that game.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
And don't forget that survey body Athletic, all the executives
in front office people remember was unanimous Dallas win in
that game, Like oh.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, I mean and Rob, look Mike, I'm not gonna
sit here like he's a scrub coach. He's a good coach,
but I don't think like he has some deficiencies where
I think in terms of like clock managements, which didn't
(16:28):
come into play in this game because it was so lopsided,
and and how can you not have your team ready?
And dan Quinn got undressed too as a defensive coordinator.
But Rob, I think it comes down to this. We
know the names that were out there and really is
only one name, Bill Belichick, and I didn't think he
(16:49):
could fit with Jerry, but.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
I never thought that it was a fit.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
But Rob, we talked about it with Greg. If Jerry
Jones really he wanted, like if his number one priority
above everything else was to win the Super Bowl, don't
you think the thing to do would be to say, Look,
I'm gonna say call Bill Belichick. And you know, Rob,
(17:16):
I've been vocal one of the loudest guys out there
about how Belichick hasn't done anything without Tom Brady. But
Belichick is an incredible defensive coach. And you already have
a good quarterback, not a great win in Dack, but
a good one. And the offense is good. Offense led
the league in scoring this year. And I think Belichick,
(17:38):
if left alone from Jerry, would be able to create
a culture that would make that team more serious and
would make them mentally tougher and would have enabled them
to maximize their potential, which I think could be maybe
winning the Super Bowl. They're not the most talented team,
but they're one of the same, probably top five teams,
(18:01):
and certainly get closer than they have been in twenty
nine years. But Rob, I think Jerry would not give
it up like to get Belichick, he'd have to be like,
I don't even I'm not even talking about giving up
like personnel responsibilities. Stephen Jones has done a good job
of drafting town. They have talent, so the front office
(18:22):
is fine in that regard. And if Belichick was willing
to just coach, I don't think he wants Jerry talking
Rob every every week on the radio. I don't think
he wants Jerry holden court with the reporters outside the
locker room after every game. And I think and not
that they talked, but the bottom line to me, Rob
(18:42):
is Jerry Jones is not willing to give that stuff up,
and I think that holds him back because it sets
a bad culture.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
It is amazing on how long and he still doesn't
get it and the culture there, Chris, they wont to
lot of games. They've had teams that won games. Tony
Romo when he was there, they were winning games, Chris, like,
it ain't like they've been they are six to ten
or six and eleven, right, They've had all these great
(19:13):
players in there and they cannot get it done. And
to think that there are times, Chris, when you just
have to make a move and if you can't get
fired off of what transpired in that postseason game in
Dallas where you were literally embarrassed. A twelve win team, quarterbacks,
(19:36):
best year, all these other weapons, Michael Parsons talking big
smack on the podcast, all that stuff that.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
Should be the MVP.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
We should do this, wear that they don't give us
enough credit, all that other stuff, and that's the performance
you put out, embarrassing rob Jason Garrett was there nine
and a half seasons, had four win seasons.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
That's crazy.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
And to my point, was there nine and a half years,
four winning seasons the Dallas Cowboys, and you're there nine
and a half years and your quarterbacks are Tony Romo
and Dak Prescott.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
And Chris exactly five hundred his first five years. That's
accepted mediocrity, right, five hundred for five years.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
But Jerry could.
Speaker 5 (20:25):
Could control the strings on Jason Garrell. We talked about
all the time. We just couldn't see the strings in
his mouth moving. But Jerry was on that.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
And I think it's the same like McCarthy. It probably
isn't quite to that extent, but I think it's in
the ballpark, don't you think like I think he McCarthy's
a coach that lets Jerry do his thing, doesn't say anything.
Jerry makes his comments and talks to the media and
gets all the publicity. And McCarthy's fine with that. Rob.
(20:56):
Let me. Have you've been covering sports since Moby Dick
was a go I was?
Speaker 4 (21:02):
Have you?
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I mean, can you name me other than Steinbrenner. And
the difference between Steinbrenner, George Steinbrenner, and Jerry is that
Steinbrenner would fire you.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
He would have been He would have been fired, has
no doubt about doubt.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Yeah, he would you if you weren't getting it done.
But other than George Steinberner, Rob, can you name an
owner who is out there running his mouth? Like I said,
Kansas City, we never hear from Clark Hunt until they
win the Super Bowl and he collects the trophy. Robert Kraft,
(21:37):
you know, we really don't hear much. I mean, he's
not a hermit.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
William more about Chris or or he's hanging out with rappers.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Like at absolutely, I mean the Steelers owner, the Rooneys
like those are the best friend. We're talking about the
best franchises in the league. San Francisco's owner, like you knew,
don't here in basketball Spurs owner running his mouth all
the time. The Laker Genie Buss a little, but she's
(22:08):
not like Jerry at all. She's not like getting in
the way and things like that. I mean, Rob, it
just I don't think it works. And Jerry Jones won't
accept that because all that talk about I want a
super Bowl more than anything else. No, you want the
microphone in your face more than anything else. Now give
(22:30):
him credit, Rob, And I really believe this now, and
you let me know if you disagree. We know when
you and I grew up in the seventies, the Cowboys
were America's team, yes, and then of course they had
the great running the nineties with Dion Sanders and Troy
(22:51):
that dynasty.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
That was a great team dynasty.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
And then they've been haven't done anything since then, but
they still are the leading topic on talk shows. We
talk about them, everybody talks about them all the time.
And I will say this right, this is where Jerry
Jones as a businessman has been smart. I really believe
Rob that if he if they didn't have an owner
(23:18):
like Jerry who was all up in the news and everything,
then I don't think they would be viewed like I
don't think they would get this publicity. I think we
we wouldn't talk about them too much now now they're
a pretty good team, But you know what I'm saying,
Like like rob Let, the Patriots fall off the map
even more, we're not gonna be talking about them at all.
(23:41):
In fact, next year, we're not gonna be talking about
them Steelers, right with six super We're not. We don't
talk about them for the most part. Like so, I
will give Jerry that, but that's not the goal. Is
the goal just to make money and stay on the
talk shows? Or is the joke? Is the goal to
win the Super Bowl? All right?
Speaker 5 (24:01):
The goal is to win the Super Bowl, not to
be a front and center and being talked about it.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
Just all they had to do was win one, Chris,
just one more.
Speaker 5 (24:11):
It's been almost thirty years, Win one more, right, That's
all they had to do. And you put together these teams,
these players. But I don't know, I would be dejected
if I was a Cowboys fan.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
the nation. Catch all of our shows at foxsports radio
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Speaker 3 (24:34):
We talked the big news is that Mike McCarthy will
be back after that forty eight to thirty two drubbing.
And it wasn't that close. It wasn't even close to
that close at the hands of the Green Bay Packers
in the wildcard round of the playoffs last weekend. And
the question now, and to me, it's not much of
a question. I think it's gotta happen. But Dak Prescott, so,
(24:58):
Dak had had a great season, I think, clearly his
best effort. And actually, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
I always thought that the the year with Ezekiel Chris
where he wasn't as a rookie, I don't know. Yeah,
Like I just thought the way that that team was,
I thought that team was better than they win a
playoff game.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
I'm talking about individually, Okay, like saying I thought he was,
I thought he was.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
I thought he was a better player during that stretch.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
No, he wasn't care he was a he was a
game manager, which I think is what he should be.
But I mean, individually, I thought he was.
Speaker 4 (25:36):
Clearly he was.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
That year that that he's gonna be higher than that.
He gonna probably be second. He think, Yeah, I think
I think third at the lowest third. Okay, I think
third at the lowest look. He did throw thirty seven
touchdowns in sixteen games two years ago. This year through
thirty six, which led the league. Ten touch tenders that
(26:00):
year nine this year threw for more yards, but again
he played more games.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
He's you know what I'm saying, but just saying.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
I just thought this was the first year where he
looked elite to me and like he carried the team.
He was their best offensive player with all respect to Ceedee,
Lamb and uh and then the playoffs all of that changed.
So Rob, the question is now, he's got one more
year left on his deal, but he's got a fifty
(26:28):
nine million dollar cap hit. You heard Randy tell us that.
You know, it's gonna be tough to build around him
with that type of cap hit. So usually a team
will give a guy a contract extension and spread the
money out so he won't count as much against the cap.
But if you're Dallas, what do you feel like, I'll
(26:48):
just say this, I would sign him. I don't want
to make him the highest paid player in the league.
I want to negotiate with him. We'll see what he's wants.
But I just feel like Rob, there's too many teams.
We look at Pittsburgh, we look now at Atlanta. When
you don't have that quarterback man, it is tough sledding.
And now they've got one that's not great. But he's
(27:12):
any given year, he might be a top five guy.
This year he was definitely a top five guy. Next
year maybe be a top ten guy. But I think
he's good enough if you have a strong run game,
which they really didn't have this year. Put the stronger
run game, get some get a meat eater in the
backfield to balance out Tony Pollard, and Derek Henry's available,
(27:34):
I mean, get Derrick Henry if you can, and then
I think you got a run game to bolster what
Dak can do as a passer. And then of course
the defense has to improved something. But that's what I
would do, Rob, What would you do with that?
Speaker 4 (27:50):
I would move on from Dak Prescott. Whatever I need
to do.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
Trade, get him to agree with a because I think
he has a no trade clause. We had Clarence Hill
jor on, so I have to get him to agree
with it that we want to move on. I just
think you know what he is and it's not good,
and I would take a chance with trying something else.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
I get it, Chris.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
You know what he can do. You know he can
win you twelve games. You know what kind of numbers
he can put up. But for Dallas, I'd rather win
nine games and get in the playoffs with somebody who
I'm not convinced is going to wet the bed when
the time comes, and maybe, you know, maybe you have
a younger quarterback.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
I don't know. I didn't see enough for trade lance.
He was drafted high.
Speaker 5 (28:36):
Somebody thought he was good enough to do what they did,
to trade and trade picks and all that that.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
I just wouldn't be against it.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
I know what Dak is and I would take the
unknown over the known.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
And that's where I am. Chris.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
I can't give you that whoever you get is for
sure going to do what Dak didn't do. But I'm
pretty convinced that Dak is not going to a year
eight or nine and whatever he is in the league
is going to be somebody different with the year to
be different from me.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
And he didn't. He wasn't different.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
Rob.
Speaker 4 (29:11):
You said it at the top of the show.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
Peyton Manning used to get criticized for not being able
to get it done in the playoffs, and ultimately he
was able to get it done in the playoffs, you know,
at least one.
Speaker 4 (29:26):
But there's only one difference with Peyton Manning and Dak.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
He's a better player.
Speaker 4 (29:30):
Payton Manner had like five MVPs.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
Yeah, but I mean we're talking about I know, I'm
just saying winning the Super Bowl. He was better than Dak.
There's no doubt about that. But I just think Rob,
like I said, I would not take the risk. Now,
what you're advocating is what San Francisco's approach is. Rob.
I mean, if you get rid of Dak, you're probably
(29:54):
getting a young quarterback who's not making a lot of money.
Maybe you draft the guy, or you know, you go
out there and get kind of a Baker Mayfield type
who's not making a lot of money, but look.
Speaker 4 (30:11):
Where he is and gave him away from the NFC champions.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
So so let me ask you that. So let me
if you're if you're I'm sure Tampa would trade Baker
Mayfield for Dak Prescott, and you would you do it?
Because you know, so let's say Dallas could get that,
get Baker for thirty million a year.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
I just don't see Tampa Bay. I don't think that
they would do it. They got a quarterback that's not
making a lot of money.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
Crew, So you know, I'm just saying to pay him. Yeah,
I'm just saying what I think. He ain't gonna get
no Dak money. Yeah, but no Dak money is what
I'm saying. I hear, would you let's say they.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Would would you rather have Baker Mayfield?
Speaker 1 (30:50):
I would take Baker Mayfield, Yes, I would a period,
or you think he's better, or just because I.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
Just think that.
Speaker 5 (30:57):
I just think that the less money and he won that.
Cleveland hadn't won a playoff game in twenty some odd years,
but he won that game. What he did this past
week against Philadelphia was shocking and how they dominated and
what he did there weren't a few drops, they would
have scored forty some odd points easily. And I'm not
saying he's gonna do that to the Lions or whatever.
(31:17):
But if he beats the Lions on the road in
the Dome and they go to the NFC Championship, even
if they lose, it will be somewhat of a validation
that this guy is a pretty darn good player. Not great, Chris,
but he can play. And I want somebody who if
you're Dak, you've had chances. Get that terrible game against
(31:39):
the forty nine ers Chris a couple of years ago
at home, remember the offense.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
Well, last year he had a bad game against two interceptions, Right,
I'm just saying, like, this is a pattern.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
It's not like he just oh, he had a bad
day at the office and you just look at it
that way and you say, oh, no, you know, otherwise
he's been great in the postseason, are really good?
Speaker 4 (31:59):
No, he hasn't it.
Speaker 3 (32:02):
No, you're right.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
I mean, I can't defend that, but.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
I just wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
I would.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
It's the price of doing business in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
No, I get it. I get it. You're stuck.
Speaker 5 (32:15):
You're stuck, and I know that they're just gonna just
give him the money because they have no choice. And
we talked about it before. They set this whole bad
thing up, Chris, because they didn't sign them when they
were supposed to and it cost them a lot more money.
Like so the Cowboys are at fault here. I'm not
blaming Dak. If you're in line and they got to
make it the highest paid quarterback and you just had
(32:37):
another stinker in the postseason. You're not gonna turn the
money down, Chris, what you're saying is logical about Dak
negotiating with him.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
I doubt, very seriously.
Speaker 5 (32:47):
I give it a one percent chance that he's gonna
take a lesser deal because he's gonna own up to
not playing well.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
Yeah, I mean, you're probably right, but I would just
try to say look that, I mean, you he gonna
get fifty plus million. God, but I would try to
sell him on, you know, less, so we can build
around you. And you know, you would think maybe, And
(33:15):
I don't blame him if he doesn't row. I'm not
gonna I'm not judging him on that. But sometimes a
guy might say, you know what I mean, that's obviously
a ton of money. It's not embarrassingly low where you
know what I mean, where it looks like I really
took a lot less than I should. I'm just not
the highest paid guy, and I haven't I haven't delivered
(33:37):
what I want to deliver, so and I want to
get better players around me. So maybe, you know, you
would hope a guy might say that if he doesn't. Again,
more power to him is his choice, but I would
think that, you know, you might you might look at
doing that because he's got to be disappointed in himself too.
(33:59):
But yeah, I would definitely bring it back. Rob G
what would you do if you Where are you.
Speaker 4 (34:05):
Let him go?
Speaker 7 (34:08):
It's a tough question again because I don't know who
you would replace him with.
Speaker 5 (34:11):
No, I get so, but Troy Lance is sitting there.
I'm just saying, knowing Jerry Jones, he's very you know, loyal.
Speaker 4 (34:21):
You remember that that we're going crazy.
Speaker 7 (34:22):
He could be starting for several teams I think in
this league, and we got him on.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
With ye.
Speaker 7 (34:28):
Yeah, I mean, look, Dak Prescott, you know, is a
regular season quarterback. And there are several quote unquote regular
season quarterbacks in the NFL. So even if you were
to replaced him, though, the chances that you would get
an upgrade is slim to none. But to Rob's point,
the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over
(34:49):
and over and expect different results.
Speaker 3 (34:51):
Do you guys, And.
Speaker 4 (34:54):
If you're Jerry Chris, aren't you like.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
Bill Belichick? But do you guys agree with me? I
think you can win the Super Bowl with Dak Prescott
as your quarterback if.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
You have, I'm not convinced with it. I'm not convinced.
Speaker 5 (35:09):
I know lesser quarterbacks have won Super Bowls Chris, So
I'm not saying he didn't have any talent. I'm just
not convinced because of the mistake factors that go with Dak.
Speaker 3 (35:20):
So I'm not And it's interesting Rob this year nine interceptions,
which was great, and then he throws two in the
first half of a playoff game and Rob Green Bay
was thirty first in the league in interceptions, So it's
not like they picking teams off RG.
Speaker 5 (35:38):
And it was Chris seven in the whole season. What
they have was it punt punt interception and picked six?
Is that what the first four drives or something like that? Right,
Rob gez something like that.
Speaker 7 (35:51):
And I know this is not like real analysis, but
this is something I fundamentally believe to my core. Dak
Prescott sweats entirely too much for me to trust him
in a big spot.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
Like if you watch historically, look, a lot of people
thought he looked nervous.
Speaker 7 (36:07):
He looked like just this is I know this is
not like real what you're saying, but you look historically
at the great quarterbacks of all time. Tom Brady never
looked like he was sweating. Payne Madding never looked he
was sweating. Aaron Rodgers looks like he just stepped out
of a cold shower and he's playing Joe Cool Joe Corro.
And you know even brock Party has that where he
(36:27):
always looks the same. Dak Prescott every football game you
watch him, especially against the good teams, he is dripping
sweat like he's out of the sauna, like he's so tight,
He's so on edge every game in those big moments,
and I don't think I could ever trust him in
those situations.
Speaker 4 (36:41):
Then and then I know he got up there.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
Saw that coj analysis from Chris.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
Think about it.
Speaker 7 (36:48):
I know you think going the commercial break, just think
about all the quarterbacks that you like.
Speaker 5 (36:53):
Expect to hear that on first things first, next.
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, no site, no credit.
Speaker 4 (37:03):
Nick and Wise will have no idea, what hey, I'm dropped.
That's right. They're looking around. They'll be looking for skip
on the set
Thanks for listening to the Best of the Odd Couple podcasts.
Be sure to catch us live every weekday from seven
pm to ten pm Eastern four to seventh Pacific on
Fox Sports Radio. Find your local station for The Odd
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Speaker 2 (00:22):
You're listening to the Best of the Odd Couple with
Chris Bruce and Ron Parker.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Lamar Jackson, who we all presume is going to win
his second MVP Award. The only question really seems to
be Willy winning unanimously. But the last time, of course,
that he won it unanimously rob They went out very
meekly in the playoffs. They lost to the Tennessee Titans
(00:52):
as the first seed. Number one seed had to buy
in all of that and Lamar Jackson robbed. The playoffs
have no been kind to him, to say the least.
He's one in three, but that doesn't really sum up.
Just to keep it real, how bad he's been in
the playoffs. And so here's the deal. He's won fifty
(01:14):
eight games in the regular season, which is more than
any other quarterback his age. He's twenty seven well, he's
twenty six, twenty six years old.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Let me check on his age before we firs.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
He's twenty just turned twenty seven ten days ago, so
he's twenty seven years old. One more regular season games
than any quarterback is age. That includes, of course, Patrick Mahomes,
who sat out his first year, and yet the only
quarterback to win more than fifty games in his first
(01:48):
six seasons and have fewer postseason wins Rob than Lamar
is Andy Dalton. Lamar's won in three, Andy Dalton's zero
and four. And it's not just oh, you know, teams
lose is a team game. Lamar's thrown four touchdowns and
or has four total touchdowns, passing and running seven turnovers
(02:13):
in those four playoff games. And in the regular season,
Rob Lamar's QBR sixty five, it's the seventh best in
the NFL since he joined the league in twenty eighteen.
In the playoffs is qbrs forty one point five, second
worst among quarterbacks with multiple playoff starts over that span,
(02:34):
and he's only ahead of Mitchell Trubisky. And we all
know what Trubisky is. So Rob, I think Lamar. Look
if he loses to say Kansas City or maybe even
Buffalo in the conference championship, but plays fairly well. He
doesn't even have to be spectacular. I don't know that
he'll get criticized, but if he loses this game to
(02:59):
a rookie quarter back the Houston Texas and CJ. Stroud,
who's fantastic, Rob, He's going to get really criticized publicly.
And for the time being, people will say, well, yeah,
he's great in the regular season, but whether they think
it's his style of play or whatever the reason, they
(03:20):
will say, we want to see it in the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
Until then, we're not impressed.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
Yeah, we've heard that before. And there was a guy
that people talked about a wand up with two super
Bowls and couldn't win in the playoffs and he was
the best regular season quarterback and five MVPs and all that.
So we have seen this before. This is not Peyton Manning.
Is that guy who people just and he finished his
postseason career. Chris, I believe I don't have it in
(03:48):
front of me, but a game under five hundred, I
want to say.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Like Peyton Manny, Rob playoff record fourteen and thirteen.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Okay, so one, but he only got above.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Five hundred when he went to Denver, right, But I'm
just saying that what he was, he was.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
But that's what But that's but that's what he said,
what people said about him as well, and I'm just saying.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
So that means he was nine and ten when he
left Indianapolis is probably what you were thinking about.
Speaker 6 (04:15):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Let's keep it real. He's got two Super Bowls. The
second one they won kind of inspired him.
Speaker 4 (04:21):
Yeah, but he won one. But he won one.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
And that's that's ultimately like when you have when you're
such a talent, you want to believe that a guy
can win at least one championship.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
I mean, not too how hard it is.
Speaker 5 (04:32):
The two does help, Oh yeah, and the two and
the two does and and and he played and remember
he got benched that year and didn't play that great.
I don't think he had more than one hundred yards
or right at one hundred yards that game. Uh, he
was like the ten man. But but the point is,
I think this is by far, this is that moment
for Lamar that I'm looking at because I picked him.
(04:54):
I picked him before the year started. Chris to get
to the Super Bowl. I like their team. I like
Lamar picked them to be MVP. All those things, and
they checked all the boxes. They're beating all the good teams.
They've played well, so there's no excuses. They're healthy, they
got everything they need to do with So this is
the year for me. Well I'll really take a look
and say, Okay, what kind of guy is Lamar? And
(05:16):
I'm confident going in the way that they've played that game.
And I know it was just one game, but that
game in San Francisco to me was one of those
moments for me and looking at it, it wasn't a playoff game,
Chris obviously, but it felt like there was something on
the line. The MVP was on the line, the way
(05:39):
people look at the Ravens was on the line, and
Lamar flying cross country playing a team that was on
par with them, and some people thought it was the
best team in the NFL. You know, like I thought,
that was a moment and he performed with flying in
(06:00):
that moment, and that is the confidence from that game
I have about Lamar going into the postseason.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Rob as great as he was or good as he
was in that game, he was spect His better game
was Miami Miami when they beat him fifty six nineteen.
Remember that game, if I remember correctly, wasn't that for
the number one seed or number one seed was on
the Livene. No, that was a great game. Bushdowns in
(06:29):
a perfect passer rating.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
That was great.
Speaker 5 (06:32):
But you're San Francisco, I know, but that was still
a big game. I just I just thought, I thought,
I thought that's what I thought. That was the one
where he got the MVP. Like people were like, okay.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Well, because it was a combination of him playing well
and Brock Purty really struggling. I think Party might have
entered that game as the number one guy as far
as the odds for MVP. But yeah, the bottom line
is Lamar was great and Rob, they they beat They
beat every good team you're placed in front of them.
(07:04):
They beat Miami, they beat the Niners and they beat
them soundly. They beat Cleveland, they beat Houston, who they
play this weekend, beat them by sixteen points. Now granted
that was opening weekend, so that was Houston's first game,
but you know, they did beat them. And Lamar said
(07:25):
himself after that game he was rusty.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
They beat the Rams, they beat Jacksonville, they beat everybody
who Yeah, so all of that, though, speaks to why
there's really no reason for the Ravens not to at
least win this game. Now again, it's Kansas City going
to flip the switch. I thought they played well against Miami.
(07:48):
It's what I expected. I wasn't overly like what they
did and what Buffalo did the Pittsburgh didn't change my
mind about either team. I expected them to beat those
two teams pretty solidly. But obviously those are good teams.
And if Baltimore meets them in the Conference championship and
(08:09):
lose it, I'm with you, Rob. I picked them to
get to the Super Bowl, and now I've picked them
to win it. You picked them to win it in
the preseason.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
I like that team.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
I think they got everything chrish that you need. And
they're healthy.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
I mean, what is not to like. They have a
good defense, and they.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Part of the greatness of Lamar this year. Rob, and
I think something that is indeed baked into his MVP
argument is that they weren't healthy. He lost his two
top running backs, starting with JK.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Dobbins.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
He lost his you know all pro or Pro Bowl
tight end Mark Andrews, his favorite target. It's security blanket.
They caught him and yet likely yeah, and he still
kept moving and they didn't miss a beat. And so
I think that's a big part of why he's also
you know, it looks like he's going to win the
(09:10):
MVP Award. But yeah, it's big for him. He's got
to go out and get it done. And so it's
a huge game. And I'm with you. I think he
will get it done. But it's a lot on the line,
and if he doesn't get it done, he will likely
be I will.
Speaker 5 (09:25):
Say this though, I agree with that, But Josh Allen,
this this is because that team in this window is
closed if they don't beat Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in
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listen live.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Hey what's up everybody?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
It's me three time pro bowler LeVar Arrington and I
couldn't be more excited to announce a podcast called Up
on Game?
Speaker 4 (09:55):
What is up on Game?
Speaker 6 (09:56):
You asked, along with my fellow pro bowler TJ Suhmnzada
and Super Bowl champion Yup. That's right, Plexico Burris, you
can only name a show with that type of talent
on it. Up on Game, We're going to be sharing
our real life experiences loaded.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
With teachable moments.
Speaker 6 (10:14):
Listen to Up on Game with me LeVar Arrington, TJ
Huchminzada and Plexico Birds on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast
or wherever you get your podcast from.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
We can talk a little DAC later too, But let's
start with the news that just broke that Mike McCarthy
will not be fired as the head coach of the
Dallas Cowboys. Now, let me kind of set the stage.
McCarthy four years in Dallas, has been there, been to
(10:50):
the playoffs the last three years, has won twelve games
on twelve and five each of the last three years,
and Robbie's the first coach to do that since their
heyday in the nineties win thirty years ago when they
won their three Super Bowls he has. This year, he
helped Dak Prescott have the best season of his career
(11:14):
and then in the playoffs in the first round at
rob after going sixteen straight games at home with a victory,
they won sixteen straight at home. Outscored opponents this year
in their eight home games by one hundred and seventy
two total points. They get slaughtered, not walloped, slaughtered by
(11:41):
a Green Bay Packers team that was nine and eight,
that barely made the playoffs, that became the first seventh
seed ever to win a playoff game, and that became
the youngest team in nearly fifty years since nineteen seventy
four to make the playoffs. And Rob it wasn't a game.
You wouldn't even lower twenty seven points. And they have
(12:05):
decided a team that the owner, Jerry Jones says the
most important thing to him is winning another Super Bowl.
He decides to keep Mike McCarthy's head coach. Your thoughts
and Chris, you just said it.
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Actually the last three years of being twelve and five,
that's the indictment, is that the team has been good.
That's the indictment, not that he's working all the where
they were nine and eight, Chris, or they were ten
and seven or whatever, and they got in the playoffs
and they lost. No, they were twelve and five the
(12:41):
last three years and have nothing to show for it.
Chris just talked about it sixteen in a row at home.
What what if it wasn't for the NFL adding them
the extra playoff team.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
The Packers would.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Have been at home. It wasn't even right they would
have been at home.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
That's the team that they didn't just get a bounce
their way, Chris or a squeaker or something went wrong
or oh my god, it was bad luck.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
They got steamrolled at home.
Speaker 5 (13:11):
If you can't get fired off of that game, you
can't get fired.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
I'm sorry. And that is the game where you get fired.
Because they weren't ready to play. They choked it down.
All the stuff they did during the regular season went
for naught.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
It was embarrassing, to say the least.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
And Rob he got as a coach undressed by Matt Lafleur. Right,
I mean, how many wide open Packers did we see?
I mean guys where there wasn't a Cowboy within ten
fifteen yards of them. Throws guys so wide open, you
(13:54):
or I could have made the throw to.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
Him, right, Jordan Loved n't have to throw the thread
the needle. Crits, it was wide open.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
And Rob again, you know I've been saying this for
a few years now. The main problem with the Cowboys
is that their owner, Jerry Jones, has set a culture
that I don't believe in Rob, the evidence is there, right,
The proof is in the pudding that is not conducive
(14:26):
to winning a championship. Greg Jenny said it earlier. We
didn't know at this point that Mike McCarthey actually coached
Greg Jenny's to a Super Bowl was going to remain
as coach, But Greg said he feels like those Cowboys
players have too much pressure on him. Guess where the
pressure is coming from Jerry Jones. And it's not coming
(14:48):
from him saying to them, hey, you better win this
Super Bowl. You better go out there and get done.
It comes from the culture in Dallas where they are.
The talk is about Super Bowls. Rob, how much before
they lost to the Packers, I heard more talk from
(15:08):
the Cowboys players about the Super Bowl than I did
about Green Bay?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Right?
Speaker 5 (15:13):
What about Green Bay? Are you forgetting the opponent that
you have in front of you? It doesn't even make sense, Chris,
I mean, what has transpired there in Dallas? And you
know they were my Super Bowl picked Chris twelve and
five sixteen in a row at home.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
And I get it.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
They only beat one good team I think all year
that was the Bugga Boo. But I didn't expect them
to lose the Green Bay I just didn't know.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I really did anybody expect I really other than like
the Green Bay players and Green Bay package fans, you
know what I mean. But you know sometimes when you like, hey,
I hope we can win, and you say you think,
but you know what I mean, Like you just know
they're up against a better team and Chris, but I
think there's very few people that thought Dallas was gonna
lose that game.
Speaker 5 (15:58):
And don't forget that survey body Athletic, all the executives
in front office people remember was unanimous Dallas win in
that game, Like oh.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yeah, I mean and Rob, look Mike, I'm not gonna
sit here like he's a scrub coach. He's a good coach,
but I don't think like he has some deficiencies where
I think in terms of like clock managements, which didn't
(16:28):
come into play in this game because it was so lopsided,
and and how can you not have your team ready?
And dan Quinn got undressed too as a defensive coordinator.
But Rob, I think it comes down to this. We
know the names that were out there and really is
only one name, Bill Belichick, and I didn't think he
(16:49):
could fit with Jerry, but.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
I never thought that it was a fit.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
But Rob, we talked about it with Greg. If Jerry
Jones really he wanted, like if his number one priority
above everything else was to win the Super Bowl, don't
you think the thing to do would be to say, Look,
I'm gonna say call Bill Belichick. And you know, Rob,
(17:16):
I've been vocal one of the loudest guys out there
about how Belichick hasn't done anything without Tom Brady. But
Belichick is an incredible defensive coach. And you already have
a good quarterback, not a great win in Dack, but
a good one. And the offense is good. Offense led
the league in scoring this year. And I think Belichick,
(17:38):
if left alone from Jerry, would be able to create
a culture that would make that team more serious and
would make them mentally tougher and would have enabled them
to maximize their potential, which I think could be maybe
winning the Super Bowl. They're not the most talented team,
but they're one of the same, probably top five teams,
(18:01):
and certainly get closer than they have been in twenty
nine years. But Rob, I think Jerry would not give
it up like to get Belichick, he'd have to be like,
I don't even I'm not even talking about giving up
like personnel responsibilities. Stephen Jones has done a good job
of drafting town. They have talent, so the front office
(18:22):
is fine in that regard. And if Belichick was willing
to just coach, I don't think he wants Jerry talking
Rob every every week on the radio. I don't think
he wants Jerry holden court with the reporters outside the
locker room after every game. And I think and not
that they talked, but the bottom line to me, Rob
(18:42):
is Jerry Jones is not willing to give that stuff up,
and I think that holds him back because it sets
a bad culture.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
It is amazing on how long and he still doesn't
get it and the culture there, Chris, they wont to
lot of games. They've had teams that won games. Tony
Romo when he was there, they were winning games, Chris, like,
it ain't like they've been they are six to ten
or six and eleven, right, They've had all these great
(19:13):
players in there and they cannot get it done. And
to think that there are times, Chris, when you just
have to make a move and if you can't get
fired off of what transpired in that postseason game in
Dallas where you were literally embarrassed. A twelve win team, quarterbacks,
(19:36):
best year, all these other weapons, Michael Parsons talking big
smack on the podcast, all that stuff that.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
Should be the MVP.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
We should do this, wear that they don't give us
enough credit, all that other stuff, and that's the performance
you put out, embarrassing rob Jason Garrett was there nine
and a half seasons, had four win seasons.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
That's crazy.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
And to my point, was there nine and a half years,
four winning seasons the Dallas Cowboys, and you're there nine
and a half years and your quarterbacks are Tony Romo
and Dak Prescott.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
And Chris exactly five hundred his first five years. That's
accepted mediocrity, right, five hundred for five years.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
But Jerry could.
Speaker 5 (20:25):
Could control the strings on Jason Garrell. We talked about
all the time. We just couldn't see the strings in
his mouth moving. But Jerry was on that.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
And I think it's the same like McCarthy. It probably
isn't quite to that extent, but I think it's in
the ballpark, don't you think like I think he McCarthy's
a coach that lets Jerry do his thing, doesn't say anything.
Jerry makes his comments and talks to the media and
gets all the publicity. And McCarthy's fine with that. Rob.
(20:56):
Let me. Have you've been covering sports since Moby Dick
was a go I was?
Speaker 4 (21:02):
Have you?
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I mean, can you name me other than Steinbrenner. And
the difference between Steinbrenner, George Steinbrenner, and Jerry is that
Steinbrenner would fire you.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
He would have been He would have been fired, has
no doubt about doubt.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
Yeah, he would you if you weren't getting it done.
But other than George Steinberner, Rob, can you name an
owner who is out there running his mouth? Like I said,
Kansas City, we never hear from Clark Hunt until they
win the Super Bowl and he collects the trophy. Robert Kraft,
(21:37):
you know, we really don't hear much. I mean, he's
not a hermit.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
William more about Chris or or he's hanging out with rappers.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
Like at absolutely, I mean the Steelers owner, the Rooneys
like those are the best friend. We're talking about the
best franchises in the league. San Francisco's owner, like you knew,
don't here in basketball Spurs owner running his mouth all
the time. The Laker Genie Buss a little, but she's
(22:08):
not like Jerry at all. She's not like getting in
the way and things like that. I mean, Rob, it
just I don't think it works. And Jerry Jones won't
accept that because all that talk about I want a
super Bowl more than anything else. No, you want the
microphone in your face more than anything else. Now give
(22:30):
him credit, Rob, And I really believe this now, and
you let me know if you disagree. We know when
you and I grew up in the seventies, the Cowboys
were America's team, yes, and then of course they had
the great running the nineties with Dion Sanders and Troy
(22:51):
that dynasty.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
That was a great team dynasty.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
And then they've been haven't done anything since then, but
they still are the leading topic on talk shows. We
talk about them, everybody talks about them all the time.
And I will say this right, this is where Jerry
Jones as a businessman has been smart. I really believe
Rob that if he if they didn't have an owner
(23:18):
like Jerry who was all up in the news and everything,
then I don't think they would be viewed like I
don't think they would get this publicity. I think we
we wouldn't talk about them too much now now they're
a pretty good team, But you know what I'm saying,
Like like rob Let, the Patriots fall off the map
even more, we're not gonna be talking about them at all.
(23:41):
In fact, next year, we're not gonna be talking about
them Steelers, right with six super We're not. We don't
talk about them for the most part. Like so, I
will give Jerry that, but that's not the goal. Is
the goal just to make money and stay on the
talk shows? Or is the joke? Is the goal to
win the Super Bowl? All right?
Speaker 5 (24:01):
The goal is to win the Super Bowl, not to
be a front and center and being talked about it.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
Just all they had to do was win one, Chris,
just one more.
Speaker 5 (24:11):
It's been almost thirty years, Win one more, right, That's
all they had to do. And you put together these teams,
these players. But I don't know, I would be dejected
if I was a Cowboys fan.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
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Speaker 3 (24:34):
We talked the big news is that Mike McCarthy will
be back after that forty eight to thirty two drubbing.
And it wasn't that close. It wasn't even close to
that close at the hands of the Green Bay Packers
in the wildcard round of the playoffs last weekend. And
the question now, and to me, it's not much of
a question. I think it's gotta happen. But Dak Prescott, so,
(24:58):
Dak had had a great season, I think, clearly his
best effort. And actually, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (25:06):
I always thought that the the year with Ezekiel Chris
where he wasn't as a rookie, I don't know. Yeah,
Like I just thought the way that that team was,
I thought that team was better than they win a
playoff game.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
I'm talking about individually, Okay, like saying I thought he was,
I thought he was.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
I thought he was a better player during that stretch.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
No, he wasn't care he was a he was a
game manager, which I think is what he should be.
But I mean, individually, I thought he was.
Speaker 4 (25:36):
Clearly he was.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
That year that that he's gonna be higher than that.
He gonna probably be second. He think, Yeah, I think
I think third at the lowest third. Okay, I think
third at the lowest look. He did throw thirty seven
touchdowns in sixteen games two years ago. This year through
thirty six, which led the league. Ten touch tenders that
(26:00):
year nine this year threw for more yards, but again
he played more games.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
He's you know what I'm saying, but just saying.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
I just thought this was the first year where he
looked elite to me and like he carried the team.
He was their best offensive player with all respect to Ceedee,
Lamb and uh and then the playoffs all of that changed.
So Rob, the question is now, he's got one more
year left on his deal, but he's got a fifty
(26:28):
nine million dollar cap hit. You heard Randy tell us that.
You know, it's gonna be tough to build around him
with that type of cap hit. So usually a team
will give a guy a contract extension and spread the
money out so he won't count as much against the cap.
But if you're Dallas, what do you feel like, I'll
(26:48):
just say this, I would sign him. I don't want
to make him the highest paid player in the league.
I want to negotiate with him. We'll see what he's wants.
But I just feel like Rob, there's too many teams.
We look at Pittsburgh, we look now at Atlanta. When
you don't have that quarterback man, it is tough sledding.
And now they've got one that's not great. But he's
(27:12):
any given year, he might be a top five guy.
This year he was definitely a top five guy. Next
year maybe be a top ten guy. But I think
he's good enough if you have a strong run game,
which they really didn't have this year. Put the stronger
run game, get some get a meat eater in the
backfield to balance out Tony Pollard, and Derek Henry's available,
(27:34):
I mean, get Derrick Henry if you can, and then
I think you got a run game to bolster what
Dak can do as a passer. And then of course
the defense has to improved something. But that's what I
would do, Rob, What would you do with that?
Speaker 4 (27:50):
I would move on from Dak Prescott. Whatever I need
to do.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
Trade, get him to agree with a because I think
he has a no trade clause. We had Clarence Hill
jor on, so I have to get him to agree
with it that we want to move on. I just
think you know what he is and it's not good,
and I would take a chance with trying something else.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
I get it, Chris.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
You know what he can do. You know he can
win you twelve games. You know what kind of numbers
he can put up. But for Dallas, I'd rather win
nine games and get in the playoffs with somebody who
I'm not convinced is going to wet the bed when
the time comes, and maybe, you know, maybe you have
a younger quarterback.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
I don't know. I didn't see enough for trade lance.
He was drafted high.
Speaker 5 (28:36):
Somebody thought he was good enough to do what they did,
to trade and trade picks and all that that.
Speaker 4 (28:43):
I just wouldn't be against it.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
I know what Dak is and I would take the
unknown over the known.
Speaker 4 (28:50):
And that's where I am. Chris.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
I can't give you that whoever you get is for
sure going to do what Dak didn't do. But I'm
pretty convinced that Dak is not going to a year
eight or nine and whatever he is in the league
is going to be somebody different with the year to
be different from me.
Speaker 4 (29:08):
And he didn't. He wasn't different.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
Rob.
Speaker 4 (29:11):
You said it at the top of the show.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
Peyton Manning used to get criticized for not being able
to get it done in the playoffs, and ultimately he
was able to get it done in the playoffs, you know,
at least one.
Speaker 4 (29:26):
But there's only one difference with Peyton Manning and Dak.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
He's a better player.
Speaker 4 (29:30):
Payton Manner had like five MVPs.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
Yeah, but I mean we're talking about I know, I'm
just saying winning the Super Bowl. He was better than Dak.
There's no doubt about that. But I just think Rob,
like I said, I would not take the risk. Now,
what you're advocating is what San Francisco's approach is. Rob.
I mean, if you get rid of Dak, you're probably
(29:54):
getting a young quarterback who's not making a lot of money.
Maybe you draft the guy, or you know, you go
out there and get kind of a Baker Mayfield type
who's not making a lot of money, but look.
Speaker 4 (30:11):
Where he is and gave him away from the NFC champions.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
So so let me ask you that. So let me
if you're if you're I'm sure Tampa would trade Baker
Mayfield for Dak Prescott, and you would you do it?
Because you know, so let's say Dallas could get that,
get Baker for thirty million a year.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
I just don't see Tampa Bay. I don't think that
they would do it. They got a quarterback that's not
making a lot of money.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
Crew, So you know, I'm just saying to pay him. Yeah,
I'm just saying what I think. He ain't gonna get
no Dak money. Yeah, but no Dak money is what
I'm saying. I hear, would you let's say they.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Would would you rather have Baker Mayfield?
Speaker 1 (30:50):
I would take Baker Mayfield, Yes, I would a period,
or you think he's better, or just because I.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
Just think that.
Speaker 5 (30:57):
I just think that the less money and he won that.
Cleveland hadn't won a playoff game in twenty some odd years,
but he won that game. What he did this past
week against Philadelphia was shocking and how they dominated and
what he did there weren't a few drops, they would
have scored forty some odd points easily. And I'm not
saying he's gonna do that to the Lions or whatever.
(31:17):
But if he beats the Lions on the road in
the Dome and they go to the NFC Championship, even
if they lose, it will be somewhat of a validation
that this guy is a pretty darn good player. Not great, Chris,
but he can play. And I want somebody who if
you're Dak, you've had chances. Get that terrible game against
(31:39):
the forty nine ers Chris a couple of years ago
at home, remember the offense.
Speaker 3 (31:43):
Well, last year he had a bad game against two interceptions, Right,
I'm just saying, like, this is a pattern.
Speaker 5 (31:49):
It's not like he just oh, he had a bad
day at the office and you just look at it
that way and you say, oh, no, you know, otherwise
he's been great in the postseason, are really good?
Speaker 4 (31:59):
No, he hasn't it.
Speaker 3 (32:02):
No, you're right.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
I mean, I can't defend that, but.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
I just wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (32:08):
I would.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
It's the price of doing business in the NFL.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
No, I get it. I get it. You're stuck.
Speaker 5 (32:15):
You're stuck, and I know that they're just gonna just
give him the money because they have no choice. And
we talked about it before. They set this whole bad
thing up, Chris, because they didn't sign them when they
were supposed to and it cost them a lot more money.
Like so the Cowboys are at fault here. I'm not
blaming Dak. If you're in line and they got to
make it the highest paid quarterback and you just had
(32:37):
another stinker in the postseason. You're not gonna turn the
money down, Chris, what you're saying is logical about Dak
negotiating with him.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
I doubt, very seriously.
Speaker 5 (32:47):
I give it a one percent chance that he's gonna
take a lesser deal because he's gonna own up to
not playing well.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
Yeah, I mean, you're probably right, but I would just
try to say look that, I mean, you he gonna
get fifty plus million. God, but I would try to
sell him on, you know, less, so we can build
around you. And you know, you would think maybe, And
(33:15):
I don't blame him if he doesn't row. I'm not
gonna I'm not judging him on that. But sometimes a
guy might say, you know what I mean, that's obviously
a ton of money. It's not embarrassingly low where you
know what I mean, where it looks like I really
took a lot less than I should. I'm just not
the highest paid guy, and I haven't I haven't delivered
(33:37):
what I want to deliver, so and I want to
get better players around me. So maybe, you know, you
would hope a guy might say that if he doesn't. Again,
more power to him is his choice, but I would
think that, you know, you might you might look at
doing that because he's got to be disappointed in himself too.
(33:59):
But yeah, I would definitely bring it back. Rob G
what would you do if you Where are you.
Speaker 4 (34:05):
Let him go?
Speaker 7 (34:08):
It's a tough question again because I don't know who
you would replace him with.
Speaker 5 (34:11):
No, I get so, but Troy Lance is sitting there.
I'm just saying, knowing Jerry Jones, he's very you know, loyal.
Speaker 4 (34:21):
You remember that that we're going crazy.
Speaker 7 (34:22):
He could be starting for several teams I think in
this league, and we got him on.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
With ye.
Speaker 7 (34:28):
Yeah, I mean, look, Dak Prescott, you know, is a
regular season quarterback. And there are several quote unquote regular
season quarterbacks in the NFL. So even if you were
to replaced him, though, the chances that you would get
an upgrade is slim to none. But to Rob's point,
the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over
(34:49):
and over and expect different results.
Speaker 3 (34:51):
Do you guys, And.
Speaker 4 (34:54):
If you're Jerry Chris, aren't you like.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
Bill Belichick? But do you guys agree with me? I
think you can win the Super Bowl with Dak Prescott
as your quarterback if.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
You have, I'm not convinced with it. I'm not convinced.
Speaker 5 (35:09):
I know lesser quarterbacks have won Super Bowls Chris, So
I'm not saying he didn't have any talent. I'm just
not convinced because of the mistake factors that go with Dak.
Speaker 3 (35:20):
So I'm not And it's interesting Rob this year nine interceptions,
which was great, and then he throws two in the
first half of a playoff game and Rob Green Bay
was thirty first in the league in interceptions, So it's
not like they picking teams off RG.
Speaker 5 (35:38):
And it was Chris seven in the whole season. What
they have was it punt punt interception and picked six?
Is that what the first four drives or something like that? Right,
Rob gez something like that.
Speaker 7 (35:51):
And I know this is not like real analysis, but
this is something I fundamentally believe to my core. Dak
Prescott sweats entirely too much for me to trust him
in a big spot.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
Like if you watch historically, look, a lot of people
thought he looked nervous.
Speaker 7 (36:07):
He looked like just this is I know this is
not like real what you're saying, but you look historically
at the great quarterbacks of all time. Tom Brady never
looked like he was sweating. Payne Madding never looked he
was sweating. Aaron Rodgers looks like he just stepped out
of a cold shower and he's playing Joe Cool Joe Corro.
And you know even brock Party has that where he
(36:27):
always looks the same. Dak Prescott every football game you
watch him, especially against the good teams, he is dripping
sweat like he's out of the sauna, like he's so tight,
He's so on edge every game in those big moments,
and I don't think I could ever trust him in
those situations.
Speaker 4 (36:41):
Then and then I know he got up there.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
Saw that coj analysis from Chris.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
Think about it.
Speaker 7 (36:48):
I know you think going the commercial break, just think
about all the quarterbacks that you like.
Speaker 5 (36:53):
Expect to hear that on first things first, next.
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, no site, no credit.
Speaker 4 (37:03):
Nick and Wise will have no idea, what hey, I'm dropped.
That's right. They're looking around. They'll be looking for skip
on the set
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