ajor CHANGES NEEDED for Dallas Cowboys Offense | Can Run Game Be Improved?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys – November 10, 2025

Episode Title: Major CHANGES NEEDED for Dallas Cowboys Offense | Can Run Game Be Improved?

Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Podcast Network: Locked On Podcast Network

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Episode Overview

In this post-bye-week episode, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down pressing changes needed for the Dallas Cowboys offense as they enter the season’s second half. The conversation zeroes in on three main areas: revamping the inconsistent running game, evaluating the offensive line (especially at right tackle), and considering tweaks at the pass catcher spots as the Cowboys prepare for a critical stretch run. The hosts emphasize the urgency around depth, physicality, and development, keeping both short- and long-term success in focus.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The State of the Running Game: Depth and Physicality Concerns

(Segment begins ~01:47)

• Javonte Williams’ Workload and the Lack of Depth:

  • Williams has surpassed expectations as a bell cow back but risks overuse, especially with four games in 18 days coming up.
  • Miles Sanders’ injury has spotlighted the absence of a reliable RB2, raising concerns about durability and late-season stamina.

  “The Cowboys have, since Miles Sanders has been injured, failed to find a true running back two to kind of spell him properly.” – Landon McCool (02:37)

  • Attempts to use Jaden Blue have yielded mixed results, resulting in him being a “healthy scratch” lately. Phil Mafa could return from IR soon, but uncertainty remains.

• RB2 Options: Who Steps Up?

  • By committee is floated: using Malik Davis, Phil Mafa (if healthy), and others like Turpin or CeeDee for gadget plays.
  • Hunter Luepke, used sparingly (only 6 touches on the year), is suggested for a larger short-yardage role to reduce Williams’ wear and tear.

  “Why not give [Hunter Luepke] three or four carries just to try to divvy up some of that work so, you know, you can cobble together RB2?” – Marcus Mosher (06:05)

• Jaden Blue’s Readiness and Mindset:

  • Concerns that Blue shies away from contact, unlike successful small backs in the NFL who “embrace” physical play.

  “He’s almost shying away from that. You can’t have that as a running back.” – Marcus Mosher (08:25)
  “He’s really had a struggle to just break a tackle, to be honest, in the NFL.” – Landon McCool (07:23)

  • The hosts express a desire to see Phil Mafa as a potential first and second down, between-the-tackles option if healthy.

• Balancing Rotations:

  • Javonte Williams praised for third-down competency, but hosts insist someone needs to emerge for early down reps to balance the load.
  • The O-line’s improving health is viewed as a hopeful sign for generating chunk plays in the run game.

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2. Offensive Line: Rotations, Health, and Future Outlook

(Segment begins ~12:31; O-line focus from 14:14)

• Right Tackle Situation:

  • Terence Steele was benched for Nate Thomas, but neither has seized the job.
  • Hosts debate whether Thomas should continue to get reps for developmental purposes, especially with Steele potentially being a cap casualty after the season.

  “I don’t think that Terence Steele is necessarily going to be back next year, especially if you like what you’ve got from Thomas.” – Landon McCool (14:14)

• Evaluating Best Line Combinations:

  • Discussion over whether Nate Thomas’s best spot is at LT or RT, and if Tyler Guyton is best kept at LT.
  • The need for continuity is acknowledged, but maximizing the “best five” is prioritized for the 2026-27 window.

  “What’s your best five? And I think what you need to start learning is ... what could it be in 2026 and beyond.” – Marcus Mosher (15:48)

• Interior Line Health & Performance:

  • The Arizona game showcased issues: Tyler Smith struggled (dealing with knee tendinitis), Cooper Beebe was shaking off rust, and Guyton’s been up and down.
  • Bye week is timely for “resetting” and healing the group.

  “It almost feels like you’re getting a reset here for these… kind of injured guys.” – Landon McCool (18:15)

• Backup Linemen: Floor vs. Ceiling:

  • TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman filled in capably, especially in the run game, but won’t displace higher-ceiling players like Booker or Beebe.

  “BB’s floor is above Hoffman’s ceiling to me.” – Landon McCool (19:27)

  • Bass is highlighted as “playing good football this year” and possibly deserving of more snaps, maybe in 6-OL packages.

• Long-term Possibilities:

  • The panel debates shifting Tyler Smith to LT with Booker and Bass at guard; consensus is to ride out the season as is, then reassess.
  • “Trying to figure out a way to get your best five on the field and I’m just not sure I know who their best five offensive linemen are yet.” – Marcus Mosher (20:48)

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3. Pass Catcher Roles: Elevating Youth and Playmaking

(Segment begins ~24:23)

• Wide Receiver Hierarchy Shifts:

  • Ryan Flournoy made an impression vs. Arizona; the hosts favor making him the clear #3 WR over Turpin and the fading Jalen Tolbert.
  • Tolbert’s snap count has dramatically dropped; Flournoy’s reliability on crucial downs is noted.

  “It feels like, you know, certain key moments in the game, they were looking Flournoy’s way.” – Landon McCool (24:58)

  • Mingo’s return from injury could add another dimension, possibly absorbing some of Turpin’s gadget reps.

• Turpin & Tolbert’s Roles:

  • Turpin hasn’t returned to form post-injury, with drops and limited production. Tolbert could soon be a “healthy scratch” as younger receivers are evaluated.

• Tight End Opportunities:

  • Brevyn Span-Ford, with a sky-high PFF grade (#2 TE in NFL per PFF), is advocated for a larger role, especially over Luke Schoonmaker (whose developmental ceiling is seen as mostly reached).

  “Span-Ford is PFF’s number two rated tight end in the NFL this year. Why not just try to give him 15, 20 snaps a game?” – Marcus Mosher (27:42)

  • Landon emphasizes his physicality and effectiveness as a run blocker and suggests more snaps both as a pass protector and in routes where he can chip and release.

  “He needs to be on every single rundown because he’s just an absolute punisher as a run blocker.” – Landon McCool (29:07)

• Philosophy: Leaning Into Young Talent

  • The hosts advocate giving more reps to ascending young players in real roles—both for immediate impact and future clarity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Running Back Depth & Physicality:

  “There's just not a willingness to try to go be physical right now… you can’t have that as a running back.”
  – Marcus Mosher (08:25)

• On Offensive Line Long-Term Planning:

  “What’s your best five? And I think what you need to start learning is what’s your best five. And what could it be in 2026 and beyond.”
  – Marcus Mosher (15:48)

• On WR3 Role and Youth Movement:

  “It feels like...certain key moments in the game, they were looking Flournoy’s way.”
  – Landon McCool (24:58)

• On Tight End Usage:

  “He needs to be on every single rundown because he’s just an absolute punisher as a run blocker.”
  – Landon McCool (29:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Discussion Opens / Main Theme Intro – 01:18, 01:47
• Running Game Analysis / RB2 Debate – 02:37 to ~11:28
• O-Line Changes & Evaluation – 14:14 to ~23:16
• Pass Catcher Shakeups / WR3/Tight End – 24:23 to close

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Summary Reflection

This episode tackles the realities facing the Cowboys’ offense: reliance on a single running back, uncertainty (and opportunity) across the offensive line, and shifts in the pass-catcher rotation driven by youth and necessity. The hosts call for bolder in-season adjustments, whether in game-planning, personnel deployment, or prioritizing development, aiming to “lean into your good players” and establish who will drive the Dallas offense as this playoff window evolves.

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Podcasters: @mccoolbcb & @marcus_moser
For more, subscribe to the Locked On Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network—Your Team, Every Day.

Transcript

[Marcus Moser]

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[Landon McCool]

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[Marcus Moser]

Foreign the Dallas Cowboys need to make some big changes after the buy. Even on offense. We'll tell you what they are next.

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You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day.

[Marcus Moser]

Welcome back to the Locked On Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, now the number one sports podcast network. Thank you for tuning in. I am your host, Marcus Moser. He is Lana McCool in today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get 300 in bonus bets when your first five dollar bet wins. All right, Lane, let's, let's talk about the Cowboys offense because even though this is a pretty good unit, there's always room for some improvement, right? And coming out of the buy week, we kind of identified three things that we would like to see change or maybe improved to try to get this team going in the right direction. And I want to start on the run game because for as good as the past game has been, the run game has been good, but it's been inconsistent. How do they get this run game back on track?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, well, I, I think they need to take some pressure off of Javonte Williams. Mean, that's, that's the first thing is he's done a fantastic job. He's exceeded our expectations. He's been a bell cow back when we didn't Even expect that we had one. All of that has been fantastic. But the Cowboys have, since Miles Sanders has been injured, have failed to find a true running back too, to kind of spell him properly. And there certainly has to be concerned that as the season wears on, you know, will his production start to wear away a little bit as well? So the Cowboys have got to find something there at the running back two position because they've tried Jaden Blue. It's been very mixed results to the point where they basically have had him as a healthy scratch these last two weeks. They've had Phil Moffa, who's been on the injured reserve this whole time. I think he is healthy coming off this week. They opened up this practice window, if I'm not mistaken, before the buy. So I think we're getting closer and closer to that. But, but as it stands right now, I mean, if there was an injury to Javante Williams knocking on wood, if you can't hear, the Cowboys would be in some real trouble. You know, I think outside of being able to mix it up with a couple of guys here like Turpin and, and, you know, CD taking a. A carry here and there, I don't know that the Cowboys really would have an answer if that were to happen.

[Marcus Moser]

What would you like to see them do? Would you like to see it be more of Jaden Blue? Would you like it to be Phil Mafa? Do you want to see more of Malik Davis? Like, because eventually somebody's going to have to get some of these touches. There's, there's a stretch coming up actually starting this week where you have four games in 18 days, and there's just no way Javante Williams is going to be able to handle 80 touches during that stretch. So what do you do?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I, I kind of thought that by now we would start seeing some, like, you know, veteran guys come in. I, I think, you know, Mafa is an option here if you can get him healthy. And, and I think, you know, you would have loved to get someone who was a little bit different type than Javante Williams. That's why, you know, you would have hoped that that Blue worked out or that Sanders was still healthy. I like Malik Davis a lot. You know, I think there was a reason that he continues to kind of hang around is that when he's given opportunities, he, he's pretty good. So I think that that's like a pretty nice floor that you have right now. But you're right. Like, you know, you've got some, you've got some T tough games, coming up against some really good defenses, and you're gonna have to run the ball to, to have a balanced offense to win these games. And if you give all those carries to Javonte Williams, you're. You're really going to have some problems in the back end of the season. You need to find a way to balance that out a little bit.

[Marcus Moser]

I want to get back to Phil Moffat and Jaden Blue in just a second, but this is like a, a catnip question to you. Why not use more Hunter Lipke as a running back? Or, I mean, again, it doesn't have to be full time. It could be more as a pass blocker. But he's got two carries this year. He's got four receptions. They paid him right before the season started. He's got six offensive touches. That's math for you. Two plus four. So how, why, why don't they get him more involved?

[Landon McCool]

I. I don't know. I mean, again, I, I think that the thought process originally in the season probably was, you know, to have him included as part of a rotation because they, I don't know that they ne. Maybe they didn't necessarily know what they had in Javante Williams. But as Javonte Williams kind of really played well, I feel like, you know, he, he gobbled up a lot of what would have been Lipke's, you know, carries. But I, I think at this point you should be thinking about giving him some more carries. And I don't know that it's enough for. To want him to be the running back too on this team.

[Marcus Moser]

No, but we're just talking about like, why not give him three or four carries just to try to divvy up some of that work so, you know, you can cobble together RB2.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. Especially some of the short yardage stuff just to kind of take the hits off of his body a little bit. Right. You know that that's something Lipke can do and it'll just, you know, and it's. Those are obviously some high leverage body shots that the running backs can take that can really take some, some out of your season if you accumulate a lot of them. So I think, you know, just taking some carries here and there would help. But they still obviously, you know, to, to my point, like need more than that obviously. But Lip. But at. Yeah, I think that there are solutions in house that you can kind of redistribute some of his carries a little bit just to try to keep know, keep down the wear and tear. But I also Think that you're going to need to, like, full start, fully trusting one of these running backs to be a running back, too, and start giving them more series than we've seen so far this year.

[Marcus Moser]

And honestly, like, part of me just wants to see Jaden Blue in a bigger role, like, have him learn on the job. And not to the point of, like, you're giving up in the season, but this is somebody who the Cowboys did draft in the fifth round. He's very talented. Is it as simple as just designing seven or eight ways to get him the ball a game, or do you think there's just a lot of growing up he needs to do as a player before we can even get to that point where you could even design a role for him?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I think that's the problem is that, you know, in order to get him in the. On the field, you've got to feel comfortable that he can do everything that you need him to do, including dealing with all the checks and all the, you know, the changes that can happen, making sure that he understands the protections. Like, unless you're just putting him down out there on third down with a very defined, defined role where you're not going to audible and change things, then. Then it's. It could be very complicated. And if you haven't, like, gotten that all down quite yet, which I. I'm assuming that that's part of the issue here, besides the fact that we've seen an ish. An issue with him getting through contact, which he's really had a really struggle to just break a tackle, to be honest, in the NFL.

[Marcus Moser]

That's a nice way of saying it. Go ahead.

[Landon McCool]

I. I think. I think that these. This is enough that you're like, man, I mean, we've given you opportunities and you haven't quite shown us enough yet. You still need to earn it on the practice field before we're going to be ready to put you on the field and feel comfortable about it.

[Marcus Moser]

Can I be truthfully honest about Jaden Blue for two seconds?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Moser]

There's a difference between not being able to break a tackle and run through contact and being, I don't want to say afraid, because then it gives it a super negative connotation, but there's just not a willingness to try to go be physical right now. And I think the way that Clayton Adams and Connor Riley and Brian Schottenheimer have designed this offense, they kind of need a physical back that embraces contact. And I know Jaden Blue is different than every other running back on the roster. But he's just, he's almost shying away from that. You can't have that as a running back.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean if you look at the guys that are his size and smaller even really that, that make it in the league, the thing that they all have in common is that they are abnormally fit, physical for their size. Right. And Jaden Blue has made a career in high school and college of avoiding contact, which you can do when you're a good enough athlete at that level in the NFL. It's just not possible. You have to understand that contact is part of the deal and you have to not only be willing to hit it, but you need to embrace it and, and make it part of your game a little bit too and deal punishment. But I think there's times when we just see him and he runs into contact and he just stops, his, his legs just stop moving and he just, you know, he goes down. So we just can't have that.

[Marcus Moser]

And that's why I'm interested to see Phil Moffa. Phil Mafa's got other concerns. He's not a great athlete. I wonder what he can do as a pass catcher. But I do think he could have a role as like a first and second down guy playing downhill, being physical, just giving you 85 of what Javonte Williams can give you. And maybe the Cat or the Cowboys just don't trust him yet. And pass pro. Maybe they're worried that he's still not 100% healthy, I don't know. But there, there is part of me that thinks maybe he's a better fit in this offense.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, well, look, I mean, I think what you do, you can do is that you like Javante Williams or like I'm speaking for myself, I like Javante Williams a lot on third downs. Right. Because he can catch the ball, he's reliable, he's not dynamic, he's not. What you looking for with Jade Blue or you know, one of these other kind of change of pacebacks. But if you're dumping the ball off for a checkdown, normal guy gets you five, he can get you six. Right. So I, I think that that's consistently good. So that's, that's enough that if you're trying to, you know, give, give a redistribution of these snaps a little bit. Yeah, you can bring in Phil Mafa for some of the early down stuff. As long as he unders knows the role and knows how to, you know, perform properly and that gives a little bit of alleviation. It still gets Williams out there on the high leverage downs where you really, really need them. And pass protection as well, right?

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, I just want to see this team run the ball better in the second half of the year. They honestly, they run the ball well in the first half, but just continue that be physical. You know, they have not created a bunch of chunk plays outside of some Javante Williams runs at the end of these halfs. But I'd like to see more of those 8, 10, 12 yard runs. Yes, maybe the offensive line, now that it's a little healthier. We'll get to that in a second, can help them do that. All right, let's talk about some of those changes on the offensive line, specifically the one happening over at right tackle. We will get to that next.

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[Landon McCool]

I think I'd like to see more of Nate Thomas, you know, and I, I, I, I think that we didn't see a clear winner in that battle on, you know, the last time we saw these two go at it. And I think that, you know, there were opportunities that, you know, I feel like maybe we're lost at certain points by not having Terence Steele out there because I, I think it's very clear right now that they're probably equal as past protectors, I think, you know, or at least close. But Terrence Steele is still a clear, better run blocker than Nate Thomas is. But I think that, you know, the only way that he's going to continue to get better is continue to get out there and play. And I think it's, you need to give him opportunities. I don't think that Terence Steele is necessarily going to be back next year, especially if you like what you've got from Thomas. So I think you, you want to kind of confirm that situation because you're going to have some decisions to make at a certain point. And, and these guys need opportunities to play. They've shown that they can do it, too, that, that kind of moving them in and out isn't going to be unnecessarily a problem. So, yeah, I think that that's, that, that's something that probably will see a little bit more of. And, and I think it's, it's a good thing.

[Marcus Moser]

There's part of me that just wonders like, what's Nate Thomas's best position long term? Is it left tackle, is it right tackle? And then kind of go from there. Do you think Guyton has made enough improvements in year two that he should stay at left tackle no matter what? I'm not saying take him off the.

[Landon McCool]

Field, but, no, I think it's a fair question, you know, whether he. Whether you move him over to right tackle potentially and move Thomas back to left tackle.

[Marcus Moser]

I think, well, what's your best five? And I think what you need to start learning is what, figuring out what's your best five. And what could it be in 2026 and beyond. Right? Because again, we've kind of highlighted for a while now that we think 2026 and 2027 is the window. All of these guys are under contract for those two seasons. Figure it out now before you get to the off season.

[Landon McCool]

I think, you know, it's a lot like the defense in some ways, where one thing you can get into trouble with is just continually moving these guys and, like, not getting enough continuity. I think that that is an issue, but I think it's a fair question to ask after watching Nate Thomas a little bit, you know, maybe, and also watching Guyton. Is Thomas a better left tackle and is Guyton a better right tackle? I. I think that. I think that Thomas has played better this year at left tackle a little bit, maybe because he got so much work in training camp at left tackle while Guidon was injured. I think guidance certainly improved. I do like the. The where he is, and I do think the trajectory is correct. Is correct. But I think he still kind of needs to continue to take a step this year. But I do think I also, you know, you know, keeping all that in mind, if you don't see Guyton take that kind of step that you're expecting, I, I don't think that it's unfair to go into the. The off season and question maybe about moving them around and seeing where. Where everyone's best fit is.

[Marcus Moser]

I mean, because I would almost be surprised if Terence Steele is back next year. Not that he's played so poorly that you need to cut him, but you can save so much money by cutting him. And if the difference isn't all that big, maybe you cut him, you draft a. A tackle, or maybe your hope, Cornelius, who you drafted on day three this year, could eventually be that spot. Maybe we see Cornelius at some point this year. The other part of this offensive line is I just want to see them play better, like they were fully healthy last Week against Arizona, they got their butts kicked like, those guys just got dominated up front. Tyler Smith is struggling. He's dealing with a knee injury, knee tendonitis.

[Landon McCool]

So.

[Marcus Moser]

So I understand that Cooper Bibi was his first game back, but he hasn't played. He hasn't taken that step that I was hoping that he would this year. And I think Guyton has been better, but I'd like to see him take another step. I think we just need to see this unit play better, to be encouraged long term.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I was gonna. I was gonna debate a little bit the term fully healthy, because I think that's you. As you just laid out. I think they. They all were just basically coming. I mean, that was Bibi's first game back, right? Booker's second game back. Smith has been dealing with nitin denies, as you mentioned. Guyton obviously has been dealing with injuries. Been kind of battling through, but battling through it a little bit. So, yeah, I think this bye week came at the right time for all these guys. And that was one of the other points I wanted to make in the back half of the segment, is that it almost feels like you're getting a reset here for these, you know, kind of injured guys who are getting a week off their bodies a little bit, hopefully getting a little bit extra treatment. You hope. You think maybe they get. I mean, especially because of the type of injuries they got right now, that they've had some time away from them, you think, okay, hopefully you get a little bit more refreshed version of. Of that interior trio, specifically because they got some opportunity to kind of get off their feet a bit. Little. Little bit.

[Marcus Moser]

What do you say to the argument the offensive line played better when TJ Bass and Brock Hoffman were in the lineup a couple weeks ago?

[Landon McCool]

I think the. I think it's about. In what aspects they played better, because I don't think it was across the board that they necessarily played better, but I think that, you know, it's not necessarily.

[Marcus Moser]

Ran the ball well pretty good with those guys.

[Landon McCool]

They read the ball pretty well. But I still think that it wasn't like, you don't feel like you were running. You know, Bass was like, not the tip of the spear in those. No, because they weren't running behind him. You know, he was doing his job and admirable. And I think the past protection, that's like, specifically where those guys may have a little bit of an advantage on some of the younger guys because they, you know, they're. They've been in the league a little bit longer than some of the younger guys. So I, I, and I, I, I think Hoffman has a very clear ceiling. We've, we've seen that, you know, and, and BB's for floor is above Hoffman's ceiling to me. But I think, you know, but Bass.

[Marcus Moser]

Is pretty good though.

[Landon McCool]

That, and that's a, I don't disagree.

[Marcus Moser]

That's the hard part is I think Bass has been playing good football this year. Do you, you just keep them back out of the bench? Do you try to use some more 6 offensive line packages to get him on the field or. I don't know what you do, but I think the overall point is the offensive line's got to play better. Like, they've invested so many picks and resources into this unit. They can't have this be a middling unit. They've got to be a top 10 unit and they just haven't been that this year.

[Landon McCool]

Well, the only way they're going to get there is experience. That's why, you know, as much as Bass has been better right now, you, or, you know, when he was in there at times, I, I just think you can't play. You got to play Booker because, you know, the Booker is going to eventually be. Booker's been good.

[Marcus Moser]

I, honestly, yeah, I think Booker might have been their best offensive lineman the last couple weeks. I think he's really, really good and Tyler Smith is going to be fine. It's just trying to figure out a way to get your best five on the field and I'm just not sure I know who their best five offensive linemen are yet.

[Landon McCool]

I think we know who. I think, well, that's fair, especially at the right tackle position, I think at a certain point. But I, I think at center, I think we'll see. Let's see what Bibi does this week because I think this is an opportunity for him to be healthy for the first time since week.

[Marcus Moser]

What I was more suggesting is is there a situation where Tyler Smith at left tackle and Booker and Bass are your guards? If that's not your best five and.

[Landon McCool]

Then who's playing right tackle in that position?

[Marcus Moser]

You have Guyton and Thomas compete for that. Probably Guyton.

[Landon McCool]

I think, you know, look, it's an interesting conversation. I, I also think that we overblow how good Tyler Smith was as a left tackle, you know, 100. I agree. But I, I think there's a ceiling with, with Tyler Smith at left tackle that he doesn't have again guard.

[Marcus Moser]

But is, is Tyler Smith at left tackle and Bass at left guard better than Tyler Guyton at left tackle and Smith at left guard. I. I don't know. I. I tend to side with keeping Smith at left guard, but I think at some point maybe we do have that conversation. I don't think you need to have it now. Now let's see how the final eight games of the season go and we can readdress that in the off season. Let's talk about some changes at the pass catcher position, although that's being a little bit nice to Brevin Span for. Could we see more of Ryan Flournoy and Span Ford in the second half of the season? We'll get to that.

[Landon McCool]

Back.

[Marcus Moser]

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[Locked On NFL Network Announcer]

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[Marcus Moser]

Welcome back to the Laton Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen of the day. For your second listen, check out the Loton NFL podcast. Two shows every single day. One in the morning with Tyler Roland, one in the afternoon with Tony Wiggins. Available wherever you get your podcasts. All right, Le. Let's talk about some changes that could happen at the pass catcher position. And I want to start with Ryan Flournoy, who made a couple nice catches against Arizona. Is it time for Dallas just to lean into Floridoi being the clear cut number three receiver and kind of stop with Turpin and Tolbert handling that job well?

[Landon McCool]

I mean, I think that they kind of almost already have. Right. Like it feels like, you know, certain key as moments in the game, they were looking Flannoy's way in on third downs, you know, and I remember that one conversion that he had like a little 17 yard out or whatever it was. Yeah, I mean, I think that that's already started in some ways. And I think that, you know, obviously the other part of the issue is that since Turpin has been back from his injury, he hasn't been as useful as a receiver. Right. I think he's had a couple drops of key moments and it's, it's kind of hurt. And those are the kind of inconsistencies that have, have been problematic with the offense these last few weeks when, when it's gotten bogged down is, you know, drops and, and penalties and stuff like that. So I just feel like for guys like Floy who have been very reliable, you should, you should reward that a little bit. You do have bingo coming back as well. So do you give the opportunity to kind of get him on the field and see what he's like? And either way, I think it's time to kind of maybe get move off Tolbert a little bit and give some opportunity and maybe some of the looks of that Turpin's getting as a receiver and give those opportunities to some of these other guys that you have in your receiver core that you at least need to get eyes on and see exactly what you've got.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, Tolbert's role has really been reduced since early in the season. Week two, Tolbert played 58 snaps. Week three, it was over 60 snaps. The last two weeks combined, he's at like 20 snaps. Like he's basically out of the equation at all. I think my thing is, do you take Turpin steps. Turpin was getting pretty consistently 20 to 25 snaps a game before his injury and just give all those to Flournoy. I know you mentioned Mingo, but I just wonder with Florida. He's a younger player. He's clearly he's made some big plays. He was awesome in that Carolina game and just really lean into Flournoy seeing maybe if he can be the number three receiver for the future here.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I think Mingo could also do some of the, the Turpin stuff too until maybe Turpin gets a little bit healthier or whatever because you know you could give him jet sweep stuff if you needed to or some of these short passes swing him passes on the flat and not he's not the same kind of speedster obviously the Turpin is but he's a tackle breaker. So. So I think in the same sort of way he can be deployed in a lot of the similar ways. But yeah, I do think that, you know as Fenoy can continues to get better and more well rounded and especially as if he comes a better blocker, I think it's going to be easier for him to start eating into Tolbert snaps even further. And I wouldn't be shocked if we wake up one of these days and Tolbert's a a healthy scratch just because you've got so many of these guys that you want to see and you kind of know what you already got in Tolbert.

[Marcus Moser]

Last one Brevin spanned for nine snaps last week against the Cardinals while Luke Schoonmaker is, I mean not getting a ton more. He played 13 snaps in the game. The week before that Luke Schoonmaker played 29. Brevin Span Ford was at 7. Is it time just to switch those up? I think we, I mean at this point we kind of know what Luke Skoodmaker is. Brevin span Ford is PFF's number two rated tight end in the NFL this year. Why not just try to give him 15, 20 snaps a game?

[Landon McCool]

Well, I think you should and here's the other addendum to that too. I think you should be deploying him more as a pass pass blocker because I think, because I think you should be throwing more from 12 and 13 personnel because I, I think first of all just generally speaking you get better EPA and success on throwing throwing from those formations. But also because the Cowboys have struggled to protect the dak at certain points, especially when teams know that they're throwing the ball. Having Floy out there as a pass blocker, I think is more effective of him lining up the scrimmage and helping one of these pass protectors, pass rushers than, than, than, you know, having an extra wide receiver out there and because you're trying to get the ball to CD and Pickens anyways. Right.

[Marcus Moser]

I would love to just like have him chip a defensive end and then get up the field. So so many times they've just had him like, you know, fan out to the flat and it's just too hard for those big tight ends to get up the field. That would be an easy way to get him involved in the offense.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And then obviously on rundowns, he needs to be on every single rundown because he's just an, an absolute punisher as a run blocker. So. Yeah. And then every once in a while mix it up and throw him a pass because look, it's clear that he's just not adept as a pass catcher. But he's key something as a run blocker and you should use him on every single opportunity you can.

[Marcus Moser]

I know. I just would like to see more of Brev and span Ford. I think he's a good player. Lean into your good players and with like Schoon maker. Schoon makers, what, 26, 27 already he's going to be going into the last year of his deal in 2026 lean into playing these young guys more, get them roles on offense and I think he's going to help not only the run game but also the passing game as well, as you mentioned. So those are a couple of the changes that we would like to see from the Cowboys. We'll see if they make them here in the second half of the season. That is it for today's show. Follow Landon on Twitter @mccoolbcb I'm @marcus Underscore Moser and we will see you right back here tomorrow.

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[Marcus Moser]

Games to their cards.

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[Landon McCool]

Hour long deep dive as I team up with the best voices covering your favorite team after every game and every Thursday.

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Unlocked on Cowboys Squad up wherever you get your podcast live and on YouTube.

[Landon McCool]

Part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day.

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Thank you for making Locked on your first listen every day. The NFL season is finally here and for your second listen, get a double dose of the Locked On NFL podcast. Tyler the Madman Roland gives you a shot of espresso to see to start your football day while Tony Wiggins takes you into the barber shop for the smoothest breakdowns to end the day. Locked on NFL brings you non stop league wide coverage daily. Find Locked on NFL on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. Part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day.