
COWBOYS SQUAD SHOW: The Cowboys search for a new DC continues, as WR George Pickens hopes for a new contract.
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Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
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Tyler Rowland
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Marcus Moer
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Aisha Morrison
Well, many thanks good sir.
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Yeah, and it sounds pretty good, right?
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Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Wanted to mix it up to start the week with a little bit of a different intro tonight, but it's okay. Great to be with you. Thank you for joining another edition of the Cowboy Squad Show. What I was going to say was that man, I really wish the Cowboys were in the playoffs. They're not. But their off season continues well underway and a lot to talk about and get into over the next hour. By the way, this episode of the Cowboy Squad show is brought to you by FanDuel. Today's episode brought to you by FanDuel. If you want to be right in the middle of the action this season, visit FanDuel.com and place your NFL Live bets all season long. All right. Well it is great to be back with you. Welcome to another edition of the Cowboy Squad show. Joined today by one of the co hosts of the daily Lockdown Cowboys podcast, Marcus Moer. We've got former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith and as an added bonus making her debut on this squad show, one of our co hosts during the in season post game Cowboys Squad shows, Aisha Morrison with two eyes. Don't forget the two eyes, Aisha. Gentlemen, great to be with you. Like I said, I wish we were just got in the playoff mood over the weekend. Great, great playoff action. Marcus, on a. You and Landon talked about that today. Not going to really get into that unless we have time. Maybe more so on Thursday. But coming up on the show, very latest with the Cowboys, the search for Matt Eberfluss's replacement continues. Could we see Jerry Jones make another call? I'll get into that. And thanks to the packers collapse over the weekend, we now know that the Cowboys have picks number 12 and 20 in the first round. I want to get everybody's thoughts on that, but starting things off right away. Marcus, we're going to leave with you in the D.C. search. The Cowboys have already conducted three interviews. Is that correct? I heard somebody say they want to, but I thought they did conduct the weekend. And now we got the word today that the team was set to interview defensive line coach. Something that we talked about during the season. Alex White Cotton as well, via Zoom White.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Aaron White Cotton.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Thank you. And there's some other names on the list, but where do things stand right now from your perspective?
Marcus Moer
So a couple updates. So you mentioned Aaron Wycott. I believe that interview is either happening today or tomorrow. They've also requested Zach Orr, who is the former Ravens defensive coordinator. He's gonna have an interview. Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals former head coach, he's going to be interviewed as well. But if I had to make a bet here, Jeff, here's what I think is going on. I think the Cowboys have decided on their guy, and I think it's Jim Letter. No, I'm not sources or anything like that. I'm just. This is my gut feeling. I think they believe it's going to be Jim Leonard, but because he's coaching the Broncos right now, you can't really hire him. You probably want to wait until their season's over to make it official. And now they're just getting through the rest of the interviews. I wouldn't be surprised if they're interviewing a couple other candidates that could potentially be, you know, like defensive line coaches, secondary coaches. I think they're doing their due diligence, but I do think Jim Leonard is their number one target.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Interesting. Interesting. Why do you say that? What makes you think that and why him?
Marcus Moer
Well, first, it's a little bit of an educated guess. And number two, this is when you listen to Brian Schottenheimer in the post week 18 press conference talk about, like, what he wants. He wants a. A teacher. He wants somebody that can be flexible in multiple. And that's everything that Jim Leonard has been as a Defensive quarter coordinator. We have no idea what he's, or, sorry, he's a defensive back coach. We have no idea what kind of defensive coordinator he'll be in the NFL. But this does seem like their top target. We'll see if they eventually get him. There's a chance that Denver might keep him if Vance Joseph gets a defensive coordinator job, but I think from if you're reading all the tea leaves, Leonard is their top target also, too.
Aisha Morrison
Marcus, just to kind of add on to what you're saying about Brian Schattenheimer's presser, another thing that he mentioned was really focusing on the secondary and them improving, and we've even seen over there, you know, last couple years, is that linebackers are getting time with DBs and doing some of that stuff just because of how they're attacked and covered. So, you know, Dallas really struggled there this year and I think that they're trying to prioritize improving this secondary because to me, they're kind of building it from the ground up. I, that's how I've kind of envisioned them looking at it. So bringing in a DB coordinator to be the DC kind of goes. It's kind of on par with where they feel like the biggest need is to improve the defense.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Coach, why? I, I've, I've heard a lot you guys are, are more connected than I am. But why is he considered a fan favorite as well? What do you know about him?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Nothing about a fan favorite. I don't know about that. I do know that Jerry has always respected Sean Payton a lot. I mean, I think he respects his opinion. I think he's probably a guy that Jerry talks to from time to time. And so, you know, do I know or don't know whether he's on board with Jim Leonard or not? I don't know. I do know that Vance Joseph has interviewed for multiple jobs and he's considered a lead candidate for one of those jobs. Now, if he gets a job, then, I mean, the, the natural progression would be for Jim Leonard to, to stay in Denver with Sean Payton, but who knows how that's going to work out? I, I, I think we're really early into this process here, and I, my, my gut feeling is that you're going to see, you're going to see Jerry make a run at, at, at somebody that I think has a little bigger splash than a guy who has not called the defense in the National Football League.
Marcus Moer
And real quick, stretch the connection between Schottenheimer and Leonard. I'm not sure a lot of people know, but Leonard was a starting safety and a special teams player for the jets when Brian Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator back in. I think it was 2008, 2009, 2010. So they've known each other for a long time. Leonard then became a. The defensive coordinator at Wisconsin. And those Wisconsin defenses were awesome. But this isn't like a totally out of the blue thing. We've kind of heard for a while that Schottenheimer's always really liked Leonard and this might be the reason why you're hearing his name more and more this time around.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Okay, so let me ask you about Aaron Whitehead White Cotton, butchering the names tonight. So I mean it. We don't even know, right. Technically if anybody is still on the staff. Right. We know about Eber flu, so we kind of talked about that last time. But we also had heard during the season that, that he was well respected Chance that maybe even if he doesn't get the job, he stays or I guess we'll have to see what the new DC wants to do and who he wants to bring in.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah, he's another guy that, like, towards the end of the season I was really wondering where he was going to fit given the fact that, you know, their expectation was that they were going to move on from Matt Eber Floose. And we know that, like you just said, is that coaches can decide who they want to be there and who they don't want to be there. I personally think that this is Dallas just. And they like the familiar face. They do. They. They really value that. I guess so. But for me, I, I always figured they might try to find a way to keep him around just because of the Clinton Williams thing and all that stuff, but. My bad. But, but yeah, I'm. I don't know how I feel about it. I just, it just.
Marcus Moer
Aisha, you have a. You have a better chance of being defensive coordinator than Aaron White Cotton. I'm just going to put that out there. This is, this is. They are being nice to Aaron Whitecot and they're giving him an interview. It doesn't cost them anything to put him through the interview process. You're right though. Like, there's a chance that maybe he sticks around with the next defensive coordinator. He's not getting this job.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah. I mean, they're going to choose their own defense.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
It's.
Aisha Morrison
It's too, you know, key of a, you know, position. They're going to choose their own defensive coordinator. Well, defensive line coach. This is what it is. So yeah, I'm, I wasn't shocked when I saw it. I was like, oh, yeah, of course. That makes sense.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I think you bring guys in, you, You, you, you pick their brain about where they think from an evaluation standpoint, what they think people are, how they think people fit in. I mean, you have all kinds of different, I believe, opinions that are being thrown around. And what does it hurt? He's, he's there anyway, probably about halfway. Got his office cleaned out. So I just don't know that hurts at all to get, you know, get another opinion and quite frankly, see, you know, see how he views the defensive personality, see how he views the defensive scheme from a year ago. What did he think the weaknesses are? Where did he think the breakdowns were? I mean, all the things that you can, you can get guys to, To. To talk about now because, you know, the defensive coordinator is out of the building. So, I mean, I don't, I don't think there's anything wrong with talking to, quite frankly, all of them probably before you're, you know, before you're going to move on from, From. From the entire staff.
Aisha Morrison
Is that a thing? Like, will teams interview coaches just to get perspective and, and things like that? Like, that's, That's a normal thing, even if it's an outside coach, just to bring them in and maybe take some, Some things away from the interview itself. And I think you're right, Marcus. It also could be an opportunity for him to get an interview opportunity just to see what it's like to, to give him that, that training. So, yeah, they did it on Zoom.
Marcus Moer
Too, which is the funny part. Maybe he, He. He left for Cancun as soon as the season was over, but it doesn't hurt, right? And I think you do want to hear, you know, multiple different opinions on, hey, what do you think this guy could be? How do you. What do you think his best fit is? What do you think of Donovan as a Raku? I don't think Aaron White Cotton is going to be a legitimate defensive coordinator candidate, so don't get all upset about that. They're probably going to interview around 10 guys when it's all said and done. It's just part of the process.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
All right. One thing that I did not get to bring up to you guys last week was something that Jerry Jones said during his interview. He said that he, he wants to win. He wants to finish with the most Super Bowls. He wants to pass Robert Kraft and the Patriots. I, you know, I. This is just a thought. It's not Clickbait. You guys know Jerry better than I do. Coach who worked for him. Is there any. Any chance that maybe privately, quietly, behind the scenes, he might have reached out to John Harbaugh? Like, would he do something like that, or do you think. No, he's. He's got his guy in shoddy and he's all in. I. I'm just curious.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, I don't think he reached out in that. In that particular scenario, no. But I do think. I mean, you know, knowing Jerry the way that I knew him and, you know, it's been. It's been a while, but, you know, Jerry is. Jerry sells hope. That's what he does. That's what he's really good at, selling hope. He's from the Zig Ziglar school of. He's. He sells what he thinks people want to hear, and he's really good at it. So, you know, I. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not dinging him at all for that. I think that at the end of the day, when you listen to his, you know, he'll. He'll go into a press conference and he'll make one or two or three points, right? And. And. And. And then he'll just kind of drive. He'll just kind of drive home from there. And I. I just think right now where Jerry is, that's on the forefront of his. Of his. You know, of his lobe. His frontal lobe is. Boy, I would like to finish with. You know, I would like to finish with zx. And nothing wrong with that. I mean, I. I think he's. I think he's kind of showing you what he. What. How his mind thinks. But at the end of the day, he's. He's selling. He's. He's selling hope. That's what he's selling.
Marcus Moer
The Zig Ziggler comp is really good. I was going to go with, like, P.T. barnum, you know, something like that, but that. That's way better.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
I like it a little more modern.
Marcus Moer
There you go.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Gets rid of the circus ankle. All right.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
So you.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
You think Marcus. No chance. They're not interested?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
No.
Marcus Moer
Because I really do think Jerry Jones likes Brian Schottenheimer. And honestly, I wonder if. If there's a part of it that he just thinks that Schottenheimer's a younger version of John. John Harbaugh. Stretch and I. We talk about these coaching candidates all the time, and he knows my thoughts on Harbaugh.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
I'm not.
Marcus Moer
I'm not the biggest fan. And Honestly, we know.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah, we ain't even got to talk if we know.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I, I just, and I mean, like, I don't, like, I don't even remotely understand that because all you have to do is look at a guy being in a place 18 years and how many times he's been to the playoffs and that's fine. I mean, everybody, everybody's certainly entitled to their opinion. And you can say, well, Harbaugh, you know, did he, he did well, because Ozzy Newsom or, or Steve Bushotti or whatever the scenario is. But I mean, I'll tell you this, that I thought, I mean, I was, I coached against him and I thought he was a hell of a special teams coach. Every time we played the Philadelphia Eagles, he was as buttoned up a special teams guy as, as one could be. And you think, man, there's not many special teams guys that get opportunities to coach in the National Football League. And, and, and he's one of them. I mean, you know, I, I could probably count maybe three. I mean, Gunther Cunningham, I mean, they're not very many real special teams guys.
Marcus Moer
I just think the shtick has faded a little bit in Baltimore where they've lost so many games late. They're very undisciplined. The special teams have gotten worse. It kept him out of the playoffs this year and he was on his way to being fired, you know, going into the 2018 season. And then Lamar Jackson saved him. And whenever Lamar Jackson doesn't play, that team does not play very well. And I, I think he, he's been kind of riding the coattails of Lamar over the last five or six years and they get into these big postseason games or winning go home games and this team generally comes out very flat. So it's not that I think he's a bad coach anymore. I just don't think it's a significant enough upgrade, if at all, to go out and get him and replace Brian Schottenheimer.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah, I think the Cowboys are pretty committed to Brian Schottenheimer. I think, you know, outside of some decision making and things like that, I think that he did a good job with this offense. There's things that obviously I'm sure you guys have talked about that we want him to improve upon before first year as a play, as a play caller, as a head coach and, and also too, just being able to be around the guys, being able to experience the guys. There is some real chemistry and things on that side of the ball, specifically coming from, you know, the head coach. So I don't think Dallas is interested in changing out the head coach at all. So I wouldn't think that Jim Harbaugh would be here in the first place.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Okay. All right. That's why you guys are.
Aisha Morrison
Is it the John or is it the gym?
Marcus Moer
This is. This is John. I. I'm good with either. I don't need either right now.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
All right, when we come back, I want to ask you about the offense. I have another couple of other theories I want to throw by you, but we're just getting started. Thank you to everybody that is jumping in with your comments. We appreciate that as well. Marcus Mosier, the coach, Glenn Stretch Smith and Aisha Morrison making her Monday night debut tonight here on the Cowboys squad show.
Marcus Moer
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Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
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Marcus Moer
Yeah, the last time The Cowboys had two picks inside the top 20 was 2005 and that was pretty good draft. If you remember DeMarcus Ware at pick 11 and then Marcus Spears at pick 20. If you can have one of those drafts again, I think the Cowboys would be okay. But Landon and I talked about this during our Monday show. I think when the Cowboys made the trade giving Micah Parsons to the packers, we all expected that first round pick from Green Bay in, in 2026 to be in the, the late 20s, maybe even the early 30s. And there was a point this year when The packers were 61 and 1 and it certainly felt like they were in contention to be the number one seed. They were the number one seed for a big portion of the season. But that pick to be at 20, it's a big deal. And I know we're really early in the draft process, but the difference in player that you're going to get at 20 compared to like 27, 28 is pretty massive. You might get the 14th or 15th best player on your board available at that spot. There's no reason why the Cowboys shouldn't leave this draft with two day one starters on defense with picks with picks 12 and 20.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah, and that's something that we heard them talk about in the presser and you know just how important it is that they actually get production out of these picks coming in specifically on the defensive side. It's, it's going to be a lot of work. So for me, I'm, I'm excited, especially to this, this class is defensive rich to me. I mean, yeah, you can, there are, when you start getting into maybe the wide receivers and stuff like that, you see some guys. But defensively, when you look at linebacker, when you look at defensive, defensive end, cornerback has some depth. As I'm starting to really get into it, this Dallas should be able to come out with two starters and you need them like yesterday, so. And that was something too. Marcus, did you notice that Jerry felt like he was really trying to hammer home, like that they wouldn't be able to do anything that they want to do without this Micah trade? Did you?
Tyler Rowland
Yeah.
Marcus Moer
He's a really good liar. I'll just say that they abs. They absolutely could have just still made moves if they kept Micah, but this is his way of selling the Micah trade to the fans.
Aisha Morrison
I noticed I was sitting here like, well, if that's the hell you gonna die on Jerry, you better.
Marcus Moer
Yeah, it's better.
Aisha Morrison
Get your groove on.
Marcus Moer
It's an old tactic of his. It's fine. It's. It.
Tyler Rowland
We.
Marcus Moer
We see right through it. It's not a big deal.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
All right, coach, what do you. What do you think? I mean, realistically, those two picks and what they might be able to do to get that defense turned around?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, I'll be honest, I haven't looked at any of these guys yet. I mean, so I don't have a clue. 1. I will as we get closer to that time, but I haven't looked at, you know, any. But maybe, you know, maybe a handful of guys, you know, the pressure is going to. Is going to last Squarely on Will McLay. There's. There is zero room for error here. Zero. You. You, you better get a starter at 12 and you better get a starter at 20. No more taco Charltons, more Mozzie Smiths. You can't. There, there is zero room in my mind for a swing and a miss. I mean, so now the key becomes evaluation. And how do they fit into whoever the defensive coordinator's scheme is going to be? How does you know? How. How does whoever that is fit? I mean, I don't know if they're going to, you know, I, I can't imagine the Cowboys switching to an odd A34 Okie scheme, but who knows who they're going to hire? So I think it, you know, you, you've got to make sure here that those two guys are starters because you don't have a second round pick and you don't have a third round pick. Your second round pick went for Quinn and Williams. Your third round pick went for Pickens. Yep. Yeah. So you don't have. You're picking two in the first round and then you don't pick again until the Fourth round. And so there is Z. Have I said this? Zero room for error in these first two picks.
Marcus Moer
And Jeff, just a little preview. We call this a tease in the business. Landon and I during our Tuesday show are going to talk about whether the Cowboys should trade one of those picks for a proven player for the exact reasons that Stretch just mentioned. Because they have to get two starters. And not just two starters, two high end starters with those picks. And Jerry Jones kind of mentioned it in the, the post season press conference that don't be surprised if we make another move like they did with Quinnan and George Pickens. If they feel like there's an awesome defender out there that they can flip one of these picks for and be better on defense right away, I would not be surprised if they end up doing that.
Aisha Morrison
That's a great point. And I think, I also think that, you know, one of the positives now, don't get it twisted. I think the, the Cowboys are, I think they are professionals at spinning the block. And if you don't know what spinning the block is, that means, you know, finding your way back around the folks that you've been with before. And I think that they are very good also too at ripping off the band aid. And I think that this, this year they kind of ripped off the band aid a little bit with these trades. Now it was too late. Like I felt like they should have attacked the Quinn Williams thing earlier if they could or just a defensive tackle position in general earlier. However, they did address it. I feel like them getting some positive reinforcement from seeing those moves hopefully is going to push them to want to make more moves like that in the future because we know that they have always been kind of, they've been reserved doing that for quite some time. And so I'm really hoping like, you know how kids, when you be like, yo, good job. And they oh, okay, I did a good job then. Yeah, please continue to do what you're doing. We need it.
Marcus Moer
Here's the only I generally agree. I like to see them be more aggressive. I think they're better when they're aggressive in free agency and making trades. They do need some young defensive talent here because even, you know, some of their older guys like Kenny Clark and Quinn and Williams, they're not old, but they're kind of right in the middle of their primes. It would be really nice if they could develop some young kids on defense who are, you know, 21, 22, 23 years old. And that way they have this next wave of talent and that's honestly my biggest issue with their defense right now is who are the guys that are young, who are dynamic playmakers. They really don't have it outside of Demartev and overshone. And he's ended the season on the injured reserve list two of the last three years. So I, they've got to try to figure out ways to balance being aggressive but also drafting and developing.
Aisha Morrison
Absolutely.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
And they're gonna, and they're gonna have to be very active in free agency without a, without a second, without a third. I mean, they're gonna have to be you, you need to go, you go make it, make a splash in free agency. And oh, by the way, on that side of the football.
Marcus Moer
And Jeff, this is what we've been saying on the podcast for the last two months is that what they really need is at least six players on defense that need to be brought in. And that is probably two guys in the draft, two mid level free agents. Right. And then probably two guys like Jadevion Clowney that you signed last year for, you know, 2 or 3 million. I think they can do that. The Eagles did it a couple years ago and that propelled them to a Super Bowl. That's going to be the challenge for Will McLay in the front office.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
You know, I, I, it's, I can't help but wonder. I mean, the, the NFL narrative was kind of discussed during the games over the weekend of just kind of the, the mindset of, okay, you, you, you spend a lot of money for your offensive players, your quarterback. Right, we, we've talked about that. But then you make up for it by getting younger and picking great on and getting studs on defense and I don't know. I, you know, one of the reasons why I got into this business a long time ago is I wanted to go behind the curtain and I just love to find out stuff behind the scenes. I've always been that way. But I can't help but wonder, like when, when do you think the, the conversation started with, with Jerry in the front office that, hey, you know, maybe if we traded Micah, we'd get a bunch of picks? I mean, I just, I feel like there's more to that story that we, we don't know about that it wasn't just, wasn't that easy.
Aisha Morrison
But yeah.
Marcus Moer
Stretch any comments?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, you know, I, I think that, I don't think any, I don't think anything started to be late on that table. I really don't.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Okay.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I think he, you know, I think he laid on that table and Forced his way out of here. I mean, and. And I think you had leadership from a player's level. I think you had a head coach, and I think you had an owner who said that that's enough. And at that point, I think they. I think they turned the page. That's. That's just my gut feeling.
Marcus Moer
I don't.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I don't know that for a fact, because I really do believe that they thought they were. They. I believe Jerry felt. I know he did. He felt like he had a deal with. With. With Micah, and the agent stepped in, and then, you know, we know how that story went. So, I mean, my. My feeling is, is he. He forced his way out of here, you know, and laid on that table during that preseason game and that they said, that's it. So I don't think it was some. I don't think this is something they had been thinking about for a while before that happened. I really don't.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
The.
Marcus Moer
The only thing that I would disagree with Stretch is I. I think it came to a head there. I. I truly do. But Stephen Jones made a comment at the owner's meeting, I think this was back in February last year, about how, you know, you have to look at everything when it comes to, you know, signing guys like Micah. And he eventually said that you won't make it long in this business by trading guys like Micah, but you have to see, you got to do what makes sense for your football team. And that was the first time that I thought, oh, they might actually consider this.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Right.
Marcus Moer
Like, they might feel like ponying up $45 million for one defensive player is too much. But I honestly don't say.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Aren't you the same guy that, when we were in the preseason, said, there's no way that guy's getting out of here?
Marcus Moer
I agree. Yes. 100, I think.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Okay, well, you're the same damn guy now. That's right in the fence.
Marcus Moer
Well, I'm saying. I think you are right. I'm trying to give you credit here. I. I think they were right. I think they were right. When he laid on that table, things completely changed. That's. That's my point.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
I was trying.
Marcus Moer
I can't even agree with Stretch anymore.
Aisha Morrison
Listen, let me say. Let me say I'm gonna disagree with. With you both because being. There's been. There's been conversation about some of Micah's behavior and uncertainty and rehab and all of those different things, the temperament and getting along with coaches and different things like that, trainers, etc, for. Since I've been there. Since Micah's been with the Cowboys. So I, I do think that some of this stuff, whereas he was performing on the field, was coming up and then, and then him and Trayvon kind of formed a alliance, and that was a thing as well. So I, I, I like to think that this, not necessarily the actual trade scenario, I think that that was more reactionary thing, but the little inklings of doubt or uncertainty, I feel like, have been around for a little bit of time because every year we're talking about leadership and blah, blah, blah with him. No. Am I tripping?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I think the same thing happens, though, in every building. I think you have certain players that the magnifying glass is on and that are magnified. And I mean, I, I'll just use Max Crosby. I mean, how many times do you think the Raiders have. He's in, he's out. We're taking this, we're taking. Oh, you're rated for lot. You know, I'm just, I'm not, I'm not saying that what you're saying is not correct. I'm saying that not everybody and not everybody's personality is going to fit in every single building. I mean, I just, you know, I go back to my time there and how, you know, there were certain guys that certain people liked, and then there were certain guys certain people didn't really care for. And that's just, I mean, that's just part of the, you know, that's just part of the ebbs and flows of, you know, personality, workplace environment and all of those things. But do I think that Jerry Jones, who is the ultimate decision maker in this football team, had any inkling then when they went to training camp that he, that, that he was going to move on from Micah Parsons? I don't think so. That's that, then. That's just my opinion.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Okay, good stuff. Good topic.
Marcus Moer
Jeff, real quick, when you get back from this next break, I got some breaking cowboy news that we'll get.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Oh, I love it. I love breaking news.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Marcus.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
That's coming up. Marcus Moser, coach Glenn Stretch Smith and Aisha Morrison. This is the Cowboys squad show.
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Marcus Moer
Yeah, it's not the best breaking news, but Cowboys defensive end Donovan Nezaraku was arrested on Monday morning for reckless driving. We don't know all the details, but this Is one of the things you worry about when you're a coach and stretch on. I'd love to have you talk about this is you feel pretty good about when these players, when they're in your facility every single day you can keep an eye on them. But when they're gone for the next however many months, you're always dreading that phone call. You know, at 2 o' clock in the morning again, hopefully it's not a big deal, but Cowboys also don't have a great track record here of second round picks. They've got a lot of these guys that have struggled with some off field stuff including Sam Williams, Calvin Joseph, Donovan Aziraku. We don't need to get into all of it, but just a little update what's going on in Dallas world.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Okay. Thank you for that, Marcus. Hope it's okay. And not a big deal like you said, you know, talking about picks and this and that. Want to switch to the offense and kind of pick up on George Pickens. No pun intended. You know, it's been, I don't know, is it just me? It's been kind of quiet. I know we're still in playoff mode and teams are still kind of waiting. But is it, is it too early to kind of speculate what you think the Cowboys are going to do? I. I would think they're going to be other teams that are at least going to want to try to go after him. Right.
Aisha Morrison
Let's get it done. I'm sorry, I gotta add it. I mean I just feel like offensively he really bridged the gap this year and just what he does, being able to play that X and how it opens up the middle, the other part of the field. I think that he showed what he can add out from a route running perspective as well. I don't felt like why. I just feel like they should just get the deal done now. Are you nervous they're going to franchise tag him? Marcus?
Marcus Moer
Not nervous. They probably will franchise tag. It's probably just gonna be. It's part of the process. But I think the George Pickens market and I've been trying to warn people for a while now, this is going to be very different than, than let's say Micah Parsons or some of the other guys they dealt with because let's, let's use CD Lamb. CD Lamb was a very clean prospect in the 2020 draft. The Cowboys put the fifth year option on him. If they were to franchise tag him, you would have had 31 other teams interested in in him. Pickens was a guy in the 2022 draft that multiple teams had off their draft board. He was available this our last off season for a early day three or early day three pick. Nobody else offered a top 100 pick until after the draft and that was the Cowboys and that was, that's why Pittsburgh traded them. This is not somebody who is universally liked around the NFL and I know what everybody's thinking, well, now he's had an all pro season or a second team all pro season. Why wouldn't they be interested in him? Because a lot of times when these guys hit free agency, the first thing they do is they go back to their pre draft evaluation and they talked to the area scouts and they talked to the guys that made the board and if they didn't like him a couple years ago, I doubt they're going to suddenly like him enough to give him $35 million a year. So I do think he's going to be, there's going to be some teams interested in Pickens, but it's not going to be this massive market out there for him.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, you don't think, you don't think a team like the Chargers is going to do everything they can to make a move there. They got, they got a group of receivers can't run out of sight in a leap year.
Aisha Morrison
Please, Please, Glenn.
Marcus Moer
I, I do. I think that there could be teams like that. I think it's possible. I also, it's going to come back to the, the pre draft evaluation of it and we, we should mention they've got a guy like Quentin Johnston who had a really good year, who's going to be, you know, they've got to decide on his fifth year option this offseason.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
I don't know.
Marcus Moer
I don't know.
Aisha Morrison
I don't know. I, I do think from being in the building and being around outside of a few small things here and there, he's really honed in here. I've talked to several people, players alike, about his focus and his commitment to the team this year. And again, I understand it's just a year sample size, but at the same time it's like, well, what the hell are we here for? Is, is development only on the field. Is development as people as well. I mean we see guys go to other teams all the time and revamp themselves and revamp their. And, and I, I agree. I mean he, he do got a little crazy in there. He do. But I think it's going to be really important. I think like you were talking about Marcus Teams are going to do their due diligence as far as talking to Dallas, getting really in depth with his behavior, how is he as a teammate and things like that. But the talent was on display in such a way this year. I, we see guy, we see guys get calls for less. And I think it's too many teams that are looking for a guy that can kind of spread the field like that. I, I, 100%.
Marcus Moer
I, I, I agree that you are looking for a guy that can do that. I just, I have my doubts that you're going to have a bunch of people banging down his door to give him $35 million a year, fully guaranteed over the next two or three years. Like it's, it's not going to happen. And I, I think Pickens has talked about, you know, he was in Pittsburgh and it wasn't a good fit. It didn't, he didn't have the right quarterback for his, his skill set. Are you telling me you suddenly want to go to the Jets? Yeah, the jets might be able to offer you that much money. Do you want to go be catching passes from Brady Cook and Tyrod Taylor? Absolutely not. You're right back in the same situation you were in, in Pittsburgh. Do you want to go to the Colts and do that with, who knows at quarterback? Probably not. This is where I think the Cowboys are going to use the, the, the franchise tag to kind of get a number in place. I would not be surprised if we see a shorter deal, a two or three year deal so Pickens can hit free agency again, maybe after he's had some big statistical seasons and quiet seasons on and off the field. I think that's the most likely outcome here.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Okay.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Marcus, I love your, your optimism. That's one of your better qualities.
Marcus Moer
Most people don't say I have much optimism here.
Aisha Morrison
Who you talking about? Because I can't wait.
Marcus Moer
It's, it's just this one situation because it's so unique. And I'm telling you that Pittsburgh was dying to give him away after the draft and nobody else wanted him. I, I think this season will change it a little bit, but I don't think it's drastically going to change their feelings on the player.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
I just, my, my thing is, and I'm just saying this now, I'm not, I, look, I, I agree with you. I think we got plenty of time and ultimately want to see the deal get done. My, my thing is, and I learned this from Scott Boris over the years, who could sell ice to an Eskimo, you know, the Cowboys are looking at it from there. You know what's best for the Cowboys, Right? But Pickens, and specifically his agent, he's looking at what's best for George Pickens and getting paid and you know, not wanting to risk getting hurt, not getting, you know, I, the, the small deal sounds great, but I think he, he and his agent probably feel like, man, I was one of the top receivers in the league, pay me well.
Marcus Moer
And I think, Jeff, here's, here's what could happen. And I honestly, I think this is what's going to happen. They're going to look at the franchise tag the next two years and I think it's 27 million this year. And like third, let's say it's 33 million in 2027. I went to Edinburgh University. My math isn't great, but I believe that's about 60 million total over two years. Maybe the Cowboys just give them that, right? They give him a two year, 65 million dollar deal with 60 million guaranteed. He gets his guaranteed money and it allows him to make more money on the back end of his career because once the cap goes up in 2028, he's going to be a free agent again. I think there's benefits for both sides to doing a short term, a short term deal with a lot of guaranteed money.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
What, what, what's the bigger priority here? The running back.
Marcus Moer
Oh, the receiver. You can find running backs. You found Javonte Williams for one year, 3 million. You can do that again. You're giving me that look, you're saying.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Pickens is the number one free agent or priority to get under contract right now?
Aisha Morrison
I would say so.
Marcus Moer
I think he's the number one overall free agent in, in, in the league.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, but I'm, and they better be moving on that right now.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah, yeah, that's in fact the case.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
I'm just, my, my, my only concern is, and I, I hope I'm wrong. I really do. I, I, I, I don't profess to know everything, but my gut tells me that the, the, the franchise tag is just, that's not going to sit well. I mean, I understand they may want to use it just initially to get that number like you talked about, but I, going into the season under that, I, that to me that could backfire, that could get ugly, could be wrong.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
What did he, what did he, what did he make this year?
Marcus Moer
Three million, I believe. And the franchise is what, 27 and a half?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
What do you mean? Doesn't sit with you? Two more million dollars a month.
Marcus Moer
I Take that for locked on Cowboys if they want to give it to me.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Absolutely.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, sit on it. Well, I mean, you know, you're probably not sitting well because your wallet's so damn fat.
Aisha Morrison
Hey, that was a good one. Straight. That was good.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Well, we'll see. Well, I'm just throwing it out there. I'm just curious to see, like I said, if. If it's time to start talking about that, if there's any speculation and we'll see, we'll see how it plays out.
Marcus Moer
Would you, Stretch, Would you consider trading him if you got the right offer?
Aisha Morrison
Marcus?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
What it. When you say that, though, I mean, you know, here's what I'm. Here's what I don't know. And I mean, we're gonna have these discussions, but like right now, how many, how many true first round receivers do you think are out there?
Marcus Moer
Three. At least.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
You think there's three? How many. How many corners?
Marcus Moer
I got three.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Okay. How many line linebackers in the draft.
Marcus Moer
With true first round grades? I've got two.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Two.
Marcus Moer
Yes.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah. Maybe two.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Three. What about, what about ends?
Marcus Moer
I got five.
Aisha Morrison
They're a little deeper.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah. So that now, to me, if you just start playing the numbers with that, then. Then what. What's going to be there at 20? Does that address that? And then if not, I mean, I don't know what somebody would offer you for George Pickens. I wouldn't. I mean, it would have to be a lot for me to even consider that, knowing what I saw and how I saw him play this year, what I saw him bring to this offense, not only bring this offense, bring to this quarterback, bring to the other receiver. So what? You know, I would have to weigh all of that out before I could just say, well, okay, well, let me, Let me. Let the doctor hit me with this rubber mallet across the knee and let me kick with a response.
Marcus Moer
Real quick, real quick. What if this scenario is okay? You. Let's say it's a second round pick, right? You get an early second round pick from Tennessee from. For him, I'm just making it up. And then instead of paying Pickens 35 million, you take that 35 and you give it to Trey Hendrickson and free agency. Are you a better team with CD Lamb, Ryan Flournoy and a second round pick and then Hendrickson at defensive end, or are you better off just keeping George Pickens? I. I probably would keep Pickens, but it's at least a different exercise that I think you need to go through.
Aisha Morrison
I think you. I think Right now, especially what's happening with you having to change coaches as far as the DC and everything. The best thing to do is to minimize all the changes you're gonna have to make. I think the best thing the team can do right now is to keep together the offense, which, again, we felt like was good enough to go into the playoffs this year. Build upon that, keep that. You understand that's in place, tweak it, whatever you want to do, and really hone in on this defense now. Don't neglect the offense. But I don't. I'm not. I'm not interested in. In an idea. I like Ryan Fillinoi as a number three. Love him as a number three. Very efficient. You push them up to number two, then we doing what we was doing before.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Let me ask you this. How far. How far. How far do you guys think this team is away from being a team that would play this weekend?
Marcus Moer
One good off season.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah.
Marcus Moer
Again, one good off season.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, I agree. They're not that far. I mean, would you. Would you say not that far? What's on the roster right now? Would it be fair to say not that far?
Aisha Morrison
I think. I think it would be fair to say not that far. If they do what they need to do on the defensive side of the ball. I mean, like I said, we've seen other teams do it. They. They just got the right coordinator, got the right coaches, got some guys in there, had some foundational pieces and put it together. I mean.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
No, I get it. I get it.
Aisha Morrison
I'm agreeing with.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
New England. Got it done. I get it. I'm just saying. And if you're. If. If you're asking me about Pickens, I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm giving you a long answer in a discussion of how far do you think you are away from being a team that lines up with these teams right now? And I don't think you're that far. So with that being said, I'm probably not inclined to. To. To move on from him. I'm really not. Unless it's just. I mean, unless it's just an offer that absolutely blows you away.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Yeah, I. I guess. You know what?
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Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Maybe I'm focusing on the wrong thing. I'm just thinking after the season that he had and what he did, that his agent, who the Cowboys got to know through Micah, is thinking, man, this guy's, like you said, the number one free agent, and it's going to want him to be paid and treated accordingly. And I just you know, I hope that can work out and ends up being a win win for everybody across the board.
Aisha Morrison
However, that looks like now his agent better understand.
Marcus Moer
I want David Mulligett to be my agent. That'd be great. I can't. I might hire him to see what Locked on can do. Can do for locked on be great.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
It would be good. All right. When we come back, our final segment, some final thoughts and I want to run something by you speaking of the front office. We'll do that when we come back. This is the Cowboys squad show.
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Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
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Marcus Moer
Yeah, we've got a busy week of shows, including should the Cowboys consider trading for Max Crosby. We're going to break down every single angle. Why that might make sense why they maybe should avoid that. So be on the lookout for that. And we're going to continue to cover all of these defensive coordinator candidates, the reasons why they could potentially fit their backgrounds. So be on the lookout for that as well.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
All right?
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
And Aisha, quick plug for your show with the Cowboys.
Aisha Morrison
Girl talk Boy stock will be on next Thursday at 9am Central. We normally run at Monday, but we have some changes to our schedule. And I will be on the stack with Brian Brus and Zach Wolchuk from 105.3 the Fan on Crown Global Media doing our draft show twice a week. Tuesday at 11 and it drops at 3pm and a Thursday at 11 and it drops at 3:00pm so check us out covering the draft this year.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
All right.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Blowing up. Love it. Thank you, Aisha. And coach, we can hear you on the radio and of course, on the show as well. Man, I had something to eat before the show, and it's not cooperating with me. Wrong pipe. Wrong pipe.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
All right, so, yes.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
One thing that's kind of getting a little bit of buzz. We may have hit. You guys may have hit on it, but Cowboys legend Troy Aikman assisting the Dolphins in their front office with trying to get a new head coach. They already got the gm, but now there are calls that, hey, maybe Troy should come back to help the Cowboys. What do you think of that, stretch?
Marcus Moer
You know, I'm better than any of us here. Why don't you tell us?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, I, I mean, I, I think Troy's always been enamored with, you know, with putting his, you know, football prowess into the right position. I, I don't, I just don't think that, you know, that, that Jerry and he probably see eye to eye on much. I, I, you know, I, I do think that Troy would, you know, wants to, he, he has the itch to, to, to be and to set up a, a team that, you know, much in the same way that John lynch has done I mean, I. But how he makes so much money for doing his broadcasting job, I just don't know that it could ever make any kind of monetary sense. That doesn't mean.
Marcus Moer
It doesn't.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
It doesn't mean that Steven Ross might not say, hey, you know what? I'll give you a piece of this team, you come over here and straighten this thing out. Now all of a sudden, we have a different team discussion.
Marcus Moer
It's not a monetary thing, because what Fox, or, sorry, what ESPN is paying him is ridiculous. And he's been there since 2001, you know, with Fox and with ESPN. And I don't know if people knew this, but even when he was playing, I think it was 1999, he actually did a preseason game when he was still under contract with the Cowboys in the booth because he knew he was eventually going to do this. But the one thing that broadcasting can't do is it can't scratch that competitive nature that these guys have. And I think that would be my number one word to describe Troy Aikman. He's a competitor, right? And I think there's always a part of him that would like to see how he could do building a team like John Elway did in Denver, like John lynch is doing now in San Fran. It wouldn't shock me at all if he wants to, you know, maybe switch things up after doing this for 25 years and give it a go.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Interesting. And. And forgive me, you guys know this. I don't know definitively, but is there already kind of a plan in place that Stephen is going to take over after Jerry and it's going to stay in the family and they're going to run things? Is that kind of the. The tentative plan?
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Do you. Do you ever watch them when you. When they walk out of the game, Jeff? Do you ever see them walk up the. Yeah, it's. It's. Jerry is the engine, and then you got Stephen, and then you got Jerry Jr. And you got Shibo, and then you got John, Stephen, and, you know, it's like he pulls that train right along with him. So, I mean, I think. Absolutely. I think that's. That's how the. The hierarchy of that would go. Now, does Stephen view different things differently than his dad? I. I think he certainly does. Might he run things just a little different than his dad? I think so. But ultimately, Stephen Jones is going to be the guy that's going to run this football team as soon as Jerry decides he's had enough.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
All right? So there may not be a need or, or a want for somebody like Troy, even despite the, the media speculation that he'd be a good fit.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
That's correct.
Marcus Moer
It'd be fun.
Aisha Morrison
I, I, I would love it. I, because I think he's a smart football mind. I think that he could be, at the very least in some type of advisor role or something like that, given, you know, his experience. But Troy ain't about to take no bs, man. I, that's the only thing about it is that I know he understands how the Cowboys are. It's the glitz, it's the glam and all that stuff. But if he's there for football, if he's coming out the booth for any, at any point in time, he gonna be serious business. And I just, I'm not sure it's gonna match. It would match with the Cowboys, maybe with another team. I just don't know.
Marcus Moer
I'd like to see it. I think it would be fun.
Aisha Morrison
Yeah, great.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
And I mean, he's had that opportunity, but it wasn't, it wasn't at a place where he, you know, where he wanted to be. So, I mean, he's, it's, it's a hammer, the nail mentality. And he ain't never going to be the nail. He's always going to be the hammer.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Well said. I like that. Yeah, I think too. I think part of it just again, I mean, talking about one of the all time greats for the Cowboys and then you see him helping out the Dolphins and you're thinking, wait, he's our guy. People still associate him as a Cowboy and rightfully so.
Marcus Moer
I don't, I don't worry about that too much. I think he wants somewhere where he doesn't have to answer maybe to a Jerry Jones or Steven Jones. And I think Jerry wants to credit and Stephen wants to credit, I think having someone like Aikman, who would have very different ways of wanting to build a team, I just don't think it would ever work out. I know Cowboy fans have dreamed about it for a while. I think we can put that one to bed.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
All right.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
All right, so final thoughts here before we go. So we're just gonna kind of hear about these interviews and, and then probably wait till what, after the super bowl, you think? Until they make their decision or depends on.
Marcus Moer
I think it'll be sooner than that. I think we'll either hear about it within the next two weeks or we'll hear about it, you know, between the, the championship games in the Super Bowl. Because here's the thing, Jeff, we've got All Star games coming up in the next couple weeks. So you've got the East West, Shrine bowl, we've got the Senior Bowl. You kind of would like to know what type of players you're scouting for on defense before you go to those bowl practices in the bowl games. I think they would like to know sooner rather than later.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Okay.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Jerry will figure out a way that that bye week before the super bowl, he'll own that news cycle.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Well said, Aisha, from a, from a media coverage standpoint, are they, is it pretty quiet over there? Are they doing anything other than or it was just kind of that big kind of farewell press conference and that's it until pre draft.
Aisha Morrison
Oh, it's been quiet. But given what Marcus said and getting some updates here on my own, that's gonna be front line and center soon. So never, never a quiet day.
Marcus Moer
We'll have lots to talk about, Jeff.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Don't you worry.
Marcus Moer
We'll be all right.
Aisha Morrison
Never a quiet day.
Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
All right. Well, hey, this hour flew by. Love working with you guys and glad we could get into all the different things that we did a little bit different, but that's okay. We like to cover everything. So thank you again, Marcus. We'll look forward to hearing you and Landon the rest of the week on the daily Lockdown Cowboys podcast. Aisha will be back and Coach will be back with you on Thursday night and Landon will join us for that show as well. Thank you everybody. Thank you. For those that are watching and listening later on, we appreciate it. We love you guys and we'll do it again next Thursday. Coming to this Thursday coming up and we'll be back next Monday. This has been the Cowboys squad show.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Foreign.
Tyler Rowland
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Jeff (Host of Cowboy Squad Show)
Let's Texas New Year Same extra value meals at McDonald's, so now get two.
Coach Glenn Stretch Smith
Snack wraps plus fries and a medium.
Locked On Podcast Network Announcer
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Episode Theme
This episode centers on the Dallas Cowboys’ pivotal offseason, focusing on the search for a new defensive coordinator, draft strategies after the Micah Parsons trade, and speculation about high-profile coaching or front office moves—including rumors about Jerry Jones potentially reaching out to John Harbaugh and the prospect of Troy Aikman joining the Cowboys’ executive ranks. Hosted by Marcus Mosher, Coach Glenn “Stretch” Smith, and Aisha Morrison, with Jeff as the roundtable moderator, this special "Squad Show" provides insider perspective, candid opinions, and lively banter amid a critical time for the franchise.
[01:41–13:38]
[12:57–17:55]
[21:28–29:49]
[29:28–34:57]
[28:58–29:49, 26:43]
[39:23–51:47]
[50:31–51:14]
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[56:37–61:37]
[61:59–63:27]
The episode captures the uncertainty and opportunity facing the Cowboys: a DC hire looms, draft picks must hit, the offense has a star to retain, and the franchise is as drama-filled as ever under Jerry Jones. The hosts dismiss head coach rumors, reflect on the organizational dynamics, and end on a note of guarded optimism—if Dallas nails this offseason, they’re "not that far" from true contention.
Panel:
Marcus Mosher (Locked On Cowboys), Coach Glenn "Stretch" Smith (former Cowboys coach), Aisha Morrison, Jeff (moderator)
For Cowboys fans and NFL observers, this episode offers revealing insight into the team's crucial offseason, blending expert analysis and locker-room candor.