COWBOYS SQUAD SHOW: The Cowboys get set for Christmas Day in D.C. against the Commanders.

Summary

Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show: The Cowboys Get Set for Christmas Day in D.C. Against the Commanders

Podcast Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool, Glenn “Stretch” Smith, Jeff Biggs

---

Episode Overview

This special holiday edition of the Cowboys Squad Show on the Locked On Cowboys Podcast sets the stage for the Dallas Cowboys' Christmas Day matchup against the Washington Commanders. With the Cowboys officially eliminated from playoff contention and reeling from a three-game skid, the panel digs deep into the burning issues plaguing the team—especially on defense—assigns blame, discusses impending changes, and debates player management for the remaining games. Insight, frustration, and no shortage of candid analysis drive the discussion as fans seek hope and direction heading into the final weeks of the season.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Blame Pie: Cowboys’ Offensive and Defensive Woes

[03:59–06:13]

• The opening debate is centered on the Cowboys’ failure to score in the second half against the Chargers.
• Marcus Mosher: Acknowledges disappointment in the offense but credits Chargers’ strong defense. Points out that game flow and situational factors contributed to Dallas' late-game struggles.

  "When you have an offense with this much talent, anytime that you don't score a single point and a half, we should feel disappointed." – Marcus [04:45]

• Landon McCool: Draws a metaphor between his own distracted experience during the game and the Cowboys' tendency to lose focus. Credits the Chargers’ elite pass defense and emphasizes that the defense’s recurring mistakes are more concerning.

  "They feel very focused for a while and then their defense does something that's so incredibly stupid ... and they kind of lose focus and they lose direction." – Landon [04:49]

• Glenn Stretch Smith: Firmly places blame on the defense, stressing the need for fundamental improvement and highlighting defensive schematic failures.

---

Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus: The Writing on the Wall

[06:42–10:30]

• Speculation about DC Matt Eberflus’ future reaches a tipping point.
• Marcus Mosher: Predicts Eberflus is as good as gone, emphasizing misalignment between coach and roster.

  "I don't know of anything they do. I don't even think if they pitch two shutouts here over the next two weeks if that's going to save Matt Eberflus' job." – Marcus [08:15]

• Landon McCool: Calls the Cowboys’ defense “a two-prong problem”—talent shortages and coaching failures, especially in technique and adaptability.

  "They continue to play with bad technique, with incorrect technique and not get that corrected ... I don't know who else that would be on besides the coaches at a certain point." – Landon [08:37]

• Glenn and Landon agree that Eberflus has “rolled over and showed his belly” rather than fight for improvements.

---

Systemic Issues: Talent, Coaching, and Front Office Accountability

[10:30–16:43]

• Glenn Stretch Smith: Argues blame extends beyond coaching to personnel management, drafting, and the front office.

  "There are plenty of guys in that building that you can say, hey, somebody has to accept the responsibility of what has gone on with this defense." – Glenn [12:01]

• Debate ensues regarding whether having Micah Parsons would have truly fixed the defense; consensus is that the problems are deeper than one missing star.
• Marcus Mosher: Wants a defensive coordinator who is a "problem solver" rather than "an excuse giver," noting that other teams with less talent have found ways to remain competitive.

---

The Diggs Dilemma: Lack of Accountability and the Future

[24:34–32:10]

• The panel is surprised that Trayvon Diggs played Sunday, given prior tension and speculation about his tenure.
• Landon McCool: Critiques Diggs for deflecting blame after giving up a touchdown, highlighting a lack of buy-in and professionalism.

  "He just kind of said, cover two, cover two and shook his head. And I had a real problem with that ... It just shows a lack of willingness and... just throwing his hands up like, 'Ah, it's zone coverage, I can't do anything about zone coverage.' You're a professional cornerback, dude." – Landon [25:49]

• Marcus Mosher: Regrets likely end of Diggs’ Cowboys career due to cultural friction and lack of accountability.

  "There’s just a lack of accountability. ... This is the kind of rot that Brian Schottenheimer has been trying to get out of the building." – Marcus [27:11]

• Glenn Stretch Smith and Landon: Analyze the busted coverage in detail, agreeing that both individual execution and coaching technique were lacking.

---

To Play or Not to Play: Managing Starters in Meaningless Games

[32:10–47:41]

• With the Cowboys eliminated, the discussion shifts to whether starters, especially Dak Prescott, should play the final two games.
• Marcus Mosher: Notes pressures from being in a primetime Netflix game and league expectations that “the Cowboys are held to a different standard.”
• Landon McCool: Voices concern over notoriously bad field conditions in Washington and New York but predicts Cowboys will start games as normal and shift to backups as appropriate.

  "The worst thing that could happen is ... a late season injury that bleeds into all of next year." – Landon [37:40]

• Glenn Stretch Smith: Sees the remaining games as essential opportunities for true personnel evaluation, especially for the next coaching staff.

  "You have an opportunity here to put these guys into a football game and evaluate what you have." – Glenn [39:08]

• The panel generally agrees: Defensive rotation for evaluation is already happening; offense, and especially Dak, is a unique case due to risk factors and player preference.

---

Pro Bowl Announcements (and Critique), Contract Rumors, and Roster Chatter

[48:45–54:20]

• Five Cowboys made the Pro Bowl: Dak Prescott, Brandon Aubrey, Tyler Smith, Quinnen Williams, and George Pickens (notably, not CeeDee Lamb or Kenneth Murray).
• Tyler Smith’s contract contains an escalator if he plays significant snaps at left tackle (per Nick Eatman).

  "So those arguments about the, the value that they're, that they're saving by having them, that don't apply." – Landon [50:24]

• Marcus Mosher: Rants about how the Pro Bowl has lost all significance due to diluted voting and alternate selections.

  "Last year ... we had 18 pass rushers, edge rushers that ended up making the Pro Bowl. Kyle Van Noy is going to have more Pro Bowls than Charles Haley, and nobody thinks Kyle Van Noy is a better player. They've completely messed up the Pro Bowl, and it's ... sad to see." – Marcus [51:41]

• Rumors about George Pickens’ future surface, speculation over a franchise tag.

---

Culture and the Need for Clear Direction

[55:56–61:25]

• Jeff Biggs: Raises the issue of frustration and accountability—or a lack thereof—in the Cowboys’ culture.

  "I almost feel like there's not enough frustration or disappointment within the Cowboys building ... You lost three in a row. You didn't make the playoffs." – Jeff [56:32]

• Landon McCool: Points to the Micah Parsons trade as a signal the team had already punted on 2025, shifting the timetable and dampening urgency.

  "It's hard for me to get too high or too low about this season ... when you traded away potentially your best player four days before the season started." – Landon [56:41]

• Glenn Stretch Smith: Dampens expectations; this is a .500 team, with or without Parsons, suggesting broader problems with long-term roster construction.
• Marcus Mosher: Recalls that the team's only "big" wins were less meaningful, reinforcing the need for an honest self-assessment.
• Mike McCarthy/12-5 vs. current struggles comparison; consensus: the current Cowboys are not good and have accepted that reality.

---

Looking Ahead: Commanders Game, Rumors, and Final Takes

[61:53–62:57]

• The Cowboys face journeyman QB Josh Johnson and a struggling Commanders team.
• Panel predictions: Expect a “nice little win on Christmas” but not much long-term significance.

  "I expect the Cowboys to get a nice win. I think it's going to be a nice little treat for us on Christmas." – Marcus [61:53] "I love how Marcus puts it. 'A nice little win.' Like he's making a little stocking stuffer." – Glenn [62:43]

---

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "They feel very focused for a while and then their defense does something that's so incredibly stupid ... and they kind of lose focus and they lose direction." – Landon McCool [04:49]
• "I don't know of anything they do. I don't even think if they pitch two shutouts here over the next two weeks, if that's going to save Matt Eberflus' job." – Marcus Mosher [08:15]
• "They continue to play with bad technique, with incorrect technique and not get that corrected ... I don't know who else that would be on besides the coaches at a certain point." – Landon McCool [08:37]
• "There are plenty of guys in that building that you can say, hey, somebody has to accept the responsibility of what has gone on with this defense." – Glenn Stretch Smith [12:01]
• "There's just a lack of accountability. ... This is the kind of rot that Brian Schottenheimer has been trying to get out of the building." – Marcus Mosher [27:11]
• "You have an opportunity here to put these guys into a football game and evaluate what you have." – Glenn Stretch Smith [39:08]
• "Last year ... we had 18 pass rushers, edge rushers that ended up making the Pro Bowl. Kyle Van Noy is going to have more Pro Bowls than Charles Haley, and nobody thinks Kyle Van Noy is a better player. They've completely messed up the Pro bowl, and it's ... sad to see." – Marcus Mosher [51:41]
• "It's hard for me to get too high or too low about this season ... when you traded away potentially your best player four days before the season started." – Landon McCool [56:41]

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:59–06:13] – Opening blame debate (offense vs. defense)
• [06:42–10:30] – Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus discussion / speculation
• [10:30–16:43] – Systemic issues (talent, coaching, front office)
• [24:34–32:10] – Trayvon Diggs situation: play, accountability, and future
• [32:10–47:41] – Should Cowboys play their starters in meaningless games?
• [48:45–54:20] – Pro Bowl announcements and their significance
• [55:56–61:25] – Cowboys' culture and true expectations for the season
• [61:53–62:57] – Commanders game preview and lighthearted close

---

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode balances sharp criticism and weary humor, reflecting frustration with the Cowboys’ underachievement and cautious hope for the future.
• The recurring message: the problems are multifaceted—personnel mistakes, coaching malaise, schematic failures, and questionable priorities from the front office all contribute.
• Hope for next year hinges on a thorough “sanitizing” of the defensive side of the ball, a likely new coordinator, honest internal evaluation, and cultural reset.
• Fans should expect more rotation for defensive evaluation, steadfast starters on offense—at least while optics and league expectations loom.

---

For more analysis and daily Cowboys coverage, catch Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool on the Locked On Cowboys podcast throughout the holidays.

---

Transcript

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Foreign.

[Landon McCool]

Podcast Network your team every day.

[Tyler Rowland]

This is Tyler Rowland from the Locked on Titans podcast. This message is a paid partnership with Apple Card. I love how simple it is to pay using Apple Card with Apple Pay. It's built right into my iPhone so it's always ready to go. I was on vacation recently, I didn't even have to bring my wallet to the beach but plus I earn up to 3% daily cash back on every purchase when I use my Apple Card with Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on your iPhone Subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and more at applecard.com.

[Tostitos Advertiser]

Traditions are a funny thing. They're why we tailgate in the pouring rain, wear full body paint and refuse to wash that lucky jersey. And just like in football traditions, tradition is what inspires us at Tostitos to make our masa the traditional way, starting with whole corn kernels. No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives crafted for that perfect crunch. Tostitos tradition matters. Official Chip and Dip Sponsor of the NFL.

[Jeff Biggs]

I'm Jeff Biggs, host of the Cowboys Squad show. All I want for Christmas is not my two front teeth, but how about two Cowboys wins to wrap up the season.

[Marcus Mosher]

I'm Marcus Mosher and I think the Cowboys defense is going to get Cole in their stockings this year.

[Landon McCool]

I'm laying in McCool and I'm thankful for not a less stress free Christmas day, but I would take it just to get it back into the playoffs if we could add some more stress.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Please. Glenn Stretch Myth Merry Christmas. Let's get on something going a direction.

[Cowboys Squad Show Announcer]

How about them Cowboys? It's the Cowboy Squad. Everything Dallas Cowboys every week covering all the big hits and game changing plays from America's team the way only the Locked on Podcast network can get ready and squad up. It's the Cowboy Squad show starting now.

[Jeff Biggs]

And as the coach said, an early Merry Christmas to you and yours. Happy holidays and welcome to another edition, the Holiday Edition edition of the Cowboy Squad show today. We are brought to you by Prize Picks, sponsored by Prize Picks. Download the Prize Picks app today. Use code locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first five dollar lineup. We say welcome to the co hosts of the Daily Lockdown Cowboys Podcast, Marcus moser and Landon McCool crushing it every day along with former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith. Coming up on our show today we'll get ready for Christmas Day in D.C. against Dan Quinn and the Commanders as the Cowboys look to halt what is Now a three game losing streak. Many fans want it to be Thanksgiving, not Christmas. Right? Want to see the Cowboys get in a better draft position. We'll get into all of that. And even though there will be no playoffs for the second straight year, you know, the five Cowboys that are heading to the Pro bowl, we found that out a little while ago. All right, but guys, I want to start with the two of you, Marcus and Landon, forget the pumpkin pie. We're going to break out the blame pie. We're going to slice that up. Obviously, defense is the number one issue, the number one priority to be fixed from now until next season. But I'm still a little chapped that the offense didn't score in the second half against the Chargers in their home finale. And am I making too much of that? Am I off base? Is it misguided because of the bigger picture or is that disappointing?

[Marcus Mosher]

I'll start. I think it was a little disappointing. But we need to remember this is a really good Chargers defense. This is the same Chargers defense that forced five turnovers against Jalen Hurts just a couple weeks ago. And our standard for this Cowboys offense is that they're just going to put up 14 points, 17 points in each half. And when you have a bad half, you know, we, we are disappointed. Now we should mention the Cowboys got behind in this game. I think if this game were a little bit closer, you see them kick some field goals, you don't see Joe Milton entering the game with five minutes left. So there were some circumstances that contributed into them not scoring in the second half. But yeah, I mean, I think when you have an offense with this much talent, anytime that you don't score a single point and a half, we should.

[Landon McCool]

Feel disappointed just to kind of quickly pull back the curtain a little bit. I like to watch the, the broadcast of the game just to hear what I mean, because I usually don't listen to the broadcast audio, usually listen to Brad and Babe. So I like to go back and listen to the broadcast to kind of hear what the broadcasters were saying as well. And, and all the things that they were kind of saying, you know, were about the offense in the second half weren't exactly positive. And I had it paused on my screen here in a second. And when we doing our cold open, it suddenly started to play as soon as I started talking and it was very distracting and I feel like that was, that's a good metaphor for what's going on with the Cowboys offense. It's like they, they feel very focused for a while and Then their defense does something that's so incredibly stupid, just continues, and they kind of lose focus and they. They lose direction. And I think the other part is a lot of what Marcus said, too. It's like, this is a very good defense that you went against. I think they were probably a top three pass defense in the NFL going into this game. And I think that the Cowboys, for the most part, especially early, did really, really well against them. And then once the game script flipped for them, it became more difficult. I'm certainly not trying to, you know, take blame off of them. They. They probably could have and should have done a little bit more. I just think that it. To me, it's one of those things where I. I think the offense deserves some blame, but it's just we're continually having to reach over.

[Jeff Biggs]

Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

An enormous pile of problems on the defensive side in order to kind of look at what's going on with the offense.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah, I'm not going to blame the offense. I'm going to blame the defense. They're the ones that ought to go study that film. They ought to go study how that team plays zone coverage. They ought to go learn how to play with leverage, learn how to play with their eyes. It really is the perfect, absolute perfect teaching tool. They dropped it right in their lap. They got to see it live, and now they can go study it all off season to understand how to play zone coverage.

[Landon McCool]

All right.

[Jeff Biggs]

Well, it's interesting because the speculation about Matt Eberfluss as defensive coordinator in his future, as has already begun. It was already starting after the game, and it's kind of like a snowball. It's building up momentum as each day goes by. And as we get closer to the end of the season, Marcus and Landon, I know you guys did an episode and you. You already announced the decision of Maddie Refluz's fate.

[Marcus Mosher]

Not officially.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

We.

[Marcus Mosher]

We landed. I are just reading the tea leaves here.

[Landon McCool]

Like it. Just to be clear, we also announced that Diggs was never going to be playing in the Cowboys uniform again. So we. We may not have the perfect finger on what's going on with the Cowboys defense, but then again, neither does this defense coordinator.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

So.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Jeff Biggs]

I was gonna say more. More than. More than what you think is gonna happen. I. I was kind of emphasizing on why you think it should happen, and you feel it's time for a change.

[Marcus Mosher]

They don't have a choice. I. I think you might get a mutiny between the players and the fans if Matt Ebert Fluss comes back and that's not to say that he's a, you know, he's a bad guy or he's been a bad coach because he has been successful in other destinations, including Dallas, you know, a while ago. But it's just not the right fit for this team and it's not the right fit for this personnel. They need somebody else in here. They need a new voice, somebody that I, I think really specializes in how to marry the pass rush with the coverage because they're just, they're so out of sync right now. I don't know of anything they do. I don't even think if they pitch two shutouts here over the next two weeks if that's going to save Matt ever lose his job. I, I think the Cowboys are already starting to look for some potential replacements here in the next couple months.

[Landon McCool]

I think the thing too is that it's like, you know, this is, this is a two prong problem, right? Like it's a talent issue for sure. And someone's saying, and Larry in the chat saying blind man could see that they have zero talent in that secondary. I mean you're seeing that manifest in a couple different ways in their talent. And then as coaches can kind of continue continually pointed out and just a lack of fundamentals and to me it, the, the argument against the coach is twofold. One, they have continued to play and it's not even just one player or one or two players. They continue to play with bad technique, with incorrect technique and not get that corrected which I mean I don't know who else that would be on besides the coaches at a certain point because there's a difference between taking a snap or, or a handful of snaps where someone has bad plays or if one player having continued problems but it's seemingly across the board at certain different people are playing with that positioning. I, I think the other thing about it too is that, and I, and I agree football finic that Eber FL was dealt a tough hand. But I think what's the most dramatic thing about this is that he didn't do anything. He just rolled over and showed his belly and, and didn't ex. You know, accepted his fate and, and instead of like, you know, kind of pressing the issue or doing what was necessary to kind of make up for the, the losses that they have, it just felt like they kind of leaned into what was not working and didn't really seem bothered by the fact that, that you know, that there was continued failure all over and all up and down the defense. So I, I think I Would probably have more sympathy for Eberfluss if, you know, he didn't, it didn't feel like he was forced into changing his ways in order to try to do something to make up for the personnel deficiencies, which are real, which are, which are part of this problem. But, you know, you still got to do something. You still got to show some life and make some adjustments, you know, to kind of compensate for that. Otherwise, you know, what are we doing? Just banging our head against the wall all season, which it feels like we have.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, he's a guy that's screaming. He doesn't have any answers. Right. He's telling you weekend and week out. I don't have any answers. I, I think it's almost comical that the answer was to play five down. Everybody said, well, let's play more five down. Well, if you play five down, what coverage are you playing? Any of you gonna answer?

[Marcus Mosher]

I'm scratching.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Are you gonna stand around, scratch your ass?

[Landon McCool]

You're gonna have to play some, some man coverage.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Coverage. You can play one cover. What? That's it. The numbers don't tell you. So he's not a cover. One guy, he tried to play a five down scheme. He's telling you, he's telling you with his actions. And I don't need to hear him say it. He's screaming with his actions. I don't have any answers for this personnel. I agree with you. I mean, I think there's other arrows that you could go around the building and start shooting people other than Matt Eber flutes. I mean, you see three guys that, that the Cowboys let walk out of the building, go to the Pro Bowl. They, Sean Wright and I get it. Minnesota cutting loose, twos going to the Pro Bowl. Lawrence going to the Pro Bowl. Micah, we knew was going to the Pro Bowl. But if there was a plan and you were going to allow one way or the other something to happen, don't you think I'm talking about from a defensive man standpoint? Don't you think he would keep one of those guys?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, yeah.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Are you still gonna stand around, scratch, scratching? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Two guys went to the Pro bowl off a defense that allowed, that allowed more than 34 points six times. Let's not get on here and just talk. Let's talk about what the issues are. And the issues are now there's enough arrows to go around for everybody in the building. Yeah, pro personnel let guys walk out of the building. They draft. Did they draft the right guys? And Mozzie Smith, Sam Williams, have they gotten it? I mean, I'm not just gonna haul off and, and pull the bow as far back as I can pull and see if I can get the arrow to go all the way through Matt Eberfluice. Because there are plenty of guys in that building that you can say, hey, somebody has to accept the responsibility of what has gone on with this defense. That's, that's. We know what they are.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, Stretch, let me ask you this. Do you, do you think, because I, I've heard this a lot on the last couple weeks that Maddie Berflus was preparing to have a Micah Parsons legend? Once Micah left, it threw everything, you know, out of kilter. I, I guess I have concerns that even if Micah was here, I think they would be better. There's no doubt they would be better.

[Landon McCool]

Yes, but that can.

[Marcus Mosher]

But would they. But they, I think they would still have some major issues. I think that's my problem here.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Would they be. Do you think, do you think they'd be more than a six win team?

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, I think they have at least.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

One or two more. There's a lot of scratching going on.

[Marcus Mosher]

Give me a second. I think they would have at least a couple more wins. Yes.

[Landon McCool]

I think also the, the issue is with Eberfluz, to me, is that it's like he's not equipped, equipped to solve these problems with the style of defense.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

So that's what, that's that. Right, right. So that's the point. But what I'm saying is it's still. Even if you had him, you. And let's just say, okay, they did have two more. Let's just, okay, post two more wins up there, then we're not going to catch Philadelphia and they wouldn't get in the playoffs. So did they. I mean, we keep going back to this scenario. In my mind, if, if you knew that that's what you were going to do was move on from Micah, then you should assign Tank and you should have made some other personnel moves instead of painting yourself into that one position. And what I'm saying is that everything that has happened defensively feel, feels like a knee jerk mentality. A knee jerk mentality in who you hired as a coordinator and who he hired his assistants and what they did. From a personnel standpoint, it's constantly feels like it's the doctor that brings that rubber mallet and cracks you across the knee and you just, wow, you just kick.

[Marcus Mosher]

Okay, so my thing is my, I agree with you. I, I want my defensive coordinator to be a problem Solver rather than an excuse giver. And it seems like through the last two weeks, we're starting to get some leaks from Matt Eberfalus's camp. Well, hey, there were some injuries or hey, Michael Parsons wasn't here. The defense wasn't the same. Or hey, you know, we, we had to adjust it because we got Quinn and Williams. That's just all excuses to me, like, figure it out. Like, I know they have talent deficiencies, but there's other defenses in the league that don't have a lot of talent that are playing a lot more discipline, they're tackling better, and they're not giving up 30 plus points every single week. And I think that's my issue with ERA flu is his defenses have only ever been as good as the talent that he's had. Where I want somebody that maximizes the talent that you have and can overcome injuries or trades or whatever you have. And I just don't think that's Matty Berfluse.

[Landon McCool]

I, I just.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

And I know I, I know Marcus, you're not a big Pittsburgh fan, but the Steelers constantly overcome defensive issues and play defensive football constantly. They do it. They didn't just have TJ Watt and they held the Lions to 15 yards rushing. 15 yards without their best player. I mean, are you saying that Terrell Austin or Mike Tomlin didn't go adjust that defense? Of course they did. They went adjusted that defense for that game plan. What was it? Was it. I haven't studied it, but was it greatly sound? I don't know. But they got a win in, in a building that nobody thought they could win in. And look, I'm not some big Steelers guy either. I'm saying I like what they do. I like how they adjust to what they have.

[Landon McCool]

Can we, can we address the other, the, the larger issue here though, to me, is that this, the conversation, and it's happening in our chat right now too, the conversation still kind of centers around who is the person or the one thing to blame when the Cowboys defense has been historically terrible. So the point being that it is not one entity that is to blame. Like, Matt Eberflus is just the defensive coordinator. So, yeah, he's gonna get his arrows, but five or six other guys on this defense definitely need arrows as well. And, and I, I, I, that's where I think that I'm frustrated with this conversation. Is that like everyone and Jerry Jones, I mean, yes, absolutely. The front office 100, for all the reasons that, that we just talked about, they deserve it as Well, I. I'm kind of just tired of the. Of the conversation where we're trying to paint one bad guy. And we do this every year. Right. When the problem is multifaceted, the problem is that. That Iberflus was handed a terrible situation and then didn't do anything. Like, that's where, again, he. My reaction to Iverflus is how he reacted. And I think that this is how we should judge most. Most people in things is not how they react when they're handled a good situation, but how they reacted when they're handled a bad situation. He reacted terribly. I don't want a defensive coordinator that only scales based on how good my talent is because I don't have the time in Dak, you know, prime years to rebuild this defense completely to a point where it's good enough for Eber Flutes to have a top 10 defense. I need a defensive coordinator who can play with good talent and play like a top three defense, or he can take the middling talent and at least have them playing up to snuff and get, you know, playing well enough to support my offense. And I think that's where the conversation needs to be, is, hey, let's not just focus on one thing. Let's focus on several. Changing out several different components, because that's what it's going to require to fix this.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right. Well, I mean, with that said, it sounds like Jerry Jones has already kind of made his decision. No surprise. I don't think any of us are surprised by that. I. I know another. Another side of this coin is the. You guys brought this up a while ago that he. If I'm not mistaken, Eber FL was hired before Schottenheimer or was picked before Shot that Schottenheimer really didn't have a say in that. And that seemed to kind of come out a little bit this week with Shoddy's comments about the defense as a whole.

[Landon McCool]

Indirectly, it's certainly in dispute, I would say. Marcus. Right. Like, I think we'd phrase it like that. That. The timing.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, I mean, I have my thoughts on this, and I feel pretty good about it. But if nothing else, it certainly feels like. Back up. The Cowboys did not do an exhaustive defensive coordinator search. They knew pretty quickly that it was going to be Matty. Now, whether that was Jerry Jones's decision or Brian Schottenheimer's decision, they weren't going out and interviewing a bunch of guys. And I think that might have been a mistake. Not might have. It was a mistake.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And I, I wonder, I wonder how much Shott's input was taken into the decision to hire Matt at all.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Right. Hasn't the, hasn't the hiring equation been former head coach, defensive coordinator, has head coach and experience, Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer, now Matt Eberflush. Hasn't that, hadn't that been kind of what the criteria was? And as you, I mean, let's just be honest and, and let's just put it out there. As you, if this guy loses his job, and I'm never for anybody losing their job, but if this guy loses his job now, what's the, what's the first thing comes to mind? Todd Bowles gonna get fired in Tampa? What about, what about Raheem Morris, Atlanta? Is Gannon going to get fired in Arizona? That's how, that's how. That's how it goes. I mean, that's just, that's just what you got.

[Marcus Mosher]

And I wonder if that's not a bad strategy. And I know we got to get to a break, but this team in this franchise has not done a good job of building these guys up and kind of finding the next Jonathan Gannon or the next Brian Flores. They just don't seem to be in the development phase of coaching or, you know, of finding these guys. And I think with Jerry Jones as the owner, especially with him at this stage of his life, I don't think they're going to be doing that.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think they got to find somebody who's done being a head coach.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Right.

[Landon McCool]

Like that. Like that was the problem with Quinn, is that ultimately you did find someone, but. But Quinn was ready to be a head coach again.

[Jeff Biggs]

Yeah. Well said. All right, we'll leave that there for now. We'll have plenty of time and more opportunities to talk about that, not only this week, but after the season ends and heading into the off season when we come back. Though, I wasn't going to say it the way that you did, Landon, but since you brought up Trayvon Diggs and the fact that he did play on Sunday, want to get your thoughts on that and maybe what that really means, if anything. We'll do that when we come back. This is the Cowboys squad show.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Locked On.

[Cowboys Squad Show Announcer]

Listeners asked for more and now you can get it with the Everydayer club. For just $5 a month, you'll get every episode ad free, plus access to our members only Discord Exclusive audio from Locked On Sports today and other perks you won't find anywhere else. If you never miss a show, this is the next step. Join The Everydayer club [e-mail] everyday club or visit the link in the show notes. That's lockedonpodcast.com everyday club, part of the Locked on podcast network your team every day.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right, well, it's that time of the year, not only for the holidays, but also for fanduel because they are busy and NFL Sundays, as you know, move fast. One big play and suddenly everything feels different. That's what makes live betting with FanDuel so exciting. You're not just watching the game, you're reacting to it in real time. Now with FanDuel, you can place bets as the action unfolds. Every drive, every momentum swing, every highlight moment. And live betting, as you know, is really best. When the game starts to shift, a receiver gets hot, a defense tightens up, or the momentum flips after a turnover, FanDuel lets you jump into that moment. They've got live spreads and money lines that adjust instantly. They've got player props update as updated as guys heat up. And you can bet the next touchdown scores, drive results, totals and more. Really keeps you locked in to every snap, every drive, every possibility. So 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. FanDuel the game moves fast and so can you. We're back. The Cowboy squad show along with the co hosts of the daily Lockdown Cowboys podcast, Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool, along with former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith. We've already kind of talked about the defensive coordinator coordinator situation and the future of Matt Eberfluss. I think guys, pretty much everybody believed that Trayvon Diggs would not play for the Cowboys again. It felt that way. The whole thing has been weird since week seven, but he did. He was on the field on Sunday. What. How surprised were the two of you when, when you got that notification that he was going to play? And what does it say to you, if anything, about the future?

[Marcus Mosher]

I go ahead, Lena. I mean, I got lots of thoughts. Why don't you go ahead?

[Landon McCool]

I gotta tell you, I gotta think I remember very much saying, you know, making the claim that, that he wasn't gonna play another snap in the Cowboys uniform. And then I definitely got a sinking feeling about that prediction when we got notification that Bland was going to be out for the season with the, with his foot injury. And I was like that, that that may change the angles on this a little bit just because the Cowboys don't have a huge numbers of Corners. I think part of it for me is that, you know, I got another sinking feeling when, when, when in the game Diggs went down with an injury. And for, for just a moment, I think he came back on the field after that. But, like, I was like, oh, boy. This is exactly what the Cowboys, I think, are concerned and worried about, right, Is him, you know, doing. Making some serious injury and then there being some kind of injury issue. So, yeah, I just think that, you know, the situation is deteriorated to the point where even after the game, it felt like Trayvon was speaking a little more freely about how he doesn't know if he's going to be back here. And, and I think, you know, honestly, the way he played in that game, you know, probably even further seal the deal because it was. It looked exactly the same as he had previous, you know, and honestly, I got to talk about it real quick. The, the comments, you know, in the, in after the game, I think someone asked him what happened on the touchdown that he gave up, and he just kind of said, cover two, cover two and shook his head. And I had a real problem with that, you know, like, I mean, again, I'm, I'm not like a guy trying to police, you know, these guys, you know, answers here, but it just points to what we all have assumed is. The issue here is just, it's not even just that he's not good in zone coverage. It's. It just shows a lack of willingness and a lack of, you know, like, almost kind of just throwing his hands up like, ah, it's zone coverage. I, I can't do anything about zone coverage. You're a professional cornerback, dude. You know, like, play. Play zone coverage when it's called, for God's sakes. Like, so I, Yeah, I, I just, I hate that, that kind of response. And, and to me, it's, it's kind of the, the realization that our worst. My worst fear of what was going on is potentially what is going on here.

[Marcus Mosher]

I love the picket digs. That 2021 season was so much fun. One of the most fun seasons I've ever seen from a cornerback. I actually thought he was better in 2022. Yeah, it really pains me to say this, but it just feels like it's time for them to move on. I mean, I, I thought the same thing when I saw Diggs, the way that he was answering the questions in the locker room. We can debate whether it was his fault or not. The Cowboys are saying it's his fault. He's saying it's cover Two, you've got cowboy. Content creators have been arguing about this for three days now. We don't need to have a discussion about it. But there's just a lack of accountability. Right. And I think. I think other cornerbacks would have handled that a different way and said, hey, you know what? It's. I got to be better, or we know as a defense, we got to do better. It just feels like this is. This is the kind of rot that Brian Schottenheimer has been trying to get out of the building and trying to change the culture, trying to get guys to buy in. And unfortunately, it sure, it feels like Trayvon's kind of one of the last guys that they're gonna have to move on from because it just doesn't feel like it's fitting. It's not working. He was clearly really tight with Micah, and once Micah left, things have. Things have really soured. I still think he can play in the right system. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a much better digs in 2026. I just don't think it's right for the Cowboys.

[Landon McCool]

Things for the Micah trade and. But I think you're right. The Micah trade took it to a new level.

[Jeff Biggs]

And.

[Landon McCool]

And that's when I was. I felt like, man, this. This relationship probably isn't much longer than this season.

[Jeff Biggs]

Coach. I know we talked about it on the post game a couple days since then. What do you think?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, if you. If you watch that play, if you just flip that play on, it certainly looks like that there is some semblance of COVID 2 of a disguised cover 2.

[Landon McCool]

I think it was matched, too, is what it was.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

That's what it looks like. It looks. So if you thought it was what, two?

[Landon McCool]

I think it was match two. So I think. I think he was supposed to. I think he was supposed to carry the. The receiver if the receiver goes vertical, and if he doesn't, he sits in the flat and normal cover, too.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Okay. Well, I mean, at the end of the day, they run a. It's. It's a tight trips look. They motion out to a wide trips look. And the fact that he did not widen with him, he did not ever get his hands or even try to give any sort of semblance to let the safety get up over the top tells me that that particular technique, whatever coverage you're calling that is, if it's some sort of two, which again, I'm saying that it looks like it is, then all five underneath players played terrible technique. All five? Yeah. So now that tells you that they're either not comfortable coaching it because you. We can sit here and blame Diggs, but none of the other underneath guys played the correct Cover 2 technique either. So, again, this is. We don't have the call sheet. Well, I wouldn't think he would come out and say that it was cover two if, in fact it wasn't cover two. I just don't think he comes out and says that. Now, did he play the correct technique?

[Landon McCool]

That's what I was gonna ask. Was he. Was he actually wrong on what was called.

[Tyler Rowland]

Yeah.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Oh. But neither did any of them. So, I mean, how do you. How do you. How do you go over and. And expect to have any kind of. Again, this is a.

[Marcus Mosher]

This is.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

It's just. It's poorly coordinated. It's poorly coached. It's just. Just check the boxes and it's. It's not good.

[Landon McCool]

Can I just say real quick, I. I don't talk about my day job very often, but I kind of do a lot of problem solving in my day job. And without a doubt, the hardest thing to try to problem solve is when there are two problems and you're not aware that there are two problems. And I feel like that's what is happening here. Right. We're all just trying to play well. Is this the coach that's, like, having the coverage problem or is this the player? Guys, it's both. Right. And it's probably alternating back and forth, and that's why it sometimes looks weird. And it's not so easy to blame everything on one person. Not so easy to blame everything. Because I think it's. It's both. It's.

[Jeff Biggs]

It's a.

[Landon McCool]

It's a death spiral at this point between the coaching and. And the players at this point. And. And I think your coach is laying it out right. Like it's, you know, is.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Does.

[Landon McCool]

Does. Does Diggs not know the coverage? Is Diggs correct about the coverage? And he and everybody else in the back end was just playing poorly because either one of those is both an indictment on the player and the coach. Right. So I think it's just, you know, we need to kind of click clean this situation as sanitize it as much as we can, pour some bleach, maybe, and then take the resources we have and try to kind of start over next year.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right, well, with that said, I think, you know, maybe part of it too. Like you said, Duron Bland being out when. When the Cowboys took the field, they found it. They knew they were eliminated, but maybe. Maybe that was part of the reasoning. Maybe they want to let him get some good tape so they can try to make a trade. Whatever. With that said, Cowboys are officially eliminated. Two games left to go and I think one of the other big topics this week is play or not to play. Play your starters or let them rest. We'll get into that. Want to get your thoughts on what they should do? That's coming up next on the Cowboys Squad show.

[Tyler Rowland]

I'm Tyler Rowland and this message is brought to you by Apple Card Apple Card members can earn unlimited daily cash back on everyday purchases wherever they shop. This means you could be earning daily cash on just about anything, like a slice of pizza from your local pizza place or a latte from the corner coffee shop. Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app to see your credit limit offer in minutes subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and [e-mail].

[Jeff Biggs]

We talked a little bit about car Gurus because car shopping really when you think about it, it should be, it should feel exciting, right? Not confusing. And with car gurus, right, you get the confidence you deserve. They cut through all the noise so you can actually see the best deals on the cars you want. Because when it comes to a big purchase like that, you really deserve the best deal, right? Why wouldn't you want the best deal? And Cargurus makes that whole process simple by giving you real information, real deal ratings and more listings than anyone else so you can shop the way that you want. Now a couple things that it's unique about car gurus, okay, They've got their their deal ratings so you can compare cars quickly without having to guess whether the price is fair. I mean it's right there in front of you. You'll love being able to filter by everything you want to go by. Mileage, trim, features. You're only looking at the cars that really actually fit what you need and the the in depth vehicle reviews that they have really help you understand what ownership actually looks like, not just how the car looks online. And having verified dealerships and upfront pricing really makes the whole thing feel honest, transparent and stress free. So here's how it works. Cargurus connects you with trusted dealerships for a transparent and hassle free buying process. They have over 4 million listings that is the most of any major online automotive marketplace. And you'll really feel like you're finding the best deal always. So shop the way you want with the tools, data and unbiased seal ratings that make it easy Buy or sell your next car [e-mail] that's CarGurus. C-A R G U R U S.com CarGurus.com. Okay, speaking of gurus, we've got Marcus Landon and the coach getting ready for week 17, Christmas Day in D.C. against Dan Quinn and the Commanders. Guys, Brian Schottenheimer says, hey, he wants to win these final two games. He wants to play the starters. Dak Prescott made it clear he wants to play. He said he would fight if he was going to be benched. He wants to stay out there. I don't like waffling or sitting on the fence, but kind of see it both ways here. I mean, I could see wanting to play guys for some of the time. I could see wanting to sit a guy like Dak just because he's paid so much. And you really want to make sure that he's healthy and ready to go for next year. But I understand you're paid pro football players. These are pro games, and you want to win. Where do you guys stand?

[Marcus Mosher]

I. I mean, I could go first. I, I see it both ways, right? And I think if the Cowboys weren't playing on Christmas Day, on top of it being a Netflix game, which Netflix paid a boatload of money for this game, I think you would have the easier time sitting guys like Dak and maybe playing Joe Milton. But I, I just don't think the NFL is going to want that on a prime time spot. And so I think, and I'm gonna be honest, I think the Cowboys are just held to a different standard. I think if the Cowboys were to do that, I think you would see a big outcry for the league. Whereas if this was the, if it's the jets, you know, benching, I don't know who they would bench, but I, I would be different.

[Jeff Biggs]

Right?

[Marcus Mosher]

I think the Cowboys are held to a little bit of a different standard. I wouldn't be surprised in week 18 if we see some more of this or maybe Milton gets a half, but I, I don't expect that to be the case, at least this week on Christmas Day.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, this is, this is a minefield. And, and, and almost literally when you're talking about the Washington field, for God's sake. So I, you know, I am a little bit. I, I am a little bit nervous because these two fields that they're going to be playing on are notoriously bad, and, and people have gotten injured on. So I, I think you have to play your guys, and I think that you're Gonna try to, you know, I think you're certainly going to start the course of the game in a normal game flow. And then depending on how the situation goes, maybe you just know, you know, lean into rotating a couple of guys more heavily. I think that the, the kind of restricting that you're going to be doing, you know, or the kind of actions that you would be taking with, with, you know, sitting your starters or whatever, that's going to be done through the injury list. And I think we've seen that. Right. It's just they'll lean more on the side of caution for anyone who has even the slightest sign of any kind of injury. Right. And then they'll put in the backup ups because, yeah, like again, the worst thing that could happen, the worst thing that could happen is, you know, a late season injury that bleeds into all of next year as well. Especially when you're, you're hoping that next year can be more of a Super bowl window or more of a playoff run window. So you have to kind of find a way to safely get these guys in and out of the game and, and you know, kind of in the flow of the game and get, you know, I think really the most important thing is, is the week of practice beforehand, right? Is like getting everyone kind of into the practice and then once the game starts, you can kind of dictate the flow of who's on the field by, you know, rotating facts, folks, except for Dak, you know, and I think that then the DAC situation, you play it by ear, by where the score is like you did with Joe, know, last game.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

The only way that you get a true evaluation, a true hands on evaluation of a guy is in a football game, not a training camp, not what they're doing in the preseason, none of that in a game. You have an opportunity here to have all of that. Well, I'll go back to what we said earlier. Matt Eberflus and his staff either did a very poor job of evaluating what they had to develop a game plan or they don't have any idea what they're doing. I'm just, I'm going on what I see. Guys. You have an opportunity here to put these guys into a football game and evaluate what you have. You're not in the playoffs anymore. You're not any of that. Okay, six, whatever. Ten and one or eight? Eight and one. What are you gonna, you're going into the off season feeling like you're gonna have another piece of that fruitcake because you feel really good that you, you went 8, 8 and 1. I, I don't think that's, I don't think that's the right thing to do. I think this team's got to evaluate where they are and if nothing else, for the, for the next guy, for the, for the next defensive coordinator, get these players in the game and get them evaluated. I loved what they did with Diggs. Jerry said Diggs wasn't healthy. Dig said, hey, I was healthy to go. Okay, Are the trainers clearing him? Okay, fine, put him in the game. Because guess what? Last week's game and all of those plays are now on his resume forever. He's going to have the, Anybody wants to go back and look at him, go back and flip that game on. And whether he played good, bad or indifferent, the point is it was, it's going to be evaluated. You have a chance here and an opportunity to get guys evaluated. I know what Javante Williams can do. I've already seen it. I know what Pickens can do. I'm fully aware of all that. I need to see these other guys so that I can get a true evaluation and I can make the correct moves. As we move into 20, 26, as we think about setting up a draft board, as we set up our pro board, as we decide are these guys and do these guys have any value or do we need to move forward from these guys? You got, it's right there in front of you. And you're telling me that you're going to be concerned whether next Netflix gave you a couple extra whatever million.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, well, I, to be fair, stretch.

[Landon McCool]

Not saying should, but they probably will.

[Marcus Mosher]

No, I mean, I, I, I think on defense, they've already been doing this.

[Landon McCool]

That's what I was gonna say.

[Marcus Mosher]

Shamar James played 50 snaps last week, right? Like, he played more than Kenneth Murray and those other guys. Savon rebel play 50, 55 snaps.

[Landon McCool]

Ready.

[Marcus Mosher]

Stewart played 38.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Perfect.

[Marcus Mosher]

Right. I agree. Like, to me, that's different. I think where it's hard is if you're taking a healthy Dak Prescott off the field for Joe Milton. No, but I can't, but I can't.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Put him in the game and, and trust that Jaden Blue is going to pick the blitz up. I, those are the two things I can't do.

[Tyler Rowland]

Right.

[Landon McCool]

Well, see, that's the problem on Office, right, is that, like, once you start sorting pieces, especially with Dak, you can't put him in with backups.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I already know what I got with Dak.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I know, but, but I'm saying You, you can't evaluate like you, you would love to piece by piece this modularly, right. And just kind of rotate guys in. But when you talk about the quarterback, like, you can't risk the quarterback being out there with, no, I can't. Guy who can't.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I'm gonna play Joe Milton.

[Landon McCool]

That's a whole other ball of wax that, that. See at that point now you're just fully tanking, which I, I mean, again, I'm not necessarily against, but that's just not how these guys are wired the.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Hell out of them. I'm not. Well, I'm fully tanking. He playing a Washington team that's going to be playing a guy that they signed yesterday.

[Jeff Biggs]

Josh Johnson.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Did you sneeze? I thought it was Driscoll.

[Marcus Mosher]

No, they did sign Jeff Driscoll. I will say you have to be careful about this. The, the NFL went. Was it 2020? The Eagles tried to tank in week 18, I believe week 17, week 18, they benched all their starters against the.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I don't even like that word. I mean, again, guys go out there and play your ass off.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, I agree.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Put your resume on tape. We're not, we're not talking about guys going up there and throwing layups over the top of the backboard.

[Marcus Mosher]

That's 100. But what I'm saying is the Eagles got in trouble for resting healthy players in a week 18 game. They had. I think it was a healthy Carson Wentz at the time.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Now you're talking about the gambling aspect of it.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I, well, that factors into this. Without, without it.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I get it. Do you think it's not factoring into college football right now you guys are trying to figure out how many players Michigan's got going against Texas. I get the concept.

[Landon McCool]

I wouldn't bet on a bull.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I don't bet on the two legged. I bet on the four legged. A damn horse. Can't talk to you.

[Marcus Mosher]

The other thing is for a lot of these players like Dak, Dak has been adamant. He actually talked about it today. He wants to play. He missed a lot of football last year with a leg injury. He wants to play. He wants to continue to get better.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Man, play him a quarter and maybe that's what we'll.

[Landon McCool]

That's.

[Marcus Mosher]

I don't, I don't think it's going to be this week. I think in week 18 is when you'll maybe see that. But if Dak wants to go out and try to play in a game and try to win it, who would I be to Say, no, you can't.

[Tyler Rowland]

Go out and play.

[Landon McCool]

Look, I. I think we've talked about the. The tanking thing in. In the NFL, and. And it's. It's obviously different than the NFL because NFL players than the NBA. I meant, sorry. Because NFL players have to play hard all the time. Like, that's just playing the game, which can be different in the NBA. Right. But I, I think beyond that, too.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I.

[Landon McCool]

The specific elements of what's happened, like the specific field that we're playing on, because it's the late latter season that what making this the kind of formula more calculate, more difficult. Because Dak does want to go out there and play. And you know, ultimately, at some point, you have to put your foot down to protect your franchise, protect your. Your quarterback from himself. But I don't just. I don't anticipate a situation where they go into one of these games and Dak Prescott isn't the starter. If he is healthy enough to play. I think it's more likely a situation where he goes in and plays a limited amount of time and then they sub him out early.

[Marcus Mosher]

And you mentioned, like George Pickens coach and I, in theory, I agree with you. Like, we already know what we have in George Pickens. They don't need. He doesn't need to show anything. Why don't you set. Set him on the other side? Like, George Pickett is playing for a contract, and I think he's got 1300 yards and. Was it 10 touchdowns right now?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

1500 yards enough out there on a resume right now?

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, I'm saying 1500 yards and 14 touchdowns looks a whole heck of a lot better.

[Landon McCool]

He's a 1342.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah. So, yeah, he gets to 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns. That's entirely different. And now maybe you get an all pro honor to add to your name, and that boosts your salary, that boosts the franchise tag. So these guys are all playing for something, even if it's not for wins.

[Landon McCool]

Which is maybe why Jerry will tell the coaches to sit him in the second half of these games, make sure he doesn't get the. The 15.

[Jeff Biggs]

Well, I think. I think tanking is one of the reasons why the NBA has slipped the way that it has. One of a couple reasons. But I think it's a. It's.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Again, that's not.

[Jeff Biggs]

But that's another topic. I know.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, tanking is for baseball. That's for basketball.

[Landon McCool]

I know.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

You go out there, you go out there and play half speed, you're gonna get your. You're gonna get your freaking nose tore off.

[Landon McCool]

I'll say this, too. Yeah, the NFL, the football, you just can't play that way.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Forget you'll get hurt.

[Landon McCool]

I'll add, yeah, you'll get hurt by playing. Has me. I'll add this, too. Tanking is a result of the NBA's own scheduling problems. And the NFL would be. Would be smart to take notice, right? Because the nf, the San Antonio and the way they dealt with player management and the situation like that was the inevitable optimization of the rules laid down by the NBA. And the NFL needs to avoid that situation by not letting too many teams in into the playoff situation, keeping that tight, which makes the regular season more meaningful than. Than it does in other leagues.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right. All right. We'll take our final time out and when we come back, I want to let you know which Cowboys made the Pro Bowl. Also, we have a George Pickens rumor. Speaking of Pickens, Marcus, we'll get into that. And I want to run something by you guys if we have time. If not, we can save it. We'll have plenty of time to talk about it. But I want to ask you guys a culture question with the Cowboys. We'll do that when we return. This is the Cowboys squad show.

[Tostitos Advertiser]

Traditions are a game changer. Traditions have the power to turn a simple moment into a memory, bring a whole city together. And they're even what inspires us at Tostitos to make our masa the traditional way. Starting with whole corn kernels, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. We craft our chips for whatever your tradition is. Tostitos tradition matters. Official chip and dip sponsor of the NFL.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right, we're back. Cowboy squad show. Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool, the coach Glenn Stretch Smith. Short week Christmas day matchup in D.C. against the Commanders. Round two coming up. And then the Cowboys will have their final game on the road as well. Week 18 against the Giants. So on a positive note, I guess, if, if it means anything, five Cowboys made the Pro bowl led by Dak Brandon Aubrey, no brainer there. Tyler Smith, Quinn and Williams and first timer George Pickens making the Pro bowl, not CD Lamb. So I want to get your thoughts on that and then no Kenneth Murray. I love this quote though, from, from Tyler Smith. Real quick. He. He makes it to the Pro Bowl. Left guard Tyler Smith, but the Cowboys are planning to play him at left tackle the rest of the way. They did that against the Chargers and he was asked about that. And I love this quote. He says, I'm really not letting My mind get too far ahead of it, Smith said. I mean, bro, I'm like an all pro guard. You feel me? That's the simple truth that we are looking at purely all facts. So we'll see what happens. We will have those conversations and see where everybody's head at. Head is at. That was awesome.

[Marcus Mosher]

We also heard a little bit of news from Nick Eatman on I think it was Tuesday now that there's actually some stipulations in Tyler Smith. Tyler Smith's contract where if he were to play like a significant chunk of the season at left tackle, his salary actually goes up. Something else the Cowboys will have to consider this off season.

[Jeff Biggs]

Did not know.

[Landon McCool]

So those arguments about the, the value that they're, that they're saving by having them, that don't apply.

[Marcus Mosher]

They don't apply here. Correct.

[Landon McCool]

Which makes this even more of a head scratching move.

[Marcus Mosher]

Correct.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right.

[Marcus Mosher]

I wonder if this is just. But real quick, just to get TJ Bass in the field because they feel like he's earned some more snaps. I really wonder if that's what it is.

[Landon McCool]

I. I guess, man. But I, I don't know. Like, I think TJ Bass is a serviceable, better than starving starting guard. Not necessarily someone that I'm like having to get on the field. Certainly not at the risk of like what to do with Tyler Guyton and.

[Marcus Mosher]

Oh, maybe you're showcasing him a little bit. He's got a restricted free agent this off season. Maybe you try to trade him, get some drafts.

[Landon McCool]

That's it. Maybe that's it. Maybe you're trying to get some defensive return from your death. Jerry Offensive of wine.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right, Coach, any thoughts on the Pro bowl or the Cowboys that made it?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

No.

[Jeff Biggs]

No.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Okay.

[Landon McCool]

Appropriate. The Pro bowl is, is just, it's so it's such a silly political thing at this point, right. Where like in order to even get in the Pro bowl, you have to have a very good season and then do it again. Like then, then you usually get into the Pro bowl for the previous season that you had. So yeah, it's, it's.

[Marcus Mosher]

It also just doesn't mean anything because the NFL. Can I go on a. Oh, yes, please do.

[Jeff Biggs]

Please.

[Marcus Mosher]

So the NFL has messed up the Pro bowl voting so much where it used to mean something, right. These guys would play in the games and if you had five Pro Bowls, that was like a huge deal. But now everybody that's an alternate. So let's say George Pickens backs out of the Pro bowl games. They're just going to promote Another receiver. That player gets a Pro bowl honor to their name. There's no difference in the honors. Last year in the NFL, we had 18 pass rushers, edge rushers that ended up making the Pro Bowl. Kyle Van Noy is going to have more Pro Bowls than Charles Haley, and nobody thinks Kyle Van no is a better player. They've completely messed up the Pro bowl, and it's. It's sad to see.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right.

[Landon McCool]

I do 100% agree.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right, so here's the George Pickens rumor. This is courtesy of Mo Moton.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

Raiders guy. Love him.

[Jeff Biggs]

Yeah. He says that Washington would be a top fit for Pickens should Dallas opt not to resign him or use the franchise tag because they need more playmaking.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I mean, look, they're constantly trying to take our. Our stuff, Right? They take our defensive coordinators, our wide receivers, our centers, our defensive ends. Yeah. So, yeah, I, I wouldn't. I'm not shocked that Washington is once again checking out what's in our backyard to see if it might be better for them.

[Jeff Biggs]

Do you, do you think real quick. I'm sorry, Marcus. Do you think the Cowboys have already made up their decision on what they're.

[Landon McCool]

Oh, yeah. I think this whole thing's ridiculous. He's going to be a Dallas Cowboy next year. There's zero doubt in my mind.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

I think the only thing is, is what kind of franchise tag they put on them. Is it the. The non exclusive, which pays them a little bit more money, or is it the exclusive franchise tag that allows them to negotiate deals with other teams? But I think he's backed it. Washington is a good name because they have $60 million in cap space next year. Debo Samuels a free agent. Noah Brown's a free agent. Terry McLaurin just got a new deal, but he's 31. I think that they're just connecting dots and it makes sense.

[Landon McCool]

Washington's going to learn another hard lesson, just like they learned it this year, that having all that cap space isn't all that valuable if you're trying to shop to upgrade in the unrestricted free agent market. The, the problem with all the extra cap space is not that you. You're going to be able to spend more in the unrestricted free agent. The problem is that all the previous talent that was making it to the unrestricted free agent market, they're all being signed by their own team. So it's, it's diluted the talent that's showing up in the free agent market. It's not that you shouldn't shop there. But the problem is, is that it's not a great place necessarily to continually upgrade your talent. And that's why with a young team like, like Washington trading away draft picks, it could be problematic.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

You talk about McLaurin's age, we talked about Wagner's age, we've talked about, I mean that, that they, they're trying to get themselves in a position where, hey, it is, it's, it's dinner at 4:30 at Luby's every day. So what's wrong with that?

[Landon McCool]

That's, that's the thing. It's crazy. It's like the idea of trying to build around a young rookie contract is, is obviously one of the most valuable things you can do. Having a good starting quarterback who's on a rookie deal is one of the most best assets you could have in the NFL. Right? But, but the way they went about it to me is crazy. Like I, I, I, I, I think that the Tunsil thing actually ended up working out for them because he's played really well. But, but a lot of these other deals, like they just added a bunch of age on top of age to this team and it's made them very brittle. And then on top of the fact that you have a quarterback who is also very brittle. And, and it went just about as I thought it was going to go this year.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I don't want to go, I don't want to go down that road. But doesn't that, doesn't it, doesn't that situation feel like an RG3 deal?

[Landon McCool]

It does. I mean, it's hard not to draw that comparison. I mean, I think he, Daniels is a much better player than RG3 was and I think he could throw the football from the pocket in a lot better space. But I, I think the problem is, is that he refuses to protect himself. I think that you're going to have the same problem with the guy in, in New York as well, honestly, is that I think he's a little bit more solid than Daniels because I think Daniels is probably sub 200 pounds still. But I, I think that if it's one thing to be sub 200 pounds and play quarterback if you know how to protect yourself and, and he doesn't know how to protect himself. He doesn't know how to slide or get down and he takes way too many hits.

[Jeff Biggs]

So, so here's the, the little culture topic I wanted to run by you guys and I don't know, I, I'm fighting off a little cold, so maybe I'M just a little grouchy, little irritable, you know, two days before Christmas, but three losses in a row, right? And you had one of the best offenses in the NFL don't make the playoffs. I don't know, maybe. Maybe I'm. I'm reading something that's not there, but I. I almost feel like there's not. Not enough frustration or disappointment within the Cowboys building. Like, I. To me, like, I. I feel like it's. Hey, it's a. It's all good.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

We're good.

[Jeff Biggs]

We got. We're. No, it's not good.

[Landon McCool]

You.

[Jeff Biggs]

You lost three in a row. You didn't make the playoffs. And I. Let's. Let's start working and get ready for next season. This is unacceptable.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

It's.

[Landon McCool]

It's hard for me to get too. Too high or too low about this season with. I mean, when you traded away potentially your best player four days before the season started, right? Like, if you were serious about winning this year, you don't do that. Right. Like, I mean, there's. I mean, I understand the idea of, of like, getting value or trying to trade, you know, spread out the assets. I mean, whatever. Whatever BS Jerry is going to spin us on or. And if you believe it, I certainly think that there's some truth to what he's saying. Whatever. I can make that argument. But the argument that I will not listen to is that this Micah Parsons trade was to help them get better for the 2025 season. Because that is absolutely ridiculous in simply, if. If we're simply just talking about the timing of it, if you were going to try to get to them better for the 2025 season, you do that trade three months earlier at. At minimum, and you get a better hall of Assets, you get a team that's better prepared for. For what is about to happen. But my point being, like. And I think Marcus and I experienced this similarly, like, when the Parsons trade went down. It's not that. It's not just that Parsons is who he is. It's the timing of it. And it took a sledgehammer to your entire, you know, expectations of the season. Anything they did was. Was kind of gravy, in my opinion, because everything had been shift. The focus had been shift a whole other year, the timetable had been shifted.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Here's. Here's the thing, though, even before that, that he had laid down on that table. Even before all that. I mean, I was under the understanding that. And I'm not speaking for you guys, everybody thought this about a 7, 8, 9, win football team, whether without Michael Parsons. This is a 7, 8, maybe 9 win football team. That's what they are with or without him. I mean, I, I don't, I guess I'm trying to understand here like where, and I get it, okay, they beat Philadelphia. Okay, they beat Kansas City. But at the end of the day, this, this is about a 500 football team to start the season. And if you ever got off track from that, I, I, I think then you know, that's your own fault for putting that sugar in that blue Kool Aid.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, yeah, the other thing we talk about, those that, that Chiefs gave the Eagle. Gabe, Chiefs ended up not being very good. We kind of knew that at the time. The Cowboys always played the Eagles very well though. They got behind in that game. Landon, what would you say their next best win is this year outside of those two games?

[Landon McCool]

Outside of the Eagles, the cheese game. Yeah, I, I wouldn't, it wouldn't be a win. It would be the tie against Green Bay, to be honest.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Exactly right. When they scored 40 to tie green Bay. That's exactly right.

[Marcus Mosher]

They, they beat, they beat the Giants at overtime with Russell Wilson. They beat the jets with Justin Fields. They beat Jaden Daniels. Now Jaden Daniels got knocked out, but they were winning that game anyways. They lost to the Cardinals, they got blown out by the Broncos. They beat the Raiders. They've lost to the Vikings and Chargers. They're just not very good. And I think at some point you have, you have a couple nice wins. I think this team kind of knows they're not very good. And yeah, you can be all frustrated that you want, you know about it and I get it. At some point you just are who you are. And I think the Cowboys are kind of slowly realizing that.

[Landon McCool]

That's why I, I, that's why I wasn't, that's why I wasn't totally against the Parsons trade at certain points, you know, because it like you needed to do something to shake up the trajectory while you had a Dak window. Dak is not going to be playing at the level he's playing forever. So you need to find a way to optimize it. And look, Michael Parsons had been on your team the last, the few, last few years and your defense wasn't good enough. Right. So, you know, I think you trying something new is not the worst idea. I don't love the way it went down. I don't love the way it was executed. I understand the overall strategy. I just wish it was performed better.

[Marcus Mosher]

One more thing in the culture. Like, I know there's some people, including our guy Mike Fisher was talking about that. Wouldn't you rather have the, the Mike McCarthy 12 and five seasons? Well, yeah, of course, but we have to remember Mike McCarthy went 6 and 10 his first year. His defense was so bad that he had to fire his handpicked defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan. And then things started to turn, turn around. We shall also mention last year the Cowboys weren't very Good with Mike McCarthy. They, even before Dak Prescott got hurt, they were a really bad football team. They actually rattled off some wins once Dak got hurt. That's not because of Dak being bad or anything, but this is a team that, outside of when you had Mike McCarthy and Dan Quinn together and Dan, this hasn't been very good.

[Landon McCool]

And I think. And Dan Quinn being an optimal part of that phrase for sure.

[Marcus Mosher]

Correct. Yes.

[Jeff Biggs]

Well, I, I am glad to see, glad to see that Dak has made the comment like, hey, we're not going to do this again next year. So hopefully that, that will be kind of the, the mood in the building like this is unacceptable and we need to, we need to get better and, and hopefully they'll have a better off season. Let me ask you this before we go. Washington, Christmas Day, Marcus Mariota did not practice again today. Looks like Josh Johnson's going to start a quarterback. What? Just we don't have to go too deep into it. What are your thoughts on the game?

[Marcus Mosher]

Poor Josh Johnson. I mean, he's been around forever and he's still not very good. I expect the Cowboys to get a nice win. I think it's going to be a nice little treat for us on Christmas.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Us?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think they're gonna win. I, I do think that Josh Johnson has. It feels like Josh Johnson's been in several of these games where he's like signed on a Tuesday, plays on us on a Thursday or plays on a Sunday, you know, so he, he's a better football player than you usually get off the street. So I would imagine he keeps it spicy at certain points.

[Marcus Mosher]

Real quickly then. How old is Josh Johnson without looking?

[Landon McCool]

33, 5, 39. 30, 39 already. Oh, my God, I feel so old.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Wow.

[Jeff Biggs]

Wow.

[Landon McCool]

So I remember him getting drafted. So, yeah, I'm sure he's gonna throw for 300 yards. You're probably.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I love how Marcus puts it. He a nice little win. Like, you know, like he's making a little stock stocking stuff for Liam. Anyway, nice little win on Christmas. There you go.

[Marcus Mosher]

It's gonna be Nice.

[Landon McCool]

I hope we unpack it. We'll see.

[Jeff Biggs]

Well guys, Merry Christmas to you. Anything coming up the next couple days on the daily Locked on Cowboys podcast, we can look.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, we've got a busy week. We're not taking the holidays off. We've got a show coming out for you guys on Wednesday. We'll talk about some Pro bowl stuff, we'll talk about some Cowboys roster building stuff. Thursday we've got a crossover with David Harrison from Locked on Commanders. And then Friday we'll have a post game show for you. So while you guys are enjoying your holiday season, Lane and I will be pumping out content for you.

[Jeff Biggs]

Love it. All right guys, well, Merry Christmas to you and your families. Coach, Merry Christmas to you. We'll, we'll talk after the game on Thursday. Enjoy. We'll do it again next week. But thank you and thanks everybody for checking in with their comments and everybody watching now live and also later on. We appreciate you. This has been the Cowboys Squad show.

[Capella University Advertiser]

At Capella University. Learning online doesn't mean learning alone. You'll get support from people who care about your success, like your enrollment specialist who gets to know you and the goals you'd like to achieve. You'll also get a designated academic coach who's with you throughout your entire program. Plus career coaches are available to help you navigate your professional goals. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn [e-mail]. the Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid has a bold design, a spacious interior with 232 horsepower and a 12.3-inch panoramic display to keep the advantage adventure going and fit with the way you live. And with SiriusXM, Everydrive comes alive, bringing you closer to the music, sports talk and podcasts you love right in your vehicle or on the SiriusXM app. Every SiriusXM equipped Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid includes a three month trial subscription to SiriusXM, so the experience begins the moment you drive. Learn [e-mail] Sportage Hybrid Kia Movement that inspires.

[Tostitos Advertiser]

Traditions are a funny thing. They're why we tailgate in the pouring rain, wear full body paint and refuse to wash that lucky jersey. And just like in football, tradition is what inspires us at Tostitos to make our masa the traditional way, starting with whole corn kernels. No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives crafted for that perfect crunch. Tostitos tradition matters. Official Chip and Dip sponsor of the NFL.