← Locked On Cowboys - Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys
Locked On Cowboys - Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys
COWBOYS SQUAD SHOW: The FULL Cowboys schedule release, with *LIVE* REACTION
01:01:25
COWBOYS SQUAD SHOW: The FULL Cowboys schedule has been released, with live reaction and analysis, plus the latest on WR George Pickens.
Loading summary
Transcript226 lines
- [00:02]
Glenn Stretch Smith
It's the Locked on podcast Network.
- [00:05]
Ad Announcer 1
Your team.
- [00:06]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Every day
- [00:10]
Ad Announcer 2
Comcast is delivering extraordinary experiences in live sports through the incredible broadcast and storytelling from NBC, innovative and personalized viewing features on Xfinity and Peacock, and the country's most reliable WI Fi viewers can enjoy every game changing play faster and more seamlessly than ever. All on a network built to deliver unforgettable moments as close to live as possible. The ultimate experience for the American sports fan. Learn more@comcastcorporation.com sports it's smart to always
- [00:42]
Ad Announcer 3
have a few financial goals and a really smart one. You can set earning cash back on what you buy every day. And with Discover you can get this. Discover automatically matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. Seriously, all of it. And we trust you to make smart decisions. After all, you listen to this show. See terms@discover.com credit card
- [01:09]
Jeff Biggs
what is up? I am Jeff Biggs and I am ready for this NFL schedule release. Let's go.
- [01:16]
Ad Announcer 2
How about them Cowboys? It's the Cowboys squad. Everything. Dallas Cowboys every week covering all the big hits and game changing plays from America's team the way only the lockers on podcast network can get ready and squat up. It's the Cowboy Squad show starting now.
- [01:39]
Jeff Biggs
All right, we are fired up and ready to go. And thank you so much for adding us to your schedule, pun intended. We are blessed to have you every Monday and Thursday and it is great to be back with you for another edition of the Cowboy squad show. Man, before you know it, June is going to be here and then another blink of the eye and we'll be training camp in September and preseason and the whole thing August.
- [02:02]
Landon McCool
It comes quick. It comes quick. It's. It really does.
- [02:06]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah. There's like a moment where you think, man, it looks forever away. How are we going to get there? How are we going to get through it? But I mean, gosh, Landon, you and Marcus, literally, I mean, you do it every single day, 52 weeks a year. So big props to you guys.
- [02:21]
Landon McCool
Well, it certainly, it certainly makes the, the, the time go quicker, right? Like, I mean, when you talk about it because then you're just talking about it, you're talking about it, you're talking about it. Then suddenly it's, you know, I'm packing for Oxnard. It's, it's crazy.
- [02:33]
Jeff Biggs
That would be the positive spin right there, my friend. As always, we start with a welcome to the co host of the daily Locked on Cowboys podcast, Landon McCool with the Cool last name. And we have former Cowboys coach, the one and only Glenn Stretch Smith playing a little hurt today with the voice, but he is. He's fired up. He's ready to go. He plays her. He's a football player. Come on.
- [02:56]
Landon McCool
He's not even on the injury list.
- [02:59]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Not. Not taking a knee, fellas. I'm not doing it.
- [03:02]
Landon McCool
Fighting through it.
- [03:03]
Jeff Biggs
All right, so we are. We are on the clock. We are literally waiting for the official release and maybe some leaks in between. We've got a couple. We're going to get into those. We have. As always, there's always new Cowboys news, including a no show and a new deal not for George Pickens, but for Dak. Did somebody do a show on that? Did somebody talk about that? A new deal for dad? Where did that come from? We're going to get into that as well. But Landon, let's, let's just, let's take a dive. We can circle back. We got a whole hour here. So let's just start with what we know. When you were out, you weren't out, but you weren't with us on Monday. But we knew Monday, right? We knew the Cowboys are going to Open up Week 1 Sunday Night Football on the road at the Giants. We know Week three, Brazil against the Ravens, Thanksgiving home against the Eagles. So we know that now we've gotten leaks that Week five, the Cowboys are going to be home Thursday Night Football against the Bucks. They're also going to potentially play Week 7 at Philly on Monday Night Football. Those are a couple that have kind of trickled in, waiting for the.
- [04:14]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Isn't that in that Tampa Bay game, Week five on the road?
- [04:18]
Jeff Biggs
No, no. Home.
- [04:22]
Glenn Stretch Smith
You sure?
- [04:23]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, because they're. They're. Yeah, they're. They're one of the home teams. The, the home teams for the, the home games for the Cowboys are Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Jags, which is supposed to be a Sunday night game. Potentially rumored, the Titans, Ravens. Well, that's In Brazil, cardinals, 49ers and Bucks. And then away our Eagles commanders, Giants, Green Bay, Houston, Indy, Seattle and the Rams. So we knew going in the Bucks were already going to be a home game. We just didn't know when. So I think for me, kind of the thing is, and I'll let you guys answer, just is okay, you got that trip to Brazil. So what does it look like after week three and how does that kind of play out in addition to all of the Thursday night games that the Cowboys seem to get? Right.
- [05:09]
Landon McCool
Well, on top of that, does it mean that you're going to get like the earliest possible bye week that you can get, which I think is week four or five. Right. I mean, we don't have it all laid out quite yet, but I think that's just as bad. You know, I mean, the international game, look, I mean, it's, it's a lot of travel. It's. It's a lot of disruption. There's. That certainly is a pain, but ultimately it's better than traveling to London. It's better than traveling to, you know, someplace where you're changing time zones and having to get used to, you know, dealing with time. So this is just essentially time zone wise, the same as playing on the East Coast. So I think the, the issue is. One of the biggest issues is the, the. The team making it through the games on that Brazilian field. We saw that was a problem last, last time they put someone played down there and then on top of that, like, how do they handle the break surrounding in that and are they going to, you know, force the Cowboys to take an, you know, one of the early buys, which I think is. Which could be really bad, especially considering how tough the schedule is going to be. Like, you could be facing an extremely long stretch at the. To finish the season.
- [06:24]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Would you rather take it there at week five or like week 12?
- [06:27]
Landon McCool
I'd rather have a week 12 coach. I mean, just in my opinion, I feel like it's nice to get like a week to catch up some, get some health, gets a breather going and then kind of load up for those last few games to get ready for the playoffs.
- [06:40]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, I hope, I hope if that Week 4 game is a road game, you. You'd like for that to be Houston. So yes, if you went three to Rio, four to Houston, quick Thursday night turnaround for Tampa, at least that travel makes sense. And it would, I think it would help you not. Not have to pull that bye week that early. I. It'll be, it is going to be. It's going to be an interesting shakedown here because I think you got some real, you got some real issues. You know, I was reading about the NFLPA where they're wanting, you know, they're wanting more grass fields. Well, the NFL is wanting to expand to more of these countries. And I got news for you that the, the blades of grass in Rio are different than the blades of grass at the Star. I mean, it's just, it's a different animal. And I remember, I remember going down to Mexico and that. I mean, the field was pristine in Azteca, but I'm telling you that blade of grass was thick. Guys were slipping all over the place. I, I don't know. I have, I have some different thoughts about that. But certainly going to Brazil, you're probably gonna be playing on it. On a grass field.
- [08:04]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, well, the whole international play, that's a whole other show in and of itself. Right. I mean, I guess what is the goal here? To try to, to make the NFL similar to soccer? I'm assuming that's what, what they, what they hope will happen one day.
- [08:19]
Landon McCool
Well.
- [08:19]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Or that what, what the NBA did when they were, you know, going to China and going all over the world and.
- [08:25]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah.
- [08:25]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Trying to market, market it from a worldwide marketing brand.
- [08:29]
Jeff Biggs
Right, right. Some of the other rumors real quick and again we're going to circle back and this is just, just again speculation, but that they would get a week 16 Sunday night game at home with the Jags, week 17 home with the Giants and then they would possibly wrap up regular season on the road at Washington. They got to get one of those, at least one of those cold weather games in there, right. For the Cowboys. They can't play all those east coast teams in September.
- [09:05]
Landon McCool
Yeah.
- [09:06]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Washington and Green Bay.
- [09:08]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, you and I both.
- [09:11]
Landon McCool
Yeah. That Green Bay game I'm really interested to see when it is, that's, that's one that I have kind of eyeballed as when that gets released because that could really make a difference on not only the weather and what it's like playing in the game, but also who's playing in the game.
- [09:26]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Well, we went there in December one year and I'm telling you, I think we were the only sober people in the whole town. They get it ready and rolling.
- [09:36]
Jeff Biggs
Keeps you warm though, right? I guess I don't drink either, but I guess if you're there and you're freezing,
- [09:44]
Glenn Stretch Smith
you don't drink. You don't live in Green Bay. If you live there, you'd be drinking the la. Damn.
- [09:52]
Jeff Biggs
There was another, there's other speculation too that the, another big road game at Seattle against the defending super bowl champion Seahawks will be a Monday night game. They, they love those Monday night games in Seattle. Those are the NFL. So makes, that would make sense. Cowboys.
- [10:10]
Glenn Stretch Smith
And that's a far flight. I mean you'd be back, you'd be getting back here when Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino go on about 8:30 in the morning, 8 o', clock, whatever time they go on Fox.
- [10:24]
Jeff Biggs
Well, we'll, we'll, we'll keep our eyes on that. Again, we've got the, the full release should be happening here in just a few minutes. Wanted to hit on a couple of other items if we could. So, you know, we've been, we've talked about one of the big things over the last couple of weeks was okay, George Pickens signed the tag. He's, he's good to go. There were reports that Pickens was, was not a, in attendance. He was a no show on Monday when they had voluntary workouts, team workouts for the first time at the Star. Does that, does that mean anything to you guys? Because it was voluntary. Is that, is that okay? I mean, as long as he's there for the, the OTAs, that's all that counts.
- [11:05]
Landon McCool
I mean, I, I, we don't ex, I think the story would be if he showed up at the voluntary practice. I, I honestly like, I, I, I think we all anticipated him not going to the voluntary practices. So. Yeah, I'm not shocked or surprised.
- [11:23]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, I mean, I'm not, I'm not surprised, but I don't like it. I mean, you want, you're looking for a big time contract, you want a big time deal, I mean, get your ass in there and do what a big time player does, which is lead by example and get going or you're going to keep, you know, you're gonna, you're gonna, you're gonna keep dealing with people questioning, you know, is it really important to you? Is it, I mean, all the things that go along with it. I, I mean, if I was coaching him, I'd be talking to him about coming in, I'd be talking to him about setting the example. I'd be talking to him about saying, if you want a long term deal and you want to get yourself where you want to be in your career, guess what? Get, get in here, get in here and get the synergy, start building synergy around yourself. What, what you, you get a better workout at Planet Fitness than you do at the Star. It doesn't make any sense to me.
- [12:19]
Landon McCool
I, I get it. Like, I don't, I completely agree with you. I also think that this is about the most he can show his displeasure with the fact that there hasn't been contract and that he's on the franchise deal that without getting penalized for it. I guess because, because this is standard at this point for guys that, that, you know, are trying to work out a deal to not show up at voluntary workouts. I agree. I don't like the practice, but I also don't think this is quite where he'll, he'll take a public Hit for not showing up.
- [12:55]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Do you want to change the course of what you've been doing? And if you want to change. I want to change the course, then you know what, let's put a different sail up on the mast. Let's put a different rudder in the water and let's, you know, let's, let's sail this thing in a little, in a little different direction. That, that's all I'm saying.
- [13:15]
Landon McCool
I'm not right.
- [13:17]
Glenn Stretch Smith
And I'm sure they're probably throwing routes on air and they're probably doing some things where he's working with Dak. I'm sure of that. That's fine. But I mean, I'm telling you, team chemistry is built in, in the off season and doing things around in my mind in the off season, it's not always in the weight room or in the training room. It's, it's going out with your teammates. It's, you know, it's doing some different things that you enjoy the, the people that you're around. So if you really want to, you know, if you really want to change the look, you know, get your ass in there and get to working out, you're not wrong.
- [14:02]
Landon McCool
I mean, there, there is a case for, for being proactive and like trying to, you know, change the, the narrative about yourself. And, and he certainly had the opportunity to do that by becoming in and, and doing something in this, in this training camp, in this voluntary practice. I just think that, I think he could have taken an opportunity to do a positive step. You're absolutely right. However, I also don't think that him not going is going to be a slide against him necessarily. So I, I think we're not disagreeing with each other. I think you're right. He should have come in. It would.
- [14:39]
Glenn Stretch Smith
If you want a long term deal, don't you go in there and let Jerry see you in there and go over and cut yourself one of them long term deals. Just, he'd do it with you, I promise you. He'd do it with you.
- [14:49]
Landon McCool
I think, I think, I think Mugletto is not gonna let him do it. You know, like, I think that's the.
- [14:55]
Glenn Stretch Smith
You don't work for him though. He works for you.
- [14:58]
Landon McCool
100. I, I, again, like, I don't disagree with you. I, I just think, you know, whether it's a good strategy or not, like, that's the strategy that's been pretty standard for this kind of, I mean, that,
- [15:10]
Glenn Stretch Smith
that, so that's why, that, that's, that, that explains why I'M on here in this podcast talking to you guys instead of still coaching. Because I, I mean, I, fair enough. I'm not, I'm not buying in.
- [15:21]
Landon McCool
You should say it's tough. Like, I mean, because it's, you know, look on one side. I understand them trying to like maximize their opportunity to get it, to get money. And, and I agree that the, the teams also use leverage plays that are, you know, not always for the, the best, the betterment of the team. But I, I think, you know, I, I have a hard time, I have a hard time getting, choosing a side on some of this stuff in the contract negotiation boys. I wish it didn't have to bleed into their ability to get players ready for the game. I, that I, that's where I, obviously, I think the coaching side of you probably really gets tweaked a lot. Right. Is that these guys are losing opportunities to get better with their team.
- [16:05]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah.
- [16:05]
Landon McCool
And then, and I think that that's legitimately legitimate, obviously.
- [16:11]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I, I, it's not like, it's not like you have to be there in there at 6:30 or 7:00 clock in the morning. I mean, you can pick your time. You can tell the string coach, hey, you know what I'm going into, you know, I'm gonna go in and steam and whatever at 10. I'll be in here to lift at 10:30 or 11 or whatever you want to do. I mean, you know, you, you, you, it's not, there's not a, it's not a regimented set schedule of time that you have to be there. So if you want to, you know, if you want to sleep your giblet ass in the bed till 10 o' clock in the morning, then stay in bed till 10 o' clock and then go work out. There's nothing wrong with that.
- [16:43]
Landon McCool
Yeah, for sure. I, yeah, I just, I hate that they've commoditized this, this, you know, these workouts as a negotiating chip and it, but it is that way now, unfortunately, and certainly not unique to George Pickens.
- [16:55]
Jeff Biggs
Hey Coach, I had a question for you. You know, we were kind of joking about the off season flying by from, from somebody that's a part of the team. Does the off season, does it, does it feel long? Does it feel too, too short? I mean, no, not many people, honestly. I'm being serious. Not many people have that kind of a schedule where, I mean, you're just hardcore from what, June, May, June. But then you have that, that time off after the season.
- [17:20]
Glenn Stretch Smith
That's, it's not hardcore right now. And that's what I'm saying. I mean you can go in there and it's just a couple hours, probably four days a week. I mean that's, that's, you know, so we're talking about eight hours. And then, you know, if you want to throw or do something, whatever, I mean, you're doing that anyway. You're, that's a point I'm making. Whether you go to 24 Hour Fitness, Lifetime Fitness, wherever, or you go to the Star and you're working, you're getting yourself, you're, you're getting yourself ready for, for this grind of a season that we're sitting here talking about. I mean, you're getting yourself in that, in that position where you can take that on now as a coach. I mean, this is the time that you want to, you know, again, every day I would be in there, I mean I'd go in there with my guys. Half the time I'd go in there, there'd be times I'd go in there and lift with them. Be times I'd go in there and you know, just, hey, you know, how's your family doing? What, whatever the scenario is, how are things going? Get away you, that's what I'm saying. You build a bond with your players outside of the grind of, you know, the, the media chasing you around, all the things that go on. I mean this is the time of year when there's, there's really not a whole hell of a lot going on out there. Coaches are getting ready to, they're getting ready before we go to camp, they're going to get ready to take probably a month off. So you, you, you know, this is the time when you can go and develop a relationship with those guys and, and do it in a non football, in a non football way. Let them see the human side of you, Go in there and get to be part of who they are, see the human side of them, hear what's going on in their lives, hear about, you know, if they've had a family member that passed, whatever the scenario is, how are your kids doing? What's going on with, you know, with whoever your wife is, what's going, I mean, you know, you're, you're, you're developing a, a bond with your guys. I mean, the one thing I, you know, I'm not going to get on this soapbox here, but the one thing I'll tell you is, and, and stop me if you guys have heard this before. There is nothing natural about playing football. Nothing it's not a natural game. It is natural to get the knocked out of you and then get up and go get some more of it. You had basketball players, you guys watching that, hell, they roll around on the floor, lay around like they, like they're dying. Baseball, somebody the other day hit the top of the batting cage, ball came down, hit his eye 12 days out. What, so football's not natural? So, so you have to attack it in a non natural way. That's why only 1% of these guys make it. There is nothing natural about it. Not one single thing.
- [20:18]
Jeff Biggs
Well said, coach. Well said. Appreciate that.
- [20:21]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Seriously, you know, you got to get up and go do it again.
- [20:23]
Jeff Biggs
Yep, that's right.
- [20:24]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Get up and go do it again.
- [20:26]
Jeff Biggs
I, I, yeah, by the way.
- [20:28]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Get up and go do it again.
- [20:30]
Jeff Biggs
I, I had a former player tell me that, honestly, he, he was a very, he was an elite, elite defensive player. And he's shared with me once that he actually, he had anxiety because he was dreading the, the collision and the, the violence. I mean, he was a great guy, love the game, everything else. But he would just, the week, it would just kind of, as the week got closer, he would just get kind of just anxious, you know, I don't know how to say it and that, so that's, that's hardcore, man. All right.
- [21:03]
Glenn Stretch Smith
And I'm telling you, and the guys that play it, I mean, or just, I'm, I'm just telling you, Eric Williams would rather head butt you in the mouth than say hello. That's how he was. Yeah, I mean, you know, so it's just a, it's a different animal, fellas. It's a different animal.
- [21:22]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, well said. All right, we're going to take our first time out. When we come back, see if there's anything new with the schedule. We're about, man, about five minutes away, so we're getting close. We'll be able to go over all the games and take it, look at everything in a detail. We want to hear from you via the comment section. A lot of people jumping in already. Some of the regulars already there. Stephen, Carmine, love you guys. We'll do that. Great to be with you on this Thursday night schedule, release night for the NFL. This is the Cowboys squad show. You know, support for today's episode comes from square, the system that helps fix one of the biggest headaches in running a business. Starting a business is exciting, right? But actually running it well, that's where things can get complicated fast. You got payments, inventory, staff scheduling, online orders. It's a lot to manage. That's why Square brings everything together into one connected system. Square helps you take payments, track sales, manage inventory, and keep your business running smoothly without juggling a bunch of disconnected tools, literally. And the cool thing is one of the there's, there's a local coffee shop that uses Square, right? And it really makes everything simple from fast payments to loyalty rewards. And as a customer, right, it's convenient. And from the business side, you can tell it really helps owners stay focused on serving people and instead of constantly troubleshooting systems. And that's why it really stands out to me. Square helps businesses feel more efficient, professional and ready to go. So if you're starting a business or running one, that maybe deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage and grow without slowing down. So right now you can get up to $200 off square hardware@square.com go locked on NFL that's square sq u a r e.com go lockedonnfl run your business smarter with Square. Get started today.
- [23:46]
Ad Announcer 1
America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T mobile is available in US Cellular stores.
- [24:01]
Ad Announcer 4
Best mobile network based on analysis by Google of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network. The combination of T mobiles and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.
- [24:17]
Jeff Biggs
All right, we are back to square one and we are getting ready for the NFL schedule release coming up in moments. That is the co host of the daily Locked on Cowboys podcast, Landon McCool and coach Glenn Stretch Smith. Landon, what do you got?
- [24:29]
Landon McCool
I think I got it. I think, don't hold me to this, but I think this is, this was released by an official NFL source, I'm not mistaken. That does these grids and we'll see if it plays out correctly. But if, if this is actually the schedule, then the Cowboys, man, they really caught some breaks here. Let's go through it. As we know, week one is at New York, right? Right. Week two we're playing in Dallas versus Washington. Week three in, in Dallas or in Rio versus Baltimore. Right. And then coach, you're right. The following week we play at Houston. Right. Then home at Tampa, then at green bay on October 18th.
- [25:15]
Jeff Biggs
Okay.
- [25:16]
Landon McCool
Early in the year. Early in the year. Right. Autumn action at Philadelphia the following week versus Arizona, in Dallas, at Indiana versus San Francisco. Week 11 is versus Tennessee. Week 12 is versus Philadelphia. That's the Thanksgiving game. Right, If I'm not mistaken.
- [25:39]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah. Yep.
- [25:41]
Landon McCool
And then at Seattle, which on the the six week 13, week 14 is our buy which is incredible. With that again, if this is true, this is incredible. Then you play the Rams. So you get a week up, you get the bye week to play the Rams, which is I think great. And then week. See, I'm sorry, I lost track where it was. Leak 15 is. I'm sorry, week 16 is Jacksonville, week 17 versus New York and week 18 at Washington.
- [26:15]
Glenn Stretch Smith
So how many Monday night games is it?
- [26:17]
Landon McCool
Let's see, it's three Monday night. Well, what is that color? They have like a purple and a pink. Hold on. There's a Saturday game. Sorry, this is. The color coding is very odd. There's at least two. I. I can't. And then what the Washington game is like is either a sad. It could be either a Saturday or Sunday. I think that's because it's week 18. It could be flexible.
- [26:45]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Right.
- [26:45]
Landon McCool
Flex at Philadelphia and at Seattle are both Monday night games.
- [26:51]
Jeff Biggs
Okay, nice.
- [26:53]
Landon McCool
And then you've got Tampa Bay on Thursday night. That's at home. Right. So that.
- [27:01]
Glenn Stretch Smith
What about Sunday night? Have they said that yet?
- [27:05]
Landon McCool
Yes, I think so. According to this, obviously the Giants, the Green Bay game will be the Sunday night game as well.
- [27:13]
Jeff Biggs
Jags.
- [27:14]
Landon McCool
The Jacksonville game will be Sunday night.
- [27:16]
Jeff Biggs
At home.
- [27:17]
Landon McCool
At home, yes.
- [27:19]
Jeff Biggs
Nice.
- [27:19]
Landon McCool
And then you've got only three, it looks like Sunday afternoon games. And then you've got like four 1pm games which is interesting actually. So yeah, if this is.
- [27:40]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I asked you where would you rather have the bye week? You. You got your wish on that, right?
- [27:45]
Landon McCool
I got my wish on everything. To be honest coach, if this is
- [27:47]
Glenn Stretch Smith
the schedule and get out and get you one of them ten dollar scratch and sniff tickets quick land on here.
- [27:53]
Landon McCool
I don't know what I'm doing here. I'm gonn my phone and live stream the whole thing while I scratch it because honestly it may be the last time you see me.
- [28:01]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Good luck to swell fella.
- [28:03]
Landon McCool
Yeah, it'll be. It'll be a great time. We'll be. We'll be partying it up and I'll be had half these games. Honestly, Honestly, like all kidding aside, like if this is the Cowboys schedule, they have a tough row. They've got a tough set of games that they have to play this year to get them arranged this way. If it really is. This is incredible like to get the late by to the fact that. I mean look, you have. You have to play a game in Rio this year. Like that's part of this to get this organized the way it is. I think is, is very manageable. And so, yeah, I'm, I'm pretty excited by, by the way these games are arranged. Somebody was just asking what time does the Cowboys at Rams game start? And it looks like it's a late game. It looks like a Sunday afternoon game. 425, Carlos.
- [28:53]
Jeff Biggs
Okay. Yeah, well, it have to be, it would have to be, at least because of the West Coast.
- [28:58]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah.
- [29:00]
Jeff Biggs
Okay, well, that's good. That's great news, man. I mean, that's, that's, that's a big deal. And so, so Brazil to Houston. That's, that's, that's doable, right? For sure. I mean, you come back, come back right after the game, rest up a little bit, go to Houston, quick turnaround.
- [29:19]
Landon McCool
I'm trying to, try to do the math on this real quick. Like, I'm not great at that kind of math. But it's like 9:27. So it's September 27th is the Baltimore game and then you play Houston on. Okay, okay. On. On. Okay. I'm sorry. I was trying to do the math. That is a week later. I almost was trying to, trying to count it up because they play Houston on 10, 4. And I'm, and I'm just trying to figure out how many days that is. But that's like seven. So that's, that's a week. Okay. I was trying to figure out where the, where like the 10 day breaks are. But that's after it looks like it's, it's because they play a Thursday night game and then they play Green Bay a week later at Sunday Night Football. How does that make sense? I think some of the dates may be wrong on this.
- [30:12]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah. Anyways, I'm looking at the Cowboy side. They don't have it. They don't have anything. They haven't added anything yet. So I guess they're waiting for the TV show to do their thing before they. Although I, I was told they could at, at 6:30 Central they could post. I don't know what they're waiting for. Let's go.
- [30:30]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Hit the refresh button, Jeff.
- [30:32]
Jeff Biggs
No, I'm doing that. Try to bother you.
- [30:36]
Landon McCool
Don't.
- [30:39]
Jeff Biggs
All right, let's, let's. I'll tell you what. Let's take out time, time out number two, and then we'll come back and, and see.
- [30:44]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I want to talk about the Everydayer Club.
- [30:47]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, please. Yeah, tell us about that Coach I don't know.
- [30:50]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I. I'm trying to get. I'm not a member of it.
- [30:53]
Landon McCool
Prompting me. You're prompting me to talk about it.
- [30:55]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I was hoping you could get. I mean, I was hoping I could get the. The password to the honeycomb hideout. What is it?
- [31:01]
Landon McCool
Ou812. That's probably it. Yeah.
- [31:07]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah.
- [31:07]
Landon McCool
Every day at club's great. I mean, it's. It's an opportunity for us to interact with fans. I mean, obviously the. The headliner is that you don't have to listen to the U.S. recite ads and. And all the ad breaks get taken out. But. But I think the better part is that you get a chance to interact with us and on Discord and. And. And part of the larger network too. So you can go talk a bunch of crap to Eagles fans or. Or go brag about the schedule with whomever and. And. And talk and then obviously interact with us as well. So it's just. It's just kind of a cool way to interact with. With fans. And, you know, we're gonna start taking questions and doing a bunch of stuff at the training camp. It'll be fun as well.
- [31:44]
Glenn Stretch Smith
So Carmine. Carmine said he's magna cum laude of the Everydayer club.
- [31:48]
Landon McCool
I. I saw. I've seen him on there. I've seen Carmine on. I think we've chatted a couple times, so. Yeah, that makes sense.
- [31:54]
Jeff Biggs
It's a new way to go clubbing. I mean, it's. It's outstanding. The everyday or club. I love it. All right, well, hey, Carmine Live.
- [32:01]
Glenn Stretch Smith
That's what I want. Where is Carmine live?
- [32:04]
Landon McCool
Will you let him go to break? For God's sakes?
- [32:08]
Glenn Stretch Smith
If he gets in any night spots, you know, whatever he lives, because that's in the everyday or club.
- [32:14]
Landon McCool
We'll. We'll tease that. We'll find out where Carmine lives after the break.
- [32:18]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yes.
- [32:18]
Landon McCool
There we go.
- [32:19]
Jeff Biggs
There we go. I'll be back. I gotta find out too. Here we go. All right, well, before we get to that, we gotta talk a little bit about game time, because, you know, we can stream anything, right? We can order food in minutes. We can do everything from our phones. But somehow buying tickets to live events still feels way harder than it should be. You got the long lines, confusing checkout prices jumping at the last second. I mean, it shouldn't be that complicated, right? Well, that's why there is game time. It gives fans the advantage and makes getting tickets fast and simple. Okay, now here's the cool thing about game time. You get to see the full price up Front, no surprise fees at checkout. And my favorite part, the seat views are huge. You can actually check your exact view before you buy, not after. And they have, they have these things called zone deals where you pick a section that you like and you can save even more when they pick for you the seats. So it's really easy. Two taps. You have great seats locked in. It's quick, easy, and actually makes you want to go to more events. That's the way it should be. What happened to that? So take the guesswork out of buying tickets at every type of event. With GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase terms. Apply again. Create an account redeem code lockedon L O C K E d o n for $20 off. Download the game Time app. Download it today.
- [34:02]
Ad Announcer 5
I'm Joey Erickson of Locked On Stars. In business, there's no room for guesswork. Every shipment matters. Every deadline counts. When you're trying to keep operations running smoothly, the. The last thing you need is uncertainty. That's why reliability is at the core of USPS Ground Advantage. Each package moves through a secure nationwide network tracked from dock to door with affordable upfront pricing and delivery you can depend on. Because knowing your logistics are handled lets you focus on everything else. Visit USPS.com ground advantage to start shipping with confidence. USPS ground advantage. We mean business.
- [34:36]
Jeff Biggs
All right. We are back. Cowboy squad show Landon McCool, former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith. Not only are we awaiting the full NFL schedule release, more importantly, try to find out where Carmine lives.
- [34:49]
Landon McCool
He said New Jersey.
- [34:51]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah. Yeah, I think I'm gonna guess the city. Voorhees. Voorhees, New Jersey. Come on, Carmine. Is that where you're from?
- [35:00]
Landon McCool
Jason Voorhees, well done. Now listen, that, that schedule is official.
- [35:08]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, it's on the Cowboys side, so it's.
- [35:11]
Landon McCool
That's incredible. Which really is great. Like, honestly, like, again, knowing who we had to play and where we were playing them already and knowing, you know, that we had an international game and all the things that we knew. Considering that this, this feels like best case scenario for the arrangement of these games, if I'm.
- [35:31]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, absolutely.
- [35:32]
Landon McCool
It really does. So Cowboys really did luck out quite a bit.
- [35:37]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, I'm, I'm looking at it again. The, the, the Sunday from, from, you know, from Brazil, Houston, and then a Thursday night game. That's going to be, that's going to be tough. But it's early in the season, right. And then you got some time off before the big Green Bay Showdown. You have 10 days off. Right. Landed right. You got the Thursday night game and then you don't play until week six, Sunday night at Lambeau. Then you get some time until week seven, which is a Monday night game. So you got an extra day there that will help. Home for the Cardinals at Indy, those are early starts. Home for the 49ers, home for the Titans, those are early. And then you get into Thanksgiving and then after, after Thanksgiving, again, another little break before week 13, Monday night at Seattle.
- [36:28]
Landon McCool
I will, I will point out that. So the one thing that maybe, and I don't know, the timeline of this player specifically, the one thing that was also kind of time dependent, that was interesting was when you played Indiana because Daniel Jones, having dealt with his Achilles injury was, we know is not going to be there in the early part of the season. Right. So it'll be, I don't know off the top of my head what his timeline is, but the fact that that game lands in the middle of the season is, is interesting and it might be right around when he's back. So that, that, that's the only thing that I see that like is working maybe against the Cowboys in their favor.
- [37:11]
Jeff Biggs
Okay.
- [37:11]
Landon McCool
Or against their favorite, rather.
- [37:13]
Jeff Biggs
All right. As you pointed out, week 14 is the bye week. And then they come out of the bye at the Rams. That's going to be a late afternoon start, as you said, and then again, a little bit of a break before Sunday night, week 16, home game with the Jags and then week 17 home for the Giants and then wrapping up the regular season on the road at the Commander. So all in all, I mean, Green Bay, October, Brazil, early. It's pretty good. It's really good. I like it.
- [37:48]
Landon McCool
Yeah, it's, it really did work out well. So I mean, obviously like we said, tough schedule overall. I mean the list of players, the teams that you got to play, where you're playing them, and again, having an international game, all that adds up to a difficult schedule. But as, again, as far as how it was arranged, where your bye week is, the way they handled a lot of the interplay between Thanksgiving and whatnot, I think that's all, that's, that's all very interesting and I think it should work out well for the Cowboys.
- [38:22]
Glenn Stretch Smith
It helps you too. Only taking that 30 minute flight to Houston after, after having sit on that thing for probably 10 hours coming out of Rio.
- [38:29]
Landon McCool
Yeah. And then the other thing too, I just kind of added. Did the math on too is that two of the toughest Teams that you have to play. And two of the biggest games that you have to play are Seattle and the Rams. Right. You're gonna get what I think it's a 10 day break for, for Seattle, right? No, it may be longer because I think you're playing Seattle on Monday night. Right, Right. So. And you're playing Philadelphia on Thursday of Thanksgiving.
- [38:55]
Jeff Biggs
Right.
- [38:56]
Landon McCool
So you get a, you get an extra long break to play Seattle and then you play the Rams after you're by. So it's kind of a murder flown
- [39:04]
Glenn Stretch Smith
to Seattle on a Monday night. I have.
- [39:08]
Landon McCool
But from Los Angeles, which is not nearly as bad.
- [39:10]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, you can ride a skateboard that far.
- [39:13]
Landon McCool
Oh, I don't know about that. It's still pretty long ride up the coast, coach. But yeah, I, I still think, yeah, it's as far as like having to play those teams. Like if you tell me that it's Philly Seattle by the Rams, I'm like, man, that's kind of a murderous road. But when I tell you that, yeah, you play Philly, but then you get like 10 days before you play Seattle and then you get a buy before you play the Rams. I certainly think that helps you prepare for those two really difficult games. Really well, no doubt.
- [39:45]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, very well said. And, and so you have that, that strikes land and like you talked about. But then I'm also, I'm intrigued too. If you go to the beginning though, I'm really intrigued about, you know, week one and just kind of coming out of the gate, I mean at the Giant home for the Commanders, the Ravens in Brazil on the road at Houston and then a short turnaround for Tampa Bay. I'd say, you know, that's a, that's a key critical early stretch to start your season. I know those, that's a great, great test, but a great opportunity.
- [40:20]
Landon McCool
Yeah. I will say this. I mean Baltimore and Houston are tough teams to play obviously, you know, but I think they're also both AFC opponents. Right. So you get, you get the two easier NFC east teams. Right. So those are obviously big important games, but I think are winnable games considering who you're playing. Then you play two really tough games that are, I mean every game is important, but non conference games are more, are less important than the, than your conference, especially your division games. And, and then you kind of get into the meat of your schedule a little bit. So you. Yeah, it's a lot of kind of logistics, especially after those first two weeks. But after that like you are kind of getting a nice little almost season than a Little preseason and then kind of getting back into the meat of your schedule a little bit more.
- [41:17]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, I like it, though. I like it. And I think it's important to, to really come out and set the tone and, and not mess around, you know, not be sharp, ready to go for the offense, pick up where they left off and you know, hopefully this new and improved defense that we're all waiting to see, and I know they're waiting to see and put together will will be there as well.
- [41:40]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Don't drink the water in Brazil.
- [41:45]
Landon McCool
They're going to have all kinds of travel guidelines, especially after what happened last time, because I think somebody got. Did one of the players get robbed last year last time they were there?
- [41:53]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I'm telling you, we. That year we went to Mexico, they cleaned us out. I'm talking about Alpha to Omega cleaned it out.
- [42:01]
Ad Announcer 3
Wow.
- [42:01]
Glenn Stretch Smith
We come back in after playing the game, it is nothing gone.
- [42:09]
Jeff Biggs
That's not good.
- [42:10]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Oh, hey. I mean, we were just coming out of training camp. They had to send the, they had to send the equipment guys back, get sweats. I mean, I remember we had to write down, I mean, everything that you had. I'm telling you, they cleaned the joint out. There was not one thing left. Nothing.
- [42:29]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, well, hopefully security will be a little better this time. You would hope, I would think.
- [42:34]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Oh, you think so? Yeah, you would think so.
- [42:41]
Jeff Biggs
In case you're wondering, the Cowboys preseason, they're going to play at Seattle in their preseason opener at Arizona, Week two on the road. And then their, their lone home preseason game, week three of the preseason will be home against the Saints.
- [43:00]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I mean, Landon, you are calling it to a T. You just talked about the flight from LA to Seattle. They're getting ready to take it now.
- [43:06]
Landon McCool
That's right.
- [43:06]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, well, you're hottest pistol.
- [43:09]
Landon McCool
That's right. I want it right now.
- [43:10]
Glenn Stretch Smith
I'm telling you, you better go down the road and get one in one of them damn tickets.
- [43:16]
Landon McCool
Play some craps.
- [43:18]
Jeff Biggs
Let's see what else. I'm taking a look here. So in the Green Bay game on the 18th, week six, that's. I mean, again, like, coach, if you've said multiple times, the fact that that's not late in the season and that'll be on a Sunday night, I mean, that's perfect game, obviously on the road, getting your juices up for Sunday night, that's going to be, that's a. It's going to be just like it was last season. I mean, that's the game right there.
- [43:47]
Glenn Stretch Smith
All right. I mean, I lied. Green Bay is a great place to go. I mean it really is. I mean, I don't know if you've ever been there for a game, but I mean if you're a football fan, you want to put that on your list of places to go. It's. There's nothing, there's really nothing, nothing I've ever seen. Like it is a true. You know, it's just, I mean, small town America and then just here's this huge stadium. It really, it's, it's a cool place, but I don't want to go there. No damn December. I can promise you that.
- [44:19]
Landon McCool
I, I do love football royalty, places like that. I mean I, I live down about two miles from the Rose bowl and, and there is just something about those kind of places. Right? There really is.
- [44:30]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, yeah. It's just. And, and I mean it's the town, it's the whole. Yeah, it really is. And, and going that time of year, that's the perfect time of year. I mean, October evening, it'll be cool. But I mean that's, that's, that, that's an awesome time of year to get to go in there and, and, and, and, and play. I mean it, it really is. That, that, that, that's a big time break.
- [44:56]
Jeff Biggs
And I'm, I'm kind of scrolling down here, guys. Again, Green Bay, I mean, two back to back road games. I mean they're going to have that. The Sunday night game of Green Bay and then Monday night at Philly. Two tough road games back to back. But then after that they've got three straight at home. Arizona, Indy and the 49ers. I'm sorry. No, no, I'm sorry. Three out of four at home, Arizona at Indy and then home for the 49ers, Titans and Eagles. So three out of four at home.
- [45:28]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, it should be that way with that early season the way it is. I mean they can call that a home game in Rio if they want to, but in theory you're three out of five on the road there, right?
- [45:40]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah.
- [45:41]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah. I mean that there, that, that travel is no, Is no joke. I'm telling you, when you're going that far, it's. And you know, especially for, you know, football, it's just, it's just not that. That's just that, that, that's a tough, tough, tough. And both teams have it. I get it. That, I mean you got to have. Baltimore will be, it'll be a haul for them too, but it's there, there are definitely challenges. Sitting on an airplane 1011 hours before you ever get there.
- [46:13]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, no doubt. And unlike last season, the Cowboys will not be playing on Christmas, so just Thanksgiving. They'll be home for Christmas, so that'll be good for them. Kind of break it up a little bit and break up some of those Thursday games and that whole thing. So kind of keeps them in more of a regular rhythm over the course of the season, which is good. I like that. Okay.
- [46:36]
Landon McCool
Yeah, certainly. It's certainly better for everyone's family too, I would say.
- [46:40]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah.
- [46:41]
Landon McCool
I mean, having that, I mean, and
- [46:44]
Glenn Stretch Smith
having that bye week late. Right. I mean that it's all gonna, It'll all make, it'll, It'll all make for a much better, I think a much better, you know, kind of holiday run there, but.
- [46:54]
Landon McCool
Yeah, for sure.
- [46:55]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Well, you got to get. I've never heard a coach say this, but it's flair for the obvious here. It's not like I've ever heard a coach say, you know what, I hope we start slow, I hope we start damn four wheel drive low and just crawl out of the gate. I mean, you got, I mean this gives, this schedule gives new meaning to the word, you know, get out of the gate fast because. Well, yeah, with as tough as that is, you gotta, you gotta win those first two games. You really do. And that, I guarantee you, they're already saying that right now. God, we gotta win these first two games.
- [47:32]
Jeff Biggs
Yeah, that's good. I hope so. I mean, they should. And that should be the mindset. And we saw, you remember last week, I mean, last season had that kind of ugly, laid an egg game against the Bears early on and just, they just could never, never really get any kind of serious momentum going. It was good, bad, good, bad. It just, the whole thing just. That's why they ended up with a record. They did. So hopefully a good start. And just like you said, right out of the gate, strong will be good.
- [48:01]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Handicapping this right now. Handicapping this right now. Landon, is this better than a nine win football team?
- [48:10]
Landon McCool
Well, let me look at this. Let's see. I think, I think it's probably at nine or 10 wins.
- [48:22]
Glenn Stretch Smith
That's a Danny. Sure, that's a Danny Sheridan and you coming out right there setting the line.
- [48:29]
Landon McCool
I don't know if I'm ready to set the line, but.
- [48:32]
Glenn Stretch Smith
No, I'm just saying you're setting the line on over number wins right there. I mean, mean, I, you know, and then the question becomes, now you're going to go back and you're going to say, okay, let's look at Philadelphia schedule. I mean, you know, can they. Can, can. Can. Is Philadelphia 10 or 11 win team with their schedule?
- [48:54]
Landon McCool
Yeah. I mean, I honestly don't know what to think about Philadelphia at this point. Like, I mean, how much is the effect of, you know, because, you know, they're going to trade A.J. brown here probably in two weeks.
- [49:05]
Jeff Biggs
Y.
- [49:06]
Landon McCool
And, you know, losing Stoutland really is going to have an effect. And, and, and having us, their offensive line potentially take a step back is going to have an outsized effect on their offense.
- [49:20]
Jeff Biggs
New phases in defense.
- [49:22]
Landon McCool
Yeah, so it, it's really kind of in this year more than in, in recent years, I would say. I think it's kind of tough to get my hands around what I actually think Philadelphia is going to look like this year.
- [49:36]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Okay. Yeah. I mean, again, that's the whole thing is can you, can you run with them early? You know what I mean? Can you stay. Can you stay attached early in the season to them so that you don't get to where you're, you know, at the midway point, you're three games back of them. That's. That, that's what you.
- [49:56]
Landon McCool
Well, and I think it's also fair to ask of them at this point, can they keep it together for an entire season? Because it feels like the last two, three years, you know, I mean, even the year they won the super bowl, for God's sakes, it felt like they, you know, they had a great run at the end, but the wheels felt like they were coming off at multiple points. And, and this team just feels like it's susceptible to, you know, total collapse at some point. And that's why I kind of. I mean, you know, the manner in which Jeff Stoutland left that team felt like it was.
- [50:31]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Let me tell you, that is the
- [50:33]
Landon McCool
most ominous thing that I can think about happening in the entire NFL.
- [50:36]
Glenn Stretch Smith
That's a big deal. I mean, he, he. He is arguably the best online coach in the game, and for him to walk away, that, that tells you that within that organization, there's something that's not.
- [50:48]
Jeff Biggs
Yep.
- [50:48]
Glenn Stretch Smith
You know, that, that, that doesn't feel right now. You know, does that, does that come out this year? I mean, you got a new. Didn't they. They replaced Petullo, so he's got a new offense coordinator, new offensive line.
- [51:02]
Landon McCool
Yeah, yeah, he's never, He's a young guy who's. Was a former, you know, backup quarterback just, you know, parsec ago, for God's sakes. And, and now he's. He's calling plays. Yeah. And Again, like, you know, they. They got two offensive weapons in the.
- [51:18]
Jeff Biggs
In the.
- [51:18]
Landon McCool
In the draft that operate in the middle of the field, which doesn't really jive with the way Jalen Hurst wants to play. So it just feels like there's a lot going on behind the scenes potentially on that team. And there's always been a lot going on behind the scenes with that team. And at several different years, they've had periods where a very talented Eagles team absolutely collapsed, you know, during long stretches of the season. And, you know, I wouldn't be surprised if this is finally the kind of thing that. That drives Nick Sirianni out, even though he just recently won the Super Bowl a few years ago, because it's just so much chaos right now. And I think that they think that by just getting rid of A.J. brown, it's. It's gonna, you know, help solve this. I don't think that that's necessarily the case here because I think that they're gonna have a hard time finding the balance they need in the offense without A.J. brown, and especially as the run game becomes less effective, which it almost certainly will because of the age of their offensive lineman and the fact that they lose stouton.
- [52:26]
Glenn Stretch Smith
All right, I know one thing. I mean, you know, you look. You look back at last year, and I felt the lowest time last year was just. Just getting your ass smoked by Arizona. That, that. Those are the kind of things that you can't have happen to a football team that's got to have this kind of experience. You can't.
- [52:46]
Jeff Biggs
You just.
- [52:47]
Glenn Stretch Smith
You can't. You can't throw up your dress in a game like that. It just. You just can't do it.
- [52:52]
Jeff Biggs
All right, let's take our final time out. When we come back, final segment, and I want to ask you about that Landon, and also about a recent episode that you did with Marcus. We'll do that. And again, the NFL, the Cowboys schedule has been released. We know all the opponents, the weeks, the whole thing. This is the Cowboys squad show. Let's talk about rocket money, because if you've ever opened your bank account and thought, where did all my money go? Well, you're not alone. Keeping track of subscriptions and sports spending and bills can really get overwhelming fast. That's where rocket money comes in. It helps you take control of your finances all in one place. Now, how does it work? How does it help? Well, it tracks all of your subscriptions in one spot and can help you cancel the ones you don't need. With just a few taps, it automatically categorizes your spending so you can actually see where your money is going and you can set budgets, get alerts and stay on top of upcoming bills. It just makes everything feel more organized and gives you a clear picture of your finances day to day. So Rocket Money It's a personal finance app that helps find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending and helps you lower your bills so you can grow your savings. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join@RocketMoney.com LockedOn that's RocketMoney.com LockedOn
- [54:32]
Ad Announcer 1
America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our 5 year price guarantee and now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores.
- [54:47]
Ad Announcer 4
Best Mobile Network Based on analysis by Google of speed test intelligence data 2H 2025 bigger network the combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. CT mobile.com for details
- [55:02]
Jeff Biggs
okay, we are back. Cowboy Squad show final segment Landon McCool, the co host of the daily Lockdown Cowboys podcast Former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith A real quick recap. The Cowboys schedule has been released. Week one at the Giants, home for week two, the opener against the Commanders. Week three in Brazil against the Ravens. Then they'll play Week four at Houston. Quick turnaround. Thursday night game at home with the Bucks for week five. Then they get some time off for a huge Week six, the rematch at Green Bay with Micah and the packers on Sunday Night Football. Then again a little break before Monday night came Week seven at Philly against the Eagles Round one. Then they're back home for week eight, home for the Cardinals, a little rematch for the game Coach was talking about from last season. Week 9 at Indy and then back home for three in a row. Week 10 for the 49ers, Week 11 for the Titans and Week 12 Thanksgiving. Short turnaround there. Thursday against the Eagles. Week 13, Monday night game at Seattle. Late bye. Week 14 is the bye week and then coming out of the by week 15 at the Rams. Week 16 Sunday night against the Jags. Week 17 Home for the Giants and then they will wrap up the regular season at Washington. So there you go. Landon, I was going to ask you and Marcus did an episode. Before I get to that though real quickly. One of the other episodes you did last week was talking about the Cowboys offense and how they can actually improve this season. I don't want to spoil the Whole, whole episode. But I thought it was only fair. We asked Mark Marcus about it on Monday. What was your big input to that, that discussion? How can the Cowboys offense be better this season, in your opinion?
- [56:57]
Landon McCool
You have a lot invested in this Cowboys offensive line and I, I think the way that it expressed itself last year was by not absolutely collapsing, despite the fact that they had a lot of injuries at different points in the offensive line. I think we talked about it on this show. They only had the longest streak they had of, of five consecutive starters, I think was three games in a row. They were constantly having to shuffle that offensive line and with the new offensive coordinator who is an offensive line coach specialist, all the money you've and, and, and draft picks you've invested there to kind of break even at the offensive line with all the injuries you had was incredible, which is, was great. And they were able to, you know, help get them to, you know, a really high level of, you know, offensive success. But at the same time, you didn't actually get to take any of the advantage of having all that other than just not suffering, you know, terrible losses and not seeing Dak get absolutely killed all the time. It was just some of the time. So I think if they can find some way to get some continuity and some health on the offensive line, it's going to help in a bunch of different areas, but most specifically, it's going to make them a better run game. It's going to make them help them be better in the, in the red zone. It's going to help take pressure off of Dak Prescott to not have to pull a rabbit out of his hat between him and Pickens and CD Lamb on third downs in order for them to consistently move the ball. They did it. They managed to pull it out a lot of times. Last year. If you go back and watch the games, it was, it's wild to watch sometimes, right? Like they have a first down false start or a first down hold or a tackle for loss and suddenly they're in third and 12 and, and Dax throwing it 35 yards to CD Lamb coming on a crosser, right? And it's like, and it just happens over and over again. Imagine if they didn't have to live like that as an offense and, and if they were able to be more efficient because they were able to use the offensive line that they've invested very heavily in to lean on people a little bit more. So that's where I think the, the team is going to fight off regression on the offense is I think by the second year, Tyler Booker, hopefully a better year of health overall in the offensive line will drive improvement at up front, which will help and touch all other areas of the offense.
- [59:31]
Jeff Biggs
Nice. Good answer.
- [59:32]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, they got to be that mean. They got, they got to get out of being below average in the red zone. That, that's the key now run the football. Can you get into some too tight end sets, can span forward be more physical in these short yardage situations? That's what you got to. That's where you got to look at. And if they can do that, then they will have a chance. But I mean, that's something to me that you have to improve is you got to get the ball in the end zone instead of kicking threes. That's that, that to me, that's what killed you is, you know, you took advantage a lot of times of Aubrey, but you don't put yourself in that position.
- [60:14]
Landon McCool
Go exactly.
- [60:15]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Go get, get. Go get in more let's get it in the end zone situations than sending him out there.
- [60:21]
Landon McCool
If you're getting down in the red zone, like, you got to put it down, you got to put in the goal line, like, you got to put it through the goal like, because, because. And, and, and especially if you get some health and, and you know, again, I don't just mean Tyler Guyton being on the field, I mean Tyler Smith being just a little bit healthier as well. And then you finally get that interior trio that we've been talking about that, you know, and really, truly taking advantage of it. I think that that's going to really help with, you know, like I said, the continuity is going to help with the penalties. Having your stars out there on the offensive line is going to help push guys off the ball, especially in the, in the red zone where, you know, everything's more compressed, it's harder to move the football.
- [61:03]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah, you got it. You got to take advantage of the time that you get it in there. That, that's. I mean, I can't emphasize that enough. That's why, you know, that analytical side of everybody, you know, credit card gambling and going forward on fourth down was. Became such a. Almost a joke because guys were just knowing that they had to. They had to get the ball in the end zone.
- [61:28]
Jeff Biggs
All right, we got a minute left, Landon. We can turn this into a tease. Tell me about this new deal for Dak and then everybody can watch the episode with you and Marcus.
- [61:40]
Landon McCool
Yeah, I mean, it just is looking at the economics of the fact that Dak is due a lot of Money next year. And, and I think when, at the deal, time of the deal was signed, like Dak has kind of played extremely well, was an MVP candidate. And I, you know, the concerns that you had about the long term health of him has, has certainly been at least been pushed off, pushed back a little bit. I don't know if it's obviously gone for good, but the fact that he was able to get through a season without any problems is, is certainly a sign that maybe he's, you know, and he's only 30, you know, 4 years old. Like quarterbacks are playing into their 40s now. So do, do you look at the economics of the situation and see, hey, do we. Do we help our. Our cap next year a little bit more by signing deck to an extension here while he's still at an age in which you would be potentially interested in doing such a thing?
- [62:38]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah. In the clutch, 75 says coach is gonna love this. Yeah, I am gonna love it. You can get away with paying him less than 60 million a year. I'm gonna love it. And then Carmine, Carmine, Carmine said he's from Cherry Hills. Carmine, have you ever been on the Ben Franklin Bridge, for crying out loud? We'll send you a mic. We'll send you a mic and you can sit on the Ben Franklin Bridge and get on.
- [63:00]
Landon McCool
God, is that the one?
- [63:03]
Jeff Biggs
When I covered. When I was in Philip, I had to cover the World Series in Philadelphia one year and. But I had to stay in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Is that the bridge that goes from New Jersey to the Philly?
- [63:14]
Glenn Stretch Smith
Yeah. What's one of them? The Ben Franklin? Come on, Carmine, what's taking you so long to reply? For crying out loud? Quit scratching.
- [63:21]
Landon McCool
We gotta get out Ben Franklin. We gotta get out here before a coach says something wrong to one of their fans. Ben Franklin Bridge with a microphone.
- [63:32]
Jeff Biggs
All right, love you guys. We will do it again on Monday. Be sure and check out Marcus and Landon on the daily Locked on Cowboys podcast. And of course, you can hear coach on the radio. If you're in the area, see him on TV as well. Have a great weekend and enjoy the schedule. Release. This has been the Cowboys squad show.
- [64:04]
Ad Announcer 6
The NBA playoffs are here and every possession matters. If you're looking to get even closer to the action, FanDuel has a great offer to get you started right now. New customers can bet $5 and get 150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. That's right. Turn five bucks into 150 in bonus bets just for getting started with FanDuel. During the playoffs. They give you everything you need. You can check stats, trends, and matchups within the app before making your picks, and it's easy to navigate making playoff basketball even more engaging from start to Finish. Head to FanDuel.com to get started. FanDuel play your game support for today's
- [64:38]
Ad Announcer 7
episode comes from Square, the system that helps fix the biggest headaches in running a business payment, inventory, staff scheduling, and online orders. It's a lot to manage, and that's why Square brings everything together into one connected system. If you're starting a business or running one that deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage, and grow without slowing down. Right now, get up to $200 off square hardware at square.com go locked on NFL that's sqar.com g o/locked on NFL run your business smarter with Square. Get started today.
- [65:12]
Ad Announcer 8
It's smart to always have a few financial goals, and a really smart one. You can set earning cash back on what you buy every day. And with Discover, you can get this Discover automatically matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. Seriously, all of it. And we trust you to make smart decisions. After all, you listen to this show. See terms@discover.com credit card that's discover.com credit card.