COWBYS SQUAD SHOW: More on the hiring of the Cowboys new DC Christian Parker.

Summary

Locked On Cowboys – Cowboys Squad Show: More on the Hiring of DC Christian Parker
Episode Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Aisha Morrison, Glenn “Stretch” Smith, Jeff Biggs

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys’ hiring of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The panel — Marcus Mosher, Aisha Morrison, and former Cowboys assistant coach Glenn "Stretch" Smith — explore Parker’s background, why the choice signals a new direction, and what the hire may mean for coaching staff changes, player development, and draft strategy. The episode also touches on coaching moves around the league, the recent success of former Cowboys elsewhere, and takes questions about team and league trends.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christian Parker’s Hiring: The Rationale and Reaction

• Outside-the-Box Thinking

  • Marcus Mosher (03:27): “I do like the hire because it’s something outside of their comfort zone. I think the Cowboys are at their best when they reach beyond people that they’ve been buddies with before or have previously played for the franchise…”
  • The Cowboys’ decision to move outside usual “inner circle” hires is praised as a bold, necessary pivot — similar to their earlier hire of offensive coordinator Clayton Adams.
  • Multiple hosts note Parker’s reputation as smart, innovative, and detail-oriented.

• Communication and Vision

  • Aisha Morrison (04:31): Shares input from a Philadelphia Eagles scout, noting Parker’s strong reputation not just for knowledge, but for clear communication with scouts and front office personnel, key for aligning vision on player types and roles.

• Need for Staff Support

  • Glenn Stretch Smith (06:03): Cautions that while Parker’s highly regarded, he will need “one or two really experienced guys” to help him grow as a first-time NFL play-caller.

• Staff Autonomy & Overhaul

  • Marcus Mosher (07:37): Highlights that Parker seems empowered to shape his own defensive staff, as several previous assistants (linebackers coach, secondary coach, defensive passing game coordinator) have been let go.
  • Glenn Smith (09:19): Criticizes past staff’s lack of technique, noting “all five underneath players are playing with shitty technique…either they didn’t know what they were doing or guys weren’t listening to what they were teaching.”

Notable Quote

“They needed to hear some different voices. That’s nothing against [the former staff]… if you can’t teach a guy how to pedal day one and… push him to the middle safety, that is buster Simpleton coaching day one. And I don’t have any patience for that.”
— Glenn Stretch Smith (09:19)

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2. Cowboys’ Pursuit of New Assistants

• Steelers OLB Coach Denzel Martin

  • Aisha (10:47) notes the Cowboys have requested to interview Martin for the linebackers coach spot.
  • Marcus Mosher (11:13) lauds Martin as “an incredible coach with a fantastic track record of developing [players],” especially adept in a versatile Pittsburgh system.

• Eagles Assistant Coach Ronnell Williams

  • (34:39) Reports the Cowboys are targeting Williams, Philadelphia’s assistant linebackers coach, for a likely promotion in Dallas.

• Focus on Staff Building

  • Consensus that Parker’s being positioned to build his preferred team, possibly blending youth with veteran experience.

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3. How Parker’s Hiring Impacts the Roster

• Secondary Emphasis: Upward Mobility

  • Marcus (12:47): “Most of it is just in the secondary because I think those guys are going to get better coaching…Parker specializes in technique and fundamentals.”
  • Direct mention of players like Savion Revel, who was called out for “lazy technique” that Parker may help improve.

• Front Seven Benefit

  • Aisha (13:34): “This pass rush…is going to benefit from having better coverage on the back end…Some cover sacks would be nice.”

• Longstanding Secondary Woes

  • “It’s crazy to think like for three years, almost…they were literally pulling people off the street to be ready to play.” — Aisha Morrison (13:36)

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4. Draft Strategy, Conviction, and Organizational Culture

• Secondary Draft Hesitancy

  • Glenn Stretch Smith (15:09): Points out Cowboys’ reluctance to draft secondary players high, only three first-round CBs this century.
  • He stresses the need for conviction from coaches and scouts when staking draft picks, instead of fear-based, risk-averse behavior:

    “You gotta have guys that speak with conviction because it’s not Jerry just pulling the trigger…” (16:02)

• Discussion on Drafting for Traits vs. Readiness

  • Marcus (18:20): “We don’t need any more projects in Dallas. You need guys that can come in and play right away.”

• Overall Organizational Stakes

  • Aisha (20:18): This DC hire is “so intricate to Dak Prescott’s career and how people are going to view him…You gotta hit this nail on the head.”

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5. League-Wide Coaching Carousel

• Cowboys Block Eagles from Interviewing Clayton Adams

  • Marcus (24:38): “There’s no way the Cowboys were ever going to let Clayton Adams leave…especially not to Philadelphia.”

• Why Eagles Can’t Lure Top OC Candidates

  • Stretch points to lack of staff autonomy, entrenched coaches (like O-line coach Jeff Stoutland), and a challenging environment with little room for innovation.
  • Aisha (28:09): Adds that safety concerns for coaches’ families in the Philly area, citing specific incidents of fan harassment, may play a part.

• Concerns Over Gambling’s Impact

  • Glenn Stretch Smith (29:42): “That’s the piece to me that’s taken it to a whole another level is the gambling piece…imagine how many people have the red ass today at Sean Payton for not kicking that field goal…If you’re wagering the kind of money some of these people are, it is…”

• Jalen Hurts’ Ceiling & Perceptions

  • Aisha (32:36): Asks if the Eagles OC job is unappealing because “the quarterback has peaked.” Marcus agrees, observing high-profile coaches’ lack of interest in the role is telling.

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6. Former Cowboys’ Success Elsewhere

• DeMarcus Lawrence and the Seahawks

  • Aisha (39:49): “Happy for what Seattle’s done…The defense is so freakin’ fast.”
  • Mosher and Morrison both reflect on Lawrence’s strong play, his Dallas exit, and suggest culture problems may have driven away multiple key defenders.
  • On seeing former Cowboys (Lawrence, Parsons, Jordan Lewis, Nashon Wright) thrive:

    “Guys having success outside of here…That just happens, though. It’s football.” — Aisha Morrison (47:14)

• Managing Clashing Egos in the Locker Room

  • (42:31) Glenn recalls making two feuding players hold hands and walk the field, underscoring the need for unity inside the building, regardless of personal rapport.

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7. Steelers’ Coaching Decisions & League Trends

• Mike McCarthy Hired as Steelers HC

  • Marcus (51:26): Local Pittsburgh reaction not enthusiastic — “it just feels like Mike McCarthy is the offensive version of Mike Tomlin…the floor is high, but what’s the ceiling?”
  • Aisha and Marcus note Steelers fans wanted innovation, not “a safe move,” and growing frustration with the franchise treading water.

• Scarcity of Head Coaching Talent

  • Stretch (53:26): “There’s…a lack of experienced guys out there…some of the best candidates may not even get a job…” Questions owner discernment and unconventional interview processes (like requiring essays and personality tests).

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8. Offseason Draft/Scouting Insights

• Senior Bowl & Shrine Bowl
  • Marcus (50:02): Next week’s Locked On Cowboys will focus on Senior Bowl standouts as possible draft fits, especially for Parker/Adams’ schemes.
  • Discussion on evaluating prospects at all-star practices vs. the actual games — the former is more telling.
  • Lighthearted segment on prospect measurements and odd scouting stories (58:07–59:39).

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “You see guys playing cover two…if all five underneath players are playing with shitty technique, that’s not good. Either they didn’t know what they were doing or guys weren’t listening to what they were teaching.”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (09:19)

• “You gotta have guys that speak with conviction because it’s not Jerry just pulling the trigger in there…If you don’t have conviction…you don’t feel strong about going in and saying, ‘Hey, I want this guy.’”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith (16:02)

• “It’s crazy to think…for three years…they were literally pulling people off the street to be ready to play [in the secondary].”
  — Aisha Morrison (13:36)

• “Drafting guys for traits is great, but we don’t need any more projects in Dallas. You need guys that can come in and play right away.”
  — Marcus Mosher (18:20)

• “This season is so huge. This defensive coordinator decision…the staff that he puts together is so intricate to Dak Prescott’s career and how people are going to view him…”
  — Aisha Morrison (20:18)

• “Happy for DeMarcus Lawrence because he spent a lot of time here in Dallas…He spoke on what he thought was going to happen and he’s gone out and backed it up.”
  — Marcus Mosher (41:10)

• “Do you trust these NFL owners?”
  — Glenn Stretch Smith on the league’s erratic HC hires (54:24)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:27: Initial reaction to Christian Parker’s hire
• 04:31: Parker’s communication and vision (Aisha’s scout source)
• 06:03: Parker’s need for veteran staff (Glenn’s thoughts)
• 07:37: Parker allowed to shape own staff; departures of previous assistants
• 09:19: Glenn’s technical critique of last season’s defensive coaching
• 10:47: Cowboys to interview Steelers’ Denzel Martin
• 12:47: Roster fits — who benefits from Parker’s hire
• 13:34: How secondary struggles have undermined Dallas
• 15:09: Cowboys’ historic reluctance to draft secondary early
• 18:20: Drafting for traits vs. readiness debate
• 20:18: Importance of Parker/DC hire to Dak’s legacy (Aisha)
• 24:38: Cowboys block Eagles from interviewing Clayton Adams; OC talk
• 28:09: Coaching candidate concerns about Eagles’ environment
• 32:36: Discussion on Hurts’ “ceiling” and job appeal
• 39:49: Former Cowboy DeMarcus Lawrence’s Super Bowl trip with Seattle
• 41:10: Marcus on Lawrence’s Dallas exit and locker room issues
• 51:26: Reaction to Mike McCarthy’s hiring in Pittsburgh
• 58:07: Discussion on draft prospect measurements/stories
• 60:13: Value of Senior Bowl/Shrine Bowl practices vs. games

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Overall Tone

• Direct, candid, occasionally irreverent (Glenn doesn’t sugarcoat bad technique, locker room politics, or industry politics)
• Analytical yet accessible — hosts break down schemes and scouting without getting lost in jargon
• Interpersonal banter, a bit of playful ribbing (especially with Marcus and Glenn)
• Frank about Cowboys’ organizational flaws and hopes for a new direction

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Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• Get the full context of Christian Parker’s hire, why it’s noteworthy, and what it signals for the Cowboys’ future.
• Understand how the organization is approaching both coaching staff changes and the upcoming draft.
• Hear frank, behind-the-scenes discussion from both analysts and a former NFL assistant.
• Catch up on how ex-Cowboys are succeeding elsewhere, and what that says about Dallas culture.

Transcript

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

It's the Locked on podcast network. Your team every day.

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Prime one day delivery is fast. How fast are we talking? We're talking game night delivered by tomorrow night fast so we can win fast. Cards fast.

[Aisha Morrison]

Puzzles fast.

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Team games at your door and a day fast. Doesn't matter what the game is. We will dominate fast. We're talking game over. You win fast fast one day delivery for the win. It's on prime.

[Marcus Mosher]

Everyone deserves to be connected.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. SW T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T Mobile is in US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits. Plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Jeff Biggs]

I am Jeff Biggs, host of the Cowboys squad show and not only do the Cowboys have seven wins this season, they now have seven Pro Bowlers. Congrats to Kevonte Turpin.

[Marcus Mosher]

I am Marcus Mosher and I hate the Pro Bowl.

[Aisha Morrison]

Marcus, I am Aisha Morrison and I also kind of hate the Pro bowl. But then but I'm not gonna say how market said it.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Nice. Glenn Stretch Smith. I'll hit the trifecta. I don't have anything else to say. I'm not a fan of the Pro bowl. So we'll hit the trifecta with it.

[Jeff Biggs]

Let's do it.

[Aisha Morrison]

How about them Cowboys?

[Marcus Mosher]

It's the Cowboys squad.

[Aisha Morrison]

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 Cowboys squad show starting now.

[Jeff Biggs]

And to be fair, my focus really was on Kevonte Turpin making it and being number seven for the Cowboys. Not really the game itself that that thing died years ago.

[Marcus Mosher]

But I don't care about that either. I care about Kavanthe Turpin making it. That's all.

[Jeff Biggs]

Exactly. Exactly. Well said and welcome to another edition of the Cowboys squad show. Big show for you tonight. Over the next hour we've got Aisha multiple shows, Morrison back with us. Had to do something with M. So multiple is what I came up with.

[Aisha Morrison]

Before you telling my business man.

[Jeff Biggs]

Co host of the daily Lock John Cowboys podcast, Marcus Moer crushing it every day with Landon McCool and of course the one and only former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith. Coming up on our show, the very latest with the Cowboys and their new defensive coordinator. Also, kind of an eventful weekend for a couple of former Cowboys. We'll take a little dive into that as well. And Super Bowl 60 is now all set. But as always, we got to start things off with the big news. Marcus. The hiring of Christian Parker literally broke, like, hours before we did our show on Thursday. I know you and Landon did a show later on. We've all had kind of a few days to kind of soak this in and do a deeper dive. So what do we know about Christian Parker? And do you like the hire?

[Marcus Mosher]

I do like the hire because it's something outside of their comfort zone. I think the Cowboys are at their best when they reach beyond people that they've been buddies with before or have previously played for the franchise or their. Their dad knows this. And like we saw this last year with Clayton Adams. I hired Clayton Adams as their offensive coordinator. Phenomenal. We'll see if that works out for Christian Parker. But everybody you talk to talks about how smart and innovative and intelligent he is. And I liked some of the guys that they've already requested interviews with to bring onto the staff. I think the only way the Cowboys get back to being relevant in the NFC is by by taking big swings. Just trying to play everything right down the middle is not going to get this franchise over the top. And I think Christian Parker, again, he's going to need some time to learn how to be a play caller. I think he's going to need to build a good staff. But I am excited about the direction of the franchise for the first time in a long time.

[Jeff Biggs]

Nice. Aisha, what about you?

[Aisha Morrison]

I know coaches, but I'm excited about the hire as well for the same reasons that Marcus talked about. You know, just them kind of thinking outside the box. But I did touch base with a scout that I had the pleasure of meeting when I was at the Senior Bowl. Worked for the Philadelphia Eagles for a couple years. And I. Assistant, assistant, scout, by the way. And it sounds like this gentleman was very well received in the building, very credible in the building. And one of the biggest things that I guess that you look at when you talk about a coach is like, also too. I know coaches talked about it. How well do they communicate with the front office, with the scouts with those things? How are they communicating what it is that their envision is? And that's something coach talked about, what they're envisioning for the team and how well do they communicate it to the folks that act ultimately make those decisions. It sounds like this gentleman is very good and clear and thorough and what it is he is looking for in a secondary body type, etc. Etc. And I think that's important, especially when you talk about how important we've talked about and we're going to talk about that 12 and 20 pick is you need a DC that understands exactly what it is he's trying to put together and can teach it. So I understand he's going to need some, you know, filler with learning how to be a play caller. But as far as understanding each position in that secondary, I seemed like this gentleman really gets it. I'm excited. I'm excited for him. So, yeah, that's what I think. I'm excited about the hire coach.

[Jeff Biggs]

Anything come to you over the weekend?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, I mean that, you know, obviously it, you know, it feels like an upgrade from what, you know, what they, what they were doing, the direction that they're going. I don't know anything about him other than, I mean, some people that I have talked to that have worked with him and, you know, they speak highly of him. That doesn't mean that in my mind, that doesn't mean that he's a great play caller. I think it's going to take some time. I do hope or my want is for him to get, you know, maybe one or two really experienced guys that can help him a little bit, that can help him grow. Because you hear about the fact that he's a really smart guy and, and, you know, understands thoroughness and I think that's mean. I think that's a. That's a big deal. But at the end of the day, they got to get better players. I mean, we're. We need to kind of. I'm almost to the point now where, okay, great, they got a defensive coordinator. Now they got to go upgrade this football team. And however they do that, and whoever they choose to listen to, and however much cachet each one of these guys have, whether it's Will McClay, whether it's the area scout or whether it's Schottenhammer and a combination of both, you know, at this point, you know, the focus needs to be make sure that you pick the right guys in this situation.

[Marcus Mosher]

Coach, can I ask you about something else really quickly because.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

No.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, here's one of the things I know you were concerned about. Parker being able to choose his own staff. We got some word today that the Cowboys moved on from their linebacker coach, their secondary coach and their defensive passing game coordinator. Does it make you feel better about the hired knowing that Parker is having a big say with the staff and bringing in guys that he actually wants to work with rather than just trying to cobble together the guys that they already had on this roster.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

You talking about coaches that they already had?

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, coaches, yes.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

What would make me feel better would be the head coach recognizing that what he saw on that side of the ball all year wasn't very good, wasn't coached very well, it wasn't put together very well, and nor was it communicated very well. That's. That. That. So if you're wanting. If you want me to have a feel good, that would. That would make me feel better. But haven't having a defensive coordinator that's a young guy that you can. Hey, if you feel confident that he can go in and he can actually put together a good staff with a little bit of coaching from maybe Schottenheimer or maybe someone that is a more veteran guy, I mean, I'm fine with that. I watched enough this year of bad technique. I watched enough this year of what I felt like was poor coaching. I mean, you know, I don't want to. I don't want to get on here and blast anybody. That's just not. It's not who I am.

[Marcus Mosher]

But you could see it on tape.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Put together. I mean, you see guys. Yeah. You see bass playing cover two. When they play cover two, it means you got. If you're. If you're not blitzing, which you're not, you're playing cover two. That means you got five underneath players. And if all five underneath players are playing with shitty technique, then I. That's. That. That's not good. It's that simple. I mean, I'm not gonna. I'm too old to get on here and say anything. I'm sorry if it offend anybody. I'm done. I mean, it's bad technique. It was bad technique, and it was over and over and over. And so that tells me that either they didn't know what they were doing or guys weren't listening to what they were teaching. And that's. I just go by what I see on the film and how I look at it, because the one thing about it is your. Your eyes don't lie. I mean, you can't. You can't skew a square peg into a round hole. And so they need. They needed to hear some different voices. That's nothing against Morganzi or Overstreet or. Or whoever. I mean, you know, I came on here early in the year And I said, this is not. This is not good. This is not good, what they put together. This is not good. I didn't go to training camp. I don't go out there and watch them. But, I mean, if you can't teach a guy how to pedal day one and understand how the guy comes off and outside releases, you can't get your ass to pedal outside and push him to the middle safety. That's that. That is Buster Simpleton coaching Simpleton day one. And I don't have any patience for that.

[Aisha Morrison]

Marcus, you talked about, you know, you were asking coach how he felt about, you know, Parker being able to come in and put together his own, you know, kind of staff. Sounds like. Jordan Schultz reported that the Dallas Cowboys have requested to interview Steelers outside linebacker coach Denzel Martin, um, for their online. Their linebacker, um, coach role, coordinator role. How do you gentlemen feel about that?

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, I mean, as somebody who has followed him for a long time up here, you know, near Pittsburgh, he's an incredible coach. I mean, he has a fantastic track record of being able to develop these guys. And I think what's interesting is those outside linebackers in Pittsburgh, they got to do it all. They've got to rush the passer, they've got to stop the run. They got to be able to play in coverage. And I wonder if the Cowboys and Christian Parker are going to be looking for more of these edge defenders that are comfortable dropping into zones and playing better against the run and, you know, being more comfortable playing in space. And I think he's one of the best in the league at doing that. So if they're able to pull that off, I. To me, that's a home run hire. We'll see what Pittsburgh wants to do if they want to retain him, depending on who they hired to be their defensive coordinator. But that's an outstanding coach that I think would be a real asset for the Cowboys if he's hired.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, it gives you an idea of kind of even if this doesn't work out, kind of what they're going for, and that they definitely see things in the way you're talking about. So, yeah, I just wanted to make sure that we mentioned that he. That. That did come down hype this today.

[Jeff Biggs]

So let me ask you this, Marcus. You and Landon did an episode today on the daily Lockdown Cowboys podcast talking about which current Cowboy players could potentially benefit the most from Christian Parker's hiring. What. What was your. What was your final takeaway from that? Going the roster?

[Marcus Mosher]

I. I think most of it is just In a second just because I think those guys are going to get better coaching. And again, that's not to disparage anybody that was on the coaching staff from know the previous, you know, regime. But I think Christian Parker is somebody who really specializes in technique and fundamentals and I think guys like Savon Revel and coach you and I talked about it, you know, all year long about how off his technique was and how he was kind of lazy as a, you know, in some of the backpedal in turning. Not a lazy player, but some of the technique was lazy. I think those guys are going to get some awesome coaching over the next couple years and we'll see if Ravel can turn out. But it's not going to be an excuse, you know, that he didn't get good enough coaching because I think Parker's going to be able to help him there.

[Aisha Morrison]

All right, is this a universal question? Are you.

[Jeff Biggs]

Absolutely. Please.

[Aisha Morrison]

Okay. I guess, I guess mine would be the inverse is that, you know, this pass rush that we're looking to kind of come together hopefully in the upcoming year is hopefully going to benefit from having better coverage on the back end. I mean, I know that everyone's like, if you don't get enough pass rush then you're not going to be able to get turnovers and things like that. I mean, but at the same time, some cover sex would be nice. You know, people not just being able to do quick outs and stuff on you all day every day and guys just being wide open in the damn flat would be helpful, you know what I'm saying? So I think that the front seven will also benefit from them. But yeah, to your point, the secondary has been abysmal. Like it's crazy to think like for three years almost. I feel like even the years the Dallas got to the playoffs, going into the playoffs, they were literally pulling people off the street to be ready to play. So between injury and availability and guys not working out, it's been long overdue that the secondary gets some love.

[Marcus Mosher]

And I remember when like Xavier Rhodes started a playoff game for the Cowboys.

[Aisha Morrison]

You so messy you bring up that there was a.

[Marcus Mosher]

Who was the safety. They had a 6 foot 4 safety. Oh, Israel Mikamo started a game against the 49ers in the slot. Like you're right. Like they. It's just been bad. It's been a bad situation here and I'm hoping now that they've got a defensive coordinator who specializes as a secondary coach, I would think that you're going to see the floor Race not only for your stars like Duron Bland, but for the entire roster.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

All right, when was, when was the last time that a secondary coach or a defensive coordinator in this building spoke with convict or in that building spoke with conviction about who to draft?

[Marcus Mosher]

It's been a long time probably since you were there.

[Aisha Morrison]

Oh, Jesus.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, so the point I'm making is, is if, if you look at what they've done or how they've done it, they're almost, they're almost scared. They're. They're scared to draft secondary guys. Why are they. Why? Why? They don't, they don't, they don't. They don't. They don't want that first round. They don't want that first round. You know, if you don't get it right, you think they want that tied to them?

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, three first round corners since 2000, right? You had Terence Newman, you had Mike Jenkins and Morris Clayborne. I think those are your only three.

[Aisha Morrison]

Is the last one.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah, right, right. So. So you see what I'm saying? So if, if, if you're, if you don't have conviction, if you don't have. And you don't feel strong about going in and saying, hey, I. I want. I don't care, I don't care. I mean, I'll just take d' Angelo Pons, right? Just. Let's just throw a name out there. He's a five, nine, corner, okay? But, but some guys, like, yeah, man, I wanna, I want a six. One guy. I, I watched certain yesterday run and reach, and boy, you see, you see the length he's got. So you have to have a coach that can speak with conviction about guys, because the days of having scouts speak about conviction in my mind are over. A lot of scouts today are hunters and gatherers of information. I don't know if they allow them to really have a say when it comes time to pull the trigger. I'm talking about when it comes time to absolutely yank the guy off the board and tell him he's your number, whatever pick early in the draft, do those guys have the conviction or do they go, oh, man, yeah, you know, watch, I watched him play two really good games, but, man, I watched him get roasted here. You gotta have guys that speak with conviction because it's not Jerry just pulling the trigger in there. And so speaking with conviction means you know what you want, you know, what can fit into your system, and then you're able to go coach those guys to the next level. And I mean, you know, the time is now. We shouldn't talk about pass rush, pastor us pass. Yeah, yeah, I get it. You want, you want a guy. You, you want a guy blowing it off the edge. I got that. You want a guy in the middle who can take the guard in the center and dog walking back to the quarterback. I get it. But how about having a snake out there that can shut down half of the field? How about, how about having that guy? They're out there. But do you do. Does this staff or does this guy, has he seen the scene enough, does he have enough point of reference to know what it really means to be that guy? I don't. I don't know. I guess the jury's out. We'll find out. But you don't have time in this organization to miss.

[Marcus Mosher]

No, they don't.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

There's no more missing one of my.

[Marcus Mosher]

Fierce coaches that when coaches get involved in the draft process, they're always looking for the things you can't coach, which is traits. Big, fast, long. Right. We don't need any more projects in Dallas. Right. You need guys that can come in and play right away. Because, you know, a lot of times you draft these first round corners that have the length, if you have the size, but they have no feel for the position. Those are the guys that get targeted a bunch in the rookie season and they lose confidence. That would be my fear of letting a defensive coordinator pick his guys.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Let's play the game. Okay, but let's play the game. Fine. I'm, I'm fine with what you're saying. Okay. Do you know any of those scouts that are, that are going to say, I tell you what, man, this guy's better than that guy. This guy do that? Because I'm telling you, they don't. They're worried about their job. Right, right. I'm talking about going there and say, hey, this guy is better than whoever that is. We just, we don't sit here and name players.

[Marcus Mosher]

We'll do that on the show as we get.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

You've got, you've got them ranked right here. You got him ranked A, B and C. And this guy C, he's in, he's in my, he's in my area. And oh, by the way, I've seen, I've saw him play all eight games and you've got A ranked up there. And oh, by the way, I saw him playing four. Let me tell you, C is better than A. Do you know any of those guys that will do that?

[Marcus Mosher]

No, I don't think so.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Right, right. Because that's Your ass if he's wrong.

[Marcus Mosher]

Right?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

You're. You're. You're out of the league.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, we're learning that. I'm actually learning that in school right now. It's like, as a scout, being on the fence is a no, no, because you're trying to. You have to trust yourself, like coach was talking about, but you're also trying to convey and get and gain trust from the people who make those decisions. And so you have to be sure in what you're seeing to be able to, you know, put it into fruition of what you're trying to get. So, I mean, this is. We talked about this, man. Like, this is. I mean, it's kind of serious, you know what I'm saying?

[Prime Delivery Announcer]

Like.

[Aisha Morrison]

Like this whole thing with Dallas this year, I was just talking to somebody the other day, like, this season is so huge. And this decision, I think this defensive coordinator decision, the staff that he puts together, is so intricate to Dak Prescott's career and how people are going to view him. You know what I'm saying? Like, we talk about the windows and all these things, and one thing with Dallas is that to, you know, Marx's point last week is like, there's been this musical chairs of defensive coordinator. You gotta hit this nail on the head so you can have something. You can have values like coach was talking about. You can have values and stuff that translate because guys are gonna go. Guys are gonna get new jobs, guys are going to elevate and stuff. You're not going to be able to keep a guy forever, but you need to have foundational things that you do well. Know what the hell you do well. No, what the hell you scout well, you know, be honest with yourself and corner like you guys are talking about. It just has been. It's been rough. And I, I. Maybe them choosing, you know, choosing Parker is them fessing up to the fact that they know that they have failed at this position and that they. They haven't had the progress that they're supposed to be having there. And it's hurt them. It's hurt them. So. Yeah, I wonder. Yeah. Sorry. Go ahead, guys.

[Jeff Biggs]

No, great point, Ayesha. Thank you. All of you, Great point. All right, when we come back, we have even more coaching news. Couple of notes we'll get into when we come back. A lot to get to. Great start. Thanks for being with us. This is the Cowboys squad show. All right. I want to talk to you about what they're doing over at prize picks because the big game is almost here and there is no better way than to stay locked into every moment than with Prize Picks, the daily fantasy app where it always feels good to be. Right now, with football season coming down its final stretch, now is the perfect time. Boy, they got locked in there. They got stretch in there. They're using all of them. I like it. Now is the perfect time to close it out. Strong Prize Picks makes watching the game even more exciting by letting you build simple lineups around your player projections. No drafts, no waiting, just football action all the way through the playoffs. Now, it's a great way to keep playing fantasy football if you're into that. Even after the season league games are finished, right? But also they have this early payouts feature which lets you cash out if a player gets off to a hot start. I mean, that's big right there. And the new social feed makes it fun to follow friends, share lineups and get inspiration from other players. And also being able to mix in stars from different teams to build lineups that fit how you watch the game. So download the prize fix app today and use code locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first five dollar lineup. That's code locked on NFL. $50 in lineups after your first $5 lineup. Prize picks. It's good to be right?

[Marcus Mosher]

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[Jeff Biggs]

All right, we are back. Cowboy squad show Marcus Moser, Aisha Morrison and former Cowboys coach Glenn Stretch Smith. All right, so after officially hiring Christian Parker away from Philadelphia, Cowboys also made another move that affected the Eagles. They denied the Eagles request to speak about the aforementioned to speak with the aforementioned Clayton Adams about their OC job. So how sweet was that and how. What's that going to do to the rivalry? This little gamesmanship going on in coaches moving.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, there's no way the Cowboys were ever going to let Clayton Adams leave. Now I, I think there was a chance that maybe Clayton Adams does want to eventually call plays and maybe that's going to help him get a head coaching job. Dallas was never going to allow that to happen with the Philadelphia Eagles. So I It, to me, this is a no brainer, but what I actually think is really funny, Jeff and I, I'd love to talk to coach about this, but the Eagles have interviewed like 12 different offensive coordinator candidates and a bunch of them have withdrawn their names or said no or decided to stay elsewhere. Coach, is it really that bad of a job? You would think with all the investments that Philadelphia has made in their offense that you would see team, you know, coaches flocking to that job, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Well, I mean, let me ask you, is it if, if you had to go take a job as a coordinator and you don't get any say in the staff, is that a very appealing job to you?

[Marcus Mosher]

No, but I'm also going to leave my personal feelings about Nick Sirianna out of this.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I'm just saying, I'm just saying I have to take, take the head coach out of it. If, if you, if you're going in and you're fully aware of what's going on in the NFL and you're fully aware that, you know that you have an offensive line coach who's maybe the best in the game and Jeff Stoutland, you have a staff that's already in place. What, what it, what would be appealing? You're, you're, you're the one that's always, you're, you're always shot in ass with these, with these young, these young guys. What's appealing to one of those guys to take that job?

[Marcus Mosher]

Nothing. And I think it's a lot.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

So, so, right, so hang on. So, yes, it's a, it's a good organization. Yes. You're working for Harry Roseman. Yes. It's a, you know, I mean, we could argue what kind of place Philadelphia is. You can, you can get over there to Cherry Hills and find you a nice place to live. If that's.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, we wouldn't want to live in Pennsylvania. Stretch. That sounds awful.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah, yeah. You don't want, you don't want to have to get on the Ben Franklin every day and saunder across there. So yeah, you can, you, I mean, you can make it a decent situation. But the point I'm making is what, what is appealing about a job where you got to kind of keep everybody and you know, the offensive line coach has, he's got, obviously got very firm things that he believes in. Right. You, you don't want to go in there day one and say, you know what? I don't want to block outside zone this way. I want to block it this way now. Now you're now your day one entering. You know what. What is already a bantering situation. The point I'm making is just giving you an example. It doesn't sound like it's the. It's not the head coach or it's not the. The team. It's that you don't have any. Really any say in much of anything other than you're going in there to just. To. To just take the title of being the OC And I don't think that's a very appealing situation to some of these guys who have maybe other options.

[Marcus Mosher]

So if Nick Sirianni called you up tomorrow and asked you if you want to come in for an interview, would you say no?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, I. I'd go into. I'd go into. I'd go into interview so I could give you the whole. The whole scoop of the interview. I'd tell him to interview for the job, give me the inside take on this so I can. So I can go to the guy with a locked on cowboy spot podcast and tell him exactly what's going on in this organization.

[Aisha Morrison]

Y' all are sick. Y' all are. But both of y' all together are sick. Jeff, why you didn't tell me that they act like this when they together? Because y' all a mess. But listen, I'm sorry. I was over here cackling. I had to mute myself because anytime Philly is struggling, I find it amusing. I'm never gonna listen. Just remember that about me. I might not. I'll be a professional in front of everybody, but I might. I'm a cackle from behind the scenes. It's. It's. It's funny to me because of. Obviously, you know, Marcus talked about the structure. Coach talked about the structure, like what people are going into. That's why it's not appealing. But also, too, I have talked to a couple of the beat reporters down there as well that had some insight, too, that some of the coaches in these interviews express concerned concern for safety, especially in regard to their families, because it sounds like Kevin Patullo's home was located by fans and was vandalized to some degree. And, I mean, we can talk about the football and all that stuff, but Coach, you know better than anybody, I ain't trying to have my kids and my wife or whomever just anywhere. And if this is something that I'm. I'm already subjugating them to a lot of ridicule anyway. But we would be lying if we didn't say that some of this is heightened in certain fan bases and things like that. So I think that that's something to. It's a small thing maybe in the grand scheme of things, but it's something that I heard was brought up as well with some of the interviews.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I think Dan Campbell, a year ago had to. Had to. He changed addresses because somebody had gotten a hold of his address and I mean, he was taking some. He was taking some heat. I mean, that, you know, that's way stepping out of bounds. But I mean, you know, today's when you, when you, when you have the gambling piece and all the things, imagine how many people have the red ass today at Sha Payton for not kicking that field goal in that. In that scenario. I mean, seriously, think about it. And if you're. If you're wagering the kind of money that some of these people are wagering, it is. I mean, that to me, that's what kind of takes it to the whole nother level is the. Is the gambling piece of it. And yeah, we promoted. And yes, if you can do it responsibly, you know, I guess some people like it. I couldn't be any more against gambling on football. I think it's the worst proposition bet you can make. Seriously. Might be the worst proposition bet you can make. But people are going to do it. And hey, if that's what you choose to do, it's your business. But I just think that's the piece to me that's taken it to a whole another level.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, the dangers and stuff like that. I agree. Players have come out, talked about things they've experienced as well. But like I said, I just wanted to. You guys gave y' all some of yalls reasons. I was laughing. I wanted to just mention some of the things that I heard as well that sound like have mattered to a couple of these coaches, which is crazy to think about.

[Jeff Biggs]

But, yeah, that's cool. We can watch you react, Aisha, and then we can hear a coach talk. And I mean, that's the beauty of this show and having these four boxes together. It's like two shows.

[Aisha Morrison]

Oh, yeah. I was over here screaming when Marcus said, hell yeah.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

They.

[Aisha Morrison]

You think it's weird that.

[Marcus Mosher]

It'S just knowing a little bit of what I know about that situation. I. I don't think Nick Sirianni is the easiest coach to work with. And you're going into a situation that's already a little toxic. You're not going to get a ton of say over the staff. You're going to be running his style of offense, yes, you get to call plays, but he's going to interject. I'm not surprised that they've had a rough coaching search. That doesn't mean that they're not going to find the right guy. But I don't think that job is as desirable as you would think it should be considering they just won the Super Bowl 12 months ago.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah. And if you, if you, if you question it all, just, just get in your car and drive down there on the corner of Broad and Patterson and just say hello to a few people and see how, see how it turns out for you.

[Marcus Mosher]

Please, again, coach, people here in PA just, we don't have a lot going on, so we really care.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Oh, seriously, go down. Seriously, just do that. Go down. Go down there. Just get your, get your giblet ass in a car and drive down there to Broaden Patterson and get out and say hello to some people. See how well, see how well you get. See how well you get received down there.

[Aisha Morrison]

I know we got to move on, but I do have one more question in regards to them. When it comes to that job being appealing or not, do you two gentlemen think that the quarterback has peaked?

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah.

[Aisha Morrison]

For that team, what the quarterback is, is what that quarterback is. And I don't think.

[Marcus Mosher]

Sorry, no, no, I don't think it's coincident. Someone like Mike McDaniel had no interest in that Philly job, but he was more than willing to go take the Chargers job. I think that shows you. I think that tells you a lot about what the perception is of Jalen hurts around the NFL.

[Aisha Morrison]

Okay, I was being messy. Sorry, Jeff.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I mean, are you saying it has nothing to do with. Would you rather. Would you rather watch the waves roll in or would you rather look at the Schuylkill every day?

[Aisha Morrison]

I mean, yeah, location is big too.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Up here.

[Marcus Mosher]

Some people like the nice cold weather, all the different seasons.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I'm sure it's wonderful. But I'm saying, would you rather, well, in that case would go out to Venice and, and, and, and you know, take your family out and have a good day at the beach or would you rather go catch one of those four eyed fish out of the Schuylkill? I'm just asking you.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, you know my answer based on where I'm living at right now, so it's. I'm the wrong person to ask.

[Aisha Morrison]

Oh, you're sick. I knew something wrong with you. You like being up there in the cold like that?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

No, he doesn't like it at all. He He. Do you understand, Aisha, you're smarter than that. I've been on here with you, what, about 10 times. You're smarter than that. Just see right through the fact that he's talking himself out of being, you know, just completely out of it because he watches it snow about 4 inches.

[Marcus Mosher]

Only social interaction I get all week.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Great.

[Aisha Morrison]

So you saying that's what's wrong with him? That's what's wrong with him. Okay. It explains everything. Okay. It makes sense. Okay, Jeff, my bad. Sorry. I know I shouldn't ask my questions.

[Jeff Biggs]

That's the beauty of the show. You never know where it's going to go. That's awesome. That's why I love doing it. One other. One other note real quick and we'll, we'll go to our break. The Cowboys reportedly interviewing as well Eagles linebackers coach Ronnell Williams and could poach him as well. What do you, what do you guys know about him?

[Aisha Morrison]

If anything their linebacker play has been. Has been. I think it's been better in the last couple of years. I. I just like that they trying to steal. It's cool to me because I mean Marcus, like, am I tripping? Like this doesn't seem like something. They're not steep. I hate to use the word, but they're not Steelers like this like for them to be. No pokes your guy.

[Marcus Mosher]

No. And this is a guy that has been around for a while. Obviously. Christian Parker worked with him in Philadelphia the last couple years. I would assume this is going to happen because I'm not sure that Philadelphia could block him going from an assistant linebacker coach to a actual linebacker coach or the full time linebacker coach. I again, no inside information here, but I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Think, think about it. This is not the linebacker coach. This is the assistant assistant to the linebacker coach. You can't. The one thing you can't do in the NFL is make a lateral move. You can't lateral move. That's why the Cowboys declined the option for a lateral move of Clayton Adams. You can't make a lateral move, but it's not a lateral move. If you're the assistant linebacker coach now, you're coming to be the linebacker coach. So, you know, I'm sure this is somebody that Christian is probably comfortable with and would like. Maybe he is going to go hire that, you know, that experienced guy and he'd like somebody else in the room that can help coach what he's been around.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right, stay tuned. So, hey, they're still working on it. Still more hires to come. We will look forward to that when we come back though, some news for some other former Cowboys. Want to get your thoughts on that and we'll get to some of the comments as well. This is the Cowboys squad show.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

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[Jeff Biggs]

And for delivery all right, I want to talk to you about what's going on at Indeed. Because it's that time of the year as we've been talking about, and if you've ever hired someone who looked good on paper but wasn't the right fit, you know how important that is when you want candidates who truly match what you're looking for. Trust Indeed Sponsored Jobs now if you're hiring, Indeed is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other sites Indeed Sponsored Jobs Put your post puts your post at the top of the page and helps you reach the right candidate faster. Now if you need to hire someone and instead of struggling to get your job post seen, Indeed Sponsored Jobs helps you helps your listing stand out and really reach quality candidates even faster than also the Sponsored Jobs. Boost your post to the people who are the best match for your role. That makes a difference. And according to Indeed data, Sponsored Jobs posted directly on indeed are 90% more likely to report a higher than non sponsored Jobs. So spend more time interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with less stress, less time, more results. You using Indeed Sponsored Jobs Listeners of this Show Get a $75 sponsored job credit to help you give the job the premium placement it deserves@ Indeed.com LockedOnNFL just go to Indeed.com LockedOnNFL right now. Support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the right way with Indeed. All right, welcome back Cowboy Squad Show. Thanks for being with us on this Monday night. So kind of an eventful weekend for a couple of former Cowboys wanted to hit on really quick. Former Cowboy DeMarcus Lawrence headed to the super bowl with Seattle and as you know, the Cowboys get all kinds of pub and all kinds of things written. So immediately after the super bowl, all the articles came up with his quote about not winning a Super bowl with the Cowboys. He said, quote, dallas is my home, but I know for sure I'm not going to win a Super bowl there. Talking about his move to the Seahawks. But that aside, what do you think of DeMarcus and the Seahawks going, what do you think of the game? And then we'll talk about another move coming up.

[Marcus Mosher]

Aisha, why don't you go first? I want to hear your thoughts.

[Aisha Morrison]

Huh? Why you want to hear my thoughts?

[Marcus Mosher]

Go ahead.

[Aisha Morrison]

I'm so, I mean, I'm happy for, I think, what Seattle's done. I love football. I love seeing the program figure it out. They got rid of people, brought people in, attack free agency, went out and got a quarterback that people weren't really sure about, even so. And what he did in Minnesota, I like it. And the defense is so freaking fast. I mean, obviously Cowboys defensive line coach Adam Dirty went up there, became their DC and the fire that they play with, how fast that secondary is and the way they get after the quarterback. Hey, Marcus, I don't know if you've taken time to look at their stunts, but they're very similar to what Dallas was doing before. But as far as, like, you know, Tank, it kind of feels weird because it. It's. This is the second player that we're seeing get to a Super bowl, you know, after leaving a team, specifically a pass rusher. So I think it's just football and how it goes, but it. It. I'm sure that it really does rub fans the wrong way to see it. I'm happy for DeMarcus. I think he's been an under underrated player for a long time. Sounds like Dallas shorted him quite a few times when he was here. He didn't like it and he went somewhere else and achieved. So I'm happy for him. I was rooting for this. The Seahawks. I'm sorry, I was rooting for them. I wanted to see them get after it because the defense is just so explosive, y' all, like. So I think that's how I felt about it. What about you, Marcus?

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean, I was happy for DeMarcus Lawrence because, I mean, he spent a lot of time here in Dallas. He played his butt off, he played through injuries, and I think he came to the realization that this just. It was time for him to move on. And I think obviously there was some clashing that happened with him and Micah Parsons. I think the really unfortunate thing is the Cowboys moved on from both of those players in the same off season. They clearly didn't see eye to eye on a lot of different things. Micah goes on and has an all pro year in Green Bay, and demarcus Lawrence goes and has a Pro bowl year in Seattle, and they're one game away from Winning the Super Bowl, I think it just shows you kind of where the culture was at of this Cowboys defense. Like they had some talent, but clearly nothing was gelling together well on that side of the ball. And I don't know if it's because of the postseason failures of the injuries or the differences in age. Again, it could be a combination of all of those factors. But I'm happy that DeMarcus Lawrence, he. He spoke on what he thought was going to happen, and he's gone out and he's. He's backed it up. So. I've always been a fan of Tank, and I'm rooting for them in the playoffs.

[Aisha Morrison]

Same.

[Jeff Biggs]

Coach. You ever have a situation as a coach where you had a couple guys on your team that didn't get along and you had to kind of deal with that or even be in the middle of it sometimes?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Oh, yeah, yeah. A bunch of times. Yeah. Guys. Guys don't. I mean, you know that. That's part of it. I mean, I started as a young coach in Oklahoma and I had. I mean, we. I had two guys that. And it was one of my tight ends, and it was. It was. Coach Selman at the time, had a defensive end and I mean, they, they hated each other and win at each other every day. I'm talking about. It was. And finally, I mean, I got to the point. I don't know that it's probably why I'm not in coaching anymore. I got to the point where I'd had enough and I. You know what? I jumped their ass. And I tell you what, I made them hold hands. Hold hands and walk around this field one time. You want to. You want. You want. You want to jeopardize everybody else on this football field? You want to jeopardize your teammate because you're in him. He took his helmet, ripped his helmet off and tried to crown him with his helmet. I did. I made him freaking hold hands all the way around the field. So, yeah, I mean, it's part of. That's part of the. To me, that's part of what. What football's about. I mean, you have tons of alpha males. They are not all going to get along. That's just that. That's almost impossible to. But one of the first things that I would always say anytime I went into a meeting room is you look at the guy to. To your right and you better tell him, you know what? You better tell him you love him. You better look the guy that left, you're telling me you love him because at the end of the day, this game takes. It takes all 11 guys, especially on the offensive side, doing exactly the right thing. And you gotta. You gotta play for the guy on either side of you, whether you like him, dislike him, whatever the scenario is. I mean, you know, you got. You got guys that are family, guys that are heavily inclined to go home to their family, and you got other guys that are. That are headed to the lodge. I'll help you out. That. That's down there where Mercedes dances. You can go down there Friday night and get you whatever you want. So, yeah, you got guys that see things on different levels. And I'm just being honest with you. You're gonna ask me a question, I'm gonna give you an answer. That's how it is. And so guys see things differently. And you have to get guys to respect one another and have to love one another. The minute you walk into that building, once you walk out of that building, hey, you guys are going all kinds of different directions. And so that. That's just. That's life. I mean, I. I would willing to. I'd be willing to bet you that's in every office. It doesn't matter whether you're in football or not. There are guys that like each other, guys that don't like each other, but at the end of the day, you go. You go play for the same. Cause you get on that side of the rope and you get to yanking on that rope so you can win the tug of war. Is that the answer you were looking for, Jeff? Are you just gonna stand around scratching?

[Jeff Biggs]

Oh, that works. That's great. That was exactly what I was looking for.

[Marcus Mosher]

I just want to know why we don't have this kind of culture on the show. Stretch, how come you. You don't build me up like that?

[Aisha Morrison]

What, y' all gonna hold hands, walk around? Yeah, y' all sound like y' all need to walk around. Can I. Marcus, I want to ask you. Do you think that, you know how you were. A lot of people say, like Jerry and those. Those gentlemen, they said that they had kind of been deciding that they wanted to trade Micah prior to, you know, everything. It wasn't a out of nowhere thing that they decided to do, but I don't know. It's hard for me to think that Dallas would go into this year losing both of their starting edges. Do you think that they planned that? I mean, does you think it has any bearing? Yeah. So to me, the tank. Tank. Them letting go of tank and then. Then trading Micah is what made me Feel like maybe the Micah thing was not in the plan because there's no way you'd give up both edges. Right?

[Marcus Mosher]

Again, my assumption here is that they.

[Aisha Morrison]

So we're assuming. Sorry.

[Marcus Mosher]

I think. I think DeMarcus Lawrence was ready for a change of scenery, and I think it was even Tank that said that the Cowboys didn't offer him a new deal once he hit free agency. So that's part of it. And for Micah, I, I do think they planned on him being there. That's why Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons sat down together in that infamous meeting. But I think over time, it became more unrealistic that a deal was going to get done. And I think over the summers, when they really contemplated, hey, does this make sense financially for us to do this, or do we have more flexibility making a trade? And then once that stuff happened in the final preseason game, it became very obvious. But to answer your question, no, I don't think not only there's any way that, you know, going into free agency, they thought they were going to be without both of their top two defensive ends. It just never. That never would have made sense.

[Aisha Morrison]

Jordan Lewis had a good season as well before he got injured. So he did played some good ball. Good ball for the Jags. Nishan Wright was a guy that they traded away last year, bounced around from Minnesota, ended up with the Bears all pro year, Pro bowl year, ball to tail off. So guys having success outside of here, that, I guess that just happens, though. It's football.

[Jeff Biggs]

Ouch.

[Aisha Morrison]

It sucks. I mean, we see it happen here. We see it happen here, but I'm sure there's other teams that see it happen, too. Imagine what Pittsburgh feels like about Pickens. They're like, what? We can run routes, too. We could do all this. They get like, what? Like, so, I mean, it happens.

[Jeff Biggs]

Yeah. All right, tell you what, let's take our final time out. And speaking of the Steelers, I want to bring them up when we return. Also, talk a little bit about the. The super bowl and some more Cowboys news and notes, as we like to say as well, this is the Cowboys squad show.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

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[Jeff Biggs]

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[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, it's a Senior bowl week. We're gonna get you ready for all the top prospects down in Mobile. We're going to talk about some of our top players in this, this year's group. We had some, some tough, you know, some big time talent pull out at the last minute, but there's still several guys on this list that could be options for the Cowboys in round one. We'll take a look at some guys maybe down in the draft that fit Christian Parker's defense, that maybe fit what Clayton Adams wants to do on the offensive line. So we'll cover the Senior bowl all week long. Make sure you check it out on the Loton Cowboys podcast.

[Jeff Biggs]

Do we know when they're going to have the official Christian Parker introductory news conference yet?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

No.

[Marcus Mosher]

And honestly, they might not. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have one. I, I would expect him to be down in Mobile this week looking for talent. So I, I kind of, I wonder if we not get it.

[Jeff Biggs]

Okay, that's fair. So want to get your thoughts on this? Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, the new head coach of the Steelers. That one surprised me a little bit. To me, it seems like they feel not quite ready to rip the band aid off. They feel like, I'm assuming with their defense that they may be just a couple moves away and they can contend, especially because they won the division that kind of watered down with injuries. What do you, what do you, were you surprised? What did you think of the hire?

[Marcus Mosher]

I can, I can tell you what people here in Pittsburgh thought of the hire and it's not been great, I can tell you that much. I. I think the. The thing that's happening with the Steelers right now is it's not that Mike McCarthy is a bad coach, because I don't think he is. I think he really knows the offensive side of the ball. I think he delegates well on defense. I just think Pittsburgh was looking for something different. And a lot of ways, in a lot of ways, it feels like Mike McCarthy is just the offensive version of Mike Tomlin, where the floor is relatively high, but what's the ceiling? I think this is a good time for them to take a shot on the younger head coach who's a little bit more innovative, who maybe has some fresh ideas. This just feels like more of the same for a franchise now that has not won a playoff game in the last 10 seasons. Wow.

[Jeff Biggs]

It's been that long.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, it's been a while. People don't talk about it, but it's been that. Well, maybe Marcus talks about it, but I. That's the sentiment I got from a lot of the Pittsburgh folks as well, is that they were looking for something a little bit more innovative, a little bit more different, and also, too, Marcus, I don't know about you or coach. I mean, but when you watch. Watch the Steelers film, I remember even watching them and being like, oh, Even last year was like, oh, Dallas shouldn't have as much trouble with them because they're very stagnant. They're very straight up and down. They're very much. So we're gonna beat you just being the bigger, stronger team when it comes to their scheme. And so. And we know football is evolving, so, I mean, defensively, we know what they have, but offensively, they've struggled for some time now. So I understand why people were ticked off. And their fans are definitely not happy. They feel like this is where a. A safe move, Marcus. That's the. That's the energy I got from it.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, that's a good way to be nice. That's it. It just feels like a very middling move for a franchise that just hasn't wanted. Hasn't wanted to take a big swing in decades.

[Aisha Morrison]

How do you feel about it, Coach?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

We talked about this all the time. There's. There were 10 head coaching openings. 10. Almost a third of the league turned over. I mean, I. Who are. Who are the best candidates out there? I mean, I think some of the best candidates, if I had to sit here and say it, may not even get a job, so. And then you see guys that are quarterback coaches, guys that are. Have never. Have never called an offensive or a defensive snap being considered for the head coaching job, and they're having to do that because they're a lack of experienced guys out there. And then, hey, do you have, do you have the discernment as an ownership group to. To pick the right guy? I mean, do you. Do you trust these NFL owners? Did you hear the Buffalo owner get up to the, to the mic and say that he had. He had experienced playoff. What was it? Delirious? What was it that he said? He experienced playoff?

[Marcus Mosher]

So basically, they feel like they peaked in the playoffs, right? They peaked in the first and second round of the playoffs, right?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Marcus Mosher]

I mean.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Think about that. About that. Well, I mean, if you're a Pittsburgh fan and you haven't been to. You have one or, you know, you're one of these other teams, you do. You want, you want to hear, you want, you want to hear a guy get up there and say that we've got, we've got, you know, we're not getting it done in the playoffs? I mean, how about get your ass in the playoffs? It's not always easy to do. And so, you know, I don't know what these NFL owners think. They all, they all think differently. They're all billionaire guys and how they see their. Their franchise being run it. I mean, I think I saw somewhere the other day where one of these teams is looking for like, an essay or did. Was that something that was just put out there as B.S. i mean, it.

[Marcus Mosher]

Was that really what they wanted, a essay? They want. Well, they were. They do a lot of different things in Cleveland in terms of, like, a personality test. When you're there, they're doing. They make you write out some of your philosophies and how you'd build the T. It's just. It's a totally different way to interview.

[Aisha Morrison]

Okay.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Right. Right. So, I mean, that's what I'm saying. So do. I mean, you. You feel comfortable about going to work for that guy? I mean, I mean, I can remember seeing some of those personality tests and I mean, there were questions on there that I, I'm talking about. I mean, literally might make a sailor blush and think.

[Marcus Mosher]

I can tell you your personality if you want me to tell you. I said I could, I could, I could do a personality test on you. I could, I could do it right now.

[Aisha Morrison]

Go ahead.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

He'll let it rip. I mean, go ahead, let it go.

[Marcus Mosher]

God, I'll never forgive y' all for.

[Aisha Morrison]

Not letting me know that y' all was crazy like this together.

[Marcus Mosher]

He put his glasses on. He's really mad at me now.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Yeah, no.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah. You see, he's looking down. He only want to look you in the face.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

No, I, I, I, I, I got to get on. I got a few text messages here. I might get some up to date. Up to date info. I know. Hey, I can hear. I can multitask. I'm old, but I can multitask.

[Aisha Morrison]

With the. You guys were talking about the Senior Bowl. Obviously, the Shrine bowl just happened. I think the ice storm here really kind of slowed some of the reports and stuff that were coming out about it. You know, everything. I think people are all over the place. So I'm hoping we can get some official numbers and stuff there, because obviously, with Dallas being there physically, like, a lot of the coaches being there physically, they take the Shrine bowl very seriously. So we'll see, you know, who they picked up on while they were out there and stuff or anything, because when we get to the end, they. They definitely talk about some of the guys they saw at Shrine Ball since it's here in Dallas now.

[Jeff Biggs]

Right?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Did you see Marcus, did you see what your boy Pavia measured at the Senior bowl?

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, a baby.

[Marcus Mosher]

5097.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, leave him alone.

[Marcus Mosher]

Welcome to the CFL, buddy.

[Aisha Morrison]

Y', all.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I'm telling you, I'd put him on the keto diet right now and get him some mounts out at Saratoga.

[Aisha Morrison]

Wait, wait, wait. What was it? What was this? Height and weight?

[Marcus Mosher]

5097. Was it 199?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Under five. Kid can't get on the runaway mine train at Six Flags.

[Jeff Biggs]

Hold on.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I'm just.

[Marcus Mosher]

Probably in a month from now when we're at the NFL combine, he's going to be at 5, 10. You can bet your bottom dollar he's gonna get that.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

Nike's gonna send him those inserts.

[Marcus Mosher]

That hair is gonna grow up a little bit longer, so you can't quite. He'll be 5, 10 at the combine. Don't you worry him just yet.

[Aisha Morrison]

Oh, hey, man. I mean, even. Even as you get into this draft, I mean, you look at a lot of the. The corners. I mean, it's some. Some schmittal corners in this. This draft. I mean, and they're not little. They're just, like, not lengthy. You know, A lot of them, though, stretch.

[Marcus Mosher]

I was watching a linebacker at the. The Shrine practices. Eric Gentry from USC. 6, 220 pounds.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

6. 6. Wow. Nice.

[Marcus Mosher]

6, 6, 2, 20. I'm not thinking about. That's like a wing defender, that guy. Should be starting for the Dallas Mavericks, not at linebacker in the NFL.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

That, that would have been my first question. Can you dunk?

[Marcus Mosher]

Can you set up in the corner and shoot some threes for us?

[Aisha Morrison]

Y' all leave him alone. What's wrong with y'?

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

All?

[Marcus Mosher]

I like him a lot, actually. I was. I actually came out of this shrine practices loving them. That's somebody I'm. I'm putting in every one of my mock drafts. I love it.

[Aisha Morrison]

Y' all act like two.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

I'm gonna tell you, this is a true story. We had, we had a hell of a lineback kid named Frank Blevins played first in Oklahoma. He was a hell of a player. He was about. I mean, I'm telling you his. Maybe, maybe, maybe 218, but I mean, could run smart. Green Bay come in one day, they told him, step over there on the scale. And the scout walks in to talk to Pete Martinelli, who was our strength coach. Blevins grabs two, fighting. You know, at the time he had some big baggier shorts on. He grabbed two five pound dumbbells, stuck them in each pocket and jumped right up on the scale. There you go. 229.7. Yeah, he won number 220.

[Marcus Mosher]

That reminds me, do you remember Patrick. Again, we're getting way off subject. Remember Patrick Watkins, the safety the Cowboys had in the early 2000s? He was all 6, 5 and maybe 210 pounds. And that was always the story of like how, how hard it was for him to get weight on. But yeah, it happens. Some of these guys have weird body types and that's what we love about scouting. In the draft process, you get to see players in all different shapes and sizes going through the rigors of the draft process.

[Jeff Biggs]

So what do you, what do you actually get to glean or take from these games and these pr. Is it more the practice?

[Marcus Mosher]

The game doesn't matter.

[Aisha Morrison]

And most practice, yes, it's more the practices the most. Yeah, go ahead. Go ahead, Mark.

[Marcus Mosher]

You know, it's just, it's the drills. A lot of these coaches and scouts are just wanting to see how do guys compete, how do they handle practice. Are they running the from drill to drill? What's their attitude? Are they. Are they absorbing the coaching? Are they listening? That means so much more than whether you beat a guy at a one on one rep, you know, one time.

[Aisha Morrison]

Yeah, I know. Like Marcus said, it's just an opportunity for people get their eyes on these guys and see how they move. Like, I think one of the biggest things that a scout told me is how they take coaching is huge. Like, if you tell a guy something like these, these coaches are making note of like, I talked to him about this yesterday. He came back today. He's still doing the same crap. All that stuff. Like it's, it's very tangible information you get. So I love going to practices. I love the energy that's there. It was just Antarctica outside and anyway, got time for that.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right. Before we go, Marcus, you and Landon got your show coming up. We're looking forward to that. Aisha, how about you?

[Aisha Morrison]

Yes, I will be on the stack tomorrow with Brian Broaddus and Zach Woolchuck with crowns with Crown Global media. We'll be talking about defensive tackles, I think that are at the Senior bowl this week. So that'll be, that'll drop tomorrow at 3pm Thursday. I will be on Girls Talk, boys talk at 9am and the stack again at that'll be dropping at 3pm on Thursday. And I'll be here with you gentlemen Thursday night. So that's what I got.

[Jeff Biggs]

All right. Way too fast, but I think we covered a lot and we will continue to do so with our next show coming up on Thursday night. But until then, Marcus Mosier, Landon McCool, check them out on the daily Locked on Cowboys podcast. Coach, have a good week. Do it again Thursday night. And you as well, Aisha. Thank you. Thank you to everybody for jumping in. Lots of good comments tonight. We appreciate it. This has been the Cowboys squad show.

[Glenn Stretch Smith]

You.

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