George Pickens PROVES He Can Be No. 1 WR | Should Cowboys EXTEND Him Right Now?

Summary

Locked On Cowboys (Oct 14, 2025)

Episode: George Pickens PROVES He Can Be No. 1 WR | Should Cowboys EXTEND Him Right Now?

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

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode focuses on the meteoric rise of WR George Pickens in the absence of CeeDee Lamb, the question of an immediate contract extension for Pickens, and a brutally honest analysis of the Cowboys’ defensive woes following their unsatisfying performance against the Panthers. The hosts evaluate both the highs (Pickens’ breakout) and lows (struggling defense, underwhelming second-round picks) as the Cowboys approach a pivotal juncture in the season.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. George Pickens’ Emergence as a True No. 1 Receiver

• Pickens by the Numbers:

  • Over the last three games with Lamb out:
    • 359 yards, 26 targets, multiple touchdowns (03:50)
    • Consistent and efficient: “He’s being everything you could ever hope you would get when you traded for him.” – Marcus (03:50)
  • Record breaking stretch: Most touchdowns over first six games as a Cowboy (04:21)

• Steps Taken & Maturity:

  • Landon and Marcus highlight Pickens’ ability to meet every challenge:
    • “Can he go out there and produce as a number two? ... Oh, yeah, he’s doing pretty good at that.”
    • “Can you now produce as a number one wide receiver? ... And he clears that bar so crazily well.” – Landon (03:02)
  • Praise for emotional control and demeanor given past concerns.

• Quarterback Chemistry:

  • Dak’s chemistry with Pickens is forming well, especially during Lamb’s absence: "Seeing how Dak has reacted... having a guy like Pickens having that type of receiver...it makes it worth it to me." – Landon (05:10)

Notable Quote:

“He’s everything you hoped he would be. Like, he’s putting up numbers at a rate that is record breaking for the Cowboys, if I’m not mistaken.” – Landon (04:03)

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2. The Contract Extension Debate

• Extend Now, Franchise Tag, or Trade High?
  • Landon leans strongly toward a long-term deal given production and impact: “At this point ... you feel like you’ve got something here.”
  • Marcus highlights the need to keep Pickens motivated, suggests a franchise tag as a middle ground: “I wouldn’t be opposed to signing him to a long-term deal, but I also won’t be surprised if the Cowboys franchise tag him ... maybe that’s just the best way forward.” (06:16)
  • $27M tag estimate; likely contract figure discussed as $24–25M/year (07:22)

Notable Quote:

“24, 25 [million]. If that’s the number, then I would just sign him.” – Marcus (07:59)

• Wide Receiver Room Outlook:
  • Hosts emphasize the depth and promise of the WR group: Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy, Turpin, Mingo (08:31)
  • “Maybe you feel like, okay, we have our wide receiver core set for the next two or three years, we don't need to invest any more picks in that position.” – Marcus (08:43)

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3. Cowboys’ Draft/Team-Building Implications

• Offensive Needs:
  • With WR and most offensive positions solidified, focus shifts to finding a running back (09:34)
  • Landon: “Wide receiver is a spot that if you wanted to, you know, finish it up right now really lets you focus on the defensive side of the ball, which is where we need a lot of help.” (09:38)

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4. Analyzing the Defense: Frustration, Causes, and (Lack of) Solutions

What’s Gone Wrong? (12:20+)

• Multiplicity of Issues:

  • Landon: “The biggest issue with this defense is that there isn’t one issue. ... It’s a multi-faceted issue—all of which surprised you.” (12:32)
  • Problems in both personnel and scheme; lack of confidence in current Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus.
  • Marcus: “I don’t see that kind of optimism here about their defense ... number one, the talent’s not as good. And I just don’t believe in the coaching staff as much.” (14:14)

• No Quick Fixes:

  • Constant coordinator turnover leaves system and players in flux.
  • Landon: “...whoever you hired would have been Cowboys, what, fifth or sixth defensive coordinator in four or five years. That’s ultimately the issue—you keep turning over the spot.” (16:25)

Notable Quote:

“You kind of need to change everything. But changing everything constantly has also been part of the issue. So you really feel like you’re screwed if you do and you’re screwed if you don’t.” – Landon (16:21)

• No Magic Trade:
  • Even a “big name” addition (e.g., Myles Garrett) is acknowledged as unlikely and not a cure-all.
  • “You could bring in one big name ... it’s not going to solve all your issues. You’re only as good as your two or three worst players.” – Marcus (17:27)

Defensive Personnel Spotlights: Second Round Defensive Ends (22:32+)

• Donovan Ezraku: Most encouraging; emerging as a solid pass rush specialist, still limited vs run (22:32)
• Marsha Nealon: Underwhelming development, possible victim of coaching/scheme instability, playing hesitantly (25:44)
• Sam Williams: Playing style too undisciplined, flashes don’t outweigh negatives (27:16)
• “That’s been the case for Sam Williams for a while now ... those are three second round picks that you’re just not getting enough out of. And that’s why we’re here.” – Marcus (27:48)

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5. Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Pickens becoming a legitimate WR1:
  “He’s everything you hoped he would be.” – Landon (04:03)
• On contract urgency:
  “24, 25 [million]. If that’s the number, then I would just sign him. … Pretty good for the Cowboys.” – Marcus (07:59)
• Defensive frustration:
  “You kind of need to change everything. But changing everything constantly has also been part of the issue.” – Landon (16:21)
• On failed second-rounders:
  “...those are three second round picks that you’re just not getting enough out of. And that’s why we’re here.” – Marcus (27:48)

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Structure & Flow: Important Segments with Timestamps

• George Pickens’ recent stats, role, and mentality:
  02:07–05:10
• Should the Cowboys extend Pickens? Contract value analysis:
  06:16–08:31
• WR depth and offensive priorities going forward:
  08:31–09:55
• Defensive woes—causes, coaching carousel, and philosophy:
  12:20–18:53
• Spotlight on 2nd round defensive ends (Ezraku, Nealon, Sam Williams):
  22:32–27:48

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Takeaways for Listeners

• George Pickens has exceeded expectations, making a compelling case for a hefty extension and reshaping Cowboys’ WR strategy.
• Contract discussion revolves around immediate vs. tagged extension, with $24-27M/year as the consensus sweet spot.
• Defensive problems are layered, without a single fix—coaching instability poses a major long-term challenge.
• Recent high draft picks on defense, especially at DE, have yet to deliver on investment, amplifying the sense of organizational urgency and frustration.

This episode is an engaging blend of optimism (Pickens) and realism (defensive woes), with the hosts providing thoughtful, data-rich commentary and a healthy dose of passionate Cowboys fandom.

Transcript

[Landon McCool]

It's the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day.

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[Marcus Moser]

George Pickens has been a star for the Cowboys over the last three weeks. Should they sign him to an extension right now? We'll get to that and more next.

[Locked On Podcast Network Announcer]

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

[Marcus Moser]

Welcome back to the Locked On Cowboys Podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen of the day and today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and if your bet wins, you'll get 300 of bonus bets to use across the app. Welcome back. I am your host Marcus Moser. He is Landon McCool. He held it down the last couple days while I was out at a wedding, but Landon, I am back. We're talking about this Cowboys Panther game which was not all that much fun to review in the All 22.

[Landon McCool]

Let me ask you real quick. How excited were you to come back and talk about this Panthers Cowboys game? Were you just chomping at the bit.

[Marcus Moser]

Or just to be just the first snap that I saw in the airplane because the airplane didn't have great wi fi and I finally got it on the little screen was the fourth and three play to Hunter Renfro. That was the very first half of the game I saw just to tell you how much fun that was. But all right, we're going to talk about some positive things because I think Cowboys and Nation could use that right now. I want to talk about George Pickens, who had another huge game. Nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown on just 11 targets over the last couple weeks. With CD Lamb out, he's been phenomenal. And Landon, one of the things that we said is this is a really big opportunity for Pickens to show that he can be a number one, that he can prove that he deserves a contract with the Cowboys and Some time to develop chemistry with Dak, and I think through the last couple games, he's kind of hit every marker that you want to see.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, that's the crazy thing with this whole situation is that it's one of those things where you, like, you set down these expectations for him and you're like, okay, I want to see him do this. All right, all right, here's another opportunity. Like, he's. He's. Can he get it through training camp without being a problem? All right, he did that. That's great. Can he go out there and he can. He produces a number two wide receiver. Oh, yeah, it looks like he's doing pretty good at that. All right, CD Lamb goes down. Can you now produce as a number one wide receiver? Can you keep it together with your mentality? Can you keep it. Can you keep your emotions in check? And then also on top of that, produce as a number one wide receiver? And. And he clears that bar so crazily well that it was, you know, what is it, something like 300 plus yards in the last two games and three touchdowns or something like.

[Marcus Moser]

I got. So the three games without CD Lamb.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Moser]

359 yards on 26 targets. It's not like he's getting a ton of targets and he's being inefficient. I mean, he's being. He's everything you could ever hope that you would get when you traded for him.

[Landon McCool]

I mean, that's. That's. That's probably the. The most concise way to put it is that he's everything you hoped he would be. Like, he's putting up numbers at a rate that you. That is like a record breaking for the Cowboys, if I'm not mistaken. I think he had. There was a stat. I saw that he had a touchdown in each of the first five games or. Or six touchdowns in five games.

[Marcus Moser]

He's got the most touchdowns in the first, I think, six games of a Cowboy career.

[Landon McCool]

That's. I mean, that's crazy. You know, it's like. And so, yeah, just. Just producing at a level that. That you. Beyond what you could have hoped for, has been able to kind of keep the.

[Marcus Moser]

The.

[Landon McCool]

The. The Demons at B. And so I think, yeah, the question now becomes like, you know, as you kind of. As the season starts to turn a little bit and you start to look to the future and what is good and what is, you know, worth investing in and moving forward with. I think George Pickens is at the very top of your list of guys that you just feel like man, we can't let him walk out the door. You know, I, I saw on, on Dallas radio, I think on the fan they were debating whether a trade of Pickens would be worth it. And I don't think that that's the worst idea just because Pickens has played himself up at such a high level that, you know, you know, there could be the thought of trading high. But I, I would, I think at this point with, with what you've seen, you feel like you've got something here. Having the, and, and I think beyond that too, just seeing what you have, seeing how Dak has reacted to the situation, the way Dak has played this year with, with even without having CD there, having a guy like Pickens having that type of receiver and what Dak can do with that type of receiver, it makes it worth it to me. And he's kind of a rare, you know, physical specimen. So to me it feels like, yeah, you certainly could get some trade value out of him, but it makes much more sense to lock him up long term. Get your offense in a spot where you feel like, okay, for the rest of Dax window or what we perceive of the contract, at least you've got a legitimate receiving core that can be. Play with the top five, you know, offenses in the NFL and, and we'll work out the rest of the stuff around them. But that kind of would, you know, lock in a pretty high end offense for the next few years.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, and I think he's played so much better than I have anticipated. I mean the talent's never really been an issue, but it's all the kind of the other stuff and for the most part that's been gone. I mean he's still a wild player on every single snap, but sometimes that wildness is a good thing. And honestly I think the Cowboys offense needs it. I, I would be, I wouldn't be opposed to the Cowboys signing him to a long term deal right now because he's played so well. But I also won't be surprised if the Cowboys franchise tag him or do some kind of tag because I think he is a player that you want to have stay motivated. Right. And maybe that's just the best way forward. I think the number is 27 million Landon this year if they franchise tag him, which is, you know, that's not, that's a high number, but it's not terribly high. We've, we've got other number two receivers who are being paid in a similar fashion. I'm just going to be really curious what they Do. I'm, I'm, I'm open to the Cowboys exploring all possibilities here.

[Landon McCool]

You, you're pretty good about this. So I wanted to ask you, like, what, what do you think his number is right now, like on a year per situation?

[Marcus Moser]

Well, see, that's why it's. He is so hard to figure out because you can't just compare his numbers to other receivers because he's a different cat. Like he's just. If he's on the open market compared to Devonte Smith, I think talent wise, Pickens is right there. But there's a lot of people that had George Pickens off their board.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah.

[Marcus Moser]

You know, coming out of Georgia, he was available for a third round pick this off season and the Cowboys were the only team willing to give up a top 100 pick for him. I honestly don't know. My guess is it's around 2425. And if that's the case, maybe you do just sign them.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too, is 2425. If that's the number, then I would just sign them. Right. Like, especially considering, you know, the, the, the situation with Parsons, all that money you had earmarked for him, like, it just makes sense to just sign them and lock them up at that rate, which is pretty, I think, you know, 24, $25 million for a super high end number two, that's pretty good money, you know, so pretty good for the Cowboys, I mean, and I think that that certainly is, is probably acceptable for a guy like Pickens, who, like you said, might have more limited options for a guy his talent level.

[Marcus Moser]

Another reason why I would be open to doing that is because, and I know this sounds kind of counterproductive, but Ryan Flournoy has shown quite a bit over the last couple weeks. I know this wasn't a big performance by him. I think three catches, 30 yards, but he just kind of continues to make plays. And if you look at your depth chart with CD Lamb, George Pickens, Kyle Cavante, Turpin, Ryan Flournoy, who is in year two of his contract, you still have Jonathan Mingo. Maybe you feel like, okay, we have our wide receiver core set for the next two or three years, we don't need to invest any more picks in that position and let's throw all the rest of the assets we have on the defensive side of the ball and we'll keep our top ranked offense intact.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, honestly, at that point, you can kind of go down the list. You need to refresh this team, you know, you can't let it get stale. But I mean, is there a specific offensive position that you feel like you go into the 2026, the 2027, 2026, six draft and feel I was losing it. The 2026 draft that you feel like offensively that you gotta come out with? I mean, just as we stand right now.

[Marcus Moser]

I mean, a running back. But that's so easy to find on day two and day three, right?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And maybe not even like a starting running back. Right. Like so. So, yeah. Like, I. I just feel like wide receiver is a spot that if you wanted to, you know, finish it up right now really lets your. Lets you kind of focus on the defensive side of the ball, which is where we need a lot of help. Marcus.

[Marcus Moser]

Yes, that's a good transition. Let's talk about some of the defensive issues. And honestly, we don't have enough time to get through all of them. But what is the biggest thing plaguing the Cowboys right now? We will get to that next. Nobody likes paying rent.

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[Landon McCool]

No, no, I know.

[Marcus Moser]

What, and I know it's hard to pimp know, pinpoint, but what is the biggest issue right now going on with defense?

[Landon McCool]

This is going to seem like a cop out, but honestly, this. This is the answer is the biggest issue with this defense is that there isn't one issue. Right. Like if. If it was a singular problem that had to be solved that we could target and like, you know, fix with personnel or scheme, like, I feel like that would be a lot easier. But I think the problem is, is that you have a multifaceted issue. All of which surprised you, it feels like. Right. Like it's. It's a personnel and scheme issue. And, and because of where the. The issues lie, the distribution of. Of the personnel issue specifically, it's. It's. It's really, really difficult to fix at this point point of the season. Right. I think, you know, the main thing we talked about last in yesterday's episode. I talked about yesterday's episode while you were very much drinking pina coladas by a pool. I think.

[Marcus Moser]

No.

[Landon McCool]

Maybe not though, was, was that, you know, you. You have a scheme issue. And look, even if you don't think that you initially have a huge scheme issue, you've got a problem with a lack of confidence in your defensive coordinator. I think that is brewing, you know, and I think it's very well earned. Right. And you just wonder if nothing continues to change and it continues to be bad, how does, you know, how do you solve that problem? Because, you know, you keep hearing Stephen Jones talk about how, oh, it's gonna get, you know, oh, they're gonna sort it out, it's gonna fix it. So they're gonna, you know, they're just trying to get it together. Like, this is just, well, far beyond too bad to be just fixed with, you know, man, a couple more practices, right?

[Marcus Moser]

Well, I, I think, I wonder if last year, where they started out the season so slow with Mike Zimmer, remember, the defense was horrendous in the first two months of the season and it got better as the year went on. If that is kind of clouding their judgment now, thinking, okay, hey, the same thing happened with Zimmer last year. Let's just be patient. It's going to get better. I don't see that kind of optimism here about their defense because, number one, the talent's not as good. And I just don't believe in the coaching staff as much as I believed in last year's coaching staff.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean, I think that's the issue, right? Is that I, I think to me it feels like the defensive coordinator change is the move that you have to make because it's probably the only move you can make. And, and, and to be honest, like the coordinator, if the, if the staff felt more competent, if it didn't feel like we were seeing clear and obvious bus and miscommunications and a lack of understanding of what was happening across the board at multiple different positions, I think it would be easier for us to say, oh, well, let's just, you know, like, you know, we'll make a better than clowny move at defensive end. We'll, you know, we'll trade for a linebacker and it'll get better. But it, but it's a lack of coordination. But see, the other part of that problem, and that's what I was going to try to get to, is that you can't just simply get rid of, of Eber Floos to fix the issue. It's not like there are a bunch of other, you know, quality defensive coordinators out there floating in the ether to come in and, and, and, and to take the job. And even if they could, they would be coming in to run Eber flu's defenses for the rest of the season. So you're not installing a new defense in, in the, you know, a quarter of the way through the season. No.

[Marcus Moser]

Maybe a change in voice would help, but I think that's only a temporary fix and I think exactly that's the issue. And I think like a good example of this is the jets last year, right? They fired Robert Salah for a game they looked better. I think it was under Jeff Albright as a defensive coordinator. But there's a reason why these guys aren't defensive coordinators at the time. And maybe, maybe you stumbled into something, but the odds of that happening are pretty low.

[Landon McCool]

Well, then on top of that, I mean, you're not getting a great candidate who's available in the middle of the season. Right? And and on top of that, like now what is probably the actual long term issue is whoever you hired would have been the. Will have been. Will have been. Would whatever future perfect tents, whatever that is, would have. Will have been the, the Cowboys, what, fifth or sixth defensive coordinator in four or five years. Like, that's ultimately the issue is that you keep turning over the spot and, and you know, since you went to Zimmer and kind of went back, you're flopping back and forth with, you know, one gapping and two gapping systems and cover, cover two systems with and cover three majority systems. And it's just a lot to kind of go back and forth. So that's why it's tough to discuss because it's like you kind of need to change everything. But changing everything constantly has also been part of the issue. So it's like you really feel like you're screwed if you do and you're screwed if you don't.

[Marcus Moser]

One of the things that we talked about a month ago is if you come out of this Carolina and jet stretch at 4 and 2, or in this case they would have been 3, 2 and 1, maybe you feel like, okay, hey, now we can go out and make a move to really improve the defense. But I, I think you and I both had the same takeaway after watching this tape is okay, you could bring in one big name and yeah, that's going to help, but it's not going to solve all your issues. You're really only as good as like your two or three worst players. And this is something that you and I were talking about pre show is I think it's the same three spots that are messing up all the time. And I just don't know how you improve those all three spots in the middle of the season.

[Landon McCool]

I think I'm at the point now, I was thinking about this last night. Is that the only move that I think I would be like approving of that I, or that I would feel good about or not have any, you know, hesitation or, or, you know, is this the right decision would be if they actually took a really big swing and actually brought in a young superstar type player. Like if they were able to go get a Miles Garrett or a, you know, you know, one of these guys. Which is not likely. Which is not likely. But my point being like, that's the only thing that they, they could do that I would feel solid about because I feel like they're kind of stuck in this middle ground of trying to solve for this year without screwing yourself up. On the timeline long term with all.

[Marcus Moser]

These extra draft picks, it's frustrating because it just feels like they're so far away and, and you watch this game and like, if you try to grade some of these guys that are positives, there's only a couple guys in defense that you even feel good about like a year from now. And that's a depressing spot to be at.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And, you know, I think there's a couple. I mean, I think specifically some of these second round defensive ends have been really up and down and we, that was like supposed to be kind of the core of that group was that, you know, these, these, these second round defensive ends that were developing into better players and it feels like that's been a real hit or miss situation.

[Marcus Moser]

One last thing before we move on. I won't be surprised if Steven Jones and Jerry Jones, and you can, I think you could hear it a little bit in Stephen Jones's voice during his Monday interview. If they go to eber flues and tell him, hey, you got to play more man coverage because they're paying two man coverage cornerbacks $20 million a year. And they, if the, if Stephen Jones and Jerry Jones don't feel like they're getting their money's worth, that's when I wouldn't be surprised if you see a change in philosophy there.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And, you know, I think the coverage is one of the areas where there's just so much problem and maybe man coverage simplifies things enough that you're not having as many blown coverages because hopefully it's a little bit clearer on who's got who when it's man coverage.

[Marcus Moser]

All right, let's talk about some second round defense events. Who you alluded to. We'll talk about Marsha Nealon, we'll talk about Sam Williams and maybe an emerging star, hopefully. Please get to that next. This episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NFL season is here, and FanDuel has an offer that you don't want to miss right now. New customers can bet just $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if you win. That's right. Pick a bet, put down five bucks, and if it hits, you'll unlock $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. I love FanDuel because it gives you so many different ways to play. Like, I love parlays. My favorite, like Moneyline parlays. Pick three or four teams that you think are going to win on a Sunday, put them together for a bigger payout. It gives you some other teams to root for on a Sunday. If you're upset with the Cowboys like we are right now, it makes watching football even more exciting when you've got a little something riding on the action.

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[Marcus Moser]

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[Landon McCool]

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[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, yeah. He actually hit some pretty good scoops on that. So go. Yeah, go listen to that. Let's. Let's talk about the defensive ends because let's be positive. I'm trying to be more uplifting today because this is a hard game. I thought Donovan, as a rock, who played the best game of his career on Sunday, it's starting to click a little bit for him. You're seeing more and more snaps. It still needs to work as a run defender, but I'm getting. I'm getting really encouraged here.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I mean, but the thing was, is that we never. We never had a ton of expectation for him as a run defender. Right. So, no, like, I think that's, you know, know, so if he could play a role as. As a pass rusher and. And be a key pass rusher, a guy that kind of raises the ceiling a little bit, that would be fantastic. We'd love that because, you know. Yeah. As we've. We've alluded to the other two guys, the other two second round picks haven't quite kept up their end of it. So if we could just get him in there as you know, look, if you could figure out a way to get into passing situations where you can unleash James Houston and Donovan Ezraku, you may have something as a, in a pass rushing duo finally. But I think the problem is, and the problem has always been both of those guys are like 240ish, 45ish pounds. Right. And, and you know, it's just a lot to ask for guys with that body type to play the run consistently down in and down out and not get pushed around. So yeah, I think the issue is going to be, it's going to continue to be finding guys who can, you know, give you more run snaps, who can give you more snaps on first and second down specifically. And I think that's one thing we should talk about, right, Is that like, I think one of the biggest reasons the problem the Cowboys had problems against the Panthers specifically is that they, they just don't know what to do on neutral down sets, right? Like they, they like they don't have a good two way defensive ends. Like they all kind of specifically do one either run or the pass, but better than the other. And because they don't have like kind of a truly balanced set of defensive ends on first and second down, teams are kind of just getting them, you know, how they need them and popping big plays, you're just seeing and then you've got stuff like Marshawn Neyland getting blocked by your, your boy Tommy Trimble, like one on one blocks. And, and it's like, you know, how could you even trust that these guys that are even any good at what they're supposed to be good at. So it's just a really frustrating situation. So to see Donovan as a rock who at least start to kind of put it together as a pass rusher and at least, at least you go okay, I at least know that this guy is good at this. And, and we can work, we gotta try to figure out the rest of it, but at least this guy can rush the passer.

[Marcus Moser]

And I think long term you're starting to see like, okay, as a Raku, obviously he's not going to be Michael Parsons, but he can be part of the solution. You're getting this pass rush back on track. I'm not so confident in Marcia Nealon. I know that he was dealing with an ankle injury he missed last week. I think the problem for Neyland is. I mean, we're a year and a half into his career and it just kind of looks like a guy. I hate to just say that. I mean, there's been flashes, but it's more just been. It doesn't look like somebody that was a, a second round pick.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I, I just don't think. He doesn't look like he knows what he's, what he's doing necessarily on a play or he's uncertain of what he's doing because he's, you're just not seeing the athleticism that, you know, that he has. I mean, he's a bigger guy, but he's a bigger guy with some athleticism. That's why he was, you know, picked where he was. Right. And I think that, that, you know, he's probably one of the biggest victims of this, you know, lack of kind of structure with the coaching staff, because I just feel like there are times he's just not playing free and, and when he's not playing free, he's just simply not good enough to, to, to like, be uncertain of what he's doing and going out there and trying to, to play, you know, NFL football. So, yeah, I think this is a. He to me is one of the guys that I definitely want to see on because he looks worse than he did under Zimmer when he was a rookie. And, and, and that's like, to me, that's a red flag. Like, he shouldn't be worse. He looked like a better physical athlete in training camp when I saw him. So to me, I, I'm not completely marking it as a scheme thing, but I'm marking it as I need to see him under another scheme. So I can confirm or deny what's going on with, with him in this situation.

[Marcus Moser]

Yeah, he was very questionable going into this game. He actually came out a little bit. There was an announcement during the game that he was questionable to return because of an ankle injury. So there is a chance that he's way more beat up than what we know. But when you're getting driven off the ball by a tight end and your game is built on being a power defensive end. Yeah, it's not a great sign.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. And, and you know, and I think that's the difference between, for me from him and Sam Williams, like, for saying, like, for me, the problem with Sam Williams is the same problem it's always been with Sam Williams and now it's more just like we're getting comp. We're just confirming, hey, unfortunately, this is who this guy is like, there may be some semi flashes that happen, but they aren't probably going to make up for all the problems that he ends up calling by causing by playing, freelancing and doing whatever he wants. So it's just like Juice isn't worth the squeeze.

[Marcus Moser]

And that's been the case for Sam Williams for a while now. And it's honestly those two second round picks, actually three if you go Sam Williams, Martian, Neyland, and then Luke Skoodmaker, those are three second round picks that you're just not getting enough out of. And that's why we're here. All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Laton Cowboys your first listen every single day. Go check out the channel on YouTube. Download the podcast wherever you get your podcast. We are free and available on all platforms. Follow Lane and on Twitter @mccoolbcb. I'm @Marcus Underscore Moser and we will see you right back here tomorrow.

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