Talkin’ Cowboys: Damage Done?

Podcast: Talkin' Cowboys
Date: November 11, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick "No See" Walker, Josh Rodriguez
Location: The Star, Frisco, TX

Episode Overview

This episode of Talkin’ Cowboys focuses on the aftermath of the Dallas Cowboys’ first half of the season and looks forward to key changes and challenges the team faces coming out of the bye week. With the playoff path looking treacherous, hosts break down personnel updates, schedule implications, coaching performance, and address fan questions live on air. The tone is candid and introspective, with a mix of light-hearted banter and serious analysis, reflecting on the damage done during the rough early season stretch while holding out hope for improvement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Team Schedule and Bye Week Routines

• Odd Schedule: Cowboys’ post-bye is strange due to the Monday night game, with the practice week starting later (02:18).
• Practice Timeline: Players resume practice Thursday, allowing for more rest and unique preparation.

2. Emotion & Legacy: Marshon’s Passing

• The team is still grieving the loss of Marshon, indicating the emotional weight persists but the organization is taking measures to honor his memory:
  • Helmet stickers for the rest of the season
  • Commemorative T-shirts for players (03:00)

3. Injury & Roster Updates

• Demarvion Overshone: On track for return against the Raiders—“pour concrete on that” (03:59, Patrick Walker).
• Savion Revel: Still uncertain if he’ll be active Monday night; “No setback has been reported, but there’s also no guarantee that he’s active...” (04:39, Patrick Walker).
• Malik Hooker: Possible return, though still on IR. Stephen Jones optimistic, but hosts are cautious as he’s yet to resume practice (08:42-11:09).
• Kaylin Carson: Encouraging development, hosts want to see him gain experience, not rush Revel (07:10).
• Multiple defensive additions (Quinnen Williams, Logan Wilson) poised to change the look of the defense (12:54).

4. Defensive Revamp & Playoff Math

• The defense could have up to five new significant faces post-bye, fundamentally altering the group’s capability.
• Hosts note this doesn’t guarantee elite status—they stress only serviceability is required to maximize playoff hopes (12:54, 13:48).
• Playoff Scenario: Cowboys’ playoff path is a gauntlet; need double-digit wins to have a realistic chance (15:09).
• Mathematical outlook is bleak due to tiebreakers and NFC standings. Losses to teams like the Cardinals and Bears damage their wildcard prospects (16:51, 18:33).

"You have three wins against teams that are not very good"
— Josh Rodriguez (17:50)

"Your playoffs start right now... that's a long time to be mentally in that space."
— Patrick Walker (50:16)

5. Upcoming Schedule & Difficulties

• The schedule is described as “Lord of the Rings to Mordor”–level hard (14:29, Kyle Yeomans).
• Short weeks, physical matchups (Eagles, Chiefs, Lions in succession), and little time to recover exacerbate the challenge (24:24-25:37).

"Monday, Sunday, Thursday, Thursday, before you get the extra couple days to prepare..."
— Patrick Walker (25:25)

6. Coaching Questions & Offensive Struggles

• Fan questions spark a debate about offensive play-calling (Brian Schottenheimer):
  • He’s criticized for not maximizing the offense in recent games; hosts contend it’s both a coaching and execution issue (33:40).
  • Play-calling is impacted by O-line inconsistency and lack of trust in protection and run game (34:46).
• Offensive line coach Connor Riley receives measured praise for doing a good job amid adversity, though improvement is still expected once the line is healthy (48:27).

7. Engagement, Banter & Listener Questions

• Multiple live calls from fans on topics like O-line performance, playoff odds, and coaching.
• Hosts also engage in friendly banter and recurring in-jokes (e.g., “handsome Squidward” aesthetics, fashion choices at the desk).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the playoff challenge:

  "So much damage has been done over the first half of the season that it requires damn near perfection over the remainder of the season."
  — Patrick Walker (49:55)

• On the new-look defense:

  "That's half of your starting lineup, that's completely upended. Not that everybody's going to be a starter there, but they all could be."
  — Kyle Yeomans (13:48)

• Fan analogy for schedule:

  "The more it's almost like we're in Lord of the Rings. We're trying to get to mount...to Mordor."
  — Kyle Yeomans (14:29)

• On Brian Schottenheimer’s play-calling:

  "Maybe he's down to his pitching wedge as far as I'm concerned.”
  — Caller John, summarized by hosts (32:51)

• On the need for perfection:

  "Your playoffs start right now...That's a long time to be mentally in that space. Every single game is a must win."
  — Patrick Walker (50:13-50:16)

Important Time-stamped Segments

| Time | Topic/Segment | |:---------:|:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:18 | Discussion of the Cowboys’ unusual bye-week schedule | | 03:00 | Emotional impact and team plans to honor Marshon | | 03:59 | Demarvion Overshone’s imminent return; status of other injured players (Walker “pour concrete on that”) | | 08:42 | Discussion about potential for Malik Hooker’s return | | 12:54 | Impact of new/returning defensive faces post-bye | | 13:48 | Defensive upgrades won’t automatically create a top-tier unit—just need to be “serviceable” | | 14:29 | Roadmap analogy: “like we’re in Lord of the Rings to Mordor” | | 15:09 | Playoff race – need “double digit wins” | | 18:33 | Statistical odds: 11% chance for Cowboys playoffs after Cardinals/Bears loss | | 24:24 | Upcoming schedule and “side quest” (short weeks/Thanksgiving) | | 33:40 | Caller John questions Schottenheimer’s play-calling | | 34:46 | Hosts’ breakdown: play-calling vs. execution/blame sharing for offense struggles | | 48:27 | Caller Nebby: Is it crazy to praise Connor Riley as OL coach? Hosts respond | | 50:13 | “Your playoffs start right now...” full explanation of why remaining stretch is essentially sudden death |

Takeaways for Listeners

• The Cowboys’ playoff prospects are grim after early losses to beatable teams and with a nightmarish schedule ahead.
• Defensive help is arriving, but perfect (or near-perfect) football is essential from here onward.
• Coaching staff is under scrutiny, especially Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, but improvement is possible if the O-line stabilizes.
• Fan engagement and call-ins reveal the candid concerns and hopes of the fanbase, mirroring the rollercoaster of expectations.
• The team and organization are still working through mourning and honoring Marshon.

Episode Tone & Style

While the mood is colored by both the weight of a recent loss in the Cowboys family and the mounting on-field challenges, the hosts maintain their trademark candor, humor, and resilience. The conversation blends realism (“It might just be a little too much spilled milk to mop up”—Patrick, 20:10) with fandom’s enduring hope, making it a worthwhile recap for any Cowboys follower who missed the show.