Talkin’ Cowboys: Is the Sky Falling?

Podcast Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Kyle Yeomans
Panel: Isaiah Stanback, Patrick Walker, Josh Rodriguez
Location: The Star in Frisco, TX

Episode Overview

This Talking Cowboys episode centers on the Dallas Cowboys’ rocky start to the season and the palpable anxiety among fans and hosts alike—or, as titled, "Is the Sky Falling?" The crew tackles injury updates, major personnel issues, and struggles on both sides of the ball. A lively call-in segment features fans voicing frustrations and sparking debate on where the real problems lie: on the field, on the sideline, or higher up. Throughout, the tone is a blend of exasperation, earnest football analysis, and fan-driven energy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mood Check & Setting the Table

• The crew jokes about Monday hangovers and the (not so) “goof around” mood.
  • “We all can’t be sitting here sulking.” – Patrick Walker (02:32)
• They set a goal to take as many fan calls as possible, aiming for eight.

2. Kevontae Turpin Nickname Debate

• Kyle recounts his on-air conversation with Turpin about preferred nicknames ("Turpy Speed" won, "Torpedo" is out).
  • “His favorite one of all time was one from high school and he was called ‘Video Game.’” – Kyle Yeomans (04:43)
• Brief laughter in the crew relieves tension before serious team talk.

3. Cowboys Injury News – Highs and Lows

Good News (05:25)

• Jadeveon Clowney expected to debut against Green Bay.
• DaRon Bland on track to return from foot injury.
  • “Two defensive players getting back. And which side of the ball is struggling the most right now? ...Defense.” – Patrick Walker (06:11)

Bad News

• CeeDee Lamb out with a high ankle sprain, timeline uncertain but won’t play this week (06:45).

  • “I’ve heard everything from 2 to 3 to 2 to 4 to 3 to 5 week to week on CeeDee Lamb. But scratch him against the Green Bay Packers.” – Patrick Walker (07:25)
  • “Even if he’s returning ... it probably won’t be 100% within that four to six week window.” – Kyle Yeomans (07:39)
  • Reported that Lamb is already rehabbing, but is still seen on a scooter, so return timing cautious (08:32).

• Tyler Booker (starting guard) out 4-6 weeks with high ankle sprain (10:38, 11:21). Offensive line stretched thin with backups.

  • “Cooper Beebe to IR one week prior; Tyler Booker likely to IR this week... Now you’re third offensive guard, second string center.” – Patrick Walker (12:15, 12:41)

4. Roster Depth & Matchup Concerns

• Concerns on youth/inexperience at several positions—particularly the offensive line, facing a tough Green Bay front (13:14).
• Micah Parsons’ usage discussed, especially his effectiveness and creativity on defense.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

“Are we going to talk about the Packers tomorrow?”
“I’m not the one that has to put the helmet on. ...Mind you, I get more than a midnight.”
– Patrick Walker reflecting on lingering frustration after tough losses (02:11)

“There are individuals whose play through these first three games doesn’t show that they should still be receiving the opportunities that they’re receiving. ...And I believe that if what you said in training camp was true...that doesn’t seem to be the case now that the games are present.”
– Isaiah Stanback on the need for merit-based personnel changes (29:18)

Fan Call Highlights

1. Call #1: Mike from New York (18:45)

• Frustrated by lack of pass rush and blown coverages.
• Parodied as Stewie from Family Guy by the crew for his passionate delivery.
• Hosts agree: coverage busts on simple schemes, big plays given up, and communication breakdowns are basic execution failures—not complex scheme issues.

2. Call #2: Brian (25:19) — “You’re the GM now...”

• Asks what first move the hosts would make if they were GM.
• Isaiah: Play high-effort, previously productive guys (Wanye Thomas, Marquis Bell), bench underperformers regardless of salary.
• Patrick: Would bring in more Clowney/Houston, start Marist Liufau over Jack Sanborn. If acting as GM, flip a Green Bay pick for a marquee defender.
  • “There are individuals whose play through these first three games doesn’t show that they should still be receiving the opportunities that they’re receiving.” – Isaiah (29:18)

3. Call #3: Antoine from Pasadena (32:56)

• Wants more effort players like Trickweasey Bridges and Freddy Stewart involved, citing their high motor.
• Panel agrees: Effort/energy players (a la Detroit’s high-motor defense) are lacking. Cites ex-Cowboy Al-Quadin Muhammad thriving with the Lions as an example of missed opportunity due to coaching bias.

4. Call #4: Troy from Philly (42:51)

• Questions the staff’s "my guys" mentality and lack of adaptability/coaching accountability.

• Wants to see "dynamic players" like #30, #35, and #50 on the field, tired of underperforming regulars like #57.

• Complains about offensive play-calling: not running enough after Lamb went down, lack of a true 1A/1B receiver combo.

  • “We got dynamic players sitting on the bench you’re not playing…It can’t be that they’re not getting it because the guys on the field ain’t getting it!” – Troy (43:50)

5. Call #5: John from Alaska (49:45)

• Draws parallels between current DC Eberflus and former DC Mike Nolan—Is the scheme a poor fit, or are players just not executing?

• Isaiah: The system/framework is solid, but individual breakdowns (often just 1-2 guys per play) sink the whole unit.

• Patrick: Personnel decisions are the bigger issue (Sanborn over Liufau/Houston, etc.), not the scheme itself.

  • “These guys just aren’t doing what’s asked of them—literally on the touchdown, we talked about it already, two people didn’t do their job…Malik Hooker was over there on the opposite hash, I don’t know what he was doing playing hooky…” – Isaiah Stanback (52:27)

Critical Themes & Takeaways

Personnel & Accountability

• Repeated calls (from hosts and fans) to bench underperforming veterans, play high-energy youngsters, and shake up the depth chart regardless of contract.
• Panel’s frustration with the disconnect between the “preaching of competition” in camp and the reality of on-field inertia.

Coaching/Management

• Serious concern that “entitlement” and coach favoritism are stifling competition and performance.
  • “...if you don’t make these changes and give these guys the opportunity based upon the preachings of your teachings, you will lose the entire club.” – Isaiah Stanback (55:13)
• Popular sentiment that a single player (even a high-profile trade addition) won’t solve the team’s deeper issues right now.

Defensive Struggles

• Multiple breakdowns in “simple” defensive schemes—often individual mistakes undoing broadly solid execution.
• Lack of pass rush exposes communication flaws in coverage.

Offense Without CeeDee

• Skepticism about the depth behind CeeDee Lamb—uncertainty if George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, or others are ready to fill the “1A” void.
• Frustration over play-calling and situational football (long drives ending in nothing, not leaning on run game after injuries).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Injury Updates, O-Line Trouble: 05:25–13:14
• First Caller (Defensive Woes): 18:45
• GM/Coaching Hot Takes (Brian): 25:19–32:49
• Young/Effort Players (Antoine): 32:56–35:34
• Coaching Accountability, WR Depth (Troy): 42:51–49:45
• Scheme vs. Execution Debate (John): 49:45–54:52

Conclusion

This episode is a cathartic, at times comedic, but ultimately hard-hitting look at the Cowboys’ mounting struggles and the sense of urgency among fans and analysts. The cast voices honest criticism over stale personnel decisions, pleads for an injection of youthful energy, and challenges the franchise to align action with their words on competition and accountability.

While there are glimmers of hope (Clowney and Bland return, hard questions being asked on staff), the overall tone is clear: major changes are necessary, both in lineup and in locker room culture, if this team is to turn the season around.

Most Memorable Quote:

“If you don’t make these changes and give these guys the opportunity based upon the preachings of your teachings, you will lose the entire club.”
– Isaiah Stanback (55:13)

Next episode: Previewing Cowboys vs. Packers—can the defense bounce back and will the coaching staff finally make the moves everyone’s demanding?