Talkin' Cowboys: "Macho Moves for More Depth"

Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick "No-see" Walker, Josh Rodriguez
Special Features: Listener calls, injury round-up, deep-dive on roster moves
Podcast Theme:
This episode of Talkin' Cowboys centers on Dallas' evolving roster depth, the latest injury impacts, and fan concerns, with a heavy focus on the offensive and defensive lines, standout performances, and the ongoing adaptation required in a tough NFL season.

Main Episode Theme

Overview:
The crew breaks down the Dallas Cowboys’ latest injury news, the impact on offensive and defensive depth, and new roster additions—especially emphasizing Brock Hoffman’s rise to starting center. There’s extensive listener engagement around expectations for recent signings (notably Jadeveon Clowney), questions about wide receiver usage, and detailed reactions to key individual performances after a close win over the Giants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Finding Rhythm After a Chaotic NFL Start

• Hosts poke fun at scheduling quirks: Week 1 Thursday start threw everyone off, but team (and show) rhythm is returning by Week 3.
• NFL Groove: "We're in a rhythm now. We've got one week down. We're going into the second week of normalcy." – Kyle (01:58)

2. Injury News & Roster Depth Updates

Center Position: Cooper Beebe Out, Hoffman In

• Cooper Beebe Injury Details: Not a high ankle sprain, but a lateral sprain and a small bone fracture; expected out 6-8 weeks (04:08).
  • “It was Nick Harris that said it was the size of his head—and Nick’s got a big head, so pretty big ankle.” – Kyle (03:57)
• Brock Hoffman Steps Up:
  • Organizational trust discussed, including emphasis on his blue-collar, "glass eater" mentality. "He could play football in the 60s ... absolute lunch pale demeanor." – Patrick (07:33)
  • Main concern: Snap consistency; bad snap late vs. Giants is a sticking point.
• Depth at Interior OL:
  • Behind Hoffman is TJ Bass—a versatile, physical player.
  • “You’re in... you’ve covered yourself in that solid hands as far as your interior OL depth is concerned.” – Patrick (11:09)

Defensive Depth: New Additions and Cornerback Uncertainty

• Jadeveon Clowney Signing:
  • Clowney's side of negotiations shared: Dallas was his first and main choice, especially after Kenny Clark’s addition (24:36).
  • “He said, ‘Once the trade happened and he saw that Kenny Clark was acquired...he immediately got on the phone with his agent and said, Dallas is where I want to be.’” – Patrick (24:40)
  • Plans to gain weight back to 255 after being forced to drop for coverage in Carolina; here, he’ll be mostly rushing the passer.
  • Hosts caution fans not to expect Micah Parsons-level production or snap counts. “I’m not Micah Parsons, I’m Jadeveon Clowney.” — Clowney via Patrick (27:14)
• Secondary Concerns:
  • Daron Bland’s injury likely keeps him out until at least after the Bears game. Hosts trust internal recovery rather than panic-signing veteran Stefan Gilmore.
  • Savone Revel expected to debut around Week 5, adding much-needed CB depth.
  • Mixed league opinions on Gilmore’s speed/viability: “There are circles within the league that don’t think he can run anymore.” – Kyle (16:14)
• Kavonte Turpin Update:
  • Neck injury not considered severe. Could play vs. Bears; hosts relieved due to his impact as a return man (17:43).
    • “What would be just poetic? The best returner in the game right now returning a kick…in the house of Devin Hester.” — Kyle (18:30)

3. Offensive Line, Running Game, & Physical Identity

• Hosts excited by Dallas’ recent commitment to running the ball:
  • “That’s a commitment right there.” – Lester, caller, on big 2nd & 22 run call (40:52)
• Javonte Williams Update:
  • Has “eased all of my quarries when it comes to the run game.” — Kyle (41:08)
  • 130 scrimmage yards, 3 rushing TDs in 2 games, joining Herschel Walker and Alvin Blunt for fastest franchise mark (44:44)
  • "Javonte Williams is proving himself, now that he's fully healthy, to be one of the dogs on this offense.” — Patrick (43:01)
• Short Yardage Philosophy:
  • Discussion on Hunter Luepke’s role as a non-ballcarrier, primarily a blocker and special teamer.
    • “His blocking, his ability to be a lead blocker is tremendous...That’s why you use him: short yardage, goal line, and special teams.” – Kyle (51:05)
  • Debate among hosts if he’s being under-utilized relative to contract.

4. WR Depth & Special Teams

• Calls for Ryan Flournoy to get more WR3 snaps, as Jalen Tolbert again struggles with separation and blocking.
  • “...Right now at this point, I would love to see what Ryan Flournoy would do in Jalen Tolbert’s role.” – Josh (33:45)
• If Turpin sits, Flournoy or Jayden Blue should see more offensive and/or returner duties (35:17, 35:33).

5. Dynamic Kickoff Rule Impact

• Return rates way up under new rules (from 33% to 78%); hosts love it while Turpin's healthy, unsure about long-term value (18:52).

6. Listener Engagement & Notable Call-ins

• Mike in New York: Fired up about Clowney and asks for better coverage and pass rush (24:10).
• Miguel in Stockton, CA: Shoutout to overnight listeners; brings nuanced takes on Tolbert’s struggles as WR/returner, Flournoy’s upside, and CB woes. Also credits Devonte Williams, admits prior skepticism (29:30).
  • “I respect a person who can take accountability and say you know what, I was wrong. Miguel is a real one.” — Patrick (30:34)
• Lester in Minnesota: Praises O/D-line building and strong run commitment (39:51).
• Josh in Chicago: Wants more early CD Lamb jet sweeps and end-arounds but hosts disagree, citing risk/reward and CD's big receiving totals (45:24).
  • “You don’t need to... If you’re running the ball for 3, 4, 5 yards a pop, why put your guy in harm’s way?” — Kyle (48:18)
• Multiple wrestling references, podcast inside jokes—fun, loose banter.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Brock Hoffman is physical...a school football player in a new school era.” — Patrick (07:33)
• “The only concern is he needs to make sure that the snaps are crisp every single time.” — Jerry Jones, relayed by Patrick (08:22)
• “There are circles within the league that don’t think [Stefan Gilmore] can run anymore.” — Kyle (16:14)
• “If you’re going to insist on using Tolbert as a returner...then Flournoy needs to operate as WR3. That’s the offset for me.” — Patrick (34:03)
• “Javonte Williams is proving himself...to be one of the dogs on this offense.” — Patrick (43:01)
• “If we’re going to use that WR sweep...give it to Turpin.” — Kyle (48:57)
• “We can only speak to what we’ve seen or not seen.” — Patrick, on utilization critiques (53:05)

Timestamps: Key Segments

• 00:57: Hosts’ introductions, NFL rhythm discussion
• 03:37: Cooper Beebe injury news & Brock Hoffman analysis
• 07:10: Cowboys’ internal trust in Hoffman
• 09:03: Micah Parsons vs. Brock Hoffman: anticipated trench battles
• 12:19: Cornerback room injury updates (Bland, Revel)
• 14:46: Listener concern about Gilmore’s speed, internal CB options
• 17:43: Kavonte Turpin prognosis, kickoff return discussion
• 24:10: Mike in New York on Clowney signing; Clowney's mindset/fit
• 29:30: Miguel in Stockton on depth chart frustrations, special teams, WRs
• 39:51: Lester in Minnesota on run-game identity, OL/DL progress
• 45:24: Josh in Chicago: CD Lamb in run game; hosts’ disagreement

Tone and Atmosphere

Fun, knowledgeable, and honest—hosts mix serious analysis with lighthearted banter, wrestling jokes, and direct engagement with callers. They're candid about team concerns but enthusiastic about physical play, roster flexibility, and Dallas' effort to “build, build, build.”

Summary

This episode is a rich snapshot of a Cowboys team adjusting on the fly—dealing with injuries at key positions, integrating new and returning players, and establishing an identity on both sides of the ball. The hosts break down not just the Xs and Os, but also the human and cultural elements: toughness in the trenches, leadership, and the hunger to capitalize on depth. Listener calls underline fans’ passion and anxiety about every roster move, while the crew maintains a measured optimism that makes for an engaging—and genuinely insightful—listen for any Cowboys follower.