Talkin’ Cowboys: No Clowning Around

Podcast: Talkin’ Cowboys
Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick “No C” Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Isaiah Stanback
Location: The Star, Frisco, TX
Main Theme: Reacting to the breaking news of Jadeveon Clowney’s visit, Dallas Cowboys defensive trends, and a preview of the Cowboys' defense vs. Giants' offense in Week 2.

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with true breaking news: Jadeveon Clowney is at The Star visiting the Dallas Cowboys. The hosts discuss what his signing would mean, salary possibilities, and how it fits into the larger trend of Brian Schottenheimer's aggressive offseason. The rest of the discussion centers on defensive identity, the transformation of the defensive line with Kenny Clark, and how the Cowboys match up against the New York Giants' offense, spotlighting Russell Wilson and the opponent's offensive woes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Jadeveon Clowney Arrives at The Star

• [02:11] Kyle Yeomans announces Jadeveon Clowney’s visit to the Cowboys for a workout/tryout.
  • "Jadeveon Clowney is in the building. That is the breaking news."
• [02:31] Josh Rodriguez confirms it’s not just a rumor; Clowney is confirmed to be on site.
• [03:10] The panel reflects on Clowney’s viability, “mercenary” status, and recent sack production.
  • "He still got some tread left on those tires." – Josh Rodriguez
  • Clowney had 9.5 sacks with Baltimore in 2023, 5.5 the prior year.

Contract Speculation

• [04:43] The hosts debate Clowney’s likely salary and incentives:
  • Kyle thinks $4M or under; Josh says over $4M. They bet hot sauce on the result.
  • "The Cowboys...are signing a veteran who's a mercenary. It's going to be incentive heavy." – Patrick Walker [06:20]
• [07:09] The value Clowney could bring is his “violence at the point of attack” and the mentor/rotation pass-rush ability.

Cowboys' Recent Roster Aggressiveness

• [11:10] Isaiah Stanback notes “a difference in planning” with the 2025 Cowboys.
  • The Cowboys have made several bold moves: trading for George Pickens and Kenny Clark, signing Kaiir Elam, and the shocking Micah Parsons trade.
• [11:40] The hosts emphasize that thanks to Kenny Clark, Dallas was already seeing a transformation:
  • "The Cowboys allow 2.7 yards per carry with Kenny Clark on the field, 6.6 off." – Kyle Yeomans

2. Cowboys Defensive Depth and Identity (2025)

• With Kenny Clark’s arrival, Osa Odighizuwa’s pressure rate, Solomon Thomas, and the addition of Clowney, “all of a sudden our defensive line is still nasty even without Micah Parsons.” – Kyle Yeomans [12:48]
• Young defenders like Donovan Azaraku need time to develop; veterans like Clowney let the team avoid rushing prospects unexpectedly.
• [13:58] Stats highlight Clowney’s remaining burst:
  • In one 2024 game, Clowney’s 0.76 second “get-off” was even faster than Parsons’ 0.79, a remarkable measure at age 31.

3. Cowboys Defensive Line Culture & Coaching

• [51:48] Patrick Walker and Josh Rodriguez praise DL coach Aaron Whitecotton for instilling “a certain mentality and standard”:
  • "The position coaches are going to have a tremendous impact on the identity...It's not by chance."

4. Cowboys Roster Moves & Ex-Players

• Former Cowboys Israel Mukuamu and Deuce Vaughn have landed with the Panthers (practice squad) and Broncos respectively.
  • Vaughn joins a staff featuring Darren Sproles, which the crew sees as a perfect scheme/system fit.

5. Week 2 Preview: Cowboys Defense vs. Giants Offense

Russell Wilson & Giants Offensive Struggles

• [26:00] The Giants’ O-line “abysmal” in Week 1; Wilson had “zero time.”
• 45 drop backs produced 28 pressures allowed, with LT James Hudson responsible for 9. Despite his veteran status, Wilson played decently when he could set his feet.
  • "Their pass blocking is abysmal...timing off...tight ends can't block, tackles can't block, and Russell Wilson just had zero time." – Patrick Walker [27:45]

Receiver Weapons

• Giants' Malik Nabers is one to watch: "He was routing people up, his routes are nasty and very discreet." – Patrick [26:36]
• But the offensive scheme suffers from poor spacing and blocking.

Giants’ Red-Zone ineptitude

• Giants had 13 plays in the red zone, 11 inside the 10, ending in just 3 points.
  • "First and goal from the one yard line...first play is a gimmick trick play to your backup right tackle. That is a problem." – Isaiah Stanback [29:24]

Cowboys’ Defensive Approach: Zone or Man?

• [34:11] Discussion around Matt Eberflus’ likely approach as new DC – will he stick to zone-heavy looks or introduce man?
  • Cowboys played zone on 100% of snaps vs. Philly. Eberflus/Chicago used 78% zone coverage.
  • "Zone defense...if you have a pass rush with that, it makes it almost impossible for offenses to throw the ball." – Patrick Walker [39:55]

Numbers/Matchups and DC Flexibility

• Cowboys of 2024/early 2025 thriving with zone. Eberflus known for being “malleable” and tailoring weekly plans to opponent (an upgrade over prior regimes).
  • "I want someone that is malleable, that is able to look at the guys across from you and say, well, that's not going to work this week." – Isaiah Stanback [38:22]

DL Science & Run Defense (Lab Coat Science with a K)

• [46:14] Josh brings out "Lab Coat" to highlight Kenny Clark's impact:
  • Clark’s get-off last week: 0.89s (faster than Quinnen Williams/Dexter Lawrence, and only surpassed by Dallas’ DEs).
  • "A nose tackle...getting off the ball faster than a lot of defensive ends in the league." – Josh Rodriguez [47:54]
• Giants’ “run game” struggled: 23 carries, 74 yards, and if subtracting Wilson scrambles, RBs had just 30 yards on 15 attempts.

Cowboys LB Play and Coaching

• Tackling and gap discipline seen as good enough to contain Wilson as a rusher, “easier to close in on 30-plus-year-old Russell Wilson than it is Jalen Hurts.” – Kyle Yeomans [50:31]
• Aaron Whitecotton’s impact on DL culture receives strong praise.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:15] Patrick Walker: “I like it.” (Immediate reaction to Clowney’s Cowboys visit.)
• [06:20] “You're dealing with the Dallas Cowboys signing a veteran who's a mercenary. It's going to be incentive heavy.” – Patrick Walker
• [11:10] Isaiah Stanback: “Is this indicative...of a difference in planning for the Dallas Cowboys? ...I haven't seen a move like this, particularly Week 2, signing a guy that you obviously need.”
• [12:20] Kyle Yeomans on Kenny Clark: “When he's on the field, the Cowboys allow 2.7 yards per carry. When he's off the field, it's 6.6.”
• [13:41] Josh Rodriguez (on Clowney’s get-off): “Jadeveon Clowney at 31 had, at least in one game, was faster off the ball than Micah Parsons.”
• [38:22] Isaiah Stanback: “I want someone that is malleable...able to look at the guys across from you and say, well, that's not going to work this week.”
• [39:51] Patrick Walker: “Zone defense...if you have a pass rush with that, it makes it almost impossible for offenses to throw the ball.”
• [47:54] Josh Rodriguez: “A nose tackle...getting off the ball faster than a lot of defensive ends in the league.”
• [53:06] Patrick Walker (on Aaron Whitecotton): “The position coaches are going to have a tremendous impact on the identity...It's not by chance.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:11 | Breaking: Jadeveon Clowney visiting Cowboys | | 03:09 | Clowney’s recent production and role explained | | 04:43 | Hosts debate Clowney’s potential contract numbers | | 11:10 | New front office mindset, Schottenheimer’s aggressive moves | | 12:20 | Kenny Clark’s early impact, Dallas run D stats | | 13:41 | Clowney's get-off speed: Next Gen Stats | | 26:00 | Giants O-line struggles, Russell Wilson’s plight | | 34:11 | Cowboys secondary’s zone vs. man; Eberflus' possible flexibility | | 38:22 | Importance of DC malleability; adapting weekly | | 46:14 | Lab Coat Science: Cowboys D-line get-offs vs. other stars | | 50:31 | Russell Wilson’s run threat vs. Dallas LBs | | 51:48 | Aaron Whitecotton praised for building DL culture |

Conclusion

This episode combined real-time breaking news excitement with granular, data-heavy insight on the Cowboys’ evolving defense. The Clowney developments are set against a backdrop of an organizational philosophical shift—more proactive and aggressive in managing roster talent. The conversation underscores the emerging defensive line identity, strong praise for position coaching, and careful analysis of how Dallas matches up with the Giants’ offense, particularly focusing on protecting against the run and pass despite the absence of Micah Parsons.

The overall tone was both analytic and enthusiastic, with the hosts frequently riffing humorously while staying tightly focused on football substance.

For next episode: Tune in as the crew previews the Cowboys offense vs. the Giants defense and discuss how Dak Prescott and company can capitalize in Week 2.