Talkin’ Cowboys: Prescription for Trouble (October 1, 2025)

Podcast: Talkin' Cowboys
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrick "No See" Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Tommy Yarish
Location: The Star in Frisco, TX
Episode Theme: The Cowboys look to rebound against the New York Jets amid defensive struggles and a challenging NFC East landscape.

Episode Overview

The Wednesday edition of Talkin’ Cowboys opens with a lighthearted atmosphere before diving into pressing concerns for Dallas, including defensive woes, the upcoming matchup against the Jets, and the evolution of the NFC East. The hosts analyze personnel changes, break down the defense’s difficulties with mobile quarterbacks, and assess whether the matchup against the struggling Jets is a “pharmacy” or a potential pitfall for the Cowboys.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys News & Notes

• Practice Squad Moves
  • Buddy Johnson was signed to the Colts’ active roster.
  • Paris Campbell returns to the Cowboys' practice squad after being medically cleared from a knee sprain, previously feared to be more severe. (03:08–04:33)
• Campbell's Role
  • Campbell’s speed and experience offer depth, though he’s “right on that bubble,” fighting for a roster spot alongside players like Ryan Flournoy and Jonathan Mingo. (04:33–04:56)
  • Wears #11, the former number of a recent prominent player, sparking a fun conversation about jersey assignments. (05:09–05:32)

2. Jets Preview: Don’t Sleepwalk

• Historical Context
  • Cowboys haven’t beaten the Jets on the road since 2003.
  • The Jets’ first-year head coach has never started 0–5 (08:06–07:47)
• Jets’ Strengths
  • Mobile QB (Justin Fields) challenges Dallas’ defense, especially given their “communication problems” and weakness against RPO looks.
  • Garrett Wilson (WR) and Quinnen Williams (DT) highlighted as elite talents.
  • Sauce Gardner is a difference-maker at corner. (08:15–09:30)
• Defense Under Scrutiny
  • Dallas is ranked 32nd in defense. Josh: “That’s not good, Bob.” (09:40–10:13)
  • Communication, missed tackles (14 last week), and inability to handle RPO/dual-threat QBs are highlighted as persistent issues. (10:54–14:07)

Notable Quote
“I have zero confidence in this defense right now to stop Justin Fields, and I think that is the biggest problem that we have.” – Josh Rodriguez (15:43)

• Keys for Dallas
  • Defensive communication must improve.
  • Tackling is paramount, especially if the Jets attack short/intermediate zones.
  • Dallas offense might need a shootout: “Dak and the offense will need to score 40, 50 to even have a shot at winning this game.” – Josh Rodriguez (10:54)
• Trap Game Warning
  • Panel warns against underestimating the Jets, referencing the Cowboys’ past struggles with “winless” teams and mobile QBs.

3. Personnel: Linebacker Critique

• Marist Liufau Discussion
  • Got extended snaps (29 in Week 4 vs. 23 over the first 3 weeks), but was the lowest-graded defender (19:57–20:22).
  • 0 tackles, 3 missed tackles, and a 15-yard penalty last week. (20:19–20:22)
  • Hosts defend Liufau’s talent and campaign for better utilization, specifically as a “spy” against mobile QBs. (21:03–22:32)
• Shemar James
  • Highlighted for his strong NFL debut: 5 tackles in 24 snaps, no missed tackles. (22:33–23:27)
  • Encouraged to see more of him moving forward.
• Rotation Frustrations
  • Hosts perplexed by the continued preference for Jack Sanborn and Murray over Liufau and James, despite better recent performance from the latter.

4. Special Teams & Lighthearted Moments

• Big Hit of the Week
  • Memorable tackle by Marist Liufau on Matthew Golden draws a colorful, animated reaction from the press box and hosts:
    “That might have been the loudest ‘ooh’ I heard in the press box in a long time.” – Kyle Yeomans (25:22)
• Fun banter on Fasika’s chair incident, empathy in the world, and “kid jokes” keeps the tone lively amid deep football talk.

5. Is Dallas the Cure or the Disease?

• “Pharmacy” Metaphor
  • The Jets’ offense has struggled (no takeaways, -7 turnover margin), but the Cowboys’ defense has been so bad, it could be a “pharmacy” for their ailments—or vice versa.
  • Tommy Yarish: “Wouldn’t be shocked if the Cowboys lost this game whatsoever…”
  • Patrick: “I don’t see how that team could be the pharmacy for what ails the defense… This defense feels like they’re not going to get home until they face a statue pocket passer.” (31:09–31:52)

Notable Quote
“Our pharmacy at this point is like a store from 28 Days Later… Ransacked. Dystopian. It’s just, it’s not good, man. Not good.” – Josh Rodriguez (33:00)

6. Around the NFC East

• Philadelphia Eagles
  • Still top of the division but not as dominant as last year.
  • Jalen Hurts and the offense show cracks (“zero completions in second half vs. Tampa Bay”).
  • A.J. Brown’s public displays of frustration catch attention; speculation about contract incentives and team chemistry. (38:05–41:42)
• Washington Commanders
  • “Still searching for an identity.” (43:09)
  • Comparisons between rookie Jaden Daniels and Marcus Mariota as interim. Discussion on the difficulty of sophomore slumps and league adjustments for dual-threat QBs.
• New York Giants
  • Win over Chargers, but Jackson Dart’s performance still under question.
  • Hope for Malik Nabers’ recovery.
• Cowboys Outlook
  • Division remains tough; the margin for error is razor-thin as Dallas tries to “play catch up.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Empathy and the Internet:
  “One thing this world has too much of right now, it’s empathy.” – Patrick Walker (02:33)

• On Defensive Woes:
  “I have zero confidence in this defense right now to stop Justin Fields, and I think that is the biggest problem that we have.” – Josh Rodriguez (15:43)

• On Personnel Decisions:
  “One bad day at the office does not define what that young man is capable of. Just let him play ball, they’re overthinking it.” – Patrick Walker on Marist Liufau (21:03)

• On Team Identity:
  “You cannot take any team for granted in the season.” – Patrick Walker (31:09)

• On the NFC East:
  “Are they (Eagles) better or worse? …Worse. But they’re still going to win football.” – Josh Rodriguez (38:05)
  “[AJ Brown’s] contract has escalators and likely to be earned incentives. If he doesn’t get the ball, he’s not earning that money.” – Patrick Walker (41:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:08–04:33] – Paris Campbell returns; practice squad moves and injury updates
• [07:47–09:30] – Jets preview: Cowboys’ historical struggles and Jets’ key threats
• [10:54–15:55] – Cowboys’ defense vs. mobile QBs, RPO woes, and lackluster tackling
• [19:47–22:32] – Marist Liufau snap count, performance analysis, and defensive utilization debate
• [25:22–26:20] – Memorable special teams hit: Liufau’s “press box gasp” moment
• [28:12–33:00] – Is this game a trap? The "pharmacy" analogy and defensive prescriptions
• [38:05–41:42] – NFC East: Eagles and Commanders state of play, WR drama
• [43:09–45:16] – Deeper on Commanders’ and Giants’ quarterback/identity struggles

Episode Takeaways

• The Cowboys’ defense is the central concern—a consistent theme highlighted through stats, tape review, and emotional reactions.
• The upcoming road matchup with the Jets may be more challenging than records suggest; historical context and the Jets’ talent pose threats.
• Personnel, especially at linebacker, require shake-ups, with young players like Marist Liufau and Shemar James needing expanded roles.
• The NFC East remains tightly contested, with Philly still dangerous despite some cracks, while Washington and New York try to adjust on the fly.
• The hosts’ blend of analysis and camaraderie provides both insights for fans and an engaging, relatable backdrop for the team’s ongoing drama.

For those who missed it:
This episode is a must-listen for Cowboys fans anxious about the defense and eager for a roadmap back to contention. It’s packed with honest critique, stats, humor, and a dash of optimism as Dallas steers into a tricky part of their schedule.