The Musers The Podcast: Cowboys Weekly Edition (vs Cardinals)

Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: George Dunham & Bob Sturm
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This week, George Dunham and Bob Sturm dive deep into the Dallas Cowboys following their dispiriting road loss to Denver and ahead of a Monday night matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The conversation is a blend of biting critique, historical reflection, genuine frustration, and a signature dose of Musers banter.
Key themes: Why the Cowboys defense is failing, offensive stagnation, personnel problems, the specter of Sean Payton, and a nostalgic look at the legendary 1975 Cowboys season. The episode closes with practical (and sometimes desperate) solutions and a preview of the tough road ahead.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What's Wrong with the Cowboys Defense?

(00:04 – 25:19)

• General Malaise:
  The Cowboys defense is called out as downright "bad," with descriptors like "rat crap," “stink,” and "awful."
  • George (01:42): “We stinks, sucks. We stink. Rat crap. Whatever you want to throw out there, it's so bad. So bad.”
• Flashes of Competence but No Consistency:
  George sees occasional flashes, especially in run defense, but laments the lack of “11 guys who are playing with their hair on fire.”
  • George (04:16): "I just don't see a collection of guys who are playing with their hair on fire. That's what you have to do... as a defensive player."
• Defensive Identity Crisis:
  Bob expounds on the morale and identity issues, arguing most of the defense looks defeated and that "when the going gets tough" they're not responding.
  • Bob (09:52): "I just don't see an identity... an opponent is at all perplexed with what they should dial up because it all works."
• Sean Payton Factor:
  Recapping the Denver loss, Bob singles out Sean Payton’s glee in exploiting Dallas, referencing Payton’s history of "showing no mercy" to the Cowboys.
  • (08:42): “That's what I saw Sunday... his only problem on Sunday with the Cowboys defense was picking which play. I'm going to filet these clowns.”
• Personnel Issues – Spotlight on Kenneth Murray:
  The hosts focus deeply on MLB Kenneth Murray as emblematic of Dallas’s defensive problems:
  • He’s being paid nearly as much as Micah Parsons was, plays every snap, yet performs at a league-worst level, especially against the run.
  • Bob (17:00): “They play him more snaps than any player on their defense. He plays every snap, right? Every.”
  • Detailed references to PFF grades: last or near last against the run for four straight seasons.
  • Bob (18:35): “I challenge anyone to dream up a scenario where a player could be dead last in the entire NFL against the run three out of four years... and yet nobody does anything about it.”
• Defensive Failings on Specific Plays:
  Detailed deconstruction of Harvey’s long touchdown run and the comedy of errors from multiple defenders on the play.
  • Bob (21:44): “Take whatever you want. I surrender. You know, it was just... please don't hurt me on this play.”

2. Flashback: 1975 Cowboys ("Dirty Dozen") Season

(26:09 – 36:10)

• Bob’s 75 Cowboys Rewind Project:
  Bob is chronicling the 1975 Cowboys by reading daily coverage, highlighting how rivalries (e.g., Philadelphia) and the game itself looked five decades ago.
• Epic Moments & Colorful History:
  • The aftermath of spearing penalties and cheap shots in Philly, close games, and Tony Fritsch’s inconsistent (and comically bad, by modern standards) field goal rates.
  • George (34:44): “Tony Fritsch in 1975 kicked, tried 19 field goals 30 yards or longer and made 7 of 19. That’s 37% from over 30 yards. George, I'm serious. You and I can do that.”

3. Cowboys Offense: Stagnation in Denver

(36:10 – 49:05)

• Dak Prescott’s Worst Game of the Year:
  Under pressure all day against Denver’s elite defense; little open downfield, frequent scrambles, and lowest PFF grade of the season.
  • George (36:26): “Dak had a tough day. He was under pressure. It was his lowest grade from Pro football focus at 51.6.”
• Denver’s Defensive Gameplan:
  The Broncos prepared for Dallas’s offensive tendencies, anticipating plays (e.g., the jumped out to Turpin) and dictating terms with pressure.
  • Bob (38:23): “Vance Joseph was having the time of his life… they were dictating terms… their pressure rate is so high… even when they don’t get there, they put the fear in you.”
• Situational Play-Calling Critique:
  Bob is critical of OC Brian Schottenheimer (“Shoddy”) for not being aggressive enough given the defense’s ineptitude:
  • Settling for a field goal after a turnover on the opening drive.
  • Punting on 4th and 5 from own 44 (down 13) rather than going for it.
  • Bob (43:15): “I can't punt right there. I cannot punt. It's fourth and five, I've got to say to my MVP possibility quarterback... we've got to go for it here.”
• Red Zone Issues:
  Missed opportunities, including not targeting Pickens when Patrick Surtain was out of the game, and poor recognition/execution.
  • Bob (45:19): “If it's not Patrick Surtain, they're not stopping him from that spot.”
• Summary of Offensive Woes:
  The episode paints the offense’s struggles as a product of both stiff defensive opposition and some conservative, perhaps misguided coaching decisions.

4. Solutions & Future Outlook

(49:53 – 62:56)

• Immediate Defensive Moves:
  • Bench Kenneth Murray, start Marist Liufau at MLB, Shemar James at the other LB spot.
    • George (51:26): “Someone's got to do it... get 59 off the field... Marisley Afoul is now the middle linebacker... Shemar James is my other linebacker."
  • More snaps for Jadeveon Clowney and Isiah Raku on the edge.
  • Blitz more—lean on rookies’ aggressiveness.
• Secondary Triage:
  Recognition that the DB group is decimated and any real solutions depend on getting players (Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker) healthy.
  • Bob (52:18): "Yeah, it's bleak, man... you're kind of dealing with 4 and 5 [string safeties]..."
• No Silver Bullets:
  Many personnel moves come down to hoping for "average" play; injuries and lack of depth hamper meaningful fixes.
  • Bob (55:39): “When you say we're going to provide solutions, George, I love the tease. That's great radio. But I don't have a solution here, man."
• Arizona Cardinals Preview:
  • Caution against underestimating Arizona: They’re 2-5 but have lost no game by more than 5 points, play hard, and present a serious challenge to Dallas’s battered defense.
    • George (59:05): “They are five plays away from being 6 and 1... you could easily say... and they're fighting like hell.”
    • Bob (60:07): “Arizona's not to be taken lightly, unfortunately. So once again, you'll say to Dak and George and CD to, you know, carry us home, boys, because you're our one and only hope.”
  • Cardinals come off a bye, have strong defenders (J. Sweat, Budda Baker, Dalvin Tomlinson, Calais Campbell), and have had Dallas’s number recently.

5. Cowboys’ Season Outlook, Realistic & Emotional

(62:56 – end)

• Optimism vs. Reality:
  The hosts debate whether 9 wins is possible—George remains doggedly optimistic, Bob is unconvinced but appreciates the spirit.
  • George (63:11): “Am I the only one that thinks nine wins is still possible? Are you going to laugh at me now?”
  • Bob (63:55): “That's being very vague. Well, I mean, well, it's... It's hedging and it's fine.”
• Upcoming Gauntlet:
  The schedule ahead is brutal (Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers, Commanders); more adversity looms.
  • Bob (64:31): “Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers, Commanders on Christmas day... six games between basically Thanksgiving and Christmas against six really, really tough customers.”
• Closing Banter:
  The signature warmth, playful needling, and local flavor returns as George and Bob bicker-encourage each other to keep "optimism" alive, referencing rally cookies and paintball as coping mechanisms.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “We stinks, sucks. We stink. Rat crap. Whatever you want to throw out there, it's so bad.”
  — George (01:42)
• “That's what I saw Sunday... his only problem on Sunday with the Cowboys defense was picking which play. I'm going to filet these clowns.”
  — Bob (09:52)
• “I challenge anyone to dream up a scenario where a player could be dead last in the entire NFL against the run three out of four years... and yet nobody does anything about it.”
  — Bob (18:35)
• “If it's not Patrick Surtain, they're not stopping him from that spot.”
  — Bob (45:19)
• “Tony Fritsch in 1975 kicked, tried 19 field goals 30 yards or longer and made 7 of 19. That’s 37% from over 30 yards. George, I'm serious. You and I can do that.”
  — Bob (34:44)
• “You always cheer me up. You always pump their tires just enough to keep—keep me in for another week.”
  — Bob (65:25)
• “I think it's a possibility. I don't think it's a probability. How about that?”
  — George (63:55)

Episode Structure & Timestamps – Reference Guide

• Defense’s Failings & Identity Crisis – 00:04 to 25:19
• 1975 Cowboys “Rewind” Segment – 26:09 to 36:10
• Breaking Down the Denver Loss / Offensive Struggles – 36:10 to 49:05
• Personnel Solutions & Cardinals Preview – 49:53 to 62:56
• Season Prognosis, Schedule Gauntlet, Host Banter – 62:56 to end

Summary

This episode is a raw, at times exasperated but always insightful breakdown of where it’s going wrong for Dallas—especially on defense—with both sharp X’s and O’s discussion and the unique punchline-laced lament that The Musers are famous for. If you haven’t been listening, this episode captures the mood in DFW: frustration, impatience, flashes of nostalgia, and the stubborn hope that comes from years of cheering for the Cowboys.
Even as the wheels are threatening to fall off, George and Bob remind listeners why hope never really dies—especially deep in the heart of Texas.