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

Date: September 11, 2025
Hosts: George Dunham & Bob Sturm
Episode Focus: Dallas Cowboys’ eventful week—Micah Parsons’ shocking trade, fallout from the Eagles game, previewing the Giants, and deep football nerd banter.

Main Theme Overview

This special episode opens the Cowboys Weekly Edition with George Dunham joined by football analyst Bob Sturm. Their focus: breaking down the stunning Micah Parsons trade to the Packers, analyzing the narrow season-opening loss to the Eagles, and previewing the upcoming matchup against the Giants. Packed with trademark wit, measured frustration, and spirited debate, the episode delivers a mix of insight and fan catharsis for Dallas faithful.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Micah Parsons Trade: Shock, Spin, & Legacy (03:01–16:55)

• The duo opens with disbelief about the Cowboys trading star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers.
• George surprisingly supports the move more than Bob, citing persistent stories about Parsons’ attitude and locker room friction:
  • “I’ve been told…Micah is a pain in the butt. And inside the facility...I think there’s a reason why DeMarcus Lawrence used to have a major problem with Micah.” – George (03:35)
• Bob compares Parsons’ “handful” personality to former Cowboy Dez Bryant but argues elite talent isn’t always “role model” stuff:
  • “So many of the special players are also in that personality—maybe the greatest one of all, in my lifetime, is Randy Moss.” (07:04)
• Heated debate about evaluating players by playoff wins or “the annual fade.” Bob calls blaming superstars for team failures “lazy.”
  • “This sport is too complex to say ‘we weren’t winning with him’…it’s tiresome.” – Bob (08:17)
• The financial and negotiating details are untangled, comparing contract structures and compensation from both teams’ paradigms:
  • “I don’t hate the trade. I hate how the trade was done.” – Bob (12:57)
• Both hosts express skepticism over the Cowboys’ leaked “locker room bad apple” narrative after trying hard to re-sign Parsons.
  • “Why were you saying to everybody we offered him more guarantees…if he’s such a problem?” – Bob (14:01)
• Discussion on how Parsons’ impact on-field was hard to replace, the trades’ true value, and how Dallas might be setting a shaky precedent losing young stars.

2. Evaluating Cowboys vs Eagles: Silver Linings in a Painful Loss (17:37–46:42)

• The loss to the Eagles (24–20) is picked apart, but both hosts note encouraging progress, especially on offense:
  • “First two possessions…they score two touchdowns. Last time the Cowboys did that...2022.” – George (19:39)
• Praise for Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive variety and the much-improved running game, with schematic upgrades borrowed from Arizona’s ground game philosophy:
  • “The running game is more varied…Turpin, kind of that orbit motion…that’s the type of thing that can really cross up a defense.” – Bob (23:50)
• Dives into the offensive line’s performance, breakthroughs for young linemen, and reliance on creative play design over star running backs.
  • “The meat and potatoes of any run game is not a running back…It’s the line, the scheme, the window dressing.” – Bob (25:58)
• Defensive resilience is highlighted—Cowboys shut down the Philly run late—but express ongoing concern about defending mobile QBs.
  • “That whole defensive line has been switched out except Osa. Like, everybody else is different from 2024.” – Bob (29:54)
• Frank critique of linebacker play, especially Kenneth Murray:
  • “He’s playing every snap...and I believe he was the lowest rated defender in run defense in week one.” – Bob (33:04)

3. The Dak Prescott Discourse: Context vs. Criticism (34:16–47:47)

• Bob notes Cowboys fans’ fatigue with Dak, paralleling late-Romo era disaffection:
  • “They’re so over Dak Prescott…just don’t want to look at his face anymore.” – Bob (34:38)
• Both defend Dak’s performances and ask for more nuance:
  • “I’m such a big believer in who’s around the quarterback more than the quarterback.” – George (36:26)
• The difference in offensive environments between Dak and QBs like Jalen Hurts is dissected:
  • “The goal of a football organization is to make your quarterback’s life easy.” – Bob (37:05)
  • “Jalen Hurts…he’s not playing the same position as what Dak is being asked to do.” – Bob (37:40)
• Notable discussion on receiver play, specifically CD Lamb’s drops post-weather delay, and whether route concepts are to blame.
  • “If I throw that to CD ten times, he catches it eight times…It’s a play he has to make. It’s a great throw.” – Bob (44:56)

4. Roster Building: Picking Your Cornerstones (46:42–48:11)

• Debate over which two superstars Dallas can afford to retain—the consensus: Dak and CD over Micah is justifiable given position value and leadership.
  • “If you said to me, pick two of those three guys...I probably would say the same. CD proved last year he’s a warrior.” – Bob (47:47)
• Credit given to CD’s competitiveness, resilience, and relative lack of off-field distractions.

5. Giants Preview & The Trouble in New York (49:52–59:30)

• Focus shifts to the Giants, with deep-dive breakdowns of their crumbling offense:
  • “The Giants offense right now is a train wreck.” – George (51:27)
• Russell Wilson’s psychological and physical struggles are dissected; Bob invokes late-career Favre as a cautionary tale (52:59).
• The offensive line’s failings—especially the collapse of first-rounder Evan Neal—are noted as the root cause of giant dysfunction.
  • “They just haven’t ever fixed their offensive line.” – Bob (55:43)
• The defense, on the other hand, is “coming around” with real threats at all levels. “The Giants’ defense doesn’t stink.”
• Brief mention of rookie QB Jackson Dart and skepticism about his readiness to thrive behind such poor protection.

6. Coaching Under the Microscope & Noon Game Anxiety (59:30–62:01)

• Both hosts express continued respect for Giants head coach Brian Daboll despite public skepticism.
  • “I think he would get hired quickly again.” – Bob (59:33)
• Reflection on the hazards of coaching in New York or Chicago, and parallel concerns about Cowboys’ own staff navigating high-profile pressure.
• Closing remarks focus on Brian Schottenheimer facing his “first big test”:
  • “Get your boys ready to play for a noon home game…since that stadium has been open, [the Cowboys] are so stinky.” – Bob (61:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’ve been told…Micah is a pain in the butt. And inside the facility…” – George (03:35)
• “So many of the special players are also in that personality—maybe the greatest one of all…Randy Moss.” – Bob (07:04)
• “This sport is too complex to say ‘we weren’t winning with him’…it’s tiresome.” – Bob (08:17)
• “I don’t hate the trade. I hate how the trade was done.” – Bob (12:57)
• “The meat and potatoes of any run game is not a running back.” – Bob (25:58)
• “I’m such a big believer in who’s around the quarterback more than the quarterback.” – George (36:26)
• “The goal of a football organization is to make your quarterback’s life easy.” – Bob (37:05)
• “The Giants offense right now is a train wreck.” – George (51:27)
• “Get your boys ready to play for a noon home game…[the Cowboys] are so stinky.” – Bob (61:37)

Key Timestamps

• Micah Parsons trade shock and breakdown: 03:01–16:55
• Eagles game analysis (silver linings, o-line, scheme): 17:37–29:20
• Defensive front seven & linebacker critique: 29:20–34:16
• Dak, CD Lamb, and the QB debate: 34:16–47:47
• Giants preview & NFC East big-picture: 49:52–59:30
• Coaching discussion & noon game worries: 59:30–62:01

Tone and Energy

• Unfiltered, passionate, and peppered with offbeat humor and the hosts’ signature self-deprecation (“football friends,” “fighting in the studio”).
• Balanced critical analysis with “football nerd” enthusiasm, capturing both cathartic venting and genuine optimism for improvement.

For Listeners: The Bottom Line

• This episode is a must-listen for Cowboys fans seeking in-depth, honest breakdowns: insights into front-office decisions, hard truths about team weaknesses, optimism about new offensive wrinkles, and a sobering preview of a flawed but dangerous NFC East.
• Bob and George stand out for their chemistry, their willingness to debate, and their gift for cutting through Dallas sports media noise to what actually matters most on Sundays.