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

Podcast: The Musers The Podcast
Host: Cumulus Podcast Network (George Dunham & Bob Sturm)
Date: October 9, 2025
Episode Theme:
A post-game breakdown of the Cowboys' most recent win, featuring in-depth analysis of key moments, the evolution of the offensive game plan under Brian Schottenheimer, the rise of unheralded players, troubles at linebacker, and a love letter to Cowboys history—from the Dallas Cowboys Band to fiery snowmen at classic games. All set up with a look ahead to the Carolina Panthers and what’s to come.

1. Episode Overview

This week’s episode is a spirited, detail-filled conversation between George Dunham and Bob Sturm about the Cowboys’ resilience, the impact of Brian Schottenheimer’s scheme, and the surprising standout play from backup offensive linemen. There’s a heavy dose of Dallas football history—including the legacy of the Dallas Cowboys Band—and a look forward to the matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

Cowboys’ 2-2-1 Start: Overcoming Adversity

• The Cowboys come off an injury-riddled game (without key starters: CeeDee Lamb, Kevontae Turpin, and four starting offensive linemen) yet dominate a struggling Jets squad.
• Both hosts acknowledge the sentiments in Cowboyland: wins require qualifiers, but in the NFL, you take them however you get them.
• Bob Sturm (02:51): “Nobody on that coaching staff cares [about qualifiers]. It’s too hard to get wins in this league to qualify them."

“Depth Offensive Line Game”: Scheme & Grit

• Extensive praise for the backup offensive line (Nate Thomas, Brock Hoffman, TJ Bass, Terrence Steele, Hakeem Adeniji).
• Sturm explains how smart play design (“marrying the run and the pass”) helped protect replacement linemen and keep the offense dangerous.
• Multiple breakdowns of run plays and blocking schemes, citing fullback leads, motion, and power concepts as major factors in their success.

Dak Prescott in Schottenheimer’s Offense

• George Dunham (21:15): “Dak seems to absolutely love it… He leads the NFL in completions... 90% completion percentage on play action passing."
• Bob Sturm: Praises Dak’s evolution as a veteran “Jedi quarterback,” thriving with a scheme tailored to his strengths, lauding the coach/QB bond.

Young Players Stepping Up

• Ryan Flournoy and Marist Liufau (pronunciation jokes throughout) spotlighted as young contributors making an impact due to injuries elsewhere.
• Focus on the coaching staff letting kids “go hunting for dinner,” attacking with the playbook even during hardship (07:13).

Game-Changing Drives and Moments

• The end of the first half recapped as the game’s turning point: from a cautious lead to full “attack mode,” including a bold Dak scramble and a deep throw to Flournoy that set up a Williams touchdown.
• Key Drive Sequence (08:20–09:31):
  • Dak Prescott scramble (first significant run in a while)
  • Free play deep shot to Flournoy (for a big gain)
  • Back-to-back power run plays with creative blocking
  • Williams 66-yard TD run: “A lot happens there in about a minute time. That basically ended the game.” — George Dunham (09:31)

Linemen Recognition: “Hot-Fried Georgie Players of the Week”

• Group praise for the patchwork offensive line: “What they did last week was really the key to the win.” — George Dunham (64:58)

3. Memorable Quotes & Banter

• Bob Sturm on backup linemen (02:51):
  “The fact that we legitimately saw a four offensive line starters down win from the Cowboys, that was away from home and with the worst defense in the NFL, I mean, I don’t care who you beat. I really don’t.”
• George Dunham on qualifiers (01:29): “Isn’t it funny that in this town, if the Cowboys win...you have to put qualifiers. Well, it’s the Jets...they had four replacement offensive linemen...they had plenty of reasons.”
• Bob Sturm, on the team’s aggressive play-calling (07:13):
  “This guy and this quarterback are like, let's go hunting for dinner...Dak is in attack mode.”
• On marrying the run and pass with McVay-inspired scheme (15:58): “When Dak is under center, you have no idea if they're about to run or pass, right? Because they make it look the same...marrying the run and the pass sets up play action beautifully.”
• Bob Sturm, on the current state of the defense (44:56): “If we close the books on the game…The Jets had 43 plays and only got 163 yards and three points…they just had the Jets completely bottled up.”
• On the Carolina matchup (59:03): “They have sharp teeth and claws, for sure...they’re also undefeated at home.”
• On the offensive line (64:58):
  “Should offensive linemen always get overlooked? I think what they did last week was really the key to the win.”

4. Cowboys History: The Dallas Cowboys Band & Oddities

[29:21–38:30]

• Conversation with Bill Lively, the director of the Dallas Cowboys Band (1975–1988):
  • Band’s origin: replaced the Fort Worth Lions Club band, played contemporary music for fans and cheerleaders.
  • Played at Super Bowls, traveled internationally, and became key to the Cowboys’ home-game experience until Jerry Jones’ regime ended the tradition.
  • Band’s arrangement included musicians from UNT’s 1 o’clock Lab Band.
• Trumpet “herald” tradition, game-day pageantry, and the odd history of playing "Hail to the Redskins" (at Tex Schramm’s personal request!).
  • Bill Lively (36:25): “He demanded that we had to play Hail to the Redskins on that recording so he could send it to the owners of the Washington Redskins...we performed it in a jazz style.”
• Colorful asides on halftime shows in the 1970s ("the Apache Belles," “live music,” elaborately long halftime breaks).
• Teaser: classic tales like the “snowman who caught fire” and stories of live monkeys in the Texas Stadium crowd, hinting at future deep-dives into Cowboys lore.

5. Defensive Overview & Preview vs. Panthers

Cowboys Defense: Progress & Problems

• Noted improvement in pressure/sacks, especially early vs. Jets, but continued struggles against the run.
• Bob Sturm (44:56, 50:06): Breaks down bright spots (pass rush, pursuit, Leo Fou’s forced fumbles), but is harshly critical of the linebackers (esp. Kenneth Murray), questioning the team’s talent at the position and advocating for giving younger players (Liufau, Shemar James) more snaps.
• “I think overall they really need some linebackers...I kind of want every job up for grabs because when you’re the 32nd best defense in the league, every job should be up for grabs.”

Panthers Scouting & Game Outlook

• Dangerous matchup warnings: Carolina is 2–0 at home, riding high after Rico Dowdle’s 206-yard rushing outing.
• Reflection on Cowboys’ decision not to retain Dowdle, pondering alternate roster scenarios.
• Bryce Young: Flashes of promise, but passing game is “a work in progress.”
  “You’re now a couple years into this, and of course, you’re always going to have that C.J. Stroud thing hanging around.”
• Weapons to watch: Tet McMillan ("may be a real franchise guy"), Jimmy Horn Jr., Hunter Renfrow.
• Panthers’ defense: Described as “pretty mid,” not enough pass rush, but solid against the run—yet both hosts are relatively bullish on the Cowboys ground game.

6. Notable Segments & Timestamps

• [02:51] – Depth and resilience of the Cowboys’ offensive line
• [07:13] – “Attack mode”: Cowboys offense in the pivotal end-of-half drive
• [14:32] – “Playing with violence”: Run game philosophy discussed
• [21:15] – Dak’s rise within a quarterback-friendly scheme
• [29:21–38:30] – Extended Cowboys Band history/interview with Bill Lively
• [44:56] – Defense improves, but run defense woes linger
• [53:52] – Debating Rico Dowdle, what could have been
• [55:50] – Analysis of Panthers’ offense, Bryce Young, and playmakers
• [59:03] – Key matchup stats and home/road splits
• [64:05] – Offensive line named “Hot-Fried Georgie Players of the Week”
• [66:07] – Teaser for possible interviews: fiery snowmen and monkey mayhem at old Cowboys games

7. Episode Tone & Chemistry

True to “The Musers” signature, the conversation is filled with wit, chemistry, and the deep insight that comes from a pair who’ve studied Cowboys football for decades. Lively tangents and deep-in-the-weeds football talk coexist with nostalgic storytelling and playful ribbing.

For New Listeners & Cowboys Fans

This episode is a master class in blending modern Cowboys analysis with the team’s colorful history. If you want a granular breakdown of the Cowboys’ evolving offense, honest assessment of defensive holes, and a warm, inside-Dallas look into fandom and tradition, this edition is a must-listen.