Cowboys Weekly - In Shotty We Trust?

The Musers The Podcast | April 2, 2026

Host: George Dunham & Bob Sturm

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys' strategic direction as the NFL Draft approaches. George Dunham and Bob Sturm analyze the off-season moves, discuss the impact of Offensive Coordinator Brian “Shoddy” Schottenheimer, and provide an in-depth breakdown of linebacker prospects for the Cowboys’ two first-round picks (12th and 20th overall). They also explore fan frustration, team communication strategy, and the ongoing saga surrounding negotiations with star receiver George Pickens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Shoddy" Era: Leadership and Communication

• Schottenheimer's Role & Credibility

  • Bob and George express optimism about Brian Schottenheimer as OC (“Shotty”), highlighting his positivity, communication skills, and genuine connections with players.
  • "[Schottenheimer] is a really good communicator. I think he's interesting…if you have any hope of the Cowboys climbing out of the funk they've been in for 30 years, you have to hope that Shotty is the man." (Bob Sturm, 01:17)
  • There’s a consensus that the “honeymoon period” for Schottenheimer is ongoing, but results will need to materialize soon to extend that credibility.

• Comparison to Jerry and Stephen Jones

  • George voices skepticism about Jerry and Stephen’s public statements, suggesting their words often don’t align with actions:
    • "I didn't really care what Stephen and Jerry were saying because…what they say and what they do are not the same things. Shoddy still has some credibility." (George Dunham, 05:53)

2. Free Agency, Player Departures, and Scheme Fit

• Departures: Osa Odighizuwa

  • Emotional reflections on losing key defenders like Osa, emphasizing the complexities of NFL roster construction and scheme fit:
    • "It feels like [losing Osa] is not about are you a good player? It feels like are you the right body type for what we want to do going forward?... Are you sure about this?" (George Dunham, 07:31)
  • Concern about repeating mistakes (e.g., T.J. Watt) due to rigid schematic philosophies.

• Free Agency Targets and “Georgia to Vegas” Trend

  • Cowboys missed on coveted free agents like Nakobe Dean, largely due to players' preferences to reunite with college teammates in Las Vegas (the “Georgia Bulldogs” effect).
    • "We were very competitive…But it's hard to compete with a couple former teammates that wanted to play together." (Brian Schottenheimer, 11:25)

• The Compensatory Pick Strategy

  • The Cowboys’ calculated approach: avoid signing free agents before the draft to protect future compensatory picks.
    • Explained at length, this shapes when and how the Cowboys will address remaining roster needs (18:50–22:54).

3. Draft Outlook: Linebacker Deep Dive

Top Prospects Breakdown (28:39–53:25)

• Arvell Reese (Ohio State)

  • Standout physical traits, dynamic as both an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher (“Micah Parsons” comp).
    • "If there’s somebody who resembles Micah Parsons in this draft…it’s Arvell Reese." (Bob Sturm, 31:45)
  • Unlikely to fall to the Cowboys at 12; potential for a trade-up scenario.

• Sonny Styles (Ohio State)

  • Athletic, former safety, still developing but has elite range and intelligence; unlikely to be there at 12 but a clear “run to the podium” pick if available.

• C.J. Allen (Georgia)

  • High football IQ, durable, leader on the field (“Roquan Smith”-type). Ideal for a team needing a foundational linebacker. Possible pick at #20.
    • "If I could will a guy to the Cowboys, it's probably going to be C.J. Allen." (Bob Sturm, 39:32)

• Anthony Hill (Texas)

  • Productive but lacks the “splash” of the top three; solid second-round talent but not a first-round “sit on the edge of your chair” prospect.

• Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

  • Hyper-productive (e.g., seven forced fumbles in one season), tested off the charts athletically, but is an older prospect. Surprise candidate rising up the board—possibly justified for pick 20 if the board falls oddly.
    • "I could actually talk myself [into drafting Rodriguez]…he is not a good athlete. He is a great athlete." (Bob Sturm, 49:56)

• Josiah Trotter (Missouri)

  • Noted as a fringe top-50 player, praised for family pedigree and recent tape.

Draft Flexibility and Strategy

• Potential for the Cowboys to trade up/down depending on draft movement and player availability.
• Reference to previous years’ surprises and draft “regret” (e.g., missing on Tetaroa McMillan, settling for later options), underscoring the unpredictability of the process.

Most Memorable Insights

• "You can’t fall in love with any of these guys as much as you want…you just, it just has to be on to the next one." (George Dunham, 16:45)
• "If you're asking for a guy who fits the window, who's ready to be a star right now...Jacob Rodriguez is that." (Bob Sturm, 50:10)

4. The George Pickens & Negotiation Saga (55:22–62:05)

• Frustration with Jerry Jones's insistence on going around agents to negotiate with players directly, possibly running afoul of CBA protocols.
  • “Jerry had the audacity…to basically circle back and say, ‘You know what, George Pickens can save a lot of money if he just deals directly with me and not with an agent.’” (Bob Sturm, 58:14)
• Skepticism around public comments—a TikTok dance with CeeDee Lamb and Pickens jokingly cited as a sign contract talks might be progressing.
• Suggestion that the Cowboys may franchise Pickens rather than extend a blockbuster deal.

5. Contingency Plans & Future Speculation

• Cowboys have contingency plans in place for linebacker, which could include trading for veterans like Jordan Brooks or Patrick Queen post-draft if the board doesn't fall their way.
  • “They have a plan in place that if they don’t get their guy…many options in the first round that aren’t linebacker that we should accept might be the reality in three weeks’ time.” (Bob Sturm, 66:22)
• Tease for next week: What if the Cowboys go offense (RB or WR) at 12 or 20?

Key Timestamps

• 00:32–06:07: Opening; Schottenheimer credibility vs. Jerry/Stephen; coaching as communication/salesmanship
• 06:07–13:00: Cowboy’s free agency moves, Osa departure, Georgia-to-Vegas player migration
• 15:02–19:35: Navigating draft flexibility, not falling in love with prospects; compensatory picks strategy
• 26:22–28:39: Big Ten vs. SEC in draft; setup for linebacker scouting
• 28:39–53:25: Detailed linebacker draft prospect breakdown (Reese, Styles, Allen, Hill, Rodriguez, Trotter)
• 55:23–62:05: Pickens contract saga; Jerry and agent dynamics; TikTok theories; contingency plans for linebackers

Notable Quotes

• Bob Sturm (on Schottenheimer):
  "If you have any hope...of the Cowboys climbing out of the postseason funk they've been in for 30 years, you have to hope that Shotty is the man." (01:17)

• George Dunham (on Osa's trade):
  "Are we sure about this?...Because you know he's busted his butt for you. You know, he's the right kind of guy...and now we're shipping him out because he's the wrong body type." (07:31)

• Brian Schottenheimer (on losing free agents):
  "But it's hard to compete with a couple former teammates that wanted to play together...that's the business, man. You pivot and you get excited...Next man up." (11:25)

• Bob Sturm (on draft philosophy):
  "You can't fall in love with any of these guys as much as you want...it just has to be onto the next one." (16:45)

• Bob Sturm (on Pickens/Jerry dynamic):
  "Jerry had the audacity, one year after Micah, to basically circle back and say...Pickens can save a lot of money if he just deals directly with me and not with an agent." (58:14)

Tone and Language

Banter is witty, insightful, and occasionally irreverent, true to The Musers’ Dallas sports radio roots. Sturm provides draft technicalities and “deep nerd” analysis, while Dunham balances with skepticism, fan perspective, and humor.

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you missed this episode, you got a blend of pragmatic Cowboys talk and classic Musers fun. The hosts are cautiously optimistic about Brian Schottenheimer’s leadership, deeply concerned about the team’s draft approach and player evaluation, and refreshingly honest about the unpredictability and politics inside The Star. Linebacker prospects are dissected with precision, but it’s clear the front office’s decision-making process—and Jerry Jones's negotiation tactics—remain a wild card every offseason.

Fans hungry for draft insight, behind-the-scenes stories, and lively Dallas sports analysis will find this episode both informative and entertaining—no nonsense, all substance (with a healthy dose of dry wit).