Hangin' with the Boys: Communication Breakdown

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said fixing the defense is easy; they just need better communication. But what does that mean? Is it in the huddle? Before the ball is snapped? During the play? And talking might be easy, but is understanding? And will there be any communication problems with Brock Hoffman now at center. Plus, Nate talks trash-talking, Jesse's key stat and our predictions!

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams certainly has the arm talent, but can the Cowboys force him into some of the bad habits that have hampered him? And can they contain him in the pocket? Plus, Chicago likes to throw short, which is tougher to defend with a zone defense. Can Dallas adjust? And is Trevon Diggs being set up to fail? Not intentionally, but …

The crew discuss Aubrey's NFC special teams weekly award and the latest Dallas Cowboys news and notes.

So Matt Eberflus' defense is supposed to be easier for players to handle. But does that mean it's also easier for opposing offenses to attack? Sure seems so. And was this scheme designed to have a stud pass-rusher, which is why the Cowboys are now bringing in Jadeveon Clowney? Plus, the chess match that goes on between players during games to gain an advantage. Hear it from those who know!

The best NFC teams can endure an injury. Well, can the Cowboys endure the loss of DaRon Bland? We're about to find out. But let's have a little fun on this Friday by reviewing the Dallas Morning News' Top 100 all-time Cowboys (including our man Nate at No. 42), and we'll rank the 88s. Plus, Jesse's key stat (hint: watch the slot) and our predictions.

The Giants offensive line is, well, not good. So can the Cowboys defensive line take advantage? And just importantly, they struggled to contain Jalen Hurts last week. Can they stop Russell Wilson from breaking loose? And Nate's philosophy is that if he has an A player and four B+ players on offense, he can make the rest work. Do the Cowboys have that? How about on defense?

So can Dak Prescott find an open receiver before that vaunted Giants defensive line gets to him? Can the Cowboys make the screen game work to their advantage? Because if they can get by the likes of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, that New York secondary can be got. And if they don't? What does 0-2 look like? Yikes!

The fans are hanging with us today as we take a few calls and get your feedback on all things Cowboys. We're talking CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Hunter Luepke, the Super Bowl timeline and more!

We know football is a physical sport, but just how much classroom work goes into every game? With all the different personnel options and formations and the plays that run off each, it's more than you might think. Plus, is there any concern that George Pickens didn't get enough targets? Also, there were only four penalties in the game. Are they doing anything different to fix what has been a problem in the past?

So yes, the Cowboys lost … but they hung tight on the road against the defending champs. Lot to be positive about, right? Or did they fall into the same old trap of not being able to make the plays needed against a team who is just as good or better? Either way, football is back. Let's get into it!

The crew preview the Cowboys vs. Eagles Week 1 showdown, discuss DaRon Bland's contract extension, their final thoughts on the Micah Parsons trade, moving on from it, and more.

Let's talk trade! So is this a good deal for the Cowboys? Or did they make a big mistake? What's the direction going forward? They've got money to spend and resources to use, so can this be a quick turnaround? Or are we in for a long recovery? Nate also shares how he negotiated with Jimmy Johnson as we talk all things Micah Parsons.

Could CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens be the best wide receiving combo in the NFL? Is CeeDee ready to take yet another step? Let's ask our former NFL wide receiver. But what about that running game? What's it take to have a good one? A great line? A great back? Let's ask our former NFL lineman. Get in the know from those who know!

You feeling good about what's ahead? It's time for us to go through the schedule and make our game-by-game predictions for how the Cowboys will do this year. Of course, there are also more moves being made to talk about, and Nate gives us a vital key to the Cowboys being successful this year (and it's not being more physical).

Last season, Asim Richards looked like he might battle to become a starter. Now, he's been traded. Meanwhile, Damone Clark was an afterthought a year ago. Now he's shining. But that's what happens when a new coaching staff comes in. Plus, should we be that worried about losing those guys on the bubble? Would they really make an impact anyway? It's cut-down day, folks!

Ahead of the tonight's release of the Deep Blue documentary "Coach Joe," Jesse and Nate share stories of their time around former special teams coach Joe Avezzano. Plus, Joe Milton had some comments after practice that caught our attention. And how about a few players fighting for roster spots will we be watching in the final preseason matchup.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has said they're keeping the play calls during the preseason simple. But what's that mean when guys struggle with the simple things? Also, should they continue to run Joe Milton out there? He needs reps to help his development, but how does that affect evaluating the other guys on the offense? And about that depth at cornerback…

Jesse calls in from California to tell us about the last padded practice out in Oxnard. (Hint: it was a good one.) But, the Cowboys head back to Texas with a lot of questions still to be answered. Could those answers come from outside the organization? Also, how tough mentally is it now for Mazi Smith? Can Joe Milton learn to put some touch on his passes? And why are people overlooking Jalen Tolbert?

So none of the starters played in the first preseason game. Can we expect them to be ready for Week 1 at the Eagles after only one scrimmage and a bunch of practices? Is Joe Milton ready to be the backup? Did anybody stand out? Plus, Jesse calls in with the latest from training camp and tells us about his experience at Netflix's premiere of the new Jerry Jones documentary.

Shannon Gross, Jesse Holley and Nate Newton discuss the latest Dallas Cowboys updates including the upcoming preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Since Nate has boots on the ground at training camp, he gives us a first-hand breakdown of the Cowboys' scrimmage against the Rams yesterday. And unfortunately, Brian Schottenheimer's group has a lot to work on. Are we looking at the same old issues in the run game on both sides of the ball? Plus, a little coach talk, how quickly can Micah Parsons be ready to play and more!

Shannon Gross and Jesse Holley talk about all things Dallas Cowboys while Nate Newton joins live from Oxnard, California.

There have been enough skirmishes and such at training camp that Coach Schottenheimer made the team run. So is all this physicality in practice a good thing? Are they also learning discipline? Let's hope so. Plus, just what is an "attacking front" on the defensive line and, well, do the Cowboys have the players to do it?

The injury bug has bitten a few players out at training camp, most notably Tyler Guyton. Nate calls in to give us the updates and who he thinks might be stepping in to replace those walking wounded. Plus, Jesse's prediction came true with the signing of Jake Ferguson. The 'Boys are off in Oxnard today, but your boys here are back in the studio. Come hang with us.

As Nate tells us from Oxnard, lot of talk about the pace and intensity of Brian Schottenheimer's practices … and some of the chippiness it's brought on. Is that a good thing? Hey, if you're not practicing aggressively, can you be aggressive in games? Plus, Jesse has a few players he's hearing good things about, including rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku. It's a football Friday!