Hangin' with the Boys: Smackdown on Sunday?

Jesse Holly, Nate Newton, Shannon Gross, break down the Dallas Cowboys' brutal road-heavy schedule, two stints of three games in 11 days, the late December 13th bye week, player safety concerns, the tight-knit culture of the offensive line, and what the Cowboys need to do to compete in the NFC East division.

You ready for the schedule release? Do the players get all that excited about it? Plus, could lower offensive numbers be a good thing for the Cowboys? Yes, if the defense is better. And for Nate, there were no friends on the football field.

How much impact can Caleb Downs have as a safety? Well, it's up to Christian Parker to figure out how to use him. Plus, after all the offseason moves, is this still just an average team? And Nate and Jesse take a deep dive into what it takes to be a team leader.

Is it good the Cowboys drafted players that defensive coordinator Christian Parker wanted? Also, we know Caleb Downs is a day-one starter, but is Malachi Lawrence? He's a first-round pick, after all. And has anything really changed regarding George Pickens?

Was the news about the Cowboys deciding to let George Pickens play on the franchise tag just a negotiating ploy? Could we now possibly see them draft a receiver in the first round? And does the Giants' recent trade affect Dallas' draft? Let's pick 'em!

Should the Cowboys take into consideration whether a player fits the defensive system? Should the coaches be able to develop that player no matter what? Or is it on the player himself to figure it out? Plus, could Dallas really trade up?

Should the Cowboys trade up in the draft? Should they trade back and add a Day 2 pick? Then again, have you seen their recent second-round selections? We have (hint: it ain't pretty). Plus, what happens if the team plays hardball with Pickens?

The crew discusses the George Pickens franchise tag situation, Pickens' agent's stance on long-term deals, the impact of a potential holdout on the Cowboys offense and locker room and various offseason topics including a fan-favorite voicemail from Nate Newton.

Will the Jaxson Smith-Njigba deal affect negotiations with George Pickens? And how serious was the team's interest in Maxx Crosby? Plus, Nate spends some time with Prime.

Was it a surprise Osa Odighizuwa got traded? What was the reasoning? Does that and the Cowboys' other moves change their draft strategy? And after this first wave of free agency is the defense better?

Owner Jerry Jones has talked about spending more money in free agency and that he'd "borrow some of my future." But with some contracts having already been restructured is reworking even more the right thing to do? Plus, would the Cowboys prefer George Pickens stay in Dallas, or get two potential first-round picks if he signs elsewhere? Sounds like maybe a win/win for the team ...

Our man Nate shares his story of being recently pardoned by the president and, for the first time, reveals a special phone call he had with one of his angels.

New defensive coordinator Christian Parker was introduced to the media and count us impressed. Knowledgeable, personable, confident, he looks like the right man for the job. So what's next? Can he get the players he needs, especially a nickel back? Can he make changes quickly? Will people be patient? One thing is for certain, though … Parker is off to a good start.

The Cowboys can fix their defense … if they want to. That is, if the team is willing to spend in free agency. The hiring of Christian Parker showed a change in thinking. Will that trend continue in free agency? Or could lengthy negotiations with George Pickens again wreck the whole offseason plan? Because if the Cowboys don't indeed do things different, things could get worse.

Has the value of winning been diminished? In other words, is what counts for success today different than what it once was? Like maybe social media followers instead of victories? And is the road to success in the NFL reverting back to winning with a strong defense? Plus, Jesse calls in from Radio Row at the Super Bowl, and Nate shares a couple of his own Super Bowl memories.

Let's check in on Brian Schottenheimer and Christian Parker constructing the defensive staff, spending money on Javonte Williams and George Pickens, DeMarcus Lawrence's rebirth in Seattle and how teams are now building around a good quarterback, a creative offensive coordinator and a dominant defense. Plus, Nate tells stories of Jimmy Johnson arriving in 1989 and what their Super Bowl schedules were like.

The Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator as Christian Parker is leaving the rival Eagles to come to Dallas. Having coached under Vic Fangio, what might we expect from Parker? Is development of players first-and-foremost? He's a young up-and-comer, but will his lack of experience be an issue? And will this change the Cowboys' approach to free agency and the draft?

Will the Giants' new head coach make things even tougher for the Cowboys? Likely so, which is just another reason why the team needs to find the right defensive coordinator. But will that be a savvy veteran or a young gun? Whoever it is, Jesse says there's one thing he's got to get right. Plus, what are the biggest differences between the current playoff teams and the Cowboys?

It's not a big surprise that Matt Eberflus got fired, but what comes next? Is there a sense of urgency to find someone new? And does it matter who they get if the Cowboys don't acquire better players? Should we expect them to? After all, we've been told the Parsons deal is going to bring big dividends. Plus, how did Brian Schottenheimer's his first season go as head coach?

The fact Trevon Diggs was released wasn't a big surprise, although when he got let go was a shock. But the acts of defiance got to be too much with the trip to Washington D.C. the last straw. Simply put, Diggs seemingly no longer wanted to be a Cowboy. We dive deeper into yesterday's big news, plus look ahead to Sunday's game.

Nate Newton, Jesse Holley and Shannon Gross discuss latest Dallas Cowboys news and notes on Cowboys Break.

Who Plays? Who Doesn't? With two games to go, should the Cowboys think about sitting players? Make sure Dak Prescott is healthy for next while letting Joe Milton get some experience? Or does that send the wrong message, especially for a team trying to rebuild its culture. As Nate tell us, losing can become a culture too. Plus, Jesse's stat and our predictions.

It's not coaches make players, right? So would a different defensive coordinator really produced different results? Perhaps, but probably not in a big way. Plus, could Tyler Smith moving to left tackle become permanent? Let's hope not. He's a Pro Bowl guard, after all. And has this team struggled to make in-game adjustments on offense as well? Where are the counterpunches?

It wasn't that long ago that the Cowboys appeared to have the best cornerback combo in the NFL. Now, DaRon Bland is out again with a foot injury, and the status of Trevon Diggs is still up in the air. My how quickly things can change. Plus, for all the criticism the defensive line and secondary have received this season, are the linebackers the real problem? Plus, Jesse's stat and our predictions.

How are we watching the games now that the Cowboys will likely miss the playoffs? Want them to win? Lose to get a higher a draft pick? Plus, has Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert lived up to his billing? Can the Dallas defense slow him down? What about their receivers? Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey are some of the best route runners in the business. It's another tough task ahead.