Hangin' with the Break: Forces Collide

Minicamp begins today, but will the Cowboys really know what they have without the players in pads? Does the lack of live contact help or hurt? Also, why does Ezekiel Elliott's name keep coming up? Even if a deal could be worked out, is it the right move? And do the players care? Plus, extensions are looming. Who is the priority?

The guys debate which player or players need to take a step to help this team compete for a title and what to expect with a new play caller directing the offense.

Zack Martin said they need to bring the edge back to the offensive line. What's he mean? Has it been a problem? Good thing we've got a six-time Pro Bowl lineman to ask. Plus, OTAs are in full swing. Is it a big deal if players don't attend? Why do some work out privately? Nate and Jesse both share their OTA memories.

The 2023 slate was revealed, so of course it's time to do an early breakdown and pick 'em of games. Plus, was it any big deal that McCarthy missed the rookie camp? (Hint: No) And now that Deuce Vaughn is in the fold, what's that mean for KaVontae Turpin? Is it possible to have both active on game days?

With rookies getting their first taste of the NFL this weekend (think speed and studying), and the league releasing schedules on Thursday, Nate and Jesse share some of their insight and memories. Plus, how we feeling about Micah Parsons adding weight to play even more defensive end? And are the Cowboys set now at running back?

Time to break down the draft. Did the Cowboys get it right in the first round? What about the second? Should they have grabbed an offensive lineman? And now that the draft is done, what does the team still need? Plus, a look at Deuce Vaughn, son of Cowboys' assistant director of college scouting Chris Vaughn, and what he brings to the table.

The Cowboys have a history of taking chances on guys in the second round. Sometimes they work out. Sometimes not so much (and perhaps too often). Is it better to gamble a little in the second or play it safe? And should the Cowboys pick up a playmaker in the first or a big man for the trenches? Plus, Nate and Jesse share some draft memories.

The 2-Man show of Nate Newton and Jesse Holley get you ready for the start of the Dallas Cowboys offseason program with the start of voluntary workouts and more.

For all the talk about running backs and wide receivers and tight ends, shouldn't we be worried about the offensive line? New coach? New scheme? New positions? That's a lot of questions that need answers. And with that in mind, which coach really needs to shine to bring success this upcoming season? For Jesse, the answer is simple.

The 30 visits are happening this week. What goes on behind the scenes? Are they trying to determine if a player can pick up the system? If they can handle the spotlight? Also, Dak Prescott recently talked about urgency. Is that a good thing or not so much. Plus, which side of the ball currently has more talent for the Cowboys?

Moves here, moves there, moves everywhere. What does Brandin Cooks bring to the offense besides speed? Could Ezekiel Elliott have made a push to come back? Why did Dalton Schultz wind up in Houston? And with their remaining money, should the Cowboys work out extensions for CeeDee Lamb or Trevon Diggs?

The Cowboys have slapped the franchise tag on Tony Pollard, but was it the right move? And now what do they do with Ezekiel Elliott? Is a low-ball offer disrespectful? Or do you put that decision on him? And will all of these offensive changes affect Dak Prescott? It's a tough business, this football.

Does the Scouting Combine carry the same weight as it used to? What are the teams and players getting out of it? Plus, the franchise tag deadline is fast approaching. Should the Cowboys use it on Tony Pollard now that he's coming off an injury? And let's take a look at Mike McCarthy's new offensive coaching staff.

We kick off the show with our thoughts on the Super Bowl and how Dallas might stack up against the Chiefs and Eagles. Then, since it's Valentine's Day, let's go through the Cowboys' free agents and see who they should consider keeping and who they should perhaps break up with. Is it time to get aggressive in this free agency game?

If we can expect 85 percent of the roster back next season, how can the Cowboys take that next step and get better? Will they finally sign a big free agent? Will it fall on the new coaches to bring improvement? Also, Mike McCarthy will now be calling plays. Does he have the personnel in place to rework the team's offense?

There's great discussion going on here today! Do the Cowboys need more talent around Dak Prescott? Or does the quarterback need to just be better? And if so, how does he get better? Does he need a new voice in his ear, a Dak Whisperer? His career may now be at a critical point. It's time for the Cowboys to help him reach that next level one way or the other.

Don't come with the "What Ifs?" here. What if Dak Prescott hadn't thrown two more interceptions? What if Tony Pollard didn't get injured? What if Trevon Diggs had hauled in that interception? The facts are the facts and the hurt is real. The Cowboys couldn't rise to the occasion and get the job done.

Can the Cowboys get their running game going? Can they slow the 49ers ground game down? Micah Parsons is ready to battle Trent Williams, but how much should he? And does the team's fortunes rest on the shoulders of their quarterback? Plus, our man Nate talks offensive line and getting mean in the trenches. It's go time!

What's the main thing this Dallas defense has to do against the 49ers? Tackle. They're going to be physical, time for you to be physical too. Beat them at theirs. And who should we worry about most on San Francisco's offense? Could it be … the tight end? Plus, another matchup we're looking forward to – Parsons vs. Williams. Delicious!

As Mike Tyson said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Can Dak Prescott and the offense keep it rolling against the league's No. 1 defense? How big of a factor must the running game be in order for the Cowboys to be successful? And it's going to be Tyron Smith vs. Nick Bosa? That's the heavyweight bout we want to see!

Proud of Dak Prescott, that is. After one of the worst games of his career just the week before, the Dallas quarterback had one of the best performances in team history in the playoff win over the Buccaneers. But he had plenty of help on both sides of the ball. It's a big, BIG, victory Tuesday after the Cowboys take care of business in Tampa.

Can Dak Prescott take his game to another level? Can the Cowboys disrupt Tom Brady's timing? The key to winning this game might just come down to the guys behind center. And can the Cowboys do more with the run game than just slam it up the middle? Please? Things will be different come Monday night. We're locked in. Our friends in England are locked in. Are you? Let's go!

Is Dak Prescott looking for the big play when the safe play is underneath? Is he doing too much or not enough? Can the running game get going again? And will it even matter if the offensive line can't find there form again? Maybe now more than ever, it's all about the trench war. The Buccaneers are beatable if the Cowboys aren't predictable.

The Cowboys won 12 games and are in the playoffs. So why does it feel so bad? Plus, Dak Prescott has put up big numbers in the regular season, he's won a home playoff game, but can he take that next step and do it in prime time on the road? Can he take over and out-Brady Brady? And does he need to now before the team's window closes?

Was the loss in Washington an outlier? After all, the offense has been putting up big numbers for most of the season. Then again, is Dak's interception problem now the norm? Is this a coaching problem? Have the players been too satisfied? Can the Cowboys simply shake this off, forget about it and move forward into the playoffs?