Mick Shots: Loss For Words

With Everson back, still trying to make sense of that loss to the Panthers, finally getting his take. Update on owner Jerry Jones talking to the media after an East-West Shrine Bowl event at The Star, featuring his take on the loss to the Panthers, what might happen at the trade deadline and on reinforcements on the way.

The Cowboys had so many chances to emerge winners in Carolina, but too many miscues and a porous defense against the run sent the Cowboys home with an unexpected loss to the Panthers. The guys examine a few critical plays and put some perspective on where this leaves the Cowboys in the big picture.

FFF (Fabulous Football Friday) opens with a discussion of the wide-open NFC East after the Giants dealt the Eagles with their second consecutive loss Thursday night, now no team with fewer losses in the division than the Cowboys two heading into Sunday's game at Carolina. A comprehensive injury update and of course those Picks and Picks to Click.

Time to lock in on the 2-3 Carolina Panthers who sure pose a threat running the football and the improved play of quarterback Bryce Young now in his third season. Some injury updates with 15 players on the Wednesday practice report, 15 listed, with five DNPs and 10 limited. Then some more Pickens and the defensive adjustment at linebacker.

Guys couldn't help themselves talking fingers and chest punches, lapsing into old school corporal punishment and the deeper meaning of this upcoming game against Carolina. Then went way old school when Nate in Frisco couldn't refrain from stopping in during the discussion about going all in on picking up more defensive help and thoughts on Rico Dowdle.

Forty-eight hours later the guys continue talking about the victory over the Jets, including how well Dak played, how coordinated this NFL No. 1 offense seemed, including the ability to run the football, the improved coverage in the secondary and each guy picking their defensive "dog" needing to continue stepping up.

The Cowboys go on the road to win their second game of the season in going-away fashion, with much credit to the offensive, injuries causing four backups to start. You'd have never known. Then the Flournoy effect, Javonte Williams continuing to impress and for a change the defense making key plays.

Time to piece together an offensive line that could be without four of their five starters for the Jets game and then putting some second receiver responsibility on Jalen Tolbert with CeeDee Lamb still missing. Importance of the running game and of course Friday's picks and picks to click.

Bill's late arrival reminds of where head coach Brian Schottenheimer learned much of his football, bringing his dad's book "Marty Ball," maybe one of the reasons the Cowboys have put an emphasis on running the football. Also, a comprehensive look on the number of injuries besetting the team and working Blue.

The Cowboys head back to work, knowing they have a lot of fields to attend to, the defense, like linebacker and secondary, and the of course, Jets QB Justin Fields, the Jets second leading rusher and someone the Cowboys should know all about having faced him last season quarterbacking the Steelers.

Getting down to why the Cowboys tied this game, from the defense's inability to get off the field on third downs to maybe another factor influencing Brian Schottenheimer to kick the field goal on fourth down in OT instead of going for the touchdown. And potential reserve move activations.

This is always the dilemma with ties, should the Cowboys be happy tying a team heavily favored to win, or be disappointed they did not win a winnable game. The offense led by Dak, Pickens and the O-Line put up 40 on the NFL's No. 1 scoring defense, but the defense gave up 40, too, now 33 points a game.

Fight Song Friday starts off with a bang, talking about Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach making a surprise visit to The Star during Brian Schottenheimer's Friday press conference, poking his head into the room to meet the Cowboys head coach. Then it's about Micah's return, picks to click and Roger's presence changing one pick.

A whole lot of talk about eyes recognizing what is taking place in secondary coverage. Then with George Picklens stepping up to help mitigate CeeDee Lamb's absence, which WR now steps up into his role. Banking on Clowney playing and Green Bay's O-Line shuffle.

Enough on the loss to the Bears, time to move on to the Green Bay Packers. And not just on how to deal with Micah Parsons' return, but also focusing on an offense and quarterback Jordan Love, both a handful to deal with. Although how the Pack is using Micah.

Great update on injuries suffered by CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker, plus the players expected to be the next man up and the next man after that. One more time going over three defensive play mistakes and how this offense needs to bail out the Cowboys.

The defense giving up big plays let this one get away from the Cowboys, but the offense, knowing it's the lifeblood of this team, never really getting off the ground, scoring a season-low 14 points. And now there is the possibility of going forward without CeeDee Lamb, having suffered a high ankle sprain.

Getting everyone game ready for Cowboys-Bears, including Fight Song Friday, and that's for both teams. Jerry Jones talking about being open for trade business during the season, Brian Schottenheimer explaining why Jaydon Blue hasn't been active and of course the fearless Picks and Picks To Click.

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While there is some talk looking back at the win over the Giants, time to start considering what the Cowboys have to improve on when facing the Bears on Sunday. Start with the offensive line, of course the secondary, update on Jadeveon Clowney and a little city history of Chicago.

Taking a two-game look at just where the Cowboys are at 1-1, knowing they will be without center Cooper Beebe for up to two months, how well Dak is playing and has played in his career, thinking it's just a short life without KaVontae Turpin and getting Everson in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

So much to talk about in a game the likes of which few have ever witnessed as this victory over the Giants seems to be. Start with the comeback, the field goals by Brandon Aubrey, Dak's late-game drives and the inability of the secondary to play zone coverage. The guys have you covered.

Might have been the earliest pregame show, the guys touching on such topics as what the Cowboys do at cornerback without DaRon Bland, and updates from Brian Schottenheimer's press conference and Jerry Jones radio segment, and of course picks to click and game predictions.

The last thing the Cowboys needed was an injury at the cornerback position ahead of Sunday's Giants game, and how the Cowboys compensate. Then the ability to run the football against this Giants pass-rush conscious defense and just what happened after the Clowney visit.

Time to start concentrating on the New York Giants, even if the Cowboys have beaten them the last eight straight and 15 of the past 16 times. But first, pointing out why the Cowboys would bring in veteran DE Jadeveon Clowney to potentially sign, and what's there to worry about Russell Wilson.