The Cowboys Shift: 9-30-26

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Still too soon to move on from the Cowboys loss in Rio to the Ravens, though not as bad as it once seemed, since 13 off the 16 NFC teams now are either 2-1 or 1-2, the 1-2 Cowboys just one game out of first place in the East. And really even though giving up 34 points the defense is showing some signs of improvement and breaking down the coverage on one Ravens touchdown.

So much good so much disappointing in the Cowboys last second 34-31 loss to the Ravens in Rio Sunday afternoon. The offense scored 31 points but should have scored 42. The defense made some encouraging plays but still got run on. And a great explanation of what the defense needed to do on  the Ravens final play to set up the game-winning walkoff field goal.

The crew breaks down the challenge of slowing down the Ravens' run game and what the Cowboys need to do defensively. Plus, Mickey shares what it's like traveling with the team, why the Cowboys are ready to play no matter where the schedule takes them, and we wrap things up with game predictions for Dallas vs. Baltimore in Rio!

With the Cowboys leaving for Rio Thursday night, talk shifts to what the team will be doing heading into Sunday's game with Baltimore, including being able to examine the grass fields at Maracana Stadium on Saturday and cleats talk. Then analyzing the Ravens defensive personnel and if the Cowboys have the ability to contain both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

Giving a lecture on defensive e football, Everson explaining how the Cowboys base 3-4 defense and the needed coordination with the front 7 is very similar to what his former Cowboys head coach Tom Landry demanded when playing the Flex defense. A little on Jaxson Dart's knee injury in need of surgery and an analysis of Baltimore's offensive line play. Finish with the importance of CB Shavon Revel being up to speed to start.

Covering so much ground today, starting with the field conditions at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro for the Cowboys Sunday game against Baltimore, complicated by so much rain lately, to Giants MNF game losing starter Jaxson Dart, to the Cowboys run game itself, to so many .500 teams in the NFL after two weeks to a discussion of QBs between Ravens Lamar Jackson vs. Commanders Jayden Daniels.

After the Victory Shift, the guys get right into the Cowboys win, no matter what, a win over Washington, but still voices reservations over the defense's inability to not only stop the run but stop QBs such Jayden Daniels from running, too. Then the unstoppable combination of Dak-to-CeeDee  and how the Commanders failed to slow down the Cowboys passing game, plus the Cowboys need to juice up the running game.

With Everson back, initially his take on the defensive collapse against the Giants, but then moving forward to Washington and what the Commanders bring. Also clearing the air on Jaishawn Barham and the downside of social media. And since it's Friday, the guys make their game picks and their picks to click, a few of them quite surprising.

After so much time analyzing what went wrong win the season-opening loss to the Giants, it's time to move forward, on to Sunday's game against Washington, also 0-1 and desperate to win. Now the Cowboys must deal with the likes of QB Jalen Daniels running with the ball, and a receiver like Terry McLaurin, along with the Cowboys offense dealing with Dan Quinn's aggressive approach to defense.

With Everson still out, Nate Newton joins the show and gives his opinion of what took place in the loss to the Giants and what needs to be fixed. Good points by all still looking back, including how many new players were on this defense playing together for the first time. Then pointing out how the Cowboys defenders got caught looking at times in the wrong direction.

After further digesting what took place in the season-opening loss to the Giants, we take a deeper dive into why the Giants seemed to be so successful against the Cowboys rebuilt defense, along with discussing the most recent injuries to DeMarvion Overshown and Malik Hooker and how the Cowboys will compensate for their extended absences heading toward the Washington game.

This loss to the Giants was a huge surprise, just in the manner of how the Cowboys lost the season opener after such an encouraging training camp, the Giants far more physical than the Cowboys. Plus, the presumed improved defense reminded of last year far too many times with broken assignments, and then the huge turning point of the game.

First paying tribute to those 9/11 memories 25 years ago today before moving on to football, giving impressions of the Thursday night game and what the Cowboys might learn from the Niners victory, then signing two young players to extensions, wondering about the availability of Giants WR Malik Nabors, discussing Giants personnel and finishing up with game predictions and the picks to click.

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An all-encompassing show today, starting with NFL football returning Wednesday night, to the Michigan-Western Michigan timing debacle, to how the Cowboys are further preparing personnel to compensate for Tyler Smith's absence. Then anticipating the emotional 9/11 25-year memorial atmosphere surrounding the season opener at the Giants and Emerson's predictions for the season and opening game.

With the Cowboys 53-man roster and 17-man practice squad set, analysis of Joe Milton landing on the practice squad, Sam Howell becoming the backup quarterback, the general makeup of the roster and this new defense and the chemistry needing to develop with so many new faces. Then the backup offensive tackle dilemma and oh that opening seven-game schedule.

Happens this time every year, the Cowboys having to make tough roster decisions when trimming to 53, and the guys discuss the two most debatable ones. Why they chose to name Sam Howell the backup quarterback and release Joe Milton, and why they released RB Jaydon Blue and showed little interest in signing the second year back to the practice squad. Also, what to make of the Broderick Jones trade.

With the final preseason game Friday and the roster cuts on Sunday, the guys debate which positions will be most difficult to trim, like running back and wide receiver and cornerback and then if the Cowboys have a quality backup swing offensive tackle. Plus the hidden qualities of Caleb Downs and a deep dive into the abilities of the two backup quarterback candidates, Joe Milton and Sam Howell.

In the first chance to review the 34-13 preseason victory over Arizona, the conversation centers on the play and potential of Jaishawn Barham, the Cowboys third-round draft choice, No. 55 at middle linebacker. And if you add those 5s together, you get 10, and that is Joe Milton, who is giving the Cowboys something to consider at the backup QB position vs. Sam Howell. Plus, other upcoming roster decisions.

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With Mickey still in Oxnard and Hek'ma at The Star for the final podcast from training camp, they concentrate on where some of the positional battles are taking place to win a spot on the 53-man roster and Mickey's impression on a few players like Caleb Downs, Cam Brown, Otito Ogbonnia, Julius Woods and the overall running back position, where several deserving players will be battling for a roster spot during the upcoming preseason games.

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Breaking down all angles of the Cowboys signing sure-fire Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miler on Tuesday morning, what this means for the defense, what he brings to the Cowboys and how the 37-year-old player will be used. Other thoughts on breakout receiver Cam Brown, impressions from Preseason Game 1 against the Seahawks and anticipation for scrimmage against the Saints.

With the guys all at The Star and Mickey still at training camp in Oxnard, the talk turned to Tuesday's scrimmage against the Rams where the defense held its own against the NFL's No. 1 ranked offense last year. The defense played well against the run for sure, which has been shortcoming in past meetings with the Rams, and then talk turned to facing the world champion Seahawks Saturday in the first preseason game.

Almost all back together, Hek'ma and Everson join the show from The Star back in Frisco, with Mickey still here and Bill traveling back to Dallas today, but the guys get a comprehensive report from out here in Oxnard, talking upgraded defensive personnel, new DC Christian Parker, some of the top draft choices, along with the evolving offense, including the progress of guys like Tyler Guyton, Jaydon Blue and for sure No. 1 pick Caleb Downs.

The guys got sidetracked with Bill asking Dak during an interview if he would be in favor of tinting the glass at AT&T Stadium, but quickly turned to Mickey's personnel changes with the defense, the confidence Dak is exhibiting with the entire team, the retooled defensive coaching staff and Nate on how Norv Turner turned around their offense.