Friday Free Mailbag - Sept 22 Edition

Ask me anything – Plenty to chat about: Trevon Diggs, Giannis, TJ Bass, Load Management, and Rez Dogs.

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Another week has come and gone here at #SturmStack and we have put out plenty of content again this week for our valued and appreciated paid subscribers. This post, however, is our weekly freebie for everyone, so it is good to speak to our larger audience.

As is our new tradition, what was once a goal to answer 20 reader questions in this mailbag, it has now been adjusted to “how many questions can I answer in 90 minutes” so that we save time for Saturday’s Cowboys Pre-Game Three Thoughts.

So, let’s put 90 minutes on my clock and get started!

From Shazbot Vexed: On a scale of 1-10 how worried should we be about Diggs’ injury sustained in practice today and why is the answer “11”?

Interesting situation of course and Trevon Diggs tearing his ACL and requiring season-ending surgery is a horrendous end to a promising season for the top corner on the roster.

Let’s take a look at the ramifications. As we said on Wednesday in the DQ Report, the Cowboys have a great recipe right now and that is clearly effected by this substantial injury:

• Have a 4-man rush that gets pressure more than anyone in the NFL - Dallas has the top NFL pressure rate of 52.7% with their 4-man rush (SF is second at 43%)

• Play man coverage behind it with high quality corners – no team is playing more “man coverage” than Dallas - 52% (LA Chargers are second at 44%)

• Allow extra men for safety, ambushes and blitzes, and help defenders.

• Only blitz when you want to blitz. Dallas has a 30% blitz rate which is 14th in the NFL and just above the league average of 28%.

• Play with the lead and let the pass rushers eat. This is why you want to win the opening coin toss and get the ball. Because the score of the game changes everything if you can rush the passer like this.

Well, they clearly don’t have the same high quality corners that they did on Wednesday and that is sub-optimal. They will move Daron Bland out to the outside spot opposite Stephon Gilmore and move Jourdan Lewis inside to the slot where he has played many years. Then, they also have Eric Scott, Nahshon Wright, and Noah Igbinoghene available as understudies and honestly, you can do much worse than that group of six corners. Trevon Diggs is clearly a tier above everyone but Gilmore, but they don’t need a like-for-like player of Diggs caliber if they have that 4-man rush getting pressure that often. They may have to ration how much man they play, but they should be ok. Where it becomes an issue, of course, is when you start stacking injuries up. DeMarvion Overshown plus Diggs is two projected starters. You are likely to lose more, so you hope it takes a while and that those injuries are not as severe. Look, it hurts and hurts bad. Diggs is a very nice player and you know I am a very big fan of his work. But, I think they can still be very good without him. I think they have some decent depth at corner, but now we are going to see.

From Chad Gono: Do you think a defensive player could ever again win the NFL MVP? Could Micah Parsons? What would it take or should we just assume that if Aaron Donald didn’t do it...it’s just never gonna happen?

Exactly two players ever have won it. Alan Page in 1971 and Lawrence Taylor in 1986. So, we are nearing the 40-year anniversary of the last time it happened and I think we can probably safely assume it would take two things. Something other worldly and a year where no QB is considered absurdly wonderful. I would say there is no chance, but there is probably at least a tiny chance. But, yes, if J.J. Watt didn’t and Aaron Donald didn’t, then I suggest Micah Parsons probably won’t.

Of course, they didn’t have the Dallas Cowboys media machine, though, so maybe I am underestimating the power of it all.

From Chris H: When TJ Bass entered the game on Sunday due to injuries, you alerted us in-game chat that he was one to keep an eye on. Any thoughts on the snaps he put on film?

I love this question! Yes, I am really interested in Bass because I have felt that general backup linemen that the Cowboys have had the last several years have been a bunch of retread vets who may have a tiny bit left or some young prospects who generally have nothing. Obviously Terence Steele is a big exception because he had more than nothing, but he never really was a backup and ended up a Day 1 starter. So, as I can tell, we have guys who the Cowboys draft who start on Day 1 or prospects they have signed who seem to all have very little upside.

So, enter TJ Bass. He took the long road to the NFL as a no-star recruit and then a JUCO player before ending up in Oregon as 21-year old. He played and started in 34 straight games for the Ducks at left guard and then left tackle on his way to a very decorated Pac-12 career. He lacks speed and length and was therefore undrafted, but I have watched enough offensive line play to know that sometimes, these guys survive on technique, disposition, and just flat out fire in the belly. Was I interested in Bass before camp?

No.

But, during camp, he caught my eye because he seems like the type of guy who might be a real pain to play against and is always looking for a fight in the trenches.

Now, he is 24, but I want to be clear. He isn’t ready. He needs more time in the oven, but the Cowboys needed him when Chuma Edoga got hurt and then Zack Martin left the game, too. It was go time. His grades turned out pretty well, but he is much better as a run blocker than a pass protector. I won’t go through all his tape and his rough snaps, but overall he was good enough and here are three snaps I want to show you of his 41 on Sunday. Why put them in a mailbag? Why not?

3Q - 13:16

He is No. 66 and this is a big counter play back to the right for LG and LT (77 - Tyron Smith) both leading the path for Tony Pollard. Now, Bass is the lead and he is supposed to block 91-Carl Lawson. He does this, but his running start into Lawson actually does not get the push and Lawson stands his ground and knocks Bass back into Tyron. This could have destroyed the play and is certainly not ideal, but instead, Pollard still hits the hole and springs a big run. It wasn’t pretty, but Bass did get his block pretty well.

3Q 11:09

A few minutes later, they run an outside zone to his side and here Bass does a great job getting outside 94-Solomon Thomas and turning him away from this play. You can’t do it better than Bass did here. Well blocked all around as if he was a veteran starter.

4Q - 3:00

Late in the game, he actually switched to RG for Martin and Asim Richards took over at LG. Here, he double teams the great 95-Quinnen Williams and helps Tyler Biadasz execute a pancake because Bass knocks him hard before getting the LB 57-CJ Mosely. All around, I see a physical and smart guard here and I think there is plenty to work with. Let’s see more, but also, let’s stay healthy so we don’t need to see more for a bit!

There, film study on a Friday! We do what we want here at #SturmStack.

From Carson M: First time questioner: What are your top 5 Reservation Dogs episodes? This last season has been absolute perfection and deserves all the accolades.

Carson, I love this show so much. But, I also have been so busy that I have only watched one episode of Season 3. So, that means all five of my votes will be from Seasons 1 and 2. I also will surely want to re-do this list when I rewatch the whole series which I will absolutely will. This is a great TV show and I want everyone to at least try it. It makes me happy and I like to be happy.

But, here, in no particular order are my favorites:

• S1, E1 - F*ckin Rez Dogs - the Pilot was awesome and got me going in this new world that I didn’t fully grasp at the time.

• S1, E6 - Hunting - Give me all the Willie Jack episodes.

• S2, E3 - Roofing - This one featured the Ocean Spray guy

• S2, E7 - Stay Gold, Cheesy Boy - This had the great Marc Maron

• S2, E10 - I Still Believe - The scene on the beach put a tear in my eye.

How would you rank the gang?

1. Willie Jack, 2. Cheese, 3. Bear, 4. Elora Danan, but I could be talked into changing it completely around. Mose and Mekko are a delight.

Again, I love this show.

From Robb Dunn: I haven't been "featured" as yet, and can't wait each week for your pieces. Anyway, I saw a random post somewhere recently that said if Dak were to win the Super Bowl this year, he would become the Cowboys all-time greatest QB. At first blush I dismissed it as ridiculous. Then I debated with my brother (also a Cowboys fan), and being a stat geek did plenty of analysis of Staubach, Aikman, Romo, and Dak. Turns out, statistically to not be a completely ridiculous take. Obviously you have to take different eras and rules (especially CB rules) into account. And certainly rings matter. But pure statistical analysis - the numbers - tells us Romo and Dak are far superior. I settled on Romo as my choice due to his larger sample size and ultimately best career numbers. But if Dak had a ring...it starts to be a real conversation. What are your thoughts?

Well, statistically, it might not be a ridiculous take, but in reality, it definitely is.

Unless Tony Romo or Dak Prescott led the Cowboys back to the promised land, then they simply cannot be put in the conversation with the champion QBs of the franchise. This rule is not negotiable because this is a team game and that means team accomplishments are far more important than individual statistics. Troy Aikman has no statistical superiority over Romo and Dak, but everyone who saw all three play knows that Aikman seldom lost an important game and Romo and Dak seldom won an important game (you know what I mean, I hope). Playing for championships are what last in history and Roger and Troy did it routinely. Individual accomplishments are nice and I am willing to rank them highly amongst those who never won major playoff games, but once you start comparing them to true championship QBs who made true championship plays against championship foes, I will protest. Yes, circumstances and supporting casts are all different, but I am positive Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach could have put up better personal stats if that was the name of the game. It wasn’t. It was to not finish second in huge playoff games. The numbers matter, but not enough here.

I realize this is a controversial view, but I feel pretty strongly about it.

From Ben Finklea: First time question: I’m a long-time Cowboys fan and watch with a few friends and family. Please give a few tips to up my couch quarterback cred on game day. What would make it more fun and interesting for both me and my pals than simply booing and high fiving? (We are all longtime Cowboys fans.) Maybe an app, 2nd tv, some arcane knowledge or other prep...anything really, that would make the game more engaging and fun. Thanks!!

Ben, it is all a matter of how you want to consume this great sport. There is no right or wrong way to do it. If you really want to gain knowledge of the team and increase your understanding, then I recommend a mid-week rewatch of a game where you really lock in on a few particular things you want to study. For instance, if you hear someone was good or bad, then watch him yourself and see if you agree with those assessments. I have been studying the game for years, but I will tell you, at its most basic level, you can usually tell if someone is getting their job done by simply watching them closely every play. Take notes and draw your conclusions the best you can. It will make the sport more fun, I believe. It is such a chess game.

From Dominic L: Hello from Montréal Bob! You mentioned in your schedule last time that you’re on Team Aikman. Can you detail what you do there and who else is in #8’s team?

Well, I have proudly worked for Troy for eight seasons now to help get him ready for his broadcasts. It is a ton of work as I have files on every team and almost every player in the NFL and update them as we get ready for their games. Troy will go through the film and his preparation is incredible. He works his tail off and hired me to assist to add on to what he already does. This will be my final season on Team Aikman because he now works at ESPN and they have a vast research department that works for him, too. At Fox, I was the entirety of Team Aikman and now he is with a much larger group so I am a bit redundant – which makes this personal move make more sense for both of us. So, to focus more on this writing venture and to reclaim a bit of my schedule (maybe golf can happen two times a week!), we are wrapping up my role this season. But, it has been such a great experience and has made me much better at analyzing football. I also consider Troy a great friend and a kind boss.

From Brad Redick: I know it's not quite time, but could we put a "state of the union - Giannis" post on the schedule. He's a decade in now. This current team might be at the end of their window. It's an interesting time for him.

Well, Brad, I am sure there will be a time when Giannis gets his own post, but for now, let me say this: I am not at all worried about his recent comments or actions which essentially put the heat on Bucks ownership to remain aggressive in trying to win titles. I think we enjoy blaming players for not committing to their teams, but it sure seems to me that they have to do this to keep owners from tapping out of the eternal poker game of committing to a bit of financial pain to compete at the highest level and “pay the taxes” that are required to win and assemble talent. So, he has always been loyal to Milwaukee in a Dirk Nowitzki-type way, but I almost think they are obligated to disguise their loyalty so that they do not lose their leverage. “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness” is a fitting feeling here. The media noise is the media noise and that economy is fueled by wondering if Giannis or Luka are going to ultimately join the Lakers or Knicks to get all the clicks.

But, I just don’t think Giannis wants to do that. What he wants to do is continue to play on his terms in his city and on his terms, but also to have a franchise that doesn’t settle because they know he will never leave them. So, in an effort to make them stay in each hand of poker and stay aggressive, competitive, and eager to win, he has to suggest that he is shopping around – even if he is not.

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By the way, if Giannis ever wanted to leave Milwaukee because the ownership did not want to keep it going, I promise I would not be bitter. Sad? Maybe. But, he delivered my wildest dream in 2021 and I was in the building to see him cross the finish line with 50 in Game 6 of the Finals. I saw it with my own teary eyes. I can’t be mad at this man. Ever. He, like Dirk before him, completed his miracle mission.

From Lyndon Tilson: I see the energy in your writing after wins vs losses…..and not always about the results themselves, but how the game was played - tell us about your ted lasso “it’s the hope that kills” moments

Interesting. Well, I suppose that means my heart breaks? Well, Super Bowl 32 and the 2011 World Series are the first two that pop in my head. There is nothing worse than believing you have a title winning team and then they get so close but don’t win it. Some teams feel like they did as much as they could like the 2020 Dallas Stars, but the 2011 Texas Rangers and the 1997 Green Bay Packers are both teams that I thought should have won the title and you just never get it back, it seems. I hope that was the answer you are looking for.

From Dan Burgin: Never asked an AMA question. After two games, how is Dak doing compared to previous years. He seems locked in, fast to decide and accurate in most phases. Is that impression accurate and probable?

Yes, but I would also say that I want to see him do this in uncomfortable situations and settings for a much larger sample size. But, yes, you are right. On Sunday, he seemed as well paced, confident, and accurate as I have seen in a while. This could be Dak Prescott’s finest year ever. This was a very good early impression of Dak and McCarthy and if it continues down this road, well, we are all going to be happy with those results.

Time for one more as the clock has expired…

From Bill Horst: Hey Bob. I heard your epic rant about load management in the NBA last Friday. I agree with you that it has gotten ridiculous, but I also agree with your broadcasting partner, Corley, that the new PPP rules can and will be manipulated. In my opinion, the root of the issue is the reward system in place for winning regular season NBA games. Teams have made the calculated decision that it’s not worth the risk of player injury to move up in the playoff standings. The NFL doesn’t have this problem because there is a great reward for being at the top of the standings (a bye week, which is essentially a playoff win) or home field advantage for the whole “playoff round”. This gets me to my suggestion…what if the reward for finishing at the top of the standings was you got to play the whole playoff series at home? We could start it off with maybe just the first round to see if it works as intended, but ultimately I would advocate for the whole tournament to be conducted this way. I’ll hang up and listen.

Here is that aforementioned load management epic rant if you want to hear it.

That is a wild idea. I am not thinking I would be for that, but it might be worth a look. Honestly, though, it would be better if the league was serious about protecting their product and making sure the true fans of the NBA feel loved. Load management is horse hockey, in my opinion. If players are healthy, they need to play. That is the sacred covenant that these sports have had since they originated and the minute teams act like it doesn’t matter anymore, we are all losing the plot. What if Steph Curry isn’t playing when he goes to Dallas even if there are dozens of kids who got that special ticket for Christmas so they could see their favorite player in person? And he is fully healthy, but it just isn’t important anymore?

Joe Dimaggio had that famous quote that feels the exact opposite of the modern NBA:

When asked why he played so hard all the time, DiMaggio said, "Because there might be somebody out there who's never seen me play."

Think about that. Athletes who wonder if someone is seeing him for the first time and wanting to put on a special show. I thought of that when Messi visited Frisco and was so spectacular even though it probably meant very little to him personally to play in North Texas. But, he knew it was important to the ticket buyers. How can the NBA act like none of this matters?

How dare you, NBA. Finally, Adam Silver spoke up, but he is not blameless. This happened on his watch. We don’t know that this new policy will actually work, finally someone speaks up.

That’s it for today. Plenty of more content coming this weekend!