Friday Mailbag, August 25th edition

20 questions about anything you want to ask me - I dare you

Well, we have almost made it through August. This is notable, so feel free to look for the finish line. Well played, everyone. If you are reading this, you know a few things.

• The heat wave has to be preparing to subside here. Since we now have moved the bar on our hopes to “PLEASE DROP BELOW 105,” we should be in for a treat real soon. Right???

• The football season is here. In fact, tomorrow, we have at least two college football games to partake in that include Notre Dame and USC. If you are extra starved, now is the time to seize the day from an air conditioned locale.

• The NFL preseason will be done tomorrow. Well, technically, it looks like Houston plays New Orleans on Sunday Night if you are extra sick. But, for the rest of us, it will be Saturday.

• We are extremely close to the end of our first month here at #SturmStack. I can’t thank you enough for making this a reality. This place has been growing very nicely and I want you to know that I am very thrilled to be writing specifically for you all. I will probably never go viral again with one of my stories, but that is ok. It wasn’t that great to have fans from other teams yelling at me anyway when Skip Bayless or Colin Cowherd would quote one of my wild opinions. Once we take this behind the paywall, it will probably just be us. But, that is more than fine with me. I will say that I might need your feedback and understanding. I am trying to serve two masters and I want to be mindful of both.
  
  A) the Cowboys fanbase is expecting the three pieces they have been receiving for years. The Monday Morning After, the offensive breakdown on Tuesday, and the defensive breakdown on Wednesday. I want to continue to deliver on that and get the film flowing.
  
  But, B) the people that have enjoyed the “other things” that I can now write about like our stories on Dirk’s Hall of Fame day, Messi coming to town, the Messi Morning After, the Rangers stories that I wrote here and here, and even my steady soccer stream of pieces that I love very much. Also, you know college football, the Mavericks, and the Stars are going to need plenty of love when the time is right.
  
  The issues, of course, is that we are about to have everything collide and I can only reasonably write four times a week and maybe squeeze out a fifth. So, I can feel something will have to give. So, allow me to warn you: Cowboys season (proper) is going to be a ton of Cowboys content. The other seven to eight months are going to be a ton of everything else. I am pretty sure that this is the only way. I might attempt to clone myself, but I just want you to know going in that it will be tough to do too much beyond those expectations. If the Rangers are in the World Series, I will adjust accordingly and stop sleeping. But, otherwise, know that we have two seasons. Cowboys season and everything else season. And vacation season in July. And repeat.

Ok, enough pontificating. Let’s do some questions from you:

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1. From Brad W: Is there any viable reason other than simple pettiness that Jerry won’t put Jimmy in the ROH?

Honestly, I could make this answer extremely short and probably should.

No.

There is no viable reason other than simple ego, pettiness, and the same self destructive attributes that Jerry Jones will be remembered for. He simply does not want to be told what to do and he goes through life acting like a petulant man who doesn’t have to listen to you. So, the more we demand that he honors Jimmy Johnson properly and not like some egotistical rival that cannot let go of a grudge, the more he digs in and refuses. At this point, I am not confident we will see it when they both are alive – which is an incredible shame. His stubbornness is best demonstrated with his refusal to use sun curtains for playoff games when his players may actually be blinded by the light of the sun.

2. From Robert: Hey Bob! If this teams wins 11 games and loses in the wild card round, what would be the outcome? I feel like this is a strong team and yet hoping for more than this will break my heart when they inevitably fall short.

Eleven games and a playoff loss is the normal break even for this franchise. They have won that many games in 2021 and 2022 and then in 2022 they won in the wildcard round. There is nothing satisfying about one and done. Will that be the end of Mike McCarthy? Maybe. But, it is that weird middle ground of feeling like the season was a draw. Nothing too negative and nothing too positive.

3. From Dawson Hobbs: Just an interesting note. Ware 100% deserves the ring of honor but it does start a new era. He is the first one going in that wasn’t part of at least playing in a championship game.

We better get ready for this. Jason Witten is right behind him. Tyron Smith behind them with Zack Martin. Unless this team changes this narrative, it certainly looks like the new normal.

4. From Substack user: McCarthy stated during the offseason that he wants to emphasize the run. Based on his history, how much do you think this is smoke and mirrors/coach speak, and how "run-heavy" do you think the offense will actually be?

I think there is a lot of emphasis on the quality of runs and not a lot of emphasis on quantity of the runs. Late last season, when Dallas fell way off after Terence Steele was hurt versus Houston, they simply could not run the ball. First and 2nd downs from Week 13 on, here is Dallas and their rankings according to my friends at TruMedia:

They were 30th in yards per rush, 28th in yards before contact per rush, and 29th in 1st down runs per rush. That is brutal. And it leaves you in 3rd and long with receivers who were unable to get open besides CeeDee Lamb. He wants quality over quantity.

5. From Kyle P: Hey Bob - I have been curious how closely the way that you follow your Packers compares with your professional coverage of the Cowboys. Are you putting together 53's, breaking down tape each week, and watching all of the roster moves/team news for Green Bay any where as closely as you do for Dallas?

No. I could not possibly do that in-depth coverage for multiple teams. I watch the Packers like I am watching a TV show. No notes, no laptop, no film study (unless there are a few particular plays I want to see again), and no real feeling it is work. Often with family, we are just watching Green Bay like any other fan, I suppose. And I like it that way, because then you don’t feel like it is “work.”

6. From Tommy: If we think/hope Mazi might be a late bloomer, are there comps at that position? He looks slow off the ball. Is that fixable? Again, a comp would be reassuring maybe.

The best comps for the premise of a player having a slow start to his career at defensive tackle and then turning into a monster? Kenny Clark from Green Bay and Leonard Williams from the Jets/Giants were both very quiet as a young players but kept working hard and developing. I am not sure if Mazi will be bad as a rookie, but I am lowering the bar a bit. I will say, though, the NFL does not have Purdue and Minnesota on their schedule and the linemen up here are so much better than what he is used to dealing with. That said, give him time.

7. From lilwrangler FUN HYPOTHETICAL - Let's say the Red Sea parted and a viable discussion was had to trade for Jonathan Taylor: A) Would you?/Why not? and B) What kind of player assets would you be willing to part with as compensation, provided no draft picks were part of the deal? Gallup? Pollard and a kicker (not the actual position)? What would be fair for everyone?

Well, I love Jonathan Taylor and he is a better RB than the Cowboys have now. But, the Colts want a 1st round pick or at least a 2nd and a 3rd. So right there, you would bounce given that he also wants a top-of-the-market contract. So, you want a top pick and a top deal? What would the point be? Does anyone think that Dallas has a weakness at RB in 2023? Tony Pollard and Deuce Vaughn with Rico Dowdle are just fine, in my opinion. There is a price where you would want Taylor and if you are going to give Pollard the same money, then I would recommend giving it to Taylor. But, this is just too complicated and I would say no to the general premise.

8. From Don Weismiller Dallas Cowboys Michigan student. Is there a Dallas Cowboys Michigan pipeline in the works if Mazi and Schoon turn out to be great?

The Michigan pipeline is a Taco Charlton and Jourdan Lewis in 2017. I don’t wish to disparage Lewis too much, but Mazi and Schoon better work out before people start to stereotype your Maize and Blue Michigan men. Let’s hope they carry the banner a bit better, Don.

9. From Reed Cripps Do you think the O-line will hold up for a WC offense?

I do think so. The Cowboys offensive line 1-5 is as good as almost anyone’s line. The troubles begin when we have attrition. I think they have 6.5 decent linemen, so maybe go ahead and trade for more depth! What they have as lineman No’s 8-10 are not very convincing.

10. From Sean Shapiro If you get choice of either (but not both) winning the FA Cup or fourth place and Champions league spot this season, which one brings you more joy?

Every one who follows #SturmStack should know that the great Sean Shapiro edits my pieces and is probably editing this piece as we speak, making my stuff make more sense. He is awesome and if you love hockey, you know he is also one of the best hockey writers we are blessed to have cover the NHL and the Dallas Stars. He is also a Substack man, I recommend you give him a try, too, at ShapShotsHockey here.

Now, to his answer. FA Cup or 4th place…..I think I would always take the trophy, but finishing 4th is super lucrative and you can buy better players and maybe be more successful in the long run, right? So, I would take the FA Cup because the fans would never forget it and 4th place placates nobody for long, but it is a good question because it produces a great conversation and a tough answer. Thanks, Sean!

11. From James Can you explain the P1 thing for me? I've gotten the general idea through context but still don't know its true meaning or origins. Thanks!

Sure! It is basic radio jargon in the business for people who listen to a station more than any other. P1 means “Preference 1” as in, the station you listen to more than any other. People always hope for something more, but that is all.

12. From Joe Mcquesten Bob how do you see the Sam Williams arrest will impact roster decisions?

Not at all. The Cowboys are not going to do anything about it and it won’t impact roster decisions. I don’t mean to act like it isn’t a big deal to them, but I don’t think it is a big deal to them – partly because I don’t think in the grand scheme of things that it is actually a massive situation that won’t be smoothed over by the parties involved. The NFL may chase this matter, but in the balance of the player being worth the trouble, Sam Williams is still in the black on this.

13. From Zach Losing Overshown in preseason was a gut punch. How confident are you in the rest of the current LB room (apart from Mr.11)? AND is losing 35 as heavy a loss as it feels or could that just be the post-draft feeling?

Zach, I am not terribly confident. Overshown was a huge part of their plans and they don’t have another one waiting on the shelf somewhere. But, that is the very nature of the sport. Next man up is a real thing. There are opportunities for those who were not their first priority anymore, but now they can jump in there and change their careers. They really thought he was a difference maker from Day 1. It stinks, but it is the very nature of this sport.

Teams must deal with attrition. The teams who are best at that will be successful.

While we are here, I want to thank our great subscribers who do things for us and Zach has given me some new #SturmStack artwork as you can see below. I love it. Thanks!

14. From WW: Bob I’m curious who you follow / read for analysis of Liverpool play and what is happening with the players / club behind the scenes. I have a few but haven’t dedicated time to searching as many seem either focused generally across the league or lacking in detailed analysis covering LFC

Well, another opportunity to plug someone on Substack who I love. Paul Tomkins is the best and has a general disposition like I do, I suppose that why he is one of my guys. You know, the enjoy-the-journey-and-not-everything-is-a-disaster attitude. Here is the Substack that hosts his operation. I am a big fan. Also, I subscribe to the Times of London and read their game stories. Between those two and Liverpool twitter, I am all set. There is a lot of trash premiership coverage out there and I aim to avoid most of it.

15. From Anthony: How much of a setback do you think the De Bruyne injury is going to be for Man City? I know they have pretty great depth, but it seems like every other Haaland goal last year came from a De Bruyne assist.

Huge. Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best footballers on the planet and probably the best player City has aside from Erling Haaland. On the other hand, he is 32 and City has all the money and talent in the world. Odds are pretty good that City has plenty of plans to fix this, but yeah, it is potentially huge.

16. From Matt Fawley What are your thoughts on Sean O’Malley’s performance at UFC 292? I know you seemed reluctant initially to think he could fight at a world championship level. He seems to have made some improvements and has always had that KO power. Dana White and the UFC must be thrilled to promote him as champion with his unique look and fan friendly style. Also was it somewhat bittersweet to not get to watch with your son as I know you’ve mentioned he is/was a big fan.

I was really impressed. You are right, I had my doubts about Suga because he was always an off-brand Conor McGregor before we saw him win much of substance. They protected him at first, because Dana knew that this could bring in the casuals – a fighter with as much style as substance. But, I must admit, beating Petr Yan (with a very controversial decision) is one thing, but knocking out Aljo Sterling is a substantial step forward and a sign that maybe he can continue to turn out some big PPV numbers and bigger wins as he goes.

He is very charismatic, but it is ok to be cynical when everyone saw that McGregor and Rhonda Rousey were both these cult-of-personality fighters and they were not actually invincible forces that were suggested by marketing. But, to simply answer your question, I am far more convinced that O’Malley has something, but I will also say that in a rematch with Sterling, I think Aljo would still be the favorite. We shall see soon enough.

17. From Chip: How much time does Deuce Vaughn get in the regular season? Is he going to get meaningful carries and playtime?

A great question! In fact, on of the most significant questions of the preseason. I think he will get his chances and it might be in Pollard’s old role – the 3rd possession of every half – when Zeke was the starter. I sure hope so. He makes plays, but only if you use him. So, I think plenty, but also if you are asking me for fantasy purposes, I would like to hedge and tell you not to over-invest until we see it.

18. From Erik: Kudos on the new venture Sturminator! I've also been a loyal reader going back to the blogpost days! Following up on your previous employer's article about QB tiers...I personally think Dak hovers between 5-10th best QB in the NFL but they have him basically locked into a mid-tier 2 slot. But reading that article it seems like many are giving up and coming QBs the benefit of the doubt and rounding up, thus leapfrogging Dak (read: Lawrence or Herbert). Additionally, some QBs seem to get inordinate amount of love (read: Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen). Whereas Dak gets crushed for INTs, W-Ls,

Thank you. Well, the QB Tiers are a worthy topic for sure and I love the project. I think Dak Prescott is rated about right, to be honest when he was rated 9th by the panel that Mike Sando assembled in the Athletic.

I hear what you are saying, but I think it is ok to think that NFL GM’s would prefer Trevor Lawrence and his pedigree and future to Dak’s. Justin Herbert is a bit less convincing, but I do think that he would be taken before Dak, too. Ninth in the NFL is incredibly high, so I don’t think it is an insult to consider his position.

Why do younger QBs get the benefit of the doubt? Because, they are expected to rise higher and take their team further than Dak has before their 30th birthday. If they don’t, they will be docked, too. Dak just has to break through to the other side to get the credit he deserves.

19. From Chad Hackler: Are the Longhorns going to be good or just an incredibly powder puff big 12 schedule? Who’s your surprise college team this year to really make some waves?

A fascinating question for sure. I think the Longhorns will be good enough to win the entire Big 12 this year and have their best year in a long while. I really love their offensive talent and expect a bounce-back year from Quinn Ewers that could vault him right back up to the top in the 2024 NFL Draft, too. They have some pivot points that could determine things for them and we should cover those in the weeks to come, but I see no reason this Texas team - with the types of weapons they have to cause massive matchup issues – cannot win a lot of games. Texas is back, baby.

Who is the surprise? I am willing to say Texas Tech will be better than projections and I think Kansas State is still a real problem in the Big 12. I am working on the SEC this weekend, so let me get back to you on that conference, but obviously, Texas A&M has nowhere to go, but up, if Bobby Petrino can get some offense going right.

20. From Sideshow Bob: Are you looking forward to the battle of House Sturm at SJP this weekend between the Scousers and Geordies - and do you have a wager with Brett on the outcome?

I cannot wait as this Sunday should be a fantastic matchup for both Liverpool and Newcastle in a wonderful clash, indeed. I really look forward to seeing who can pull the points out of this one, because Newcastle is no joke. They are a rising force and their stadium is one of my absolute favorites. My son claims he now supports the Geordies, but he also has a spotty track record on watching matches that interfere with his busy social life. I will try to get a high stakes bet going with him, but let me tell you, your favorite Liverpool enthusiast has a very healthy respect for Bruno, Isak, Joelinton, and the rest of those Newcastle chaps. Should be great.

Ok, everyone. That’s all I can handle. Have a great weekend!