Great piece Bob. I am a long-time listener, and I have been following your writing since the DMN days. Now that you have total editorial control, do you think your writing style has changed? I always heard your voice when reading your written work, but sometimes that goes away with Sturmstack. For example, this passage, with regard to Tyron Smith, "While he may no longer mirror his past self, anyone asserting that he is not the most adept left tackle option at your disposal is in direct discord with my perspective." Are you intentionally trying to be more literary? Or is it my imagination? Just curious.
Great mailbag as always Bob. I hope you’re enjoying the freedom of Substack and that you get enough paying subscribers to keep this going. Your approach to thinking and writing sports is decidedly different than your peer set and we, the readers, are thankful for that.
Jon M and Saad on the Athletic are fine writers but they follow patterns such that their writing could easily be interpreted as coming from anyone.
One follow up question I will post for the next mailbag is: will you incorporate AI (eg, gpt-4) into your workflow in the future and, if so, how?
Fascinating perspective on Micah being different and always on. I’m glad DQ has stayed to be def coordinator because it seems he can match Micah’s “always on” personality. I would also worry about Micah sticking around if DQ grabs a head coaching gig in the future.
Bob, you seem to believe this will be Pollard’s final year as a Cowboy, but I have a different take. While I don’t believe they would franchise tag him again, considering what other top backs are (or are not) commanding in free agency, when you consider how little wear and tear he has compared to others his age, it seems likely he would have a couple of highly productive years left in his career. If we could resign him for two years and $12-14 million, this would seem to be a win-win for both sides. In such a scenario, I’m sure his agents would want him to test the free agency market, but I can’t see any other team offering more. If he and his agents take a realistic view on his maximum attainable value, I would think the prudent course would be to re-up. This all hinges on him staying healthy this season and none of his backups demonstrating the ability to take over his role. If he were to test free agency I can’t see the Cowboys being patient for long. Either sign the current offer or hosta La vista.
I always worry about a repeat of the scenario from the 70s when Dallas had several good running backs, but no real playmakers until they drafted Tony Dorsett. It’s always tempting to hold on to a dynamic player too long, but this tactic would allow them more time to obtain an adequate replacement.
I think this sounds good in theory, but I think I heard TP turned down a 3 year deal in the range you mention. Personally, I think Deuce looks like he can slide into the TP role, so that lessons the need to keep TP. Then as Bob mentions, a draft pick could fill the lead back role. Regardless, I’m for this team not paying big for RB when MP, CD and Dak need new deals. You can’t pay everyone.
You may be right about the offer. I never heard that, and it may be true or just a rumor. Either way, but hopefully he and his agents have been paying attention to what the market for running backs has been and know there’s little chance of getting something better on the open market.
The primary difference between Bob & the Athletic writers isn't quality. All do good work. To me, the obvious difference is that the Athletic "reports" the action; while Bob both reports & analyzes the action. That is the major difference in my anticipation of his articles.
Hi Bob, I see you are a big time Liverpool fan. Me too. Dallas boy here, moved to UK for work in 1996, first game was Liverpool/CP when Own was a rookie. Hooked ever since. I too read, watch and absorb all things Liverpool well in excess my Texas teams (UT alum as well). I managed to follow the Cowboys all these years, dropped the Mavs early on (2000 or so), the Rangers after they parted with Nolan Ryan and never been a hockey fan. Getting back into Rangers this year. But Liverpool, first thing I check out in the morning. The Lavia transfer saga was pure incompetence. They have the attack to match anyone but the defense is in serious need of help. If they had bid 50 million quid on day 1 they probably get Lavia. Played it cute and lost out. It will cost them CL football next year. Need to score 3 goals to have a decent chance of winning most games. Let's hope the new boy can help.
Great piece Bob. I am a long-time listener, and I have been following your writing since the DMN days. Now that you have total editorial control, do you think your writing style has changed? I always heard your voice when reading your written work, but sometimes that goes away with Sturmstack. For example, this passage, with regard to Tyron Smith, "While he may no longer mirror his past self, anyone asserting that he is not the most adept left tackle option at your disposal is in direct discord with my perspective." Are you intentionally trying to be more literary? Or is it my imagination? Just curious.
About half the answers had a creative writing class feel to them, I am glad it wasn't just me.
Haha. It is highly possible my editor is sprucing me up a bit too much with that quote. hahaha.
Yeah some of the answers in this one were like the friends episode where Joey learned about the thesaurus. Something got weird here
Great mailbag as always Bob. I hope you’re enjoying the freedom of Substack and that you get enough paying subscribers to keep this going. Your approach to thinking and writing sports is decidedly different than your peer set and we, the readers, are thankful for that.
Jon M and Saad on the Athletic are fine writers but they follow patterns such that their writing could easily be interpreted as coming from anyone.
One follow up question I will post for the next mailbag is: will you incorporate AI (eg, gpt-4) into your workflow in the future and, if so, how?
Fascinating perspective on Micah being different and always on. I’m glad DQ has stayed to be def coordinator because it seems he can match Micah’s “always on” personality. I would also worry about Micah sticking around if DQ grabs a head coaching gig in the future.
Bob, you seem to believe this will be Pollard’s final year as a Cowboy, but I have a different take. While I don’t believe they would franchise tag him again, considering what other top backs are (or are not) commanding in free agency, when you consider how little wear and tear he has compared to others his age, it seems likely he would have a couple of highly productive years left in his career. If we could resign him for two years and $12-14 million, this would seem to be a win-win for both sides. In such a scenario, I’m sure his agents would want him to test the free agency market, but I can’t see any other team offering more. If he and his agents take a realistic view on his maximum attainable value, I would think the prudent course would be to re-up. This all hinges on him staying healthy this season and none of his backups demonstrating the ability to take over his role. If he were to test free agency I can’t see the Cowboys being patient for long. Either sign the current offer or hosta La vista.
I always worry about a repeat of the scenario from the 70s when Dallas had several good running backs, but no real playmakers until they drafted Tony Dorsett. It’s always tempting to hold on to a dynamic player too long, but this tactic would allow them more time to obtain an adequate replacement.
I think this sounds good in theory, but I think I heard TP turned down a 3 year deal in the range you mention. Personally, I think Deuce looks like he can slide into the TP role, so that lessons the need to keep TP. Then as Bob mentions, a draft pick could fill the lead back role. Regardless, I’m for this team not paying big for RB when MP, CD and Dak need new deals. You can’t pay everyone.
You may be right about the offer. I never heard that, and it may be true or just a rumor. Either way, but hopefully he and his agents have been paying attention to what the market for running backs has been and know there’s little chance of getting something better on the open market.
To anyone who thinks Tyron Smith is depth, a swing tackle, etc.
He is the starting LT or he's on IR. Period. End of story
The primary difference between Bob & the Athletic writers isn't quality. All do good work. To me, the obvious difference is that the Athletic "reports" the action; while Bob both reports & analyzes the action. That is the major difference in my anticipation of his articles.
Hi Bob, I see you are a big time Liverpool fan. Me too. Dallas boy here, moved to UK for work in 1996, first game was Liverpool/CP when Own was a rookie. Hooked ever since. I too read, watch and absorb all things Liverpool well in excess my Texas teams (UT alum as well). I managed to follow the Cowboys all these years, dropped the Mavs early on (2000 or so), the Rangers after they parted with Nolan Ryan and never been a hockey fan. Getting back into Rangers this year. But Liverpool, first thing I check out in the morning. The Lavia transfer saga was pure incompetence. They have the attack to match anyone but the defense is in serious need of help. If they had bid 50 million quid on day 1 they probably get Lavia. Played it cute and lost out. It will cost them CL football next year. Need to score 3 goals to have a decent chance of winning most games. Let's hope the new boy can help.