To echo Bob's thoughts on Zimmer and for those who can't face wading through Mickey Spagnola's column for the good bits here's Darren Woodson's takes on Zimmer and the Defense as quoted on dallascowboys.com :
"Mike Zimmer, are you really going to ask me, right? Like, I'm biased. I'm biased but I can tell you, and I'm not saying this team needs to get tougher, but I think there needs to be a change, like a shock. Like someone needs to come in and shock the defense and bring that toughness to them, especially in the middle of that defense. Look, on the edge of this team, on the perimeter, they're lights out. Cornerbacks are great. Edge rushers are awesome. The interior of this team really needs to take a hard look, and I think Mike Zimmer is probably that guy. I played with him for so many years. He's tough. You're not going to like him. He's not going to be your best friend. As he says, I'm going to MF somebody. Somebody is going to get it, but that's the shock you need. Now, I don't know if that lasts forever, but I think there's something about shocking this defense and getting them to understand."
"I can tell you this," Woodson said of the loss to Green Bay. "They didn't control the line of scrimmage defensively. They are always in situations where it is second-and-three, third-and-one. And when you have those moments, and you can't control the line of scrimmage, and your linebackers are getting blown off the ball, bad things are going to happen, especially in the playoffs when you're playing good teams."
"Something different needs to happen up front with this defense, I think the interior of this defense, whether it be the tackles and then linebacker, the linebacker corps really needs to take a hard look there. In that synopsis, we need to figure that out, but that's got to happen, and I don't care who it is. They don't have the right personnel right now, so that's going to be a rough stop. They are going to have to go out in free agency and grab some guys, tough guys. Sometimes you need some guys who don't like the media. … He's tough, he's going to snarl at you a little bit. Like, I had a guy I played with named Charles Haley, right? He brought a different flavor to the team. Not everybody liked Charles. But you knew on Sunday, dude, he was lights out. And he was going to cuss people during the week and get guys ready to go. And that's the kind of linebacker you need there. You need a guy who's going to thump you, he's going to talk a little trash, might not be the nicest guy. Not everybody, but we need some guys like that."
Sorry to follow-up on my own comment, but I want to compliment Nico on making these trades and not giving away any of young guys like Josh Green. The Mavs have a number of young guys--Luka 24, Green 23, Hardy 21, Lively 20, Prosper 21, Gafford 25, Washington 25, among others. These guys can help ensure those picks in 27 and 28 are late in the first round.
Totally agree. Future draft picks are of no value in the future when you have the opportunity to right size (bigger, younger and athletic) this roster around Luka over the next few years. Nico has lined up the talent well with the latest moves. He still has some trade assets this summer he can use to further enhance the pieces around Luka. The new look Mavs are encouraging both in terms of W's and the advance metrics.
Good news this week on the Rangers front. Bankruptcy Judge Chris Lopez approved a RV deal that should open the cash spigot for the Rangers to make some moves. Though we don’t know for sure, there has been speculation that Monty and the Rangers were waiting to see what happened with the TV contract before making final decisions.
Bob, probably a lot of readers knew you from The Ticket first, but then have followed you on The Athletic and now SturmStack. My first introduction was when you started writing for The Athletic, and since then I have become a P1. Similarly, I read Gordo in the Dallas Observer before listening to him on The Musers in the morning. Curious as to how often that happens with all of The Tickets' personalities' side gigs.
Soccer newby here. I'm trying to find the best way to watch Primera Federacion here in the US. Any app recommendations (or streaming services) are much appreciated.
Are you serious? I thought Michael put it pretty clear... didn't see your response.
"Considering the abysmal record of the Mavs FO with such moves in the past any reason to feel better about this one? Also, thoughts on why Cuban isn't held remotely close to the same standard as Jerry Jones? Success on the court has been rare and the front office was exposed as a toxic cesspool of fratbro behavior. Yet Cuban seems to have a very positive reputation with most fans and I've long wondered why?"
Bob, I’ve always been impressed with your depth of knowledge when covering the Cowboys, but I have been especially amazed at the depth you have been able to provide on other teams in other sports. You must not have any life outside of sports, although I know you do. Your time management skills have to be extraordinary. Thanks for providing such great value with our subscriptions to Sturmstack.
To echo Bob's thoughts on Zimmer and for those who can't face wading through Mickey Spagnola's column for the good bits here's Darren Woodson's takes on Zimmer and the Defense as quoted on dallascowboys.com :
"Mike Zimmer, are you really going to ask me, right? Like, I'm biased. I'm biased but I can tell you, and I'm not saying this team needs to get tougher, but I think there needs to be a change, like a shock. Like someone needs to come in and shock the defense and bring that toughness to them, especially in the middle of that defense. Look, on the edge of this team, on the perimeter, they're lights out. Cornerbacks are great. Edge rushers are awesome. The interior of this team really needs to take a hard look, and I think Mike Zimmer is probably that guy. I played with him for so many years. He's tough. You're not going to like him. He's not going to be your best friend. As he says, I'm going to MF somebody. Somebody is going to get it, but that's the shock you need. Now, I don't know if that lasts forever, but I think there's something about shocking this defense and getting them to understand."
"I can tell you this," Woodson said of the loss to Green Bay. "They didn't control the line of scrimmage defensively. They are always in situations where it is second-and-three, third-and-one. And when you have those moments, and you can't control the line of scrimmage, and your linebackers are getting blown off the ball, bad things are going to happen, especially in the playoffs when you're playing good teams."
"Something different needs to happen up front with this defense, I think the interior of this defense, whether it be the tackles and then linebacker, the linebacker corps really needs to take a hard look there. In that synopsis, we need to figure that out, but that's got to happen, and I don't care who it is. They don't have the right personnel right now, so that's going to be a rough stop. They are going to have to go out in free agency and grab some guys, tough guys. Sometimes you need some guys who don't like the media. … He's tough, he's going to snarl at you a little bit. Like, I had a guy I played with named Charles Haley, right? He brought a different flavor to the team. Not everybody liked Charles. But you knew on Sunday, dude, he was lights out. And he was going to cuss people during the week and get guys ready to go. And that's the kind of linebacker you need there. You need a guy who's going to thump you, he's going to talk a little trash, might not be the nicest guy. Not everybody, but we need some guys like that."
I am watching the Mavs whip up on OKC. I love what Gafford and Washington are doing. The Mavs are a better team!
Sorry to follow-up on my own comment, but I want to compliment Nico on making these trades and not giving away any of young guys like Josh Green. The Mavs have a number of young guys--Luka 24, Green 23, Hardy 21, Lively 20, Prosper 21, Gafford 25, Washington 25, among others. These guys can help ensure those picks in 27 and 28 are late in the first round.
Totally agree. Future draft picks are of no value in the future when you have the opportunity to right size (bigger, younger and athletic) this roster around Luka over the next few years. Nico has lined up the talent well with the latest moves. He still has some trade assets this summer he can use to further enhance the pieces around Luka. The new look Mavs are encouraging both in terms of W's and the advance metrics.
I feel honored that I could prompt a full essay...
I'm glad I'm not the only one who judges themselves based on Bob's responses.
Good news this week on the Rangers front. Bankruptcy Judge Chris Lopez approved a RV deal that should open the cash spigot for the Rangers to make some moves. Though we don’t know for sure, there has been speculation that Monty and the Rangers were waiting to see what happened with the TV contract before making final decisions.
Bob, probably a lot of readers knew you from The Ticket first, but then have followed you on The Athletic and now SturmStack. My first introduction was when you started writing for The Athletic, and since then I have become a P1. Similarly, I read Gordo in the Dallas Observer before listening to him on The Musers in the morning. Curious as to how often that happens with all of The Tickets' personalities' side gigs.
Thank you sir! Donation made! Cornerstone looks like a great outfit doing a lot of good!
Soccer newby here. I'm trying to find the best way to watch Primera Federacion here in the US. Any app recommendations (or streaming services) are much appreciated.
Are you serious? I thought Michael put it pretty clear... didn't see your response.
"Considering the abysmal record of the Mavs FO with such moves in the past any reason to feel better about this one? Also, thoughts on why Cuban isn't held remotely close to the same standard as Jerry Jones? Success on the court has been rare and the front office was exposed as a toxic cesspool of fratbro behavior. Yet Cuban seems to have a very positive reputation with most fans and I've long wondered why?"
Your thoughts on Mark Cuban? You blew right over that one. Kind a like how we feel he gets treated here. Not held to same standards as JJ. Why?
What standards are Jerry held to that Mark is not? Could it be 30 years vs 10?
Bob, I’ve always been impressed with your depth of knowledge when covering the Cowboys, but I have been especially amazed at the depth you have been able to provide on other teams in other sports. You must not have any life outside of sports, although I know you do. Your time management skills have to be extraordinary. Thanks for providing such great value with our subscriptions to Sturmstack.
A 5 minute YouTube video montage clip of a day in the life of Bob Sturm would be fascinating.
I envision his day going something like this:
- Get up early and evaluate film
- hit the links for a quick 18 holes
- evaluate more film and write
- do an hour on Peloton while watching some vintage 1980s games
- do Ticket show prep
- go back to the home office grab a quick bite with Sally and write some more
- Finish the evening by binging Season 4 of Breaking Bad while looking at the latest advanced metrics in all 4 major sports
Am I close?