Jon Machota:

New Cowboys senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine on how he can help Christian Parker as a first-time DC: “I think I can help a lot. It’s funny, I have a big, about 4-inch thick book of what not to do, and a very thin one of what to do.

“I think that’s key, is learning from others’ mistakes. As much as you think you’re prepared for it, you’re really not until you get into it. And I think that’s where I’ll be able to help.”

Patrik Walker:

Pettine’s full answer to me re: April to now:

“Yeah, I mean, we had a good discussion in the spring. And I actually came down here and visited, spent some time here during OTA's.. Yeah, it was tough, but it was something that I kind of decided that, last year, that I was gonna step away for a little bit, and I knew it was something that would be an opportunity then.

“I'm just trying to hit the ground, running here, and I feel like I'm trying to sip water from a fire hose, but trying to get caught up on all the film, and make observations here and there.

“I'm just here to support [Parked], both him and Schotty, and the rest of the defensive staff, in any way I can.”

By: Jon Conohan

Throughout the first five weeks of the season, the Dallas Cowboys haven't had much success.

The Cowboys look like a team that can win games at a high level, but unfortunately, they haven't been able to do so. Much of that is because their defense is one of the worst in the NFL, as shown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football in Week 5.

While the Buccaneers scored only 24 points, they put up 419 total yards.

Simply put, the Cowboys at 2-3 look like they're missing something, and one can argue they're missing a guy like Micah Parsons, who Jerry Jones traded after a summer contract standoff, leading to a deal right before the start of the regular season.

With the Packers taking on the Cowboys this week, the conversation has come up multiple times, despite Parsons being out with an injury. According to one recent report, Jones made a mistake by trading him and really regrets it.

"He knows he (messed up) trading ([Micah] Parsons) (to Green Bay) last year," the GM told La Canfora, H/T Heavy. "That haunts him."

Because Parsons is currently hurt, the conversations regarding the Cowboys making the wrong decision haven't been as prevalent as they likely would be.

When he returns and Parsons comes back playing the type of football we all expect, Jones will really have to live with his decisions.

It'll be interesting to see what happens, but there's a good reason to believe Parsons will come back and be just as good as he always has been.

He was sick, he couldn’t play last week with the flu. But he obviously played in our first game and I think he’s fired up about what he can do to help us win against the Packers.”

I'm not sure it's the obvious better decision. Especially when taking into all the game flow and matchup decisions.

Also, the only real benefits come from you getting the first 2 pt. conversion. Otherwise you're just tying the game if.you convert the 2nd 2 pt try. And you only have a 48% chance to get that first one.

ANALYTICS PEOPLE. WHAT AM I MISSING HERE? Genuinely curious.

Looking back 25 seasons, I found eight in season defensive coaching additions with a clear start date. Here’s how those teams performed before and after:

Defensive points allowed/game: 22.5 → 20.8

EPA allowed/play: +0.03 → -0.03

Against the spread cover rate: 41.9% → 58.3%

Could more teams use in season coaching additions to turn around struggling units?

So I'm asking a bunch of fun questions the last day or so about the Cowboys. This one might Be my favorite. For those who were around, what would have been your choice as the coach after Switzer.

If we hold the packers to at least 24pts I think we should win and I would have a lot of hope for this team. And the addition of Mike Pettine would’ve helped a lot

What are y’all’s thoughts?

I was born in 1991, so the majority of my Cowboys memories are after the big 3 moved on from the Cowboys. Was bored and looked up the RB that replaced Emmitt after he left for Arizona, does anybody know why we went with an undrafted free agent the next year as our starter (Troy Hambrick, had like 900 yards). But why would not address the position more effectively in draft/fa (for anyone that remembers)

2022/23 NFC Wildcard Game against the Bucs, Brett Maher miss four straight extra points, an NFL record.

Winning this game handily helped this get largely forgotten. If this had happened in a loss or close Playoff game, I couldn’t even imagine what would’ve happened.

This is one of the rare Cowboys playoff blunders that doesn’t make me sick to my stomach looking back it. I look back at it and just think of how ridiculous it’s always been 😂.

Something that would only happen to the Cowboys.

The reported players-only meeting is getting a lot of heat from the media, Former Coaches & Former players.

Here are some of the things that were said this week:

1. Mike Tomlin — "I think you're dead." w/ the Kelce Sisters laughing & agreeing.

2. Chris Simms —"Not a good sign."

3. ‘How Are You Okay With That?’ — Stephen A. Smith Unleashes on Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer for ‘Applauding’ Players-Only Meeting

4. Randy Gurzi - "Cowboys' Players-Only Meeting Is Frightening Sign That Season Is Cooked"

and many more.

They have a point in many cases but there has been teams that have these players only meetings and turn their season around.

1. 2015 Seattle Seahawks (2–3 start → 10–6)

After struggling defensively and blowing a 17-point lead against Cincinnati, Seattle's defense held a players-only meeting to address accountability and communication.

The Seahawks turned things around, finished 10–6, and made the divisional round of the playoffs. Their defense became one of the best in the league again.

Source: NFL.com — The team meeting that repaired Seattle

2. 2015 Washington Redskins (4–6 → 9–7)

At 4–6, safety Dashon Goldson organized a players-only meeting where teammates openly discussed their frustrations and what needed to change.

Washington went 5–1 over its final six games, won the NFC East, and made the playoffs.

Even head coach Jay Gruden supported the players taking matters into their own hands.

Source: Washington Post — Players-only meeting was long overdue

3. 2018 Houston Texans (0–3 → 11–5)

After starting 0–3, Houston's veteran leadership worked to establish expectations and accountability.

Houston went on to win nine consecutive games, finished 11–5, and won the AFC South.

To be fair, reporting doesn't conclusively establish that this was a strictly players-only meeting. But it's another example of players addressing problems internally during a rough stretch.

Source: Houston Texans — How the Texans overcame 0–3

Source: Houston Texans — Texans win 9 in a row in 2018

4. 2015 Philadelphia Eagles (1–3 start)

After a 1–3 start, Sam Bradford organized a players-only offensive meeting to address the team's struggles.

Philadelphia responded by putting up 39 points and 519 yards against New Orleans and winning three of its next four games.

The turnaround didn't last, and they finished 7–9, but the meeting certainly didn't prevent an immediate improvement.

Source: Philadelphia Magazine — Bradford Delivers Bathroom Speech Before Win

Source: Bleeding Green Nation — Sam Bradford organizes players-only meeting

So with that said. Fuck the haters, Fuck all these media ppl talking shit, and Fuck Mike Tomlin (unless we hire him next year).

“I’m gonna keep that to myself.”

What was his message to his teammates in Dallas' defensive players only meeting on Monday?

“I’m gonna keep that to myself also.”

Does he believe players only meetings help?

“I believe they do.”

In what ways?

“I’m gonna keep that to myself.”

Joseph Hoyt:

Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams elected to not answer a lot of questions today, saying that he wanted to keep some answers to himself, as Tommy Yarrish shows here.

Williams was also asked, as a leader, how much responsibility he takes for the defense.

“I take full personal responsibility. I looked in the mirror for myself. I know I need to play better. I need to do better. I take full accountability and full responsibility for the way this defense is going at the moment.”

Win win for all of us, if the packers win, we get paid. If the cowboys win I will assume it was because we paid off Vegas.

You’re welcome fam.

The Cowboys had three consecutive 12-win seasons entering that game. They are 16-22-1 since.

Basically every NFC east team had their QB injured at some point besides us. Not to mention that the rest of our division is just not good in general. I know we are pretty bad ourselves, but it would take generational sucking to lose a division like this.

"You don’t have to explain yourself to this group. The trust, blood, sweat and tears. We’re the ones who sacrifice and do it together. We don’t need your explanation. We all believe in you. We watch the way you practice and prepare, forget about it. Let’s move on.”