- 17 hours ago
Bobby took us Below The Belt to debate if the Cowboys should adopt the Eagles' draft philosophy, sparking a discussion on whether Dallas needs immediate rookie impact or long-term development. They also dug into recent prospect rankings, the team's uphill battle in a competitive division, and more.
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00:00Is the key to Cowboys success to be more like the E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles.
00:07Let's talk about it here in Below the Belt, which is sponsored by Window Nation.
00:11I saw this the other day.
00:13I got something real quick.
00:14Hit me.
00:15The great Alec Medford sending over the tweet from E.M. Rappaport
00:18after the stupid Bengals gave the Giants pick 10 for Dexter Lawrence.
00:23New York, who has gotten trade calls centered around Edge,
00:27which Kayvon Thibodeau the past few months are now considered less likely
00:31to trade him after the Lawrence deal.
00:34No one is ruling out anything but unlikely for Kayvon Thibodeau.
00:38I sent this over to the Meatballs, and the Giants fans texted back,
00:41oh, just have Cincy give us a second for him.
00:44Yeah.
00:44Oh, they didn't text back, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:47What do you mean?
00:48Yeah.
00:48No, I will say that's got to be you're just trying to get more right.
00:52You're like, holy cow, we just got a 10 for this?
00:54Let's pretend like we don't want to give up Kayvon Thibodeau.
00:56Why would trading Lawrence affect Thibodeau?
01:01Unless you're just saying, like, we don't want to replace more defensive players.
01:04We're already replacing one, so we don't want to add somebody else to the list.
01:07No, yeah.
01:07And then, you know, any whispers of Reese or Bailey dropping to five,
01:12and then you're going to be like, yeah, we got Thibodeau still now.
01:16Yeah, we got Thibodeau.
01:17We're not going to pick that.
01:17We'll just bail out of here.
01:18We won't take the top graded player in the draft.
01:20Which I don't think they would because of Burns and Carter.
01:24Yeah, they've got, I mean, they've spent capital on guys.
01:28Burns is a lot of money they've invested there.
01:29What would you, how would you stack Carter, Bailey, Reese in the same draft?
01:37Carter.
01:38Because I feel like Abdul Carter's been forgotten.
01:40Yeah, because, I mean, when you first said Carter, I was like,
01:42Jalen Carter's with the Eagles.
01:43And I remembered, oh, no, we're talking about Abdul.
01:45Oh, I thought you were putting Carter Freeman high up on the board.
01:47No, I would never put Carter high up on the board,
01:50unless it was like the list of people that we should get rid of.
01:53Jermon McCoy or Carter?
01:55Jermon McCoy.
01:56I would rather have Jermon McCoy's knees than work next to Carter.
02:02So, I would say, for me, it would be Reese, Bailey, Carter.
02:07Reese, Bailey, Carter.
02:09Oh, you got Reese over Bailey.
02:11Yes.
02:11I thought Bailey was your crush.
02:13I do, I love Bailey, but, like, to me, Reese is going higher than Bailey.
02:19So, the only discussion would have been.
02:20We think.
02:21Right, I think Reese is going higher than Bailey.
02:23And so, I put that out of my head that Reese would even be in a position
02:26where Bailey may be in the most unforeseen circumstances.
02:29And the other aspect of it is, if they're truly about, like,
02:33let's tear open this window and let's try to do something in three years,
02:37then Bailey as a contributor is ready to do more right now.
02:39It's just the only thing as a fast rusher.
02:41So, you're going to be able to get him to come in and rush the passer instantly.
02:45But Carter would be third to me.
02:46I did not love Carter like everybody else did.
02:48Like, he was a first-rounder for me, and I really liked him,
02:52and I thought he was good.
02:52I did not think of him as being this all-world super stud
02:57that you just couldn't pass up like a lot of people did.
03:00But, yeah, I would say Reese, Bailey, both of those,
03:03for prospects for me, would be above Carter.
03:05All right.
03:06So, this was a write-up I saw over at Pro Football Talk last week.
03:11That I was like, boy, this sounds like R.J. Choppy could have written it.
03:15I had to look at it and see, make sure that there was not a Ralph Choppy on the byline.
03:19No, it was Michael David Smith.
03:21And he was talking about the Eagles press conference.
03:23Mike from Pro Football Talk.
03:24Yeah, that's it.
03:25But there was a write-up here about the Eagles press conference,
03:29and he says, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman isn't thinking primarily about
03:33drafting players who can help the Eagles win as rookies in 2026,
03:36whereas the Dallas Cowboys right now are pretty focused, I think,
03:39on guys who are not going to take a lot of time.
03:41So, they said, no redshirt players.
03:42We don't want a redshirt.
03:43We want somebody who can contribute now.
03:45He says, Roseman is thinking about players who can help the Eagles win in 27,
03:4928, and beyond.
03:50He said, the type of player who has the potential to develop into an all-pro by year three
03:54is more the type of player the Eagles want than the guy who might be a rookie starter
03:58but never takes it to the next level.
04:00He says, quote, to come in and expect 21, 22, 23-year-old players to be the best version
04:04of themselves is probably a little naive.
04:06So, just like all of us, these players need to be developed.
04:09We've got to figure out the things they are further along with and develop
04:12and then have a lot of trust in our player development staff, our coaching staff,
04:15the people in this building to get the best out of them,
04:17figure out what their strength is, what their weakness is,
04:19and work on those, get the best out of the player.
04:22A lot of time in the draft, we talk about what could this player be in year three.
04:26And then Nick Sirianni echoed similar things.
04:28I'm just like, yeah, year three is really our target for,
04:30that's the kind of player that we want.
04:31We're not worried about how, where you're at really in year one, year two.
04:35We're worried about what you can project out to be.
04:37So, obviously a little different for the Cowboys,
04:39where they are seemingly not wanting to take any redshirt players.
04:42We're talking a lot about, I just mentioned it with David Bailey.
04:44David Bailey could come in right now and play.
04:46And then do something that, even though I have Reese a little higher,
04:49I might break the tie for Dallas on,
04:52hey, Bailey can do something for you right now and is better prepared to play.
04:55So, Chop, I'm curious for you,
04:59is this more what the Dallas Cowboys need to be?
05:01They need to be more like the Eagles,
05:02who are in a pretty toxic situation right now.
05:04But should they be looking?
05:05Because you've been frustrated that it sounds like they wouldn't take Jermot McCoy,
05:09based on what he could be this year.
05:10Because he wouldn't be ready until 27, potentially.
05:13My concern is not about...
05:15Look, first of all, I don't think they could compete this year.
05:18And I've got to be clear on something.
05:19Cowboys.
05:19They can't compete for...
05:21For a title.
05:21Okay, for a title.
05:22Because that's all...
05:23When I say compete, it's just for...
05:25Make a playoffs.
05:26I mean, anybody can make the playoffs.
05:28Especially the way the NFL...
05:29They kind of manufacture it with...
05:30Do you look at...
05:31There's somebody in the NFC who,
05:32if they were...
05:33If the Cowboys were good enough to be a playoff team,
05:35do you look in the NFC and say there's like a team that definitely
05:38would prevent them from being in that competition?
05:41Like, being in that conversation?
05:42Being in the Super Bowl?
05:43Being...
05:44Like, yeah.
05:44Like, last year, I think everybody felt like the NFL was kind of a watered-down year.
05:48Where there wasn't like...
05:49I mean, Seattle ended up being a really good team.
05:51But, like, I don't know that, like, in 26, we're walking into this being like,
05:54well, you've got to deal with this team and that team.
05:56And, like, they're going to definitely keep you...
05:58They're going to gatekeep you from the game.
05:59I mean, like, I...
06:00I still buy into San Francisco.
06:02I still think the Rams are good.
06:04Better.
06:04Better than the Cowboys.
06:06I still think...
06:06Seattle.
06:07Seattle, obviously.
06:08I still think Green Bay and Detroit are better.
06:11And I think Philadelphia is.
06:13But Chicago is...
06:15Even without A.J. Brown?
06:21Man...
06:21Adam Schefter-Sang expects A.J. to get traded, probably to know...
06:26I don't know.
06:27Confirming Sean Sharif's report from last year.
06:28I don't know.
06:29I don't know about that.
06:30That's twice now, Schefter.
06:31Yeah, I don't know about that one.
06:33But I do think that, like, you know, either way,
06:36even if you think you might compete this year.
06:38Okay, can I ask you this?
06:39Can I say...
06:39Let's...
06:40Which teams did you say?
06:40Seattle, San Francisco, Rams.
06:43Rams.
06:43And then Philly?
06:45Philly and Green Bay and Detroit.
06:48Which...
06:48How many of those quarterbacks do you definitely feel better about than Dak?
06:54Because for you, a lot of times you say it is the quarterback, right?
06:57It is the quarterback.
06:58And I don't know that the NFC feels like it's that much of a slam dunk in terms of...
07:03Stafford's obviously better.
07:05Yeah, move on.
07:06I think Dak's better than Hurts.
07:07I think he's better than Darnold.
07:09Is he better than Purdy?
07:12I think him and Purdy and Goff are about on the same level.
07:17And I think they're better than Love.
07:19Look, I think that it's really easy for Howie Roseman to talk this way.
07:23When he literally just won a Super Bowl with Quinion Mitchell and the other guy.
07:27What's his name?
07:28Cooper Dejean.
07:30Cooper Dejean and Quinion Mitchell contributing at a very high level very early on.
07:35And to be like, well, we're worried about what they're going to be in year three.
07:37Well, yeah, well, they were also pretty awesome in year one for you.
07:39And thank you, Christian Parker, now that we've got that set up here.
07:42But they were good immediately.
07:45And that makes it easier to act like, well, you know,
07:47we don't really care about round one contributors or year one contributors.
07:50But they have had that sort of success.
07:52Guys have slowly developed for them.
07:54Devontae Smith came along a little bit.
07:57Not slowly, but like Devontae Smith has progressively gotten better.
08:02Jordan Davis progressively got better.
08:03Like a lot of people are talking about Jordan Davis's bust.
08:06Jalen Carter got better.
08:07So they've had guys that they develop into it.
08:09What is the general team building philosophy here for you, Sean?
08:14Look, I understand.
08:15I've always rolled my eyes at this whole window thing.
08:17You know, you talk about a window when you are on the cusp.
08:21You know, the Cowboys talk about windows because they have some type of glass in their house.
08:27So I get it with Dak's contract.
08:30I understand it.
08:31I will be pissed off if Jermon McCoy sits for a year and ends up being the no doubt best
08:38corner in this draft because of this whole red shirt.
08:42Will you be less pissed off about it if he's selected 33 or later where the whole league told you
08:49they didn't feel comfortable taking him in the first?
08:51Yeah, I mean, look, to some degree I have to sit there and just agree with the physicians.
08:56Sure.
08:56You know, I'm not as dismissive as Choppy is over the McCoy intel and teams saying he's going to go
09:04in the second round.
09:05Choppy's kind of like, well, in the world of modern medicine.
09:07No, I'm going to trust that the doctor didn't think Crosby was good.
09:12That's the Baltimore in you.
09:13Yeah.
09:13You trust the doctor's evaluation of a knee just like Baltimore.
09:16And I'm going to trust that they think McCoy is shot.
09:19You're also the child of a doctor.
09:20That's right.
09:21So, yeah, I'm a holistic healer.
09:23I'm like Tor Ekman.
09:25Have you guys scheduled a call?
09:26Some cramp bark.
09:27Have you gotten a call scheduled yet for Choppy to evaluate his new heart medication yet with your dad?
09:33No.
09:35But we've done it before.
09:36We've got to get it cleared up.
09:37We've had a consultation.
09:39You're not doing this.
09:39When's he coming to town again?
09:40You're not doing this stuttering.
09:41He'll probably be here in a month.
09:43We'll bring him in studio.
09:44I used to do him on the air live, but I'm scared of doing that.
09:50Only prerecord.
09:51But you're not doing the stuttering and stammering today with the stroke type effect.
09:55You know, I did get some more sleep over the week, and that could have been a factor.
09:58Are you still taking your medicine, Hank?
10:01Who's Hank?
10:02Others?
10:04Enjoy the sleep before game two tonight, which we'll talk about here in ten minutes.
10:09But, no, normally I like the Eagles approach of, no, we don't have to have the guy come in this
10:14year and ball out and compete.
10:16You know, long-term flower bloom.
10:19Could I interest you in...
10:21Hold on.
10:22I didn't say what I'm interested in you in yet.
10:24Could I interest you then in...
10:25That's how he literally answers every doorknock.
10:28That is an accurate response from him.
10:30Yeah, sure.
10:31I'm down.
10:31I'm in.
10:32So, can I interest you then in...
10:34If I've got you a little more like, okay, I can take a little bit of a slow play.
10:38Can I interest you in the legal red flag for a guy who's a really impressive player,
10:44but is now in trouble with the law.
10:46That's Zachariah Branch from Georgia.
10:48When we brought up Zachariah Branch a couple months ago the first time,
10:52I think you'd said, who's an offensive player you would take, like, after the first round?
10:58I was like, you know, if I was in a position to where Zachariah Branch was on the board,
11:01I'd probably jump all over him because I think he's got, like...
11:04He's not as built as Tyreek, but he's got, like, just, to me, Tyreek-like skill set.
11:10And he was just an absolute freak at USC.
11:13Things didn't work out there.
11:14He transferred to Georgia and then had a good run.
11:17He's a good player.
11:17He could go...
11:18He's probably going to go in the second round, or was going to go in the second round
11:21until he was arrested over the weekend after Georgia's spring game.
11:25So, Zachariah Branch, tell me if this bugs you at all, or if this would be okay.
11:29He's facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing public sidewalks and streets,
11:35prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
11:37According to Athens-Clark County arrest log, he was booked at 1.26 a.m. over the weekend,
11:42released at 3.44 after posting a $39 bond.
11:46According to the police report, which was penned by NFL Network,
11:48an officer alleged that Branch failed to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands
11:52to not block a public sidewalk.
11:54According to local media, Branch was in attendance for Georgia's spring game Saturday.
11:58His brother Zion is a safety for Georgia.
12:00The police officer apparently talked about that he just kept smirking,
12:03and then he took one step to the right.
12:05It was just kind of like being like, I'm not touching you,
12:07like giving you a little bit of that energy.
12:08Cop did not like it, and he was arrested.
12:11What was the officer, what was the incident that he was trying to get to?
12:14What was being obstructed?
12:16So they were...
12:17I know the sidewalk, but what was the...
12:18No, yeah, there was like, they were, I think the details were,
12:21because it didn't include in the story there.
12:22Like, I think what the chatter has been about was like,
12:25they were like in the process of dealing with like an arrest or something,
12:28and he was standing too close, and they were telling him to back up,
12:31and he wouldn't.
12:31Yeah.
12:32And so he kept smirking a little bit.
12:33Now, I did see one person and tweeted it and said,
12:36I'm still trying to find where the crime is in that,
12:39or where the law was broken.
12:40And it's like, well, you can think it's stupid,
12:42but he was told to move.
12:44That is, if it's a lawful command, you're supposed to do it.
12:47Yeah.
12:47Whether you think it's right or not.
12:49I mean, shoot.
12:50I usually just say, you know, try and comply.
12:52I don't think this makes him fall down the board.
12:54But this definitely Tyreek Hill comparison,
12:57I think, is hitting about 1,000 right now, now with this.
13:00And he's had the other instances or issues?
13:03No, no.
13:03That's the good thing, though.
13:04He has not had that.
13:05He has not had the karate chopping or girlfriends or things.
13:07No, but just other things?
13:08No, just immature.
13:10Consider it a little, which this sounds exactly like just an immature kid.
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