VaqueroTD
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Didn't get a chance to transcribe this one live this morning. Recap below if you value Troy's takes. (Which you should.)
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This Week's Recaps
Stephen Jones Show - Tyron Smith, Connor Williams Updates
Recap: - Stephen Jones Show 105.3 FM | Dallas Cowboys Forum - CowboysZone.com
Nate Newton & Jesse Holley Monday Podcast - Take on Falcons game, Nate called it!
Recap: - Hanging With Boys, Big Nate & Jesse Holley Podcast 11/15 | Dallas Cowboys Forum - CowboysZone.com
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Troy Aikman on Ticket 96.7FM
Audio: Podcasts | KTCK-AM (theticket.com)
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This Week's Recaps
Stephen Jones Show - Tyron Smith, Connor Williams Updates
Recap: - Stephen Jones Show 105.3 FM | Dallas Cowboys Forum - CowboysZone.com
Nate Newton & Jesse Holley Monday Podcast - Take on Falcons game, Nate called it!
Recap: - Hanging With Boys, Big Nate & Jesse Holley Podcast 11/15 | Dallas Cowboys Forum - CowboysZone.com
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Troy Aikman on Ticket 96.7FM
Audio: Podcasts | KTCK-AM (theticket.com)
- Sometimes you need a game like Denver to get your edge back. Sometimes you lose your edge after big wins. Falcons had come off the big win in NO. Perfect storm.
- Is Dallas as good as they showed? I don't know. They can show it though with KC.
- I'm not ready to say KC is back to previous years performance. I will withhold judgment until I see the tape of the Oakland game. I feel KC is still finding themselves but more confident.
- This Dallas team does feel different than last 15 years teams. Biggest reason is Dak Prescott. The way he goes about it, the leader he is, this team is more grounded in what they are and don't take anything for granted. It becomes difficult for the players. There's this idea they've accomplished something just by playing for the Cowboys. They get caught up in it because the Cowboys are so popular. If you play decent for Dallas, you're automatically a star because of how popular they are. If you're not put in your place properly by the people in charge, you get an inflated opinion. I sense that is what has happened to some of these previous Dallas teams. I don't feel this way about this group. At least that's what I gather when I talk to them and I watch them. Until you go do it, you haven't done anything. I like this Coach's approach.
- Hard Knocks is unfortunate because you get a peak behind the curtain, but it's unfair on how people judge McCarthy's message instead of his results. I think he brings a lunch pail attitude to the team, Pittsburgh roots, and a big reason why this team is as grounded as they are. Most successful teams take on the personality of their head coach. He provides the daily message. Not that they say it that way, but it influences. And then to have a QB like Dak who is such a great leader on both sides of the ball, I think it all becomes a very positive thing.
- I see a lot of red flags with Rams. Robert Woods is a huge blow. I've been criticized for saying it but I've always said he's a top 5 receiver in football. A lot of times I watch him, I would take him first for all that he does. Rams haven't had a first draft pick since Goff. They don't have another one until 2024. They bring in Ramsey, arguable the best corner in football for a first. Known commodity instead of a question. I get that. If you can make it work under the cap, great. I don't think the Stafford move was a bad thing either, I think the world of Stafford. I like a lot of what they've done but the last few moves, I don't want to say desperation, but I got the feeling watching them last night that it has totally shaken the chemistry of that football team. And that happens. Just one player in a locker room can change the dynamics. If you bring in a player, someone is not going to play and they won't be happy. If that player is popular or has 4-5 very close friends, it starts trickling around and it creates cliques in the locker room. That's what I sensed last night. Stafford throws an INT because he's trying to get the ball to OBJ. There were 2 defenders back there, but Matthew now feels the same pressure that Baker Mayfield did -- I have to get the ball in his hands. It's not good playing QB when you feel pressure to get the ball to one particular player.
- It's human nature to look at the schedule and think you will win one game. As much as the players know, and especially the coaches are less inclined to get ahead of themselves. It's human nature though to look at the schedule and say "that's a Win" or "that's a Win." Any Given Sunday is a cliche, but it really is true. The margins are not that great, and they are slimmer every year.
- I would bet on the Patriots making the Playoffs. They have made great strides through the season. I'm a big fan of Belichick and Brady. Love what Tom did last year but hate that it was at the expense of saying, "Oh... he's the one who made it happen in New England." Cause I don't think that's true, this is the greatest coach of all-time. He showed it against Tampa and Dallas this year. He comes up with things to give his team a chance to win. And it's helped with Mac Jones playing the way he has. Every time I watch Mac Jones you would never know he's a rookie QB. Big throws, hangs in there... there's always this argument on sitting or playing. Aaron Rodgers would have been pretty good playing as a rookie. Mahomes could have played as a rookie but he sat on the bench and everyone points to it as that's why he's great. No, there's a lot of QBs that have had great careers playing their first season. If you're ready, you're ready. You can't compare today's game against my days, these QBs have far greater opportunity to have success. Much more ready. Has Jones reached his ceiling already? I don't find that to be true. He was well coached in college so more prepared with Saban and Sarkisian. I still think he will improve every year and look forward to visiting with him tomorrow.
- (asked about Ticket's Jub Jam that Joe Avezanno helped start in Dallas, a lot of musicians got their start because of Coach Joe) Joe Avezanno had a lot of great sayings. He used to say the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. Me and Stepnoski would jot them down and remind him. He would always deny it. I miss him every day. Hoping that the music festival I'm doing in Oklahoma can have that same impact on young artists and a little bit of a breeding ground, the same impact that Joe made in his day.