How Bout Wow
Jaishawn Barham Goes Viral. Is This Actually a Big Deal?
Cowboys vs. Commanders: The Week 1 Warning Dallas Can’t Ignore
Cowboys Trade Rumors: 3 Stars Who Could Save This Defense
Good, Bad, and UGLY From Cowboys week 1 Loss To Giants
by Gavin Dawson
Two Cowboys controversies are getting plenty of attention heading into Week 2 — but do either of them actually matter? A sideline clip of rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham and defensive coordinator Christian Parker has gone viral, with some questioning whether Barham was disrespecting his DC. Is it evidence of a bigger problem, or just an emotional young player frustrated by a rough start? Then there’s the Cowboys’ defensive communication. Players and coaches insist the breakdowns are correctable, and Donovan Ezeiruaku says it’s “not a hard fix.” Critics see something different: if communication is this bad, is that a reflection on the coaching staff? We break down what’s actually concerning, what might be getting blown out of proportion, and what we need to see from Christian Parker’s defense in Week 2. Jump in the comments: Are the Cowboys’ communication problems an easy fix — or a warning sign of something bigger? Like and subscribe for long-form Cowboys discussion all season. @gavindawson | @newbear
The Cowboys are favored against Washington, but Week 1 may have already revealed the blueprint the Commanders will try to use against Dallas. Gavin Dawson and Newbear Lesniewski break down everything you need to know about Cowboys-Commanders in this week’s Opening Script. Washington has changed dramatically on both sides of the ball. New OC David Blough is moving Jayden Daniels into a much different offense, while the defense is bringing pressure, blitzing out of zone and showing some of the same aggressive ideas Dallas has struggled with before. But the biggest concern is what Washington showed against Philadelphia: run the football, use Daniels’ legs, extend drives and play keep-away — a formula that looks awfully similar to what just gave the Cowboys problems. We also get into: • Where the Cowboys pass rush should have opportunities against Washington’s offensive line • Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams • Washington’s rebuilt defense and aggressive pressure packages • Why CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens should have opportunities against this secondary • The matchup Dallas needs to exploit early • Why the Cowboys’ first 15–20 offensive plays could be critical • The Week 1 blueprint Washington could bring to AT&T Stadium Dallas should have opportunities to make a statement in this game. Can the Cowboys start fast, get the passing game rolling and keep Washington from controlling the game on the ground? Tell us what we missed — and how nervous you are about this matchup — in the comments. Subscribe to How Bout Wow for Cowboys coverage with Gavin Dawson (@gavindawson) and Newbear (@newbear). #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #Commanders #CowboysNation #NFL
The Cowboys offense looks good enough to contend. The defense? After Week 1, I’m not convinced it’s even close to Super Bowl ready. But there IS a realistic path to fixing it. Today we break down the three positions Dallas may still need to address EDGE, linebacker and cornerback — and the potential trade targets who could completely change the ceiling of this defense before the deadline. Could Maxx Crosby eventually reconsider leaving Las Vegas if the Raiders start losing? Is there actually a path to Joey Porter Jr. if Pittsburgh lowers its asking price? And could Jordyn Brooks become available if Miami decides to move another veteran contract? We’ll also get into what Week 1 told us about Christian Parker’s new defense, why the problems might be bigger than one bad game, how much improvement is realistically coming from the current roster, and why Jerry Jones’ willingness to make a substantive move could be the biggest reason for optimism. Plus: what Tyler Smith’s absence means for the offense, the Cowboys’ realistic win range after Week 1, and whether a worst-case season could actually put Brian Schottenheimer’s job in danger. The Cowboys aren’t Super Bowl ready today. But they might only be a few moves away. Subscribe for more Cowboys analysis and follow @gavindawson and @newbear for more Cowboys content.
The Dallas Cowboys are 0–1 after a 28–20 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football — and Christian Parker’s defensive debut could not have gone much worse. Jaxson Dart picked apart the Cowboys defense, New York dominated time of possession, and Dallas couldn’t get off the field when it mattered. Based on EPA per drive, Sheil Kapadia had the Cowboys as the worst defensive performance of Week 1. But was everything really that bad? Dak Prescott and the offense scored on both of their second-half possessions. Javonte Williams delivered as both a runner and receiver. CeeDee Lamb remained the constant, while Quinnen Williams and Shavon Revel combined to create Dallas’ first takeaway of the season. We break down the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY from Cowboys-Giants, including: • Christian Parker’s rough defensive debut • Why Jaxson Dart gave Dallas so many problems • The Cowboys’ disastrous third-down defense • Dak’s ugly first half and costly interception • Javonte Williams emerging as the answer at RB • Dallas getting beaten in the trenches • Costly penalties and self-inflicted mistakes • The late taunting penalty and missed extra point • Whether this was just Week 1 rust — or a warning sign It’s only one game. But if Dallas keeps putting this run defense, third-down defense and lack of discipline on tape, this becomes much bigger than a bad opening night. Subscribe to How ’Bout Wow for Cowboys reaction, analysis and conversation all season long. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howboutwow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@howboutwowcowboys Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/howboutwow Hosts on Twitter: @gavindawson and @newbear
Christian Parker isn't just bringing a new defensive scheme to the Dallas Cowboys. He has assembled one of the most fascinating collections of defensive coaches in the NFL and each one may provide a clue about what this Cowboys defense is going to become. Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters.com joins Gavin Dawson for Part 2 of our deep dive into Christian Parker's new Cowboys defense. This time, we're breaking down the PEOPLE Parker chose to build it. We get into former SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons and what his odd-front background could bring to the Cowboys linebackers; Chidera Uzo-Diribe's experience in the Kirby Smart/Nick Saban defensive tree; Ryan Smith's background in Arizona's disguise-heavy defense; and Marcus Dixon's work with the Vikings defensive front. Cody also explains how Parker could combine all of those influences with what he's learned from Vic Fangio, Vance Joseph, Mike Pettine and Mike Elko. And that's where this gets really interesting: Is Parker simply installing another version of the Fangio defense or is he building his own defensive ecosystem in Dallas? We also discuss the Cowboys' personnel, keeping the linebackers clean, odd fronts, spot-drop vs. match coverage, the 5-1-5 "Penny" package, generating pass rush from power, and whether players like DaRon Bland and Malik Hooker could benefit from Parker's background coaching defensive backs. Finally: How quickly can all of this come together and how confident should Cowboys fans be that this defense could surprise people in Year 1? Part 1 of our conversation with Cody breaks down the schemes and structures behind Parker's defense, so make sure you check that out as well. Subscribe to How Bout Wow for daily Dallas Cowboys discussion with Gavin Dawson and Newbear. @gavindawson @newbear