The Dallas Cowboys have an opening in a dysfunctional NFC East, but Locked On Cowboys host Marcus Mosher and co-host Landon McCool argued that opportunity will mean little unless Dallas fixes a defense that has repeatedly put its offense in difficult game scripts. Their most immediate proposed change: reduce DaRon Bland’s role and prepare Cobie Durant to take on more work when he returns from a hamstring injury.
Though the run defense was probably the biggest weakness in Thursday’s 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay — the Buccaneers ran for 241 yards behind Bucky Irving’s career-high 165 — the most consequential personnel question sits at cornerback. Bland and Durant present the staff with a choice between sticking with a player who has produced before and testing whether a healthier, more stable combination can stop the coverage breakdowns. Mosher said Bland has become too frequent a target for opposing offenses and pointed to balance issues on a third-and-21 play against the Buccaneers as evidence that the club must consider a smaller role for him.
Midway through the third quarter with the Buccaneers ahead 21-10, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka — covered by Bland on the play — hauled in a 21-yard pass from rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels on third-and-21 for a first down. The drive ended with a Tampa Bay field goal.
McCool argued that Durant could be a better fit outside once healthy, with Dallas using Bland in a different role or reducing his defensive snaps. McCool also urged more opportunities for edge rusher Malachi Lawrence and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, framing the changes as an attempt to find developmental upside rather than continuing to accept the same mistakes from veterans.
Mosher and McCool also put pressure on defensive coordinator Christian Parker to improve the Cowboys’ situational calls. They said Dallas has surrendered too many long, methodical drives while playing conservatively and should bring more defenders toward the line of scrimmage, even if that creates additional risk. The hosts’ point was not that aggression alone will repair the defense, but that the current approach has not prevented chunk plays or generated enough takeaways.
Dallas also needs its offense to help control games rather than merely outscore opponents. McCool said the run game took a step backward against Tampa Bay and needs to become efficient enough to shorten games, protect the defense and avoid giving opponents late possessions. The Cowboys’ supporting offensive players must also eliminate avoidable errors, while CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens need to contribute more consistently as blockers when the play calls for it.
The Cowboys are close enough to contend in the division, but Mosher and McCool cautioned that the NFC East’s collective struggles cannot become Dallas’ plan. A more dependable secondary, sharper situational defense and a run game capable of closing out possessions would give the offense a more realistic path to carrying the team through the next two months.
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