Cowboys mailbag: Questions on defeating the 49ers, best defensive player and pre-camp plans

Our latest mailbag features plenty of questions about the Dallas Cowboys.

Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get right into it.

“What moves have the Cowboys made to close the gap on the San Francisco 49ers?”

(@Rob Spirling on Facebook)

Mike: The honest truthful answer to this question is simply they haven’t. The Cowboys made a good move by signing Eric Kendricks but he merely fills the gap left by Leighton Vander Esch, and the linebacker corps is still left with a lot of unanswered questions. As for the other signings, Ezekiel Elliott and Royce Freeman are sensible moves to help with the loss of Tony Pollard. Other than that the Cowboys free agency moves haven’t really closed the gap, especially when you look at the additions the 49ers have made. The 49ers focused heavily on their defensive line in free agency so this is telling on how the team look to play this year. So how does that fair against a Cowboys offensive line that was will look to be starting two rookies?

The two team’s rookie class is where the gap does close slightly. Although both teams had respectable draft hauls, Dallas has the slight edge. The trade in the first round helps Dallas a lot and taking a mauling center (Cooper Bebe) with that extra pick is massive. For the two rookie offensive linemen, they get vital experience and lessons in practice by having players like Micah Parsons around. The hope is those rookies develop at a faster rate by Week 8 than what the 49ers will. And that’s the most important gap to watch for by the time these two teams face eachother.

Dana: While the Cowboys have made a few moves in the draft and free agency that helped fill roster holes left behind from free agency and retiring players, it is difficult to believe that they are enough to see a significant improvement in 2024, let alone close the gap against the Cowboys’ bully from San Francisco.

There are some moves player-wise that have the potential to close that gap, but for many of them, it is too soon to tell. The running game on offense is shifting to a “RB by committee” philosophy and the success of that greatly depends on the offensive line. Adding in two high draft picks should yield a return on investment eventually, but will it be enough when facing the 49ers in Week 8?

The return of Trevon Diggs is not really a move that the organization made, but a player with that kind of impact will be much needed when they face receivers like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. The Cowboys also added linebacker Eric Kendricks and expect the return of DeMarvion Overshown that should improve the run defense, but again, it is too soon to tell.

The biggest move the Cowboys made, isn’t actually a player at all. It is bringing in Mike Zimmer as the new defensive coordinator. While Dan Quinn was an excellent defensive coordinator, it was a pattern that his defenses did not fare well against Shanahan tree offenses. Zimmer on the other hand, has had much more success. Blogging the Boys’ own David Howman wrote an article breaking it all down. There are still open questions surrounding this move. How does he look after taking some time off coaching? Will there be enough time to fine tune his scheme? Does he have the right personnel?

Will these moves be enough to finally get over that red and gold roadblock?

“Who is the best defensive player of all time for Dallas in your opinion? And where would Micah rank all-time?

(@Lee Jones on Facebook)

Mike: If we are talking best then it is DeMarcus Ware. In the history of the Cowboys no other player has more pressures, sacks, forced fumbles and tackles for loss than Ware. When you look at the plethora of defensive talent that has donned the star, if you have one player that leads in any given category then that immediately takes note. But for Ware, he leads the Cowboys in four major defensive statistics, that’s just crazy. Sure, Ware never got to win a Super Bowl in Dallas but his talents are undeniable and to watch him win one in Denver does huge justice for such an elite player.

As for where does Micah Parsons rank among all the great defensive legends at Dallas? Well that at this stage he still has a way to go to break into the top-10. The start he’s had at Dallas is nothing short of incredible and in just three seasons he’s made a huge mark. He already ranks third in QB hits, sixth in tackles for loss, and ranks 13th in total sacks. Over a three-year period that’s outperforming Ware, and by some margin. Beyond the statistics though, you have to look at what players do to affect or make the team better. In this regard, Parsons has a long way to go.

Dana: The Cowboys have a very rich history with many impressive defensive players to choose from. Players like Bob Lilly, Randy White, DeMarcus Ware, Darren Woodson, Charles Haley, and Deion Sanders all stand out and a case could be made for each to be the very best in Dallas Cowboys history.

That being said, Bob Lilly aka “Mr. Cowboy”, would be the case to beat. The 11-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All Pro was selected to not one, but two All-Decade teams (1960’s & 1970’s). He was the very first player to be inducted into the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and the first Cowboy inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Super Bowl VI winner was often double or triple-teamed throughout his career, not unlike the current Cowboys’ defensive superstar.

Micah Parsons in his first three seasons has been phenomenal. Currently holding the eighth most sacks in Cowboys’ history, Parsons has a real chance to end his career at the top of that list. It took only 50 games for him to log 40.5 sacks. Now, he does have a ways to go to dethrone DeMarcus Ware with 117 sacks in nine seasons. However, if Parsons continues at this pace, he will hit 121.5 sacks at the end of his ninth season.

Based on what we have seen so far, Parsons has a really good chance to end his career as the best defensive player in Dallas Cowboys’ history. Throw in a Super Bowl ring or two and it will be written in stone.

“Do you get to relax before the grind of training camp and regular season mayhem?”

(@MrEd315 on X)

Mike: There’s never rest for the wicked here. Everyone at Blogging The Boys keeps working hard and they are all some of hardest workers and content creators I’ve had the pleasure to be around. Working with them all and constantly finding ways to be better writers and podcasters has been the best, and working with new writers like Dana is a massive pleasure, so why would anyone want to take a break from that?

Keeping Cowboys fans, and most importantly BTB fans engaged and talking is a great experience. Even better than riling up Eagles fans on the other radio and podcast broadcasts.

Dana: This is my first season writing for Blogging The Boys so I am excited to see what the training camp and regular season mayhem is all about. In general though, most of my hobbies outside of the Cowboys involve warm weather and sunshine so I’ve been making sure that I soak that all in while I can. Once football season and cold weather hits, it’s all Cowboys all the time.

Be sure to check Blogging The Boys as well as @kenfigkowboy and @day_nuh_bee on X (Twitter) and also Facebook for the weekly post, asking for your questions to include in the weekly mailbag. Many thanks to everyone who send in your questions and votes.