The Cowboys defense against Jacksonville (AP Photo)
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm answered questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: Cowboys writer David Helman wrote a column about the Eagles a day ago. I find this very disturbing as that game is nearly three weeks away. I hope Helman is the only one looking past the Giants. As a writer do you think that was a good idea?
Bob Sturm: I don’t think writers have any impact on actual football outcomes. I also think it is reasonable to write about the Eagles since they are a big story and your biggest divisional rival. So, while i am not writing about the Eagles anytime soon, I think David or whoever are free to do that without causing any problems for the Cowboys. They are just articles.
Question: Depth at the Dline and linebacker is good to have, but don’t you need guys who can play a full game themselves when you are up against no huddle offenses like the Eagles? Those teams will not allow defenses like the Cowboys’ to rotate players. Your thoughts?
Bob Sturm: That is a very good point. The whole premise of the no-huddle is to keep the same 11 on the field. You may have to rotate by series rather than by down and that could hurt your situation. So, yes, you would prefer to have 11 full-time players who were all up to standard, but that likely isn’t too realistic.
Question: If the Cowboys can’t catch Philly in the East, they are going to be challenged to win a wild card spot – the Packers are 6-3, a half game back and playing great football and the Niners are 1.5 back but have a head-to-head win vs Dallas. There is not much room for error.
Bob Sturm: I agree. The wildcard mix is going to be complicated. Especially if Seattle gets going, too. So, you have 4 teams – 2nd and 3rd in the west, 2nd in the north, and 2nd in the east that all could be in that 10 win range. I am not confident which of those would survive, but the top-heavy NFC is going to cost somebody.
Question: Done in Dallas? Bruce Carter
Bob Sturm: It doesn’t look great. However, I would imagine there is still plenty of time and the market will decide this. It is possible that on a short, smaller deal, he could return. But, the days of thinking he would need 4yr/$20m or something big seem to all be over.
Question: Would you agree Anthony Hitchens has outplayed Ryan Shazier through week 10 2014? Regardless what more does Hitchens need to do to be a regular for the rest of the season, especially with so many lb injuries this yr?
Bob Sturm: Shazier was hurt and missed over a month, so I am not going to suggest that he is a major bust or that Hitchens who has only played a few games himself has been better. But, from an expectation standpoint, Hitchens has absolutely exceeded those. I love him grasp of the position, his versatility, and his physical play. He is not a dreaded “finesse linebacker”.
Question: The league seems determined to expand to the UK. Why not a team in Canada or Mexico first?
Bob Sturm: Fair question. I think Toronto will happen quickly, but beyond that, it might not be the market size that the NFL seeks up north. Mexico is appealing for all sorts of reasons and should not be considered impossible, either. But, London and Europe seem to be a major focal point in this generation. I have no idea what the next 25 years will hold for the NFL, but world domination is likely somewhere on their list.
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