Behind Enemy Lions: Need to know on Cowboys LBs, Detroit’s guru OC

Cowboys Wire: Let’s dial up the wayback machine. 2023 Week 17, the Lions send 372 offensive linemen racing towards the zebras on a two-point conversion to take the lead. The football gods intervene and strike down the heathens. That’s how you remember things right?

Risdon: Something like that, lol. It’s one of those situations where the officials screwed up because they weren’t paying attention to the details. The Lions did try to add a little gamesmanship to it, but it’s not that hard to get it right when the officiating crew has to announce to both teams if someone reports as eligible and then they don’t listen to their own directive.

What’s one thing the Cowboys do well that doesn’t get enough credit nationally?

CW:  Is there anything, good or bad, that doesn’t get exhausted nationally about this club? The linebacker play has been a great suprise, wholly because of second-year “rookie” DeMarvion Overshown. He’s a heat-seeking missle out there and it will be wild to see how he does when he doesn’t have to spy a mobile quarterback and has to deal with chasing those great Detroit backs. Between him, true rookie Marist Liufau and veteran Eric Kendricks there’s actual competency in the group. If the DTs play well, they are there to clean things up.

Talk to me about the next Dallas Cowboys head coach Ben Johnson, has his offense evolved since last season?

JR: Good luck prying Ben away. His offensive play designs are outstanding, creative and well-conceived for the talent at hand. It requires having a great (not good–great) offensive line to work, and the trust he has in Jared Goff helps make it all function so beautifully. Integrating the raw speed of Jameson Williams into a bigger component of the offense has worked very well.

As for Johnson leaving, one reason why he’s stayed and rejected offers is because he didn’t like the instability and meddling of the ownership in the places that wanted him. That’s gonna be a tough nut for Dallas to crack.