If the Dallas Cowboys want to turn their 3-5-1 season around, they’re going to need to protect quarterback Dak Prescott. So far, they haven’t been doing so well enough.
Whenever the Cowboys need to deviate from their heavy play-action game plan, things get dicey in the trenches. A large reason for it is the offensive tackle position. Both left tackle Tyler Guyton and right tackle Terence Steele have struggled in pass protection dating back to last season, often requiring the coaching staff to come up with schematic answers to opponents’ pass rush.
Leading into Week 11, things have gotten bad enough that in the middle of November, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters there was going to be an open competition at right tackle. That’s right, Steele’s job—once seemingly untouchable due to an $82.5 million contract—is officially up for grabs. And while I understand the decision to call for competition up front, the timing is extremely weird.
If the competition means rotating Steele and backup Nate Thomas at right tackle, that means the Cowboys will be taking their starter in and out of the ballgame against Maxx Crosby, one of the best edge rushers in the game. Though I’m all for putting Steele under the spotlight and give Thomas a chance, I’m not sure the lack of in-game continuity is a good decision here.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense might be ranked only 19th in EPA/play, but Crosby is a game-wrecker when given the chance.
Pass protection and run blocking is all about chemistry up front and with this decision, the Cowboys will be asking Tyler Booker—the rookie who recently returned from injury—to have a different partner to his right throughout the game. The timing is questionable at best, but I understand the Cowboys might simply be concerned about sticking with Steele.
What is clear is, whoever is playing at the position will need help from the scheme to deal with Crosby. Chips, sprint outs, and bootlegs will be on full display on Monday Night Football.
The man trying to steal Steele’s job away is second-year player and former seventh-round pick, Nate Thomas. The young player is a violent and physical blocker who already threatened to take Steele’s job back in Week 4, when he briefly took over Steele’s spot on the offensive line before an injury to Guyton forced him to step up on the left side.
In three games played, Thomas has shown flashes of quality blocking. In that the to the Green Bay Packers, he handled Micah Parsons one-on-one at least twice. However, he has been far from perfect and his hand usage has gotten him in trouble more often than even Steele.
The reason why I could expect him to win the job is all about thinking forward. Steele’s cap hit in 2026 is set to be over $18 million and the Cowboys have publicly second-guessed their own decision to extend him in the past. In other words, finding out what they have in the younger player makes sense. We’ll see how he does if given the chance.
In an unbelievable turn of events, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was recently denied entry into a prestigious Louis store for being “too casually dressed.” But when store employees discovered they had just turned away the NFL star, they were left utterly speechless. Cook had been trying to buy a special gift for his family. Despite being one of the most promising and dynamic running backs in the NFL, the store’s staff failed to recognize him and made a quick judgment based solely on his appearance.
James Cook, known for his explosive runs and incredible agility, found himself in an unexpected situation when he tried to enter a luxury Louis store in Buffalo. Dressed casually, Cook was told that his attire didn’t meet the store’s dress code. The employees, unaware of his identity, quickly denied him entry. It wasn’t until later that they realized they had just turned away one of the NFL’s rising stars.
Instead of reacting with frustration or anger, Cook handled the situation with grace. He simply walked away, unaffected by the judgment. “It’s not about what you wear; it’s about who you are and how you carry yourself,” Cook said after the incident. His calm response further reinforced his reputation as a composed and focused athlete, someone who doesn’t let superficial judgments affect him.
The incident quickly went viral, with fans and analysts alike expressing disbelief at how easily judgments were made based on his casual outfit. Cook’s response highlights the importance of not defining someone by their clothing, especially when that person’s worth comes from their actions and accomplishments.
The NFL community rallied behind James Cook, condemning the actions of the Louis store and praising Cook for his dignified response. This incident serves as a reminder that no one should be judged solely based on their appearance. For Cook, his worth and success are defined by his leadership on the field and his relentless pursuit of excellence, not his wardrobe.
For James Cook, the true measure of success will always be on the field—and that’s what truly defines him.