2025 Random Cowboys Stuff Thread

[Genghis Khan]

That's kind of crazy how that makes such a huge difference. I just got the dressed up search function, and you got the version that actually seems to "think."

I will say that I think Grok was confused too at first, because it initially said that the difference in EPA per play suggested that Parsons made them much better.

But when I asked it specifically about EPA per play it said that a negative value is better for a defense, so it changed its tune when I pressed it on this point.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I will say that I think Grok was confused too at first, because it initially said that the difference in EPA per play suggested that Parsons made them much better.

But when I asked it specifically about EPA per play it said that a negative value is better for a defense, so it changed its tune when I pressed it on this point.

Is that just for last season or for his career?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I will say that I think Grok was confused too at first, because it initially said that the difference in EPA per play suggested that Parsons made them much better.

But when I asked it specifically about EPA per play it said that a negative value is better for a defense, so it changed its tune when I pressed it on this point.

Only one thing to say to all this confusion...

Thanks, Elon!

 

[Genghis Khan]

Is that just for last season or for his career?

Appears to be for his career.

 

[Genghis Khan]

The exact numbers appears to be unclear also.

Grok was citing

EPA per Play:With Parsons: +0.12.
Without Parsons: -0.18.

And seemed to get the numbers from Barnwell's tweet. But when I asked Grok on the app it said it couldn't find exact numbers.

According to Google,

• Difference: For the last four years, the EPA per play with Parsons on the field was 0.08, compared to -0.05 when he was off the field.

Sources for the EPA data
Several sources confirm this statistical disparity, citing analytics firms and ESPN reporter Bill Barnwell:
TruMedia: According to a report by theScore, the specific EPA figures come from the sports analytics firm TruMedia.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell: This analysis was widely reported by NFL analysts and media outlets, including ESPN's Bill Barnwell, shortly after Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers in August 2025.
CBS Sports: CBS Sports also reported the data, noting that the on-field/off-field contrast was based on research by their own department.



The whole thing is odd, I don't know what to think anymore. The exact numbers are off but both sets seem to suggest they were better without Parsons, although most people seem to be saying the opposite based on those numbers (or probably just repeating what other people are saying).

 

[Rev]

 

[Rev]

 

[Simpleton]

There's too many variables in play with football as a sport in general, although I do think the defense will probably be decent enough, it's just going to look different from our pass rush feasting on the most inept QB's/OL's in the league.

I'd be shocked if we were in the bottom 5 defensively, let alone worst, barring major injuries. Eberflus has too much of a track record of cobbling together decent defenses with middling talent, and often times even less than he has here.

 

[Simpleton]

I thought the AAV would be around 20, but with the top guys getting deals around 30/year I don't think this is bad.

A little higher than expected but it's only the 5th highest by AAV in the league.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

AAV doesn't mean that much anyway without knowing the bonuses, etc. I bet they have a pretty good out in a couple of years and that number is inflated due to a final year that may never be paid.

Let's say it's really a three year deal... With 50 guaranteed that's under 17 per year. I'd bet it's closer to that.

 

[Tony D]

Tyler Smith next.

Brandon Aubrey, too

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Tyler Smith next.

Brandon Aubrey, too

Yes. Please get Tyler done and my two favorite players will be locked up for a while.

Hopefully he's not being too crazy on his demands.

 

[bbgun]

 

[Simpleton]

Wilson is interesting, I think he's a bit underrated by the fan base right now and could surprise a bit this year.

 

[Rev]

Sam? Not thrilled about that.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wilson is interesting, I think he's a bit underrated by the fan base right now and could surprise a bit this year.

People always want "dawgs"... he's one of the few we have.

 

[bbgun]

Sam? Not thrilled about that.

Just when you thought they were getting smart. Sam is easily replaceable.

 

[Simpleton]

Sam? Not thrilled about that.

If it's an Armstrong-like deal from a few years ago (2/12 then, probably 2/16 or 3/24 now) I'd be fine with it since it's sort of speculative and not much money to begin with.

Giving him 12/year would be ridiculous at this point though.

 

[Rev]

Sure hope its a different outcome.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

That's a stupid comparison. If that's why they did it with Smith, they did it when Zeke was holding out. Not after he was gone.

Plus, Swiper was always a Jerry pet project, being a big name injured guy like he loves. Bland was a nobody from nowhere who earned it with his play.

We'd all talked about getting Bland and Smith signed all offseason. This wasn't some snap decision.

Bob says some dumb shit sometimes.