5 Texas-sized questions with the Landry Hat for Texans-Cowboys matchup

3) Do you think the younger Cowboys are playing a little better because they have had the “Hard Knocks” filming happening during camp?

SM: No. I think they might be playing better despite the extra attention. It’s simply something else they have to overcome as the Cowboys are under an intense media spotlight all the time. The extra folks from HBO being around only intensify what’s commonplace when you play for America’s Team.

4) Some people have said that Mike McCarthy carried his “disconnect” that ended his time in Green Bay to Dallas. If this year is not an improvement, what will happen to McCarthy?

SM: The problem with potentially replacing McCarthy at the end of this season if he is unable to meet expectations is finding his replacement. Despite how things ended for him in Green Bay, he posted 10 seasons with a record of 8-8 or better and took the Packers to the playoffs nine times, winning the Super Bowl in 2010. There simply aren’t very many coaching candidates with that kind of pedigree. So it will need to be a monumental meltdown on his part for Dallas to move on from McCarthy after only two seasons.