👋 Good morning! The weekend is almost here! Let’s finish out the week strong. You and me. Or… let’s at least make it through kind of strongly. Moderately strong. You don’t need to attack the week if you don’t want to. We’re gonna make it to Friday no matter what. — Bobby Karalla

George Pickens is happy and motivated, and he’s probably going to be covered by your second-best cornerback every single play. That could prove to be a pretty dangerous combination for the rest of the NFL.

He spoke yesterday after a Cowboys practice which featured yet another brief fight (of which he was not a part) and shared his excitement coming from the change of scenery.

“It’s a breath of fresh air,” Pickens said. “The weather out here but also the guys and the camaraderie, it’s different as well. I think I needed a fresh start just in terms of people not knowing me. I think that’s the whole thing about it.”

That’s a super relatable thing to feel at any age, let alone in your mid-20s. Pickens certainly did his part in building the type of reputation that he’s now trying to change or shed altogether, but it can be very difficult in life to achieve meaningful growth if you’re doing the same thing, in the same place, surrounded by all the same people, year after year. Coming to Dallas gives Pickens the opportunity to join a completely new environment, where he’ll play with new teammates and for a new coach — and in a different offensive system, too, which should allow him to show off more of the route tree.

“Here’s a guy that we get from Pittsburgh that they say is trouble and all those things,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “From the time he’s been here, he’s been incredible.”

He and CeeDee Lamb showed off their new touchdown celebration yesterday and Pickens later said the “Mario Bros” can do something special.

I know Cowboys fans certainly hope so. There are a ton of questions about the running game on both sides of the ball, but the passing attack should be lethal so long as everyone can stay healthy. Pickens and Lamb have the chance to be the best receiving duo in the league, and Dallas might need them to be to get back to the playoffs.

We’ve had some great guests on the DLLS Mavs show lately and will bring on even more in the coming weeks. Yesterday D Magazine’s sports editor Mike Piellucci joined Tim and Marc live in studio to discuss Cooper Flagg’s rookie season expectations and a whole lot more. Austin Ngaruiya later joined as well to complete a reunion of The Only Mavericks Podcast, from back when it was the only one. Give it a watch and/or listen!

The Rangers completed the sweep of the A’s last night, thanks to a nice Little League-style blooper. Check out last night’s celebratory postgame show!

The Dallas Stars announced their 2025 Hall of Fame inductees yesterday and will induct 1999 Conn Smythe winner Joe Nieuwendyk, who also later served as GM, and long-time play-by-play announcer Ralph Strangis into the hall. The DLLS Stars crew reacted to the news (and were joined by Ralph live via “FaceTube") on yesterday’s show. Our Sam Nestler wrote a great story about growing up listening to Ralph and Razor on the radio every night. Yours truly can absolutely relate to this. Congrats, Nieuwy and Ralph!

CLARENCE!!!!!!!!!!!! 😭

Be sure to subscribe to our shows wherever you listen to your podcasts. Traffic can be the worst, and one of the best ways I get through it is by listening to the audio versions of our DLLS shows. You should, too!

Bobby Karalla
DLLS Sports Head of Content​
[email protected]