IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Jason Ferguson and Aaron Glenn know why they were brought to Dallas, and La'Roi Glover realizes he's going to have to be more flexible in a new defensive scheme.
And, now there's finally visible proof that the Cowboys are switching to a 3-4 defense, even if coach Bill Parcells hasn't confirmed they are. That's what they're practicing at the team's minicamp.
"That's what it is," new cornerback Anthony Henry said Saturday.
While still uncertain how much the Cowboys will use three-man fronts, it's clear they will play more of the defense that Parcells has preferred in the past but has never been standard for a Dallas coach.
That is obvious by not only what they're doing on the practice field, but the moves that have been made since last season.
Ferguson, a 305-pound defensive tackle, is a block-eating wide body that will fit nicely in the middle of a three-man front -- a spot he's played before even though not with the New York Jets last season.
Glenn is a cornerback who played last year in the 3-4 scheme in Houston, where he was for three seasons. He started his career with the New York Jets for eight seasons, some of that time with Parcells and a similar defense.
"It's a transition for everybody going from a 4-3 to a 3-4," Glenn said. "The terminology is simple for me. As far as binding with my teammates, that's the biggest thing to me."
The Cowboys used six of their eight draft picks last month on defensive players. Defenders DeMarcus Ware (6-foot-4, 251 pounds) and Marcus Spears (6-4, 307), the two players they got in the first 20 picks, are both perfect fits for the new scheme.
"These guys come from 3-4 schemes. A lot of these guys know more about 3-4 schemes than we do," Ferguson said. "It's going to be something to see."
Two seasons ago, the Cowboys were the NFL's top-ranked defense, allowing just 254 yards and 16.3 points per game. The numbers in both categories were up last year, to 330 yards and 25 points when Dallas went 6-10.
One of the offseason tasks Parcells gave to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was to get familiar with 3-4 defenses and be prepared for every eventuality. He told the players to expect changes.
With the addition of Ferguson and the formation switch, there will likely be less time on the field for Glover, a perennial Pro Bowl player.
"He'll be fine. I want him to play 65 percent, 60 percent of the time, right in there," Parcells said. "To me, I'm not worried about what anybody thinks as far as their role or playing time."
Defensive end Greg Ellis, who like Glover was on the field for most downs last season, also likely will have more breaks during games.
Still, the biggest change will be for Glover, who played in three-man formations for Oakland and New Orleans and knows what to expect.
"I'll be playing a lot of different positions, so you've got to learn," said Glover, who is going into his 10th NFL season. "Before you only had to learn one position, now you have to learn three, and maybe more if we do some different schemes."
Glover still hopes to be starting and ending games. If there's any reduction in time, he hopes it comes in the middle of games and understands some benefits.
"From the standpoint of our fourth quarter production, I think it will help us out, being able to make plays in the fourth quarter," Glover said. "It will help out to get a rest, get a blow. I obviously want to be a part of the first-team defense and in when the game is on the line. That's the way I'm going to approach that."
Notes: RB Julius Jones looks bigger, but says he's bulked up in the weight room instead of actually gaining weight. He said he weighs about 212 pounds. ... The morning practice started outside, but heavy rain forced the team to retreat to its "bubble" practice facility. ... The minicamp wraps up with one practice Sunday. There is then a week of on-field teaching, the last time the Cowboys will be on the field together until reporting to training camp in California in late July.
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