I have to assume Dan Quinn is leaving the Cowboys. But I don’t expect Mike McCarthy to be fired after the best 3 year stretch of winning the Cowboys have had in a long while. So the Cowboys need a new defensive coordinator, and this is likely the most important offseason acquisition the Cowboys will make this year.
There are obvious flaws in the Dan Quinn scheme - run defense being the biggest issue. They also rely too heavily on man defense. The defense broke down in several blow out losses this year in Arizona, San Francisco, Buffalo and against Green Bay. When the offense rallied late against Miami, the defense was unable to get a stop to preserve the lead.
The Cowboys need a good strong linebacker in the middle. They need a better rotation at the 3-tech position, and need to keep taking shots at the 1-tech until they find a solution. With Lewis being too slow, and the break down of Gilmore, they need a speedy CB on the outside, and to move Bland back to the slot. Maybe Eric Scott develops, but they really need speed on the outside, which isn’t the forte of either Diggs, Bland or Scott. Hooker may be the fastest DB on the field. Scott and Bland are better suited for the slot position. Also, they need to move Markquese Bell back to safety and let Kearse walk.
Also, they need a RB and Center on offense, and a much more effective run blocking scheme. I think Biadasz causes problems in the run scheme by getting pushed around too much, which requires Zack Martin to compensate. This leaves Steele on an island, and he obviously took a step backward this season coming off the knee injury. The Cowboys can move on from Gallup, and have a decent 5-man rotation at WR with Lamb, Cooks, Turpin, Tolbert and Brooks. They are set at TE with 5 options of Ferguson, Schoonmaker, Hendershot, McKeon, and Stephens.
What players do you think have played their last games in Dallas?
