Verdict
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I tend to agree with your theory. I want to agree with your theory. I think that your positive comments regarding Zimmer are accurate. Then I want to take that leap of faith and say that because Zimmer defenses are sound that in the end we will be better defensively than last year under DQ.Don’t get me wrong - Dan Quinn was a huge upgrade as DC here from the days of Mike Nolan and Rod Marinelli. Quinn’s style produced great turnover and sack numbers and our defense became synonymous with that. The problem was his style worked as long as we were comfortably ahead. When Quinn’s D had to stop the run - a must when your team is behind, we couldn’t do it.
Last year the Cowboys were 10-0 when scoring first and 2-6 (including the playoffs) when the opponents scored first. Quinn was forced last year to play S Marquese Bell as a 210 LB and teams like Buffalo and GB just trucked us in the run game.
Mike Zimmer’s defensive philosophy is pretty straight-forward: Stop the run with a physical DL that can tie up the opponents OL and off of the LBs who are freer to make tackles. The secondary takes less chances. A big IF here: If our FO can provide a better interior DL, this defense could be much better in the next two years. That’s a big IF.
Here‘s what I think will be better under Zim:
As I stated several times, there are HUGE IFS. And we must also remember that with Zimmer and the entire coaching staff on one year contracts, if this team doesn’t make the playoffs, it may mean this new defensive philosophy is not given enough time to develop. Time will tell.
- If Mazi, Osa, and the newly acquired Jordan Phillips can do what Zimmer wants, we should be better against the run. (Another IF)
- From what I’ve seen, Zim is planning to use Micah Parsons as more than just a pass rusher. I think this is good. Parsons is a special talent and I felt Parsons was being worn down the way Quinn always used him. We should see Parsons being used in multiple ways.
- Even though I expect less interceptions than we’ve had under Quinn, I also expect better overall coverage under Zimmer.
While I tend to believe that in certain respects we will be better under Zimmer, I also remember the GROZ years. Zimmer was viewed as unimaginative and far too rigid in his schemes and many were ready to run him out of here on a rail.
I think both schools of thought are right. I would rather Jerry and Co hired some new blood rather than wash, rinse and repeat of Zimmer. But hey, we will get what we get and like it, I guess.