The Cowboys' new defensive look, September 2025, 4-3 defense vs 3-4 potential look as of today

[doomsday9084]

There is an old saying about making chicken salad that applies here. Good coaches don't force a system without having the players to execute it, they adjust to what they have. There were so many mental errors last year and that falls on the coach. If every kid in a classroom fails a test is it the kids' fault or the teacher?

What was super weird is that the team went man heavily in a few games in the middle of the season and the team (and players) looked much better. Flus just went away from it again. He was like a drug addict who just could give up his soft zone defense.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

One thing to remember: this defense could still end up being a two year rebuild.

The influx of new faces is exciting, but we have to remind ourselves that Dallas is far from done. Looking to the future they still need to find another cornerback (can't trust Bland's health), will need a new DT to replace Kenny Clark eventually, and inside LB is far from settled. Even if Dee Winters is an answer he is in a contract year.

 

[nobody]

There is an old saying about making chicken salad that applies here. Good coaches don't force a system without having the players to execute it, they adjust to what they have. There were so many mental errors last year and that falls on the coach. If every kid in a classroom fails a test is it the kids' fault or the teacher?

Some coaches refuse to adjust based on the talents/strengths of the players they have, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Eberflus exemplified that. I would say it's an old, retread thing, but I think for a lot of coaches, it's an ego thing. I think it's an ego thing with Eberflus.

It seems like CP saw what he had, told the Front office the type of players he needed, and they actually went and got him those players when they could.

 

[Ironicalicon]

I didnt mean to imply Flus is some mastermind DC by any means because I saw the same things you saw and it pissed me off too.
Then I did the old defensive coordinator what if self talk thing.
And that is what if Flus got to the point nearing seasons end that he knew he was damned if he did or damned if he didn't because of all the sucky players he had? By that I mean it didn't matter what position he put them in or defensive play call because they could not execute it anyway because they lacked the talent to do so.
I believe it reached that point near season's end.
The talent totally sucked and it made the scheme/formations look even worse.
So in that regard it was a combination of coaching and lack of talent.

My opinion.

I hear ya. The thing is, you'd think a coach would want future potential employers to see improvement, even if ultimately the end result wasn't markedly changed.

 

[Verdict]

The defense looks good on paper, but it's paper thin. 1-2 injuries away from another disaster. It's a good start, but doesn't make up for the last 4 years of ineptitude.

It would really depend on where those injuries occur and also how healthy the team is to start the season.

 

[Verdict]

Some coaches refuse to adjust based on the talents/strengths of the players they have, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Eberflus exemplified that. I would say it's an old, retread thing, but I think for a lot of coaches, it's an ego thing. I think it's an ego thing with Eberflus.

It seems like CP saw what he had, told the Front office the type of players he needed, and they actually went and got him those players when they could.

I believe that CP has on very important advantage to him getting off in the right foot. Tha Cowboys already KNoW their defense sucks and that it is the defense that is holding this team back. The first step in solving a problem is acknowledging you have a problem.

The defense was so historically bad last year that the Cowboys added assets last year that will continue to pay dividends this year. (Quinnen, Clark, etc). They also contributed most of the assets from this defense. The Cowboys didn’t need much convincing that change was needed.