NFL
By: Greg Rector
All right Dallas Cowboys fans this is part two of how I fix the Dallas Cowboys. This article is focused on the defense. Yes, the defense that gave up huge rushing games to the San Francisco 49ers the Green Bay Packers, and of course in the loss to the Arizona Cardinals. I have some serious issues with the words I’ve seen from Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence (Especially on First Take) This is my solution to fixing the Dallas Cowboys defense. So long to Dan Quinn and say hello to Mike Zimmer, who is back with the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator.
The Dallas Cowboys Defense
So Micah Parsons is 24 years old and stated he knows everything he needs to know about life in general and of course, when it comes to football, he’s also mastered that. I have never met any 24-year-old who knows everything about life Micah. I’m 59 years old and don’t know everything about life. As for Demarcus Lawrence, you claimed that the Dallas Cowboys were burned out? It’s funny how the Kansas City Chiefs have played more football games than other franchises in the last six seasons. yet they had enough energy to win their 3rd Super Bowl in the last five seasons. Why are the Dallas Cowboys too burned out to win come January football?
I’ll tell you why I believe the Dallas Cowboys were too tired to play against the Green Bay Packers. It’s simply another case of putting the cart before the horse. This comes from the attitude where the “Brand” comes before football.
I could only sit back and imagine what Tom Landry or Jimmy Johnson would have said to Parsons and Lawrence. Both great coaches would never have allowed this nonsense to go on. Of course under Jerry Jones and this is all a part of “Loving His Guys” these players get to do podcasts and sell themselves to every advertiser out there.
Much like in my first article detailing how I fix the Dallas Cowboys offense, this defense has a serious issue when they trail in games and aren’t turning the ball over. So let’s go through the defense.
Dallas Cowboys Secondary
Trevon Diggs suffered an ACL injury. Why fans aren’t realizing that is the same injury that saw both Michael Gallup and Terence Steele struggle afterward with won’t see Diggs struggle to start next season is beyond me. Diggs isn’t likely to be truly game-ready for week one folks. That’s why re-signing Stephon Gilmore becomes vital even after Gilmore’s shoulder surgery. As much as I despise any players from “That School Up North” I also re-sign Jourdan Lewis.
Daron Bland and Stephon Gilmore most likely open the season as the boundary corners and you would use Diggs as the nickel back until he is fully ready to go back and play the outside corner spot. Dan Quinn failed to draft very well out of the secondary. Nahshon Wright Kelvin Joseph and Eric Scott ring any bells? If the Cowboys do draft another cornerback it most likely won’t happen in round one. Israel Mukuamu was nowhere to be seen in the 2023 NFL season after he put out such a great effort against the San Francisco 49ers in the playoff loss in 2022.
As far as the safety room goes Donovan Wilson Malik Hooker and Markquese Bell are going to be just fine. Jayron Kearse is likely gone.
Dallas Cowboys Linebackers
Demarvion Overshown isn’t going to save the linebacker’s room. As with Trevon Diggs, he also is coming back from an ACL injury. That along with the possible career-ending injury (Neck) that Leighton Vander Esche suffered against the San Francisco 49ers makes this a vital piece of the organization that needs to be FIXED. Damone Clark was forced to play out of position and we all saw what happened when Bell was forced to play linebacker. I understand that the NFL is a passing league but under Mike Zimmer, I forsee the usage of more of a base defense. That means the Dallas Cowboys must either sign a free-agent middle linebacker or draft one. I would love to see the Cowboys get two true middle linebackers.
The Dallas Cowboys Defensive Line
Say so long to Dante Fowler Neville Gallimore and most likely Dorance Armstrong leaves the Dallas Cowboys. Sam Williams had best learn how to not take penalties and he must learn how to set the edge and stop the run. Demarcus Lawrence, there’s nothing that prevents you from teaching these guys in the off-season is there?
Now as far as the defensive tackles go yet again I question why Mazi Smith (That School Up North) was made to lose weight by someone within the Dallas Cowboys organization. Jonathan Hankins most likely returns and Osa Odigizuwa isn’t leaving anytime soon.
Now of course this leaves Micah Parsons and what his role needs to be. I’m sorry Micah but when teams run the football right at you it tells me you aren’t very good at shedding blockers. Instead of podcasting maybe work on that aspect of the game instead. Certainly, you understand how to rush the quarterback yet in game after game teams made you look very pedestrian against the run. Do you know who was a great run defender? The guy so many compare you to, Lawrence Taylor. Maybe watch LT plays rather than come on your podcast and say stupid things okay?
Free Agency and the NFL Draft
So now that I have gone over the roster and the needs are plenty especially on this defense old Jerry Jones and his spendthrift son Steven had best learn how to use the NFL salary cap. If Mike Zimmer wants to use a more base defense the Dallas Cowboys need to spend more than the bargain basement free agents cost.
If as Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cowboys are “All In” then Steven Jones needs to spend money. If they don’t spend money in free agency the Dallas Cowboys will once again win 10 to 12 games and be wiped out in the playoffs yet again. Cowboys Nation needs a different response this next season.
Head coach Mike McCarthy is here in his final season and with Mike Zimmer running the defense I feel the Dallas Cowboys could be a true contender once again for the NFC Championship if Jones understands how the salary cap works.
My other fix of course is one that many fans would disagree with wholeheartedly but I would consider (Note I said consider) trading away Micah Parsons and loading up on draft picks. Micah Parsons needs to grow up stop blaming others (Including former coach Dan Quinn) and realize his deficiencies as a defensive player. I understand the hostility many will feel by my even mentioning this as an idea.
Dear Coach McCarthy, I would also BAN every player from podcasting or doing anything other than getting ready to play January football. Next season I would lock up the Dallas Cowboys players especially if they win enough games to host another playoff game at AT&T Stadium. I would make the players go into training camp mode, no wives no girlfriends, and NO PODCASTING!!!
So unless Jerry Jones and Steven Jones understand that Cowboys Nation is tired of hearing you two men speak and the results end up the same way year after year, then nothing will change, and SAS and Shannon Sharpe and all the rest of the sports media world will continue laughing at the Dallas Cowboys and the team’s fans.
I’m sick and tired of it as are many of you.
As always you can find me on X @GregCowboys
