FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are busy conducting interviews for the vacant defensive coordinator position. Dallas’ senior defensive assistant, George Edwards was interviewed for the role on Monday morning according to sources. In addition, former Falcons’ head coach, Dan Quinn is flying to Dallas for his first interview.
Mike Nolan was fired by Mike McCarthy last week after the Cowboys’ defense hit a franchise- low in 2020. The new defensive coordinator will inherit a unit that allowed the most points in franchise history (473) and concluded the season with the 31st ranked run defense.
Edwards would be the team’s likely in-house option. He is already familiar with the strengths and tendencies of players on the defensive side of the ball. Before arriving in Dallas, he spent six seasons as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. Mike Zimmer called the plays, but Edwards was still heavily involved and instrumental in creating installments for weekly game plans.
Zimmer dictated and ruled the defense and Edwards was released following the 2019 season. If the Cowboys opt to go with Edwards, the defense will likely mirror Zimmer’s in Minnesota; a 4-3 base scheme, predominately press-man coverage in the backfield, and blitz variations with double-A gap blitz formations (linebackers in both A gaps on either side of the center) on third and long situations.
The defense would revert back to its old 4-3, aggressive ‘get up and attack style’ but the roster is already tailored to fit that scheme. Edwards would certainly jump at the opportunity to call plays again and leave his footprint but after witnessing firsthand the issues that unfolded in 2020 for Dallas, would he want to purge more defensive staff members to begin anew?
Quinn, on the other hand is speculated to be the direction the Cowboys are heading in, but all options are being considered after last season’s underwhelming finish. If Quinn were to be hired, it would also be indicative of a return to the Cowboys’ 4-3 ways under Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard.
Quinn was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in 2013-2014 before becoming the Falcons’ head coach. Quinn helped Seattle get back to their Legion of Boom status and consecutive Super Bowl appearances. His scheme was not overly complicated, utilizing a 4-3 base with mostly single-high safety looks and cover three in the backfield, allowing players to simply react. Quinn took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second season as head coach with the team, a role he held since 2015. He achieved a 43-42 record with Atlanta and was let go five games into the 2020 season.
Dallas decided to move in a more complex direction defensively after a predictable defensive output in 2019 under Marinelli/Richard. Mike Nolan was brought in to implement a new hybrid scheme, incorporating more 3-4 looks and ‘sit and hold’ approach up front and multiple coverages and disguises in the secondary.
The goal was to try and confuse offenses but throughout the season, it seemed the only players confused were the ones on the Cowboys’ roster attempting to execute. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Nolan and the defensive staff had to transition to the new scheme virtually with no on-the field, hands-on work until the shortened training camp. The outcome was disastrous. The scheme was simplified as the season wore on, but the defense never seemed to click or find a groove. Yes, the defense accumulated 12 takeaways in the final four games, but the glimmer of accomplishment was not enough to outweigh the atrocious performance that took place week-in and week-out by the squad.
The main issue was that the new coaching staff did not fit the scheme to the players, Nolan and co. tried to fit the players to the new scheme. Lineman that were accustomed to a one-gap system of attacking up field, were then asked to sit and hold blockers from a two-gap. As a result, linebackers could not just simply react and move downhill, they had to figure out which way the lineman were going and move in a different direction. Too often, they were hesitant in making decisions or distracted by misdirection/motion that exposed gaps. In addition, defensive ends used to the burst from a three-point stance were being asked to rush from a two-point stance.
Whoever is chosen for the role in Dallas, will have his hands full in trying to bring the Cowboys’ defense back to its former “Doomsday” glory. With many intriguing defensive coordinator positions available around the league, can Mike McCarthy sell Dallas’ current roster as inviting? Time will tell.
