FRISCO, Texas — Since his hire back in January replacing Mike Nolan, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn addressed media for the first time from the Star in Frisco. A new era begins in Dallas. Quinn is tasked with getting the team’s historically bad defense a year ago back on track. Prior to the 2020 unit, no Cowboys’ defense in 61 seasons allowed the 473 points the defense gave up, no defense ever allowed 34 passing touchdowns, or allowed a passer rating of 100 for an entire season. It is time for change in Big D, starting with the defense.
Boosting the defense by adding speed/ physicality to the group, was the club’s top priority throughout the offseason. From what the Cowboys’ base defense will look like in 2021, Keanu Neal and Osa Odighizuwa’s roles, to his hands on approach with players- Dan Quinn discusses it all. Here are some key takeaways from Quinn’s first press conference as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. His honesty and transparency with media from the podium was a thing of beauty. Lets’ hope, the production from his defensive unit come fall will be too. At this point, there is every indication that it will be.
What will the base defense look like in 2021?
Last season under Mike Nolan in a pandemic year, the Cowboys’ switched to a 3-4, 4-3 hybrid look. Obviously, things did not pan out to put it mildly. Opposing offenses imposed their will on the Cowboys’ defense and often times, demoralizing games. The squad moved on from the traditional four-man, attack style front in a one-gap scheme to a two-gap in the defensive line. Instead of penetrating, guys had to sit and hold the line of scrimmage which impacted the second and third levels of the defense. The result that ensued-utter chaos. Players were tailored to fit the old way and a lack of offseason certainly contributed to the issues. Now, a fresh start. Dan Quinn breaks down his system and what fans can expect this year.
“I would say it’s kind of a mixture because so much of the defense nowadays is played out of a nickel front. So, that’s more of a four-down of what you play. As far as in the base packages go, it will look more like a 3-4 look, and that would have been consistent whether it was the team last year or my times with Atlanta as well. But more often than not, with most teams, the nickel packages, which teams play, I’d say, close to 60% or 70% of the time are more out of a four-down.”
Why the push for length?
It is no secret that Dan Quinn loves lengthy defensive backs and this year’s draft selections are evidence. The only two 6’4 or above prospects, are now with the Dallas Cowboys: Nahshon Wright and Israel Mukuamu (6’4). So, what are the benefits to tall guys in matchups? Quinn addresses size in the secondary.
“I think just, one, the length. You think about even in basketball. Somebody has to go out and defend to have that length to go defend. And, so, whether it’s that corner where you can play right down on the line of scrimmage and make receivers go and release or it’s a safety or a linebacker that you have to guard or tight ends that have length. When you have length, you can match some of that. In the NFL, so many of the matchups are created on size or speed, so, you want to have the roster that has versatility, and I think that’s one of the things that I admire about Mike and having the versatility of positions where you play more than one thing. And, so, I’ve enjoyed, like I said, this process of going through it with Stephen and Jerry and Will and Mike, talking about different roles for players. And I think hopefully the next time that I visit with everybody I’ll have a better sense of where we’re at and what we can do based on my time on the field with them. But until then, we’ll still be working it out because my job is to make sure I can put guys in the best spots that make them all unique. And, so, I look forward to doing that.”
Will Keanu Neal be a linebacker?
Keanu Neal, a former player of Quinn’s with the Atlanta Falcons for five seasons, has the capability of playing both strong safety and weakside linebacker. He was projected to play LB when the Cowboys’ signed him in free agency, and Quinn confirmed. Does not get any clearer than that.
“He will be a linebacker.”
Prioritizing the run defense in free agency
The Cowboys were ranked 31st against the run last season and adding some guys to plug and anchor was essential. Whether it was inside, or outside zone runs, Dallas could not stop the run last season and Quinn watched the footage. Needless to say, several additions were made both in the draft and free agency for one specific purpose- knocking ball carriers down.
“I think when you assess everything, you want to make sure from an entire package that you’re versatile enough defensively to have different packages, and also the different styles of offenses that you play. Just think of our league today to some who are wide open and spreading it out, to some who will pack it in and run some option stuff, the Baltimore’s. So, you want to have enough different players that you’re versatile enough to adapt to any offensive scheme. Some are going to play in three-wide receiver sets. Some are going to play in two-tight end sets. So, having guys with different skillsets, that’s a big piece to me. And, so, adding guys like we did up front with [Carlos] Watkins and Urban who have that kind of size to stand in and go, and then the ability of adding guys like we did in the draft who have size and speed. Whatever size style team you’re playing against, you want to be versatile enough to be able to say, ‘All right, this is how we’re going to match up get it on.”
On becoming a head coach again
After holding the top role as a coach in the NFL with the Falcons, it was only natural for the question to arise, does Quinn want to become a head coach again? Constantly looking for the next rise or feat to accomplish can lead to dissatisfaction in one’s current life stage. Quinn’s message was simple, “be where your feet are.”
“I’ve learned be where your feet are. In the past, I’ve maybe, even as a D-line coach, I was chasing. I just wanted to be a D-coordinator. I’ve been a D-line coach in the NFL, and where I was a defensive coordinator, I’ve just way more fun and way more success when I was just trying to crush it where I was and having a blast. So, where I’m at right now, I’m enjoying it and honestly just want to be right where my feet are and kicking ass and having a blast with this team and this organization.”
Hands on role as a teacher
Coaching styles are unique to each individual wearing a headset. So how does Dan Quinn build relationships with players and attack drills? He gets his hands dirty and described the approach as “priceless.”
“It probably goes back to why I want it so badly, why didn’t I want to sit out. Because the time on the field, that’s the best part of the week for me in the preparation phase. I like teaching in the classroom, but the on the field work, the in the drill work, that part is — it’s priceless for me because you can give instant feedback to somebody about their technique, about where they’re at, and having that energy, that’s the best. I love being hands on with the guys. I’ll be involved with the drill work with them. But I want to feel them. I want to know them. The only way I can do that is to build those relationships with them and spend some time with them. That’s in the meetings. That’s out on the field. It’s in the locker room. It’s everywhere. And, so, I haven’t been able to do that yet because of where we’re at. So, speed dating online isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The best part of coaching is really, for me anyway, is these connections. They’re lifelong with players, and, so, I still keep up with guys that I coached in the ’90s and the 2000s and last year. So, I enjoy that a lot and I’m looking forward to building some relationships with the guys here.”
Plan for Osa Odighizuwa?
With the 75th overall pick, the Cowboys’ selected former high school three-time wrestling state champion Osa Odighizuwa. He was predominately a nose tackle at UCLA but lined up everywhere from zero to the five-technique position. So, what will his role be in Dallas? Quinn sheds some light.
“So, with Osa, we really see him impacting the team as a nickel defensive tackle. And we want to really push him as a rusher. He’s got the traits and the speed to do that. And, so, that’s his primary spot will be. But like I said, I’m hopeful I’ll have more answers the next time we talk out in California. Is that the next time, Rich? And then with Quinton [Bohanna], we’re going to put him out on the edge as much as we — I’m just kidding. He’s going to be right over the center. Sometimes here, other times right there. But he’s a big guy, he’s got great length, he can really bend. And, so, he’s a nose tackle. So, different spots for those two players. And like all the guys: I’m clear on their roles and what they can do, and now it’s up to us to get them to do that spot over and over and over again. That’s how you get good at it.”
Addition of Keanu Neal and Micah Parsons
With the retirement of Sean Lee, the departure of Joe Thomas in free agency, and the unknown futures of both Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch in 2022, the Cowboys boosted the linebacker corps. In free agency and via the draft. Many expected the Cowboys to take a corner in the first round, but with both Surtain and Horn gone, Dallas snagged the best defensive player on their board- Micah Parsons. He is an explosive downhill player and the club picked up Neal as well in free agency. He is solid in his pursuit of the ball and a hard hitter. Here is Quinn’s analysis of both.
“And, so, Keanu is a player I’ve known for a long time. and, so, adding somebody with his speed and his physicality onto our defense, we just thought that’s something that we need. Same thing with Micah. To have the ability to add guys onto our defense that have that kind of speed and physicality, I’m really looking forward to having the different packages and how we’ll feature the guys, and it will take us a while to figure it out. But having those types of guys makes you want to have, ‘Okay, here’s some packages. Here’s how we’re going to use the guys.’ Looking forward to doing that.”
