The Dallas Cowboys are ushering in an entirely new look on the defensive side of the ball with the addition of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
While Zimmer has a reputation for being a hard-nosed coach who expects the most of his players, early returns in the camp have even excited the players.
Mike Zimmer’s Defense Drawing Rave Reviews From Cowboys Players
Former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was a true players’ coach, with a style that resembled more of a big brother than a disciplinarian.
With Quinn in Washington with the Commanders and Zimmer running the unit now, things are going to look vastly different for the Cowboys’ defense in 2024, and the players seem excited about the changes.
One of those players doesn’t even play on the defensive side of the ball but was quick to point out the differences when meeting with the media on Monday afternoon.
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“Their disguise now is insane. It’s insane,” started Cowboys’ wide receiver Jalen Brooks.
“[Dan Quinn] had some disguises, but [Zimmer’s] are pretty good. I gotta give him full credit for that. It’s really good,” he continued.
When asked by the attending media to elaborate, Brooks didn’t want to give away too much, but simply stated, “It’s a lot of little things.”
As Brooks mentioned, Zimmer is going to employ a lot of different variables than we have seen from Cowboys defenses in the past. While Quinn’s defense had much more “line up and beat the man across from you,” Zimmer is a bit more complex in his approach.
The veteran coach expects his players to be disciplined and to execute at a high level — and for good reason. The Cowboys are going to be much harder to decipher pre- and post-snap than they ever were under Quinn, as Zimmer looks to disguise what they are doing before the snap of the ball, as Brooks alluded to.
The Cowboys may choose to present a look one way prior to the snap and roll into an entirely different coverage as the ball is hiked. While this isn’t necessarily a unique defensive plan, it is Zimmer’s calling card and something he has been doing extremely well for over two decades.
While it’s only been a little over two weeks of camp for the Cowboys, early returns on the new scheme appear to be receiving rave reviews.
Micah Parsons Set To Benefit From Zimmer’s Scheme
Any good scheme needs good players to truly be successful. Luckily for Zimmer, he has EDGE Micah Parsons to work with now.
However, Zimmer isn’t the only one who stands to benefit from this new pairing, as Parsons has a chance to eat in his new defensive scheme.
Micah Parsons is most definitely gonna keep the zone or spy in the middle while Jourdan Lewis threatens nickel blitz.
NOPE.
Micah goes, Lewis drops out. 🔥
Mike Zimmer is masking everything, and Micah is a tornado on this play. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/z2JJnj8DVM
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) August 5, 2024
While it is new to Parsons, the talented pass rusher has wasted no time absorbing all of the information as he and Zimmer have continued to meet, even while the other players head to other meetings.
“I’m not just learning the defense. They got me understanding defense as a whole,” Parsons starts.
“Protection plans; understanding why the slide is going to be under here; where my opportunities are going to be; why they ID the [middle linebacker]; why [we] bring down the safety and why it changes to the Mike; and why they might slide to that side instead of our side; and why the blitz is going to come this way,” Parsons continued.
“I would just say they are increasing my football intelligence. It’s not just about the system. I believe one day they’re putting me in position to coach or something because every day is different.”
While Parsons appears impressed with the knowledge and wisdom he is learning from his new coach, Zimmer’s feeling seems to be mutual.
“He’s brilliant, No. 1,” Zimmer said of Parsons. “He understands football, No. 2.”
“I don’t know if he couldn’t play every position,” Zimmer continued. “He probably could play free safety if he wanted to. Now, I don’t want him back there covering pass very much.”
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All reports out of camp are that Parsons looks to be playing at an elite level, being nearly unblockable at times. Part of that is due to the fact that Zimmer has had Parsons lined up as an off the ball linebacker in addition to his customary EDGE spot.
Thanks to the coach’s creativity, the young superstar is going to be all over the field on different plays, giving offenses fits.
Trying to figure out how they are going to limit his impact is going to be a daunting task, and that’s exactly how Zimmer wants it.
“My philosophy has always been: ‘If they know you can help them and you know what you’re doing, they’re going to listen.,'” said Zimmer. “Their career is not very long, and so the more they can become better and better — obviously, the better for the team and the better for their careers.”