3 defensive adjustments to Dallas.

Following a brief interview process, Mike Zimmer, the former head coach of the Vikings,

was selected by the Dallas Cowboys to be the defensive coordinator in 2024.

Dallas started pursuing Zimmer right away; the former Cowboys assistant beat

out other past head coaches and internal candidates in interviews.

With this move, Dallas is indicating that they are looking for someone with a lot of experience

and a level of intensity that they feel was lacking under current Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn.

The Cowboys are not seeking for on-the-job training, despite the fact that adjusting to a new system

always takes time. Zimmer spent seven years coaching defense in Atlanta and Cincinnati,

eight seasons leading the Vikings as head coach, and twelve years growing up as a defensive assistant in Dallas.

The adjustments Zimmer is anticipated to make will optimize the advantages of the Dallas defense,

thus this is a win-now decision for the team.

Here are three adjustments you may anticipate from the new defensive coordinator of the Cowboys.

Since the beginning of the off-season, Dallas has lost two key assistant coaches:

defensive line coach Aden Durde to Seattle and assistant coach Joe Whitt Jr. to Washington.

The reason for both of these exits was to take positions as defensive coordinators,

therefore Zimmer’s staff adjustments have not yet been addressed.

Even if it means saying some very sad goodbyes, Zimmer will still bring in his players

because of his familiarity with the existing defensive staff.

Andre Patterson, the defensive line coach for the Giants and a former co-defensive coordinator

under Zimmer in Minnesota, is one coach you can expect Zimmer to at least consider.

Following Durde’s exit, Patterson—who coached alongside Zimmer in Dallas from 2000 to 2002

and then in Minnesota for the duration of his career—seems like a logical choice to fill the vacant

defensive line coach position. Fans of the Giants have already expressed concern that Zimmer,

who has been an excellent coach in his brief time in New York, would take Patterson to Dallas.

Another person you should become acquainted with is Paul Guenther, a former Vikings assistant

who was an integral member of Zimmer’s staff in Cincinnati in addition to coaching for Minnesota in 2021.

Guenther’s history with Zimmer’s defense is undoubtedly extensive.

Guenther might work as a senior assistant coach or as the linebackers coach.

Even though these are not the player personnel changes we would anticipate,

Zimmer’s ability to assemble a staff that he is happy with may be more significant

than roster expansion. Scheme Modifications The defensive plan naturally changes

when the defensive coordinator is replaced, and this was the case with Quinn and Zimmer.

Actually, Zimmer’s style of running his defense hits right on a spot where Dallas might

try to strengthen this offseason. For Zimmer’s scheme to be successful, the middle

of the defense—deep with the safeties and on the defensive line with the linebackers—must perform well.

He is known for creating the AA gap scheme, which essentially spreads out the defensive

line and uses two linebackers either both hitting the A-gap to generate pressure

in the backfield or one dropping back into coverage.

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