The relationship between a defensive coordinator and his troops is not an insignificant one. Especially in Dallas, where that role is essentially head coach of the defense and the DC operates with relative autonomy over his side of the ball.
Going from a player’s coach to a no-nonsense disciplinarian is not always going to be a smooth transition. On the latest episode of Catch This Fade, PFF editor John Owning joined to discuss the Cowboys’ hiring of Mike Zimmer to replace Dan Quinn. Amidst the conversation about the types of fronts Zimmer will deploy to hopefully improve Dallas’ run defense, and the complex secondary coverages he will deploy and require his DBs to sync within, is conversation about how Micah Parsons will take to the dramatic shift in tone during practice.