The Cowboys are taking steps on multiple fronts as they try to improve on a defense that has underperformed through the first five games of the season.
Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is joining the staff and defensive coordinator Christian Parker will be shifting to the booth after coaching from the sideline during the team’s 2-3 start. The team’s players also had what linebacker DeMarvion Overshown called a “heart to heart” meeting about what they need to do to improve on the field.
“Looking ourselves in the mirror,” Overshown said, via the team’s website. “Putting what we wanted our standard to be, we put that on the board. We went by bullet point, bullet point. Are we holding up to this? Are we being this? As a unit, how can we get closer? What is it? Just hearing from all of us. It really wasn’t like a fire drill conversation, it was more so, ‘What can I do to help you? What do I expect from you on Sundays, or every Monday walk throughs?’ We’ve got to talk to each other like that because the ship is only going to go as far as the weakest person on the boat. As long as we all in this together, I think we’re going to be great. I know we’re going to be there.”
Overshown has missed four games with a hamstring injury and his return to health could be another piece of the puzzle as the Cowboys look for the right mix of planning and execution that can turn things around on the defensive side of the ball.