(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
What's the difference between a Matt Eberflus defense and a Dan Quinn one? I'm concerned that we are heading back to a vanilla defense with undersized defensive tackles that struggle against the more complex offenses. – David Fedak/Leonardo, NJ
Patrik: I see this will be a highly contested/discussed topic, and I'll simply echo what I said to a similar question in last week's mailbag: don't focus on whether it's a 3-4 or a 4-3, because it's actually a nickel base in today's NFL. Eberflus' defenses were also never vanilla when he coordinated the passing attack in Dallas in his first stint, but he was handcuffed to whatever Rod Marinelli wanted to run upfront and overall. The defensive scheme in Indy was exceptionally good under Eberflus, and featured a lot of attacking upfront. That's what I anticipate will make its way to Dallas in 2025, and his defensive coaching staff hires largely hint at that as well.
Nick: I think at the end of the day, both Dan Quinn and Matt Eberflus - and really every DC in the league - look to generate turnovers through the form of pressure. Now, whether that pressure comes from the edge, right inside the gaps, or a combination of both, using 4-3 or 3-4 personnel is all relative. What matters the most is figuring out how to get your best players to the quarterback. And in this case, how does Eberflus utilize Micah Parsons to the point where not only does he attack on every play, but the guys around him can be successful. Traditionally, Eberflus plays more of a zone defense on the back end, and he can do that better if he's getting pressure up front. When he went to the Colts, they had a Top 10 defense his first year and then went 11th the next year. When he joined the Bears as head coach and eventually took over the play-calling, Chicago led the league in interceptions in 2022 with 22. So the plan is going to let the rushers rush at a high level and force the quarterback into mistakes where the safeties and corners can go make plays. Now, how do the ball-hawks like DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs fit into that scheme will be the biggest challenge for Eberflus and his staff.
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