(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
With the team searching for a new defensive coordinator, I saw Nick Eatman's suggestion of switching to a 3-4 defense because Micah Parsons would excel. But while I agree that Parsons would excel, do we have the right players at other front-line positions to switch to or emphasize a 3-4 scheme? The Cowboys already struggle at defensive tackle, so I wonder if we have the bodies. – Jeff Cedarfield/Canton, CT
Patrik: I am personally of the believe that the 3-4 vs. 4-3 scheme argument is outdated, especially in Dallas. There was once a time when I'd debate for hours over the benefits of one over the other (I'm a 4-3 guy, to be clear), but base is nickel in today's NFL, and that means you should prioritize around that expectation but, more importantly, putting your players in the best position for them to succeed — regardless of whether you want a three-man front or a four-man front as what will amount to a subpackage.
That said, I believe Eberflus will figure out the latter in his return to the Cowboys and that means Micah Parsons will be unleashed no matter where lines up. As for stopping the run, I'm not a fan of taking a DT off of the field and assuming that solves the problem. I'd argue the opposite is true. Just make sure you get and develop the right players to make an impact, and then put them in spots to make that impact versus trying to shoehorn them into a mostly outdated scheme.
Tommy: The good news is if they want to do that, Micah Parsons can fit into just about any scheme and have success. I'd agree with the assessment that the Cowboys' current personnel and roster build may need some changes in order to operate at a high level, but that's what the draft and free agency is for.
The Cowboys have time to figure out if that's what they want to do schematically, and if they decide to go that route, need to be aggressive in constructing the front seven around Parsons so that this defense can continue to play at a high level.
Mailbag
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