After Sunday's game, Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons and others all talked about missed assignments and players not doing their jobs. We heard similar talk after the Saints game. So are players just ignoring the coaches? Do they not know the system? Why is this such a problem? We heard Mike Zimmer was old-school and would not put up with this kind of stuff. Is it time for these players to be called out publicly or benched to really send the message? – Greg Foster/San Antonio, TX
Nick: As Ricky Watters famously said after a game one time, "For Who? For What?" And that was my response to the last part of the question about players getting benched to send a message? Who do you think is on the bench that would come in and light a fire under this team and be better than what they've got? That's not to say you shouldn't change it up. But other than maybe a guy like Juanyeh Thomas playing for Donovan Wilson or Malik Hooker, or maybe Marshawn Kneeland or Chauncey Golston playing more, I think the defense is playing the best players. They're just not in the right spots for whatever the reason. As Zimmer pointed out last week, he's been here before with adversity and this is definitely one of those situations. What he's got to figure out is what all coaches must do - find the balance between being tough and stern and also relatable that the players will want to play for. That's what Dan Quinn was great at and I know Zimmer has found that balance before. He's got to do that now and do it quickly.
Mickey: Well Greg, the benching part is pretty old school. Remember you only have 46 of your 53 players active on Sunday, plus two practice squad elevations. Guys only get "benched" if someone is playing better than they are. You can make a point by doing so, but at what price since there is a reason the backup is a backup. There is an old saying don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Listen when teams don't play well, there is a cliché handbook they are refer to. Have heard these things before. Just do your job. These guys just need to shut up and compete. Hard.
