FRISCO, Texas — There is seemingly a balance that has been struck within the construction of the coaching staff around Brian Schottenheimer as he readies to enter his first-ever season as an NFL head coach, and a part of that balance involved the Dallas Cowboys reuniting with a former beloved linebackers coach and passing game coordinator, namely Matt Eberflus, who understands the challenge and assignment in front of him.
Charged with getting the Cowboys' defense to a championship level, one that includes not only taking the ball away and pressuring the opposing quarterback, but also developing the unit into one that can routinely stop the run, Eberflus spoke with media for the first time since his return to address several of the matters at-hand.
And that includes hinting heavily at the plan for all-world pass rusher Micah Parsons and former first-round pick Mazi Smith, amongst other topics that include why he's evolved to a thought process of how talent is greater than scheme.
It's been seven years since Eberflus put on a headset for the Cowboys, and he returns with a lot of lessons learned that he and the team hope will prove invaluable going forward.
On what he learned as an NFL head coach:
"Yeah, I think when you go through experiences like when I first became a coordinator for the Colts, and then becoming the head coach of the Chicago Bears, I think you learn a lot. You want to learn and grow from every experience and impart that wisdom onto the next crew and that's what we're going to do here. You learn a bunch of things that are different and things that you grow from, and that's important to do."
On utilizing Micah Parsons:
"Micah is a premier pass rusher. We're going to use him that way, certainly, and he's one heck of an athlete that can do a lot of different things for us on defense. And when you have a guy like that, you want to be able to utilize his skill set. As we're around him more, we'll see what that skill set is, and really take advantage of that. … He knows that we'll just make him in the best light that he can be in terms of position, in terms of pass rush, and really utilizing what he does best, and that's rushing the passer."
On his decision to return to the Cowboys:
"I was here seven years before, so I know the [Jones] family well. I know the community, I know the fanbase, and it's exciting to be back. That's what excites me the most: the fan base, the players that we get to work with and in working with the Jones family and Brian Schottenheimer."
What principle will most define the defense going forward?
"Pretty simple: we will take the ball away. That's what we will do. We will stop the run, and we want to make exciting plays for our football team."
On how to get the Cowboys' defensive front to match up with the Eagles'?
"That's really about getting the depth there that we need. I know that we've had some free agents leave here over the last couple years, but they're really some good pieces that are still here. It's exciting to be able to look at that in the future in terms of draft and acquiring other players that are special talent guys. We're excited to get that done."
Early impressions of Brian Schottenheimer?
"Just the enthusiasm and the buy-in that he has — the conviction, the energy that he brings to everybody every single day."
What's the emphasis on stopping the run going forward?
"It's really about fundamentals. It's about fundamentals and playing your technique. Obviously, the better players you have, the better they are. So it's important to have that too, but it's about guys being in the right spot and being where they're supposed to be, and with the demeanor that they need to have.
"… It's both [scheme and personnel]. It's always both. You can run the same scheme with really good players, and it works really well, and run the same scheme with other guys, and it's not as good. But this is a player's game, so the talent level does matter, and I do believe we can be where you're supposed to be and have really good fundamentals to really help enhance the run game."
Feelings on having a difference-maker at defensive tackle to set the tone?
"Pieces along the line, I think, are very important. And the more you have, the better. And you can see that with a couple people in our division. It's important that you have that. The more dominant players you have, the [opponent] can't just look to pick on a certain guy in terms of in the run or the pass protection. So it's good to have at least two guys, maybe three guys opposite each other."
Biggest philosophical change since leaving Dallas?
"Just really changing and molding the scheme based on the players skillsets, based on what you have. [For example], we really believe we have two really good corners here and I'm excited about working with those guys. Our safeties are really good players as well, so we have some good pieces in the back end. I'm excited to work with those guys."
On returning to his roots as a defensive coordinator?
"I've always loved putting the game plans together, working with the players and calling the game on game day. That's always been something that I've loved to do: going against the great offensive coordinators in this league. That's something that's fun for me and our staff — putting those game plans together."
Can Mazi Smith be a force for the Cowboys?
"Yeah, I'm excited about Mazi. I liked him coming out [of Michigan]. He's a real explosive athlete, with a big body type that can move really well. Excited about bringing his game to the next level, and he could certainly do that."
