The Cowboys have not fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, but they sure appear to be destined for a split with the guy who has led the No. 28-ranked defense in the league this season. Such a move would mean the fourth defensive coordinator in as many years for the Cowboys, and that lack of continuity is not a good thing by any stretch. But if continuity means more Eberflus, you won’t find many Cowboys observers in favor of it.
The focus has turned, already, not so much to whether Eberflus will stick around, but rather, which defensive coordinator will replace him on the staff. Team owner Jerry Jones has invested heavily in the defense in the past year, with extensions for Osa Odighizuwa and DaRon Bland, plus trades for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson. The personnel is getting better–it is about time the coaching did, too.
With that in mind, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is floating an eye-opening notion: The Cowboys are in the mix for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, widely considered the best in the game in that role.
Vikings Are ‘Keenly Aware’ Cowboys Could Snatch Brian Flores
Florio says the Cowboys are the chief team to watch out for if the Vikings are to lose Flores–who is in the final year of his contract and could be seeking a major raise from Minnesota. Flores also could be a head-coaching candidate.
Wrote Florio: “One such team that is lurking is the Cowboys. Dallas seems to be destined to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, after a disastrous reunion year. And the increasing chatter in league circles is that the Cowboys will be firmly in play for Flores.
“The Vikings, we’re told, are keenly aware of the possibility. And while the Vikings should have exclusive rights to negotiate with Flores until his contract expires, we all know by now that tampering is as rampant in pro football as flopping mouthpieces that never seem to make their way into players’ mouths. Jerry Jones loves to talk a big game. Will he put his money where his mouth is?”
GettyOwner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Experienced the Blitz
Flores is known for his creative, blitz-heavy packages, something the Cowboys got a taste of themselves in Week 15 when Minnesota sent a wave of pressure at Dak Prescott and sacked him twice in the game. The Cowboys would need better play on the edges and at linebacker to make Flores’ defense work, but the team no doubt has the talent up the middle.
Prescott had been complementary of Flores in the week coming into that game, but afterward, looked a bit dazed. ““I’m frustrated,” Prescott said. “This is one of the toughest ones I’ve ever been a part of.”
And Jones, for his part, took notice of what Flores’ defense did.
“If Dak is having a problem with it, then let’s give them kudos for having a great blitz,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “Because Dak knows how to see it, knows how to see it coming and certainly has the experience to react against it.”
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