FRISCO, Texas — The play call is not even a factor once the Dallas Cowboys defense gets on the field, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown said Tuesday at The Star.
Overshown said Christian Parker has let the defense play fast by putting players in the right calls and by testing them in meeting rooms until everyone knows who they are tied to and what the other ten players are doing.
“We’ve been working on it all offseason, and one thing about defense is just different terminology. You can teach schemes and fundamentals different type of way, but once you get on the field, it’s different calls,” Overshown said. “The scheme is the scheme. It’s about accepting the coaching, knowing what you’re gonna get from the offense, and I feel like he’s done a great job at doing that. So the play call is really just not, it’s not even a factor to be honest.”
What The Dallas Cowboys Changed On Defense
Dallas fired Matt Eberflus after last season and hired Parker in January. The Cowboys converted to a 3-4 front, traded for Rashan Gary, signed Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant, and used five of their seven draft picks on defense, including Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall and Malachi Lawrence at No. 23.
The Cowboys allowed 511 points last season, 30.1 per game, which ranked last in the NFL. They also allowed 251.5 passing yards per game, which ranked last.
Who Is Making The Calls
Jaishawn Barham wore the green dot and took the coach-to-player communication in place of Overshown in the preseason win at Arizona on Saturday night. The rookie finished with 5 tackles, including 1 for a loss.
“It feels normal. I did it in college,” Barham said. “So it’s just a step up in the NFL, just having the call plays, demanding the defense. So just getting used to it.”
Shemar James has taken first-team reps behind them, and Dallas traded for Dee Winters this offseason. Across three seasons Overshown has missed 32 games, and last year he got into 6 of them for 28 tackles.
What Is Left Before Dallas Cowboys Cuts
Wednesday brings one more open practice at The Star. Dallas hosts the New Orleans Saints on Friday at 7 p.m. CT on CBS to close the preseason.
The roster has to be down to 53 by 5 p.m. CT Sunday, with waiver claims due at noon the following day.
