FRISCO, Texas — Christian Parker came into this week with a plan for what the Dallas Cowboys defense has to fix after Sunday’s 28-20 loss to the New York Giants, Rashan Gary said Tuesday. The first-year defensive coordinator has not changed since the game, according to Gary.
“Man, he’s been the same guy. He’s been the same guy,” Gary said. “Had a meeting, understood what we could [be] better at. Came out with a plan of what we’re gonna do this week to make sure that we get better at those things.”
Dallas hired Parker on Jan. 22 from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach under Vic Fangio. Sunday was his first game calling an NFL defense.
Parker was on the Green Bay Packers staff in 2019. That was Gary’s rookie season, and Kenny Clark was on the same Green Bay defense.
Perspective came first in Parker’s message to Clark. Doing your job came next.
“It’s just not always as good as it is, not always as bad as it is,” Clark said. “You gotta just come out and do your part. Do your job. And at the end of the day, communication. And just basically really just communication, I would say.”
Brian Schottenheimer Backed Christian Parker On Monday
Parker went to Brian Schottenheimer’s locker room after the game Sunday night, and the Cowboys coach said Monday that Parker did not make excuses. Schottenheimer backed his coordinator without qualification.
“I have no question Christian Parker is the right guy for this job,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s an outstanding coach.”
New York ran for 165 yards and converted 9 of 11 third downs. Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Physicality was not the problem for Clark. He said the front played blocks well.
“I don’t think it was a problem with the physicality,” Clark said. “I think our front, we really played the blocks well. Most of the guys, what we’ve been talking about too, is just finding ways to do more.”
Christian Parker’s Defense Faces Jayden Daniels Next
The Washington Commanders come to AT&T Stadium on Sunday after a 24-22 loss at Philadelphia. Jayden Daniels threw 2 touchdown passes in that game.
Dallas will play the game without linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and safety Malik Hooker. Both are expected to miss one to two weeks.
Parker’s group still has fixable mistakes from its first night together, in Gary’s words, and the whole unit knows where it went wrong.
“We can look ourselves in the mirror and make sure that we do what we got to do to come back,” Gary said.
Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
