‘A Revolving Door’: Brian Schottenheimer Explains Shemar James’ Green Dot Role, Says Jaishawn Barham Has Been ‘Elite’ Against The Run

FRISCO, Texas — Putting the green dot on Shemar James lets rookie Jaishawn Barham play a little freer, Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday. James will call the defense at home for the first time Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

DeMarvion Overshown opened the season with the green dot, which marks the defender with the radio in his helmet. Barham took it over after Overshown hurt his hamstring in the opener, and Overshown missed the next five games. Dee Winters has been out since he strained his Achilles at Green Bay on Oct. 18, and Schottenheimer said Friday it will be hard for him to make it back this week.

James wore the green dot for the first time Monday in a 38-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He played 58 defensive snaps and tied Overshown for the team lead with 6 tackles, and Schottenheimer said afterward that James had earned the job.

Shemar James Brings A Settling Effect To The Dallas Cowboys Defense

There are a lot of moving parts on defense, and James takes control of them, in Schottenheimer’s view.

“I think we’ve talked a lot about his control, his command of the defense. He takes charge, which is really important,” Schottenheimer said. “There’s a lot of moving parts that go on out there on defense, and I think he has a very settling effect because of the way he takes control.”

The physicality of the position has already turned linebacker into a revolving door this season, according to Schottenheimer, and the staff talked with Barham and Overshown about the change.

“Again, we talked to all of our guys about that stuff. At the end of the day, when we have those conversations, it’s really explaining to them the reasons behind it and how it can benefit them, what they need to learn from it,” Schottenheimer explained. “The linebacker position, as we’ve already seen this year, is a revolving door because of the physicality and the brutality of the position. And we’re gonna need them all.”

Overshown is back at weakside linebacker with James in the middle, and either one can end up with the call depending on the personnel on the field.

“It’s based off of the package. It’s based off of the way we call the game. It’s based off of the formation and the adjustments. What I love about these guys is the cross-training, if you will,” Schottenheimer said. “Like, we’ll be standing there and, the way we do it, they all wear radios during the week, and so you’ll be standing there, Shemar will call it, and then the next time they’ll both be in there, D-Mo will call it. So it is a real versatile group, which is great.”

Dallas took James in the fifth round of the 2025 draft out of Florida. Overshown returned Monday for his first game since Week 1 and intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter.

Jaishawn Barham Has Been ‘Elite’ In The Run Game

Friday was a red zone day at The Star, and the Cowboys showed clips of Barham shooting gaps against the Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“No, I don’t think so. I think he did a good job with the green dot,” Schottenheimer said. “I think by doing this and letting Shemar do it, it allows [Barham] to free up a little bit. He’s been playing great in run-down situations. Today’s a red zone day, so we showed some red zone clips about ‘they’re never in until they’re in,’ and whether it’s Baltimore or some of these other games, Tampa, where he’s shooting gaps.”

“Man, he’s been elite in the run game. Where he’s getting thinned out a little bit at times is in the passing game. And so I think all these young players, man, they need time to grow. And he’s no different. He’s going to be a fine, fine, fine player in this league,” Schottenheimer continued.

Dallas lost 34-31 to Baltimore in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27 and 24-16 to Tampa Bay at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 8. Moving linebackers between spots is something the Cowboys started in the offseason program, and Schottenheimer expects Barham to handle a full load if injuries force one on him.

“I thought he was very comfortable when he played and did a nice job last week. And I think the more and more that happens, he’ll perform well, and if he’s forced into having to play every snap, I think he’ll do fine,” Schottenheimer said. “But again, moving these guys around I think is a good thing. It’s something that we started going back to the offseason program.”

Arizona tight end Trey McBride has caught at least 7 passes in every game this season, and James said Wednesday the Cowboys need double coverage or their best cover players on him. Dallas is 1-1 at AT&T Stadium this season, and kickoff Sunday is set for noon CT on FOX.