Mike Zimmer has been a coordinator and head coach for as long as I can remember. If you want an exact number of years between the two positions it is 28 years of coaching in the NFL.
Over the years he has fielded some great defenses, but what can we expect from the Cowboys with Zimmer’s defense?
Let’s look at the scheme and each defensive position group to see what Zimmer likes to do and how certain players could be used in the defense.
Mike Zimmer’s Defensive Scheme
We know Zimmer runs a 4-3 base scheme and uses a 4-2-5 nickel package in passing situations. Primarily the coverage is press-man, which should line up well with our secondary.
Zimmer uses extensive blitz variations, such as double-A gap blitz formation, but his number one priority is stopping the run.
One thing about Zimmer’s defenses over the years is he would constantly evolve defenses to fit his personnel.
The players he inherits could be some of the best defenders he has coached from a talent perspective. So, it will be interesting to see how the defense evolves to get his playmakers around the ball.
Defensive Tackle
The defensive tackle position will feature a mix of new and veteran players in the front lines.
Left Defensive Tackle
- Chauncey Golston 6’5” 268lbs
- Mazi Smith 6’3” 337lbs
- Justin Rogers 6’2” 338lbs (R) (Rd 7)
Right Defensive Tackle
- Osa Odighizuwa 6’2” 280lbs
- Carl Davis Jr. 6’5” 335lbs
- Denzel Daxon 6’2” 304lbs (R) (UDFA)
Zimmer brings a stop-the-run-first mentality when it comes to the defensive line. He is accustomed to having big bodies up front to take up blockers and clog the lanes.
If Mazi Smith has put back on the weight he lost last year, he will be formidable against the run.
Add in Osa Odighizuwa to help push the pocket and a big rookie in Justin Rogers and we could see a noticeable difference from the defensive tackles compared to last year.
Defensive End
The defensive end position lost Dorance Armstrong, who followed Dan Quinn to the Commanders. The returning ends should equate to a formidable position group.
Mike Zimmer likes his defensive ends to be well-rounded with the ability to rush the passer and be plus run defenders.
The group the Cowboys will field should be able to meet these requirements.
Left Defensive End
- DeMarcus Lawrence 6’3” 265lbs
- Sam Williams 6’4” 261lbs
- Tyrus Wheat 6’2” 260lbs
- Durrel Johnson 6’3” 240lbs
Right Defensive End
- Micah Parsons 6’3” 245lbs
- Marshawn Kneeland 6’3” 268lbs (R) (Rd 2)
- Viliami Fehoko Jr. 6’4” 267lbs
The defensive end room is led by DeMarcus Lawrence who can do it all from the defensive end position. This will bode well for the scheme Zimmer employs which emphasizes stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Micah Parsons will share time between the defensive end position and linebacker. This heat-seeking missile will be a man that Zimmer can use to strike fear into the opposing offenses.
The players who could see more playing time this season are Sam Williams and Viliami Fehoko Jr. Both of these players fit the run/pass combo Zimmer needs for his scheme to succeed.
The rookie Marshawn Kneeland should see plenty of playing time at the right-end position. His size and speed combination will be a welcomed edition and he was handpicked by Zimmer.
Therefore, Kneeland could see the field often while Parsons is moved around the defense to increase his effectiveness.
Tyrus Wheat and Durrel Johnson are at the bottom of the depth chart, but a good training camp could push them ahead of players such as Fehoko.
Linebacker
The linebacker position has several new faces, but what does Zimmer want from this group?
Mike Zimmer’s defense emphasizes linebackers. He normally employs one or two heavy hitters who can run sideline to sideline with an emphasis, again, on stopping the run.
Who do we have that fits this mold?
Weakside Linebacker
- Damone Clarke 6’3” 240lbs
- Buddy Johnson 6’2” 240lbs
- Jason Johnson 6’1” 228lbs (R) (UDFA)
Middle Linebacker
- Eric Kendricks 6’0” 232lbs
- Damien Wilson 6’1” 245lbs
- Brock Mogensen 6’2” 234lbs (R) (UDFA)
Strongside Linebacker
- Marist Liufau 6’2” 239lbs (R) (Rd 3)
- DeMarvion Overshown 6’2” 220lbs
Zimmer has brought in several linebackers, which shows the importance and type of player he wants at the position. Sideline to sideline and guys who can tackle.
The veteran free agent, Eric Kendricks, is a former Zimmer player who knows what is expected in the scheme.
Zimmer wanted to get bigger and stronger at linebacker and that was accomplished by drafting and bringing in undrafted free agents. Marist Liufau and Brock Mogensen are two linebackers I could see winning Zimmer over with their non-stop motors.
These two bring physicality and enough speed to be perfect fits at linebacker.
Secondary
Mike Zimmer prioritizes press-man coverage and the importance of safety play. He will rotate safeties after the snap and disguise coverages.
His coverage schemes bring a strategic approach, which should align well with the talent of the secondary and confuse opposing quarterbacks. He will have numerous players to work with as this position group is the largest.
Let’s look at the players he will have to work with in the secondary.
Left Cornerback
- DaRon Bland 6’0” 197lbs
- Caelen Carson 6’0” 195lbs (R) (Rd 5)
- Eric Scott Jr. 6’0” 197lbs
Slot Cornerback
- Jourdan Lewis 5’10” 195lbs
Right Cornerback
- Trevon Diggs 6’2” 195lbs
- Nahshon Wright 6’4” 185lbs
- C.J. Goodwin 6’3” 190lbs
- Josh DeBerry 5’11 184lbs (R) (UDFA)
Strong Safety
- Donovan Wilson 6’0” 204lbs
- Markquese Bell 6’3” 205lbs
- Israel Mukuamu 6’4” 205lbs
- Emany Johnson 6’2” 218lbs (R) (UDFA)
Free Safety
- Malik Hooker 6’2” 212lbs
- Juanyeh Thomas 6’3” 217lbs
- Sheldrick Redwine 6’0” 196lbs
- Julius Wood 6’1” 193lbs (R) (UDFA)
The secondary has a tremendous amount of talent at each position and the depth is great. Zimmer will have the personnel needed for his press-man coverage and players capable of disguising plays in the secondary.
While Zimmer’s secondaries have not been known for takeaways, this group could be some of the more talented ballhawks he has coached.
We could see an uptick in takeaways compared to his defenses in the past.
These position groups are deep now but obviously will be thinned out. I am interested and excited to see the disguise looks in the secondary.
Dan Quinn, as great as he was, did not have the same level of disguises that Mike Zimmer can and will teach the defense. This change to the scheme could lead to more sacks just by confusing the quarterback for a split second longer.
The increased emphasis on stopping the run will also be a relief and here’s to hoping that the Cowboys’ defensive tackles can step up to this task.
All in all, as much as the loss of Dan Quinn stings, we can be assured Mike Zimmer is going to bring intensity back to the Dallas Cowboys defense.
