OXNARD, California (KLTV) - With their first preseason game approaching, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense is focusing on communication as a foundation for improvement this season.
The Cowboys face the Seattle Seahawks Saturday in their preseason opener. While most starters are expected to sit, several defensive linemen are expected to play as defensive coordinator Christian Parker begins implementing his approach to pressuring the quarterback. Parker said that approach is a frequent topic in team meetings — and the conversations can get heated.
“How loud it is, you might think something wrong is going on. And that’s a good thing,” Parker said. “Guys are understanding what needs to be said. And I think, you know, communication is two parts, right? So it’s giving and receiving. So I can’t just be aimlessly yelling and saying a bunch of things if I don’t know who I’m talking to, what those words mean, how that changes things when we can adjust something, when we can’t. So I think they’re taking that next step in terms of who am I speaking to? And also, if I’m receiving that communication, I got to make sure my ears are open and I need to know who I’m listening for.”
Safety Malik Hooker said the emphasis on communication helps reduce mistakes on the field. Hooker also said Parker’s Super Bowl experience adds to his credibility with the unit.
“It’s like how we are on the field, man,” Hooker said. “We always say the Super Bowl is the standard, what we want to be. And you know, the greats that won the Super Bowl — you know that’s what it took for him to be that great. So we tried to practice, emphasize the same way in the meeting room as if we were out here on film.”
Players said the shift in how the defense approaches the game is already being felt.
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