Every week, we take questions on X (Twitter) and Facebook about Dallas Cowboys players and other issues surrounding the team. So let’s get right into it.
“Would you like to see Al Harris get the defensive coordinator position?”
(@Warrenjess on Twitter)
Mike: I was very critical of Mike Zimmer for most of the season, mostly down to the fact the Cowboys defense looked lost and leaked like a sieve. As the season drew on, and especially down the stretch, the defense actually looked good and in some cases elite. The pressure and sack totals speak for themselves and that came on mostly after the second half of the season. Where Zimmer failed was in the run game and Dallas has always had this weakness. Defending the run this year has been bad and that reason alone will be why Zimmer will struggle to keep his job.
Is Al Harris a good replacement for Zimmer? Harris certainly had the players respect and he’s a players coach for sure. You look at how the defensive backs talk about Harris and what they think of him and that’s telling on his coaching type. That coaching type makes for good coordinators as Harris would get the most out of players and make them play above the rim. Over to you Jerry Jones.
Dana: I would like to see Al Harris back in any sort of capacity, whether the Cowboys decide to move on from Mike Zimmer or not. There is no doubt that he is an excellent defensive backs coach and the players love him. However, Zimmer got dealt a very bad for his only season under contract as defensive coordinator and the defense showed some really positive improvements once they were a bit healthier. I wouldn’t be opposed to giving Zimmer another shot with a new contract either. Regardless, I hope Jerry finds a way to keep Al Harris on this staff for 2025.
“In your opinion, how will the fate of Mike McCarthy & the rest of the coaching staff play out?”
(@MrEd315 on Twitter)
Mike: Mike McCarthy may have actually found a way to remain as head coach beyond this season. The game that maybe sealed his future was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. The Dallas team was missing a large number of key starters and facing a solid Tampa Bay team that was pushing for a playoff spot. Yet McCarthy got that team to find a way to win. That might be enough to keep him in Dallas. Has it all been pretty this year with him? No, but he’s been trying to right the ship with one hand tied behind his back with injuries and the other tied back with Jerry’s lack of roster moves in the offseason. For the rest of the coaching staff, I feel guys like Mike Solari have had their time and won’t return. Mike Zimmer returning is very iffy, that will depend on McCarthy.
Dana: I’m not so convinced that the decision is completely in Jerry Jones’ court. Mike McCarthy has recently found a new agent and there are multiple teams that could be interested in a new head coach with a Super Bowl on his résumé. That being said, it does seem like a McCarthy return is the most likely outcome at this point. McCarthy wants to stay in Dallas if the deal is right and on the other side of the coin, Jones needs to ask himself: if not McCarthy, who? Regardless if the McCarthy is back with the Cowboys or not, it will surely be an interesting story to follow in the next few weeks.
“Out of the players who have had to stand in for those who have been injured, who has been the best and who has surprised you the most in a positive way?”
(@Craig Sykes on Facebook)
Mike: The first name that springs to mind was Josh Butler. As Cowboys fans waited for DaRon Bland to return followed by losing Trevon Diggs, it was Butler who stepped in and looked extremely impressive. He led the team in tackles against Washington which helped the team get a surprise victory on the road and of it wasn’t for injury this cornerback position wouldn’t look so bad (and have to watch Andrew Booth). Another one who surprised who stepped in due to injury has been Marist Liufau. His playmaking abilities on defense has been fun to watch and the future looks bright for the young linebacker and seeing him develop this season has been an exciting highlight.
Dana: One of the more exciting guys to watch this season was Marist Liufau. He saw a lot of snaps in the later part of the season due to DeMarvion Overshown’s injury and he did a great job showcasing the type of player he is. He is a very physical, hard-hitting linebacker that attacks the ball to create turnovers. In back-to-back games in December, he forced two fumbles and logged 1.5 sacks. In the three games since Overshown’s injury, Liufau has had 16 total tackles. Fans should be excited about having LB’s like Overshown and Liufau together once Overshown is healthy.
Mike Poland
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