Cowboys DC Parker “likely” staying on sideline as team shakes up defensive staff

Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker will likely remain on the field, for now, despite what team Owner/General Manager Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan earlier this week.

"Still working through some of that, but most likely going to be down," Parker said, adding that there are benefits to both, but he likes where he is. "I've always been a guy who's usually been down on the field."

Parker said new senior assistant Mike Pettine "was one of the first calls" he made after being hired. Pettine initially stayed retired, but now he's back. Pettine will focus on the defensive line and linebackers (front-seven). Parker considers himself more of a back-seven (linebackers and secondary) expert.

Parker said the Cowboys considered other veteran coaches for a similar role after Pettine initially declined, but ultimately opted against it. Five games and three losses into the season, and they changed their mind.

"We talked to several guys about that role. We were kind of building the staff. You know, some either just didn't work out or took jobs other places or what have you, for different reasons. But that was definitely something we were looking towards. That was important to me, from the jump," Parker said.

Parker is hopeful the defense's players-only meeting was focused on accountability and unity.

The center of the Dallas Cowboys universe.

"I think off of the long weekend, it was kind of the perfect timing for them to kind of discuss some things internally, you know, getting on the same page about some things in terms of operation and, you know, spending more time together, that kind of thing. So I think it's productive," Parker said.

Pettine hired Parker when he was still a graduate assistant at Texas A&M in 2018. Parker served as a quality control coach under Pettine in 2019 and '20 on the Green Bay Packers, who the Cowboys face on Sunday. Parker then moved to Denver to be the defensive backs coach under Vic Fangio, before spending the past two seasons with Fangio in Philadelphia. Parker said they've remained in touch even throughout this season.

"You always want to add good coaches, if you can," Parker said.

Parker said Pettine spent some time with the Cowboys defense in the spring during organized team activities (OTAs). Pettine was an assistant to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores last season.

The biggest on-field change will be the return of Joey Porter Jr., who played limited snaps in the Cowboys' Week 4 win in Houston, but missed the Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay with an illness.

"Joey's talented. He has the right mindset. You know, he's kind of just fell right in, in terms of chemistry with the guys and learning the playbook and getting himself kind of back to playing shape. So we've been excited about him," Parker said, before adding he expects Porter to play more snaps this weekend.

Cornerback Daron Bland struggled mightily against Tampa, allowing three receptions for 91 yards on five targets over 31 coverage snaps, according to NextGenStats. That was the most from Dallas' banged-up secondary. Parker said it's part of playing the position.

"Corner's a position where your scars are going to be seen by everybody," Parker said. "He's made enough plays in his career. He's very confident, his preparation and practice, you know, so we're very confident in him getting back to the level that we know he can get to."

Rookie first-round picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence have struggled to make an impact; Downs is playing snaps in the nickel and at deep safety due to injury.

"He's played both spots when we were healthy, but he's doing a good job managing the workload and running the show back there, which is what we needed him back there to do. And we'll see what the role is this week," Parker said.

Cowboys coaches spoke about the travel demands of playing three games in 11 days. Players said they feel rested headed into the middle of the season.

"We got to execute the play that is being called; it's putting us in the right position. That's on the field in between those white lines; has to execute at a high level and also play at a high level," Quinnen Williams said.

CeeDee Lamb echoed that sentiment.

"That's not really ideal for the NFL. But at the end of the day, that is what the NFL asked. And everybody, I'm pretty sure, in the NFL has to go through that. And I know normally we'll have that at least once a year. But now this year we have it twice. So just physically preparing ourselves and mentally preparing ourselves," Lamb said.

The Cowboys have a similar stretch in Nov., when they host San Francisco, Tennessee, and Philadelphia all between Nov. 15 and 26 (Thanksgiving).

Parker said he took time to reflect as well.

"It's an opportunity, just like you would treat a bad week in terms of doing more self-scouting yourself. And looking at the whole scheme holistically, looking at personnel, looking at staff assignments during the week, is there anything that we can tweak or change that will kind of serve as best moving forward? And then you do that again during the bye week," Parker said. "I looked at it as a chance to take advantage of the time to work. But yes, in terms of stepping back and kind of looking at and assessing everything from a wider lens."

Parker said one thing he's getting better at is calling plays faster.

"You get into a season, and you're so worried about the opponent, you've got to worry about yourself and what you're doing internally. It's been a lot of self-inflicted wounds these first five games by us, things that are fully under our control. And that's when you kind of got to get back to your habits and your process to turn those things around," Parker said.

Parker believes all those mistakes are fixable.

Quinnen Williams said the defensive struggles are on him, even if he's being double-teamed.

"It's pretty much all the same since the last 2 or 3 years. I just have to do a better job with beating the double teams. It's a lot of guys around the league who are getting double teams, and that's not an excuse, and I have to do a better job at that," Williams said.

Williams declined to comment on the players-only meeting, but said the key was playing with confidence and communicating.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said he's fully recovered from his sore thigh that limited him in last Thursday's loss to Tampa (Lamb's Sooners defeating Texas 27-24 might have helped). Lamb said the injury actually happened during the game against Houston, where he caught 17 passes for 189 yards and a game-winning touchdown.

Lamb was not a part of the defense's players-only meeting.

Last year, the Cowboys tied the Packers 40-40 on Sunday Night Football. Micah Parsons sacked Dak Prescott, but threw for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Lamb missed the game, but George Pickens broke out for 134 yards and two touchdowns in his first big game as a Cowboy.

The Cowboys know time of possession is a key stat in getting their powerful offense more chances and their struggling defense more rest. Tampa's first drive Thursday was more than 11 minutes long, their longest in nearly 20 years.

Lamb said the offense needs to be ready regardless of how few opportunities they get.

"We score in four minutes, then the next time we get the ball it's the second quarter, that's kind of I've never really been a part of anything like that. But I will say that was very unique, and as for us. We just got to say, sure, stay ready. And whenever our opportunity presents, go ball," Lamb said.

Lamb added that the Cowboys' finding success in the running game could help them maintain possession. Regardless, he's looking forward to returning to historic Lambeau Field.

"I will say Lambeau Field fire. We played at like a 3 p.m. kick. But now it's a night game. So it's going to be fire. Energy should be lit," Lamb said.

The Packers will be without former Cowboys star Micah Parsons, who is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.