FRISCO – Brian Schottenheimer didn’t get into specifics about why cornerback Trevon Diggs was not in the starting lineup for the Week 4 tie against the Packers, but the Dallas Cowboys coach said Friday the response from his best defensive back is positive.
There were issues Schottenheimer and Diggs had to deal with that affected whether or not he was going to start.
Diggs is expected to start Sunday’s game at the New York Jets.
“Been awesome,” Schottenheimer said of Diggs. “The conversation we had was interesting. I shared my opinion, he shared his opinion. We agree to disagree on some things but, man, just the way he’s responded. The way he played in that (Packers) game, like I told you guys after the game, how proud of him (I was).
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“Fantastic player and I think I’ve been blown away by his work this week and how well he’s been doing. That’s what I love about him. I get mad at my kids all the time and they still love me and I still love Trevon.”
Diggs spoke with Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus about playing more man-to-man coverage for the upcoming game against the Packers.
The Cowboys play zone defense at least 90% of the time. Schottenheimer has said the team plays a multiple defense, but it’s clear Diggs, along with fellow starter, DaRon Bland would like to play more man-to-man defense.
The problem with more man-to-man is the pass rush has to cause more problems than it has. As a team, the Cowboys have five sacks, sixth-lowest in the NFL but has a 25.7% pressure rate, ranked as the fifth-most.
Schottenheimer encourages his players to talk with him and other assistants as long as the conversation is productive.
“Absolutely, yeah, we don’t think we have all the answers, the guys that play the game are so important and so impactful,” Schottenheimer said. “Absolutely I talk about scheme with all of our players a lot and I understand that we’re trying to grow.
“We have not been playing great but it’s not just because we’ve been playing zone defense, that’s not just the reason. It’s some of the tackling (38 missed tackles) and things like that. But yeah, I would be really pissed off if our players felt something and didn’t come and sit down with and say ‘Schotty, we should be doing this.’ Does that mean we’re going to do it? No, not necessarily. But I’m going to listen.”
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