How new DC Christian Parker sees Cowboys’ current personnel fitting with his scheme

FRISCO — Now that Christian Parker was formally introduced as the new Cowboys defensive coordinator on Wednesday, he offered some comments about what he’s inheriting.

He does want to play a base 3-4 scheme that morphs into a 4-3 and five-man fronts. Parker mentioned you need solid players along the defensive line to make his schemes work and that’s where the Cowboys have some solid players in Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa.

“Yeah, I mean, the game is definitely won and loss up front,” he said. “We have significant players in the front seven and so I think when you start with that defensive line room and what you’re able to do in controlling the pocket, stopping the run, control what an offense is able to do and if you’re able to dictate to them on their terms so you’re not playing the whole playbook on first and second down I think it starts there. That’s where the excitement starts.”

Parker is a defensive back specialist, having been the Eagles passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach the last two seasons. During the news conference, he was asked about the Cowboys’ cornerbacks.

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“They have different strengths,” he said. “I definitely evaluated (Shavon) Revel last year in the draft process. I had one of his teammates at Denver in Ja’Quan McMillian at (East Carolina), so I had a little bit of intel there. But his ability to erase receivers in press coverage, he’s very aggressive in run support, and he has the long speed and athletic traits you want at the position. Obviously, coming off the (knee) injury, getting him healthy is a significant part of that and having the confidence to do so. And (DaRon) Bland, he’s instinctive with how he takes the ball away at a high rate. You saw that from Sac State to Fresno [State] to now here. I’m excited to do work with those guys.”

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