The last 11 Super Bowl champions finished with an average scoring-defense rank of 5.3. Recent winners fit that pattern too, highlighting the importance of defense in championship success.
After casting a wide search and interviewing several candidates, the Dallas Cowboys have their man. Dallas and the Philadelphia Eagles' passing game coordinator/DBs coach Christian Parker have agreed on a contract that will make him the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator. The Cowboys had interviewed Denver's Jim Leonhard and Minnesota's Daronte Jones, among others, but Parker made enough of an impression to win the job.
The veteran linebacker was nothing short of relentless throughout. Wagner has started to look his age this season, which isn't surprising. However, this was undoubtedly his best game of the campaign by a considerable margin. Wagner turned on the style with his customary conviction. He quickly set the tone with supreme run-stopping. The former Utah State standout seemed to know what play was coming even before the snap.
This move couldn't come at a better time for the Cowboys, whose linebacker play has been among the worst in the NFL this season. Missed tackles, poor pursuit angles, and communication breakdowns have plagued the unit week after week, leaving the middle of the field exposed to both the run and short passing attacks. The Cowboys have desperately lacked a physical, instinctive presence at linebacker since losing DeMarvion Overshown to injury, and the defense as a whole has suffered because of it.
The Northeast Ohio native said he grew up a Browns fan and liked being able to contribute to the franchise while between head coaching jobs. "I enjoyed that time. I enjoyed the people there, that organization," Vrabel said on Monday. "I enjoyed working with [coach] Kevin [ Stefanski], the offensive staff, Tommy Rees and Chad [ O'Shea]. I played with Bubba [ Ventrone]. So, a lot of good, young coaches. Jim Schwartz, I had a really good relationship with Schwartzy."
