How the Dallas Cowboys are trying to eliminate the ‘gray area’ in their new defense

Over the last two months we’ve been learning more about what Christian Parker is looking to build in his first season as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator.

The former Philadelphia Eagles defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach has been seeking versatile pieces on the back end, which has included free-agent additions of safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke and cornerback Cobie Durant.

“We still want to be fast and aggressive, but I will say, there’s a premium on instincts, there’s a premium on the brain,” Parker said late last month on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “At different spots, they have to handle a different mental workload in terms of where their eyes have to be.

“You want guys to be able to process those things quickly. But you can’t go out there with just a bunch of height, weight, speed guys, either. This is not an operation where we’re gonna roll the ball out in the Whataburger parking lot and just play seven-on-seven. We got to be able to process and do those things the right way.”

Locke signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Cowboys made sense because of his time working with Parker in Denver. Parker was the Broncos’ defensive backs coach from 2021 through 2023. The veteran safety understands what Dallas’ new defensive coordinator is looking for on the back end.

“CP hates gray area,” Locke said. “The gray area creates miscommunication. It (makes you) play slower. He’s just really big on details, teaching you the game. He’s a technician in that type of way, how he goes about teaching his techniques. That’s everything I love as a player. There’s a reason a lot of people gravitated towards him.”

Locke, 29, has the ability to play free safety, strong safety or in the slot.

Thompson has also shown he can play all three, which led to him being the Cowboys’ most notable free-agency addition. The 27-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million deal that can be worth up to $36 million.

“Wherever the coaches need me,” Thompson said. “I definitely see myself playing in the slot. Definitely see myself playing deep safety. Definitely see myself playing strong, free, wherever they need me at. And my film shows it. I’m ready to get it going.”

Thompson said part of his decision to sign with the Cowboys after spending the last seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals was because of the family atmosphere he felt from Dallas’ coaches.

“That’s kind of what I feel like I’ve been missing in the past seven years of my NFL career,” he said. “I just feel like we got all the right pieces.”

Thompson said his relationship with Ryan Smith also “played a big role.” Smith is the Cowboys’ new secondary coach. He had been Arizona’s cornerbacks coach.

Dallas is coming off having arguably the worst defense in franchise history. It wasn’t just one thing that produced that result. They fell short for many reasons, from issues with talent to coaching. There’s a reason that side of the ball is getting a massive overhaul this offseason. Even if they don’t drastically improve the defensive talent in one offseason, they should be able to do a better job of getting everyone on the same page and playing more fundamentally sound.

Making notable additions at safety, a position that has needed upgrading for a while, is a good start.

“My job as a safety is to know what everybody else’s job is on the football field,” Thompson said. “I feel like with me bringing that to the football team and to the defense, we can only elevate and go up from there.”

The cornerback position went from a strength to a liability in one offseason. Not re-signing nickel corner Jourdan Lewis hurt. Then injuries added up with starting corners Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.

Bland is expected back in the starting lineup. Second-year corner Shavon Revel should be another starter. Another player could be added to the mix with one of Dallas’ two first-round picks. But as of now, the third starter would be Durant, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal.

The 28-year-old is coming off a season where he had three interceptions in the regular season and then three more in the playoffs for the Los Angeles Rams.

“Defense wins championships, offense sells tickets,” Durant said. “Just get the ball back to Dak Prescott is my new motive. I don’t have to be no superhero. Just go out there and be me. Play 11 as one.”

The Cowboys should again have one of the NFL’s best offenses. Their defense must close the gap. Help is still needed at inside linebacker, edge rusher and corner. It’s unlikely that all will be adequately addressed in next month’s draft. At least one more trade is probably needed to add a veteran player.

It’s obvious that the group is far from a finished product. But we’re starting to see the direction things are headed in Parker’s first season.

“He demands a lot out of his players,” Locke said. “He wants the best for you. There will be some days where it’s tough. You have to have those tough conversations, which I had a bunch of those being young. And I can honestly say, he helped shape me into the player I am today.”