Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys made a horrible mistake by firing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who is now with the St. Louis Rams. Then Dallas made matters worse by hiring former USC Trojans defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin to replace Ryan. Now with another mediocre first-round pick and the 2013 NFL Draft approaching fast, Dallas is in big trouble because what should have been an easy draft this year just got really tough and it shouldn’t be that way.
The Cowboys finally had a solid 3-4 defense rolling under Ryan in 2012, even with three defensive starters out for the year and six others out at different points the year all due to injury. However, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones pulled another moron card and fired Ryan just when things were really starting to click. Now Kiffin wants to undo everything Ryan accomplished by switching the Cowboys to the 4-3 defense, which will require almost a complete rebuild of their defense that boasts arguably the best 3-4 linebacking crew in the league.
Dallas desperately needs offensive line help in the draft this year, but Kiffin will undoubtedly push for 4-3 defensive players, especially those he liked while at USC. The Cowboys will end up wasting picks this year on defensive players they don’t need to try and fit Kiffin’s 4-3, Tampa Cover 2 scheme. If Dallas’ offense was all set, that would be no problem, but that offensive line is one of the worst–if not the worst–in the league and it absolutely has to be addressed this year.
Heck, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Dallas to trade up again and take Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel or Alabama guard Chance Warmack. That won’t happen, but it would certainly be a better idea than taking a 4-3 defensive end in the first round. As ridiculous as that last statement was, do not be surprised if it happens because Dallas has proven in the past couple of weeks it has no idea what it’s doing so don’t expect the 2013 NFL Draft to be any different for the Cowboys.
Jeric Griffin is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JericGriffin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
