Mike Zimmer vs. Dan Quinn? New Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator 'Will Shock the System!' Raves Darren Woodson
LAS VEGAS - Is it a "shock'' that the Dallas Cowboys have hired Mike Zimmer to be the new defensive coordinator? Not at all; we reported a week ago that he'd have the inside track to this job, and we've gone into detail as to why.
But there is another sort of "shock'' ready to roll its way into The Star, promises Dallas legend Darren Woodson, who promises that it's exactly "the shock this team needs.''
"He's going to coach hard,'' said Woodson, who played under Zimmer in the Cowboys' Super Bowl era of the 1990s. "He is tough. Hard-nosed. He is not going to be your best friend - he's just not. Some players will not want to play for him, because the expectations will be harder than in the last few years.''
Zimmer, Woodson said, "is the shock this team needs.''
Woodson and Zimmer
Is that a criticism of the work of predecessor Dan Quinn, now the head coach in Washington? Not exactly. Does it mean the Cowboys "run a country club atmosphere'' at The Star under head coach Mike McCarthy? Nah. What is means is that change - especially if the change comes with competence - is good.
"I can't tell you how many times he and I talked about football (this past season) - like, every week,'' Woodson said. "Every week, he's calling about so and so ... He's so engaged in the game. ... He knows the game better than anyone.''
And there is another factor at work here regarding "the shock'': Remember when team owner Jerry Jones, as part of his "all in'' pledge, also mentioned how the Cowboys "need disruption''?
While the Jones family relationship with Zimmer is obviously one of trust and "comfortability,'' Zimmer's management style with his players is anything but "comfortable.''
Dan Quinn's style? He was indeed a "best friend'' to his players.
"They’re getting a great coach, a great man, somebody that’s gonna lead them the right way," said Pro Bowl cornerback DaRon Bland of Quinn to Washington. "I love him. He doesn’t treat you like he’s your coach. He tried to treat you like he’s a brother, a player, another guy you can talk to."
That worked then, as a high level, for Quinn's Cowboys. But now? Here comes a "shock at The Star'' with Zim's Cowboys.
