Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman shared a critical assessment about the team’s defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus.
Before the team’s Week 9 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, the retired three-time Pro Bowler highlighted how Eberflus is good at his job, but there is one “frustrating” aspect about his game plan execution.
“He (Eberflus) is a good defensive coordinator,” Aikman said as per The Athletic’s Jon Machota’s tweet. “He’s proven that over the years. The frustrating thing, I think, for him and for the organization in general is that he’s called things to keep from giving up certain plays and yet they’ve given up those exact plays.
So it hasn’t been from lack of calling the right scheme, it’s just been really more than anything a lack of execution.”
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The Cowboys hired Matt Eberflus in January as the new defensive coordinator. This is his second stint with the franchise after previously serving as the linebackers coach and passing game coordinator from 2011 to 2017.
Unfortunately, Eberflus finds himself in the hot seat after the Cowboys’ disappointing defensive showcase this season. After eight weeks, they are ranked as the 31st best team in total defense, just behind the Bengals, who are dead last in this season.
The Cowboys have allowed 404.6 defensive yards and 30 points scored against them on the field. Last week’s 44-24 loss to the Denver Broncos was their second game of the season where Matt Eberflus’ defense allowed 40-plus points.
Matt Eberflus expresses confidence in the team amid disappointing defensive showcase
During last Wednesday’s press conference, Matt Eberflus said that he still has faith in his players to turn the season around in terms of defensive plays. The Cowboys’ defensive coordinator also highlighted how they needed to put in more work to improve their performance.
“Every year is different and you are who you are,” Eberflus said as per Jon Machota. “The facts are the facts and the realities are the realities. And we haev to be better. That’s where we are right now. But I believe in every player in the room. We got what we need in that room. I’m excited about us improving every single week from this point.”
The Cowboys are currently placed second in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles with a 3-4-1 record.