Brian Schottenheimer confirms suspicion about Cowboys’ defensive adjustment on the heels of injury to key starter
The Dallas Cowboys have a plan to replace LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) in Week 2 versus the Washington Commanders. It needs to work.
As we previewed earlier in the week, the Dallas Cowboys will have to turn to a rookie to make up for DeMarvion Overshown’s absence.
Overshown, the Cowboys starting middle linebacker, suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. With linebacker being one of the thinnest positions on the Cowboys’ depth chart, Dallas is now turning to third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham to rock the green dot.
With it, Barham will be responsible for calling the plays on defense as he’s set to take over Overshown’s role at middle linebacker.
Despite Dee Winters and Shemar James’ superior NFL experience, both lack the size and physicality that Barham can bring to the table at MIKE. The expectation should be for Barham to start alongside Winters (who is more of a run-and-hit, weakside linebacker).
Brian Schottenheimer confirmed the Cowboys LB news
“(Barham) will be the green dot for us, and again, he’s got great command of what we’re doing,” Schottenheimer told reporters Friday.
The Cowboys head coach isn’t making a big deal out of it, as he believes rocking the green dot is only a small part of the communication a defense needs to be on the same page.
“Had to get into a little teaching moment this morning on the radio,” Schottenheimer said. “The green dot, I think, gets overblown at times, and again, basically what you’re doing, you’re repeating the call. And then you’re setting fronts and all that.”
It might be overblown at times, but it’s certainly a large responsibility to bestow upon a third-round rookie in Game 2 of his career. Schottenheimer himself said earlier in the year that he wouldn’t trust any rookie to wear it.
As for Barham, his debut was a tough one. He missed some assignments and tackles and will need to adjust on the fly while taking on new responsibilities. Schottenheimer isn’t alone in believeing he will deliver under pressure.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker expressed his confidence in Barham upon being asked about a sideline exchange both were a part of.
“I don’t think anyone in our building has any doubt about what (Barham) is gonna do coming real soon,” Parker said. “We got a lot of confidence in Jaishawn.”
Against the Commanders, it will be important for Barham to deliver. The Cowboys need to turn it around on defense immediately to avoid an 0-2 start that could quickly threaten the team’s playoff hopes for the year.
