Amid all the talk about new Dallas defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin changing the Cowboys from a 3-4 to a 4-3 front, Kiffin himself says that talk is largely overblown.
“They drafted for a 3-4 defense here, but believe it or not, you actually do have some people that can play a 4-3,” Kiffin told reporters Thursday. “A 3-4 or 4-3 doesn’t matter. Last time I checked you’ve got 11 guys on the field. Not eight, not nine, not 10 -- we have 12, that’s not good, either, you get a penalty. But you’ve got 11 guys out there and it doesn’t matter 3-4 or 4-3.”
Between new offensive coordinator Bill Callahan saying it doesn’t matter who calls the plays and now Kiffin saying it doesn’t matter what kind of defense they run, one almost wonders why the Cowboys even bothered to hire a coaching staff. But Kiffin said that what really matters is that his players play hard, play fast and play together as a team.
Kiffin also said he’s been surprised that every time he sees himself mentioned in the media, he sees his age, 72, mentioned alongside his name.
“I thought it was a jersey number,” Kiffin said. “But don’t worry about me. Some people are 72 going on 80. I’m 72 going on 52. I feel great.”
Cowboys fans will feel great if Kiffin’s 4-3 gets better results than Rob Ryan’s 3-4.