While Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr seemed OK last week with restructuring his rich $50 million free agent deal from a year ago, he perhaps was even happier recently to meet new Dallas defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
And why not? Although Kiffin is 72 years old, his energy and passion impressed Carr.
“He seemed like an old-school ball coach, a no-nonsense guy that makes everyone out there accountable for their actions,” Carr told the Dallas Morning News. “The short meeting that we had, he gave me a lot of information and insight. He let his enthusiasm rub off on me.”
Kiffin comes into his new job trying to replace the scheme-heavy philosophy of Rob Ryan -- something owner Jerry Jones apparently didn’t enjoy from his team’s previous defensive coordinator. Instead, he hired Kiffin, the architect of the Cover 2 scheme that helped lead the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl XXXVII title.
Since the Cowboys are moving from their 3-4 scheme under Ryan to the 4-3 scheme preferred by Kiffin, Carr also should enjoy the new defensive philosophy, particularly since Carr played in the 4-3 while in Kansas City.
“I think they’re making changes in the right direction, bringing in the right personnel,” Carr said. “Hopefully, in the future [with players] and with coaches right now that they brought in, they can utilize all of us on the field and get the best 11 out there and allow us to play to our strengths.”
That’s something that Ryan, who still managed to be shocked when he was dismissed, could never figure out for the Cowboys. But remember, Kiffin is not a young coach. Can he keep up the kind of enthusiasm that Carr enjoys so much for the entire season at the age of 72?
“I thought it was a jersey number,” Kiffin said last month. “But don’t worry about me. Some people are 72 going on 80. I’m 72 going on 52. I feel great.”
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