Cowboys Reveal Truths In Players-Only Meeting As Defense In Crisis Mode

There is no other way to put it: the Dallas Cowboys' defense is in crisis mode after the humiliating Week 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In a 24-16 defeat that many are labeling one of the worst in Dallas franchise history, the first-year coordinator Christian Parker's defense was punked by UDFA rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels in his second-ever start, performing on the road in a short week for a winless Bucs team.

The aftermath of the loss resulted in a significant change by the bosses: Parker will now be assisted by Mike Pettine, 60, who is essentially coming out of retirement to join the staff as a senior aide and a "sounding board'' for Parker, as head coach Brian Schottenheimer put it.

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And on the locker-room level?

The defensive guys on Monday conducted a players-only meeting at The Star (as reported by DLLS) as they try to figure out why this thing had gone so sour, so quickly.

Are the players searching for answers?  Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown offered insight.

"Not searching, we just looking [at] ourselves in the mirror, putting what we wanted our standard to be, we put that on the board, we went by bullet point [by] bullet point," Overhsown said. "Are we holding up to this? Are we are being this? As a unit, how can we get closer? Just hearing from all of us.

"So, it really wasn't a fire drill conversation, more so, what can I do to help you? What do I expect from you on Sundays or even Monday walkthroughs? We got to talk to each other like that because the ship is only going to go as far as the weakest person on the boat.

"So, as long as we all in this together, I think we going to be great. I know we going to be good."

"Great'' seems like a lot to ask from a group that is ranked among the league's worst. "Good'' might help lift Dallas from its present 2-3 perch.

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Said EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku of the session: "Just a sense of urgency to take some ownership on the things that we've been messing up on the past couple weeks, and we just understand what we got to do and get done to help this team win.''

So, it is clear what the meeting's intention was: the Cowboys' beleaguered defense looks to make some adjustments in its collective mindset ... as their coaches may be making some alterations in the lineup. 

Now, after all the meetings, all the talk, and all the moves, will we see any improvement as Dallas heads to Lambeau Field to face the 3-2 Green Bay Packers on Sunday night?

That is necessary to avoid further crisis.