Sources: Cowboys Install 'Big-Screen' Change In Christian Parker Practice Inside The Star

This week's hiring of Mike Pettine to help Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker navigate his first year in the role is seen by most as a good move by the franchise.

But Parker and the franchise seem to wish to make it clear that amid changes - including one that we can report on exclusively - the young coordinator is still in charge.

Said head coach Brian Schottenheimer: "Christian Parker is our defensive coordinator and everything all decisions will run through him. We're supporting him. I support him. I believe so strongly in the guy. I do I think the guy's an incredible football coach.

And said Parker of the addition of Pettine as a "senior assistant'' when asked if the veteran is a "save-the-day'' hire: "I don't need to respond to that.''

Oh.

Having had the worst defense in football through the first five weeks, Dallas needed something to change, and while we have yet to see the personnel or scheme changes, Pettine's hire was the big one.

And here's another, reported exclusively by our Mike Fisher at CowboysRoundtable.com (see above video) ...

Writes Fish: Sources tell me that at practice this week, the Cowboys have rolled out onto the field a gigantic big-screen TV, with an 'animated and active' coach Parker mixing video review/teaching into the workout in live time.

"First time I've ever heard of this at The Star.''

Fascinating.

Put it all together - and pitch in some Pettine - and maybe the outlook is a bit brighter around here.

Regarding the new assistant, we didn't really know what his role would be in Parker's defense, and since we haven't seen him on the practice field yet, it is all a little odd.

READ MORE:  Amid Change, Cowboys Insist There's Trust In 'Incredible' Coach Christian Parker

However, Parker revealed what Pettine's role will be.

"Sounding board, advancing, watching film, he'll have an area of expertise, just like all the position coaches do," Parker said. "Those roles usually are focused on advances, some area of expertise and just having a guy to bounce ideas off of."

So the hire of Pettine was a big story, but so too was the players' only meeting the defense had over the mini-bye.

We know Mike Tomlin's thoughts on it: that a team is "dead" if it has to resort to that, but that's not the case.

Still, it is less than ideal to have to have a meeting like that five weeks into the season.

And what did Parker think of the meeting, which defensive tackle Quinnen Williams masterminded?

"I think it depends on when they happen and how they happen," Parker said. "Guys have been talking about being able to talk collectively. Off of the long weekend, it was kind of perfect timing for them to discuss some things internally, getting on the same page about some things.

"I think it's productive."

READ MORE:  Cowboys' Joey Porter Jr. On Injury List? Trade Get Reveals How Sickness Became 'Win-Win'

So the mini-bye week has seen a lot go on at The Star, with a player meeting and the hiring of Pettine, and now we are all eager to see exactly what the defense looks like against Green Bay on Sunday night.

Because changes are one thing, but if they don't produce different results, then what that could mean for the rest of the season for the Cowboys is a little terrifying to think about.