It wasn't long ago that Dallas Cowboys fans celebrated the hire of Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator. Zimmer's scheme versatility and demand for accountability was viewed as a needed conversion from Dan Quinn's player-friendly philosophy.
While there are still eight games left in the Cowboys' season, it's hard to deny that the Zimmer experiment has been a failure.
Now, in defense of Zimmer, the defense has been ravaged by injuries. Additionally, the front office failed to equip him with serviceable interior defensive line play. It's hard to execute a scheme and stop the run when your nose tackles are getting blown off the ball on most snaps.
With all of that said, the defense wasn't clicking on all cylinders before injuries entered the picture. While Zimmer has dodged accountability to the media, he's been out-foxed this season on multiple occasions.
Some mistakes, though, are self-inflicted, like not catering to his players' strengths. One particular example may have Cowboys fans longing for the days when Dan Quinn - yes, him - served as defensive coordinator.
Mike Zimmer revelation is more evidence Cowboys blew DC hire
Donovan Wilson has been an easy target for Cowboys fans all season. Most of that criticism is warranted. He has nine missed tackles, just four quarterback pressures, one sack and a 58.8 player grade, via PFF. However, it is Wilson's limitations in coverage that's been the biggest hindrance to the defnese.
Quinn recognized that Wilson is best suited getting downhill, whether it be blitzing or plugging gaps against the run. For reasons that will never make sense, Zimmer has insisted on playing Wilson in coverage.
Through nine games, Wilson has played 202 snaps in the box compared to 261 as a free safety, per Pro Football Focus. In the previous two seasons, Wilson played more snaps in the box relative to free safety. That is indefensible and Dallas' defense has suffered the consequences.
Wilson has allowed 18 catches on 20 targets this season. His 90% completion rate allowed is dead-last among 50 qualified safeties, per PFF. He's allowed the eighth-most yards (268) and his 137.5 passer rating allowed when targeted is third-worst. His five touchdowns allowed are the most at the position and his 18 catches allowed are two off his career high with eight games left to play.
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Those numbers, while damning, should not come as a surprise. Wilson is outmatched whenever he's lined up in coverage. While Wilson needs to take accountability, it is equally on Zimmer for asking him to do what he's never been good at.
Why not limit Wilson's snaps and put Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell or Israel Mukuamu in coverage? It's hindered the defense all season and Zimmer hasn't adjusted.
Quinn drew the ire of Cowboys fans for not holding players accountable or making personnel changes. Not only is Zimmer is up to Quinn's old tricks, but he doesn't have the takeaways and elite pass rush to show for it.