NFL teams
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Cowboys meet with former Seattle defensive coordinator Kris Richard

FRISCO, Texas – Appearing Monday on the team's "Hangin with the Boys" show Dallas Cowboys' executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are in the market for a passing game coordinator with the impending departure of Matt Eberflus.

Jones said the Cowboys are looking at secondary and linebacker coaches to handle the role alongside defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

Eberflus is expected to join Josh McDaniels as the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts once the New England Patriots' offensive coordinator is named Indianapolis' head coach following Super Bowl LII.

According to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter , the Cowboys met with former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard on Sunday.

They have also met with former Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton and John Pagano, who ended last season as the Oakland Raiders' defensive coordinator after taking over for Ken Norton Jr.

The passing game coordinator is responsible for the coverage designs in the game plan. Eberflus, who relayed Marinelli's calls to the players on the field, helped install the Cowboys' dime defense as well as their "Deacon" package featuring three defensive linemen, two linebackers and six defensive backs.

Richard spent the past three seasons as Seattle’s defensive coordinator. His dismissal was considered surprising, especially considering the injuries the Seahawks had on defense. In terms of points allowed, Seattle allowed the fewest in 2015, was third in 2016 and 13th in 2017. The Cowboys were tied with Seattle in points allowed last season.

There are similarities between the schemes favored by Marinelli and what Seattle used for years under Pete Carroll and coordinators Gus Bradley, Dan Quinn and Richard.

Horton and Pagano have more background in the 3-4 scheme. Horton was schooled by the dean of the zone-blitz scheme, Dick LeBeau, with the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Pagano worked under Wade Phillips with the Chargers and served as the Chargers coordinator from 2012-16. He inherited a 4-3 scheme from Norton with the Raiders.

Jones also said because of the holes still needed to be filled on the coaching staff, he was not sure how many assistants would make it to Mobile, Alabama, this week for the Senior Bowl. In the past, head coach Jason Garrett has used the Senior Bowl to interview job candidates.

The Cowboys have hired Paul Alexander as offensive line coach and Sanjay Lal as wide receivers coach. They are likely to name Kellen Moore as quarterbacks coach, and running backs coach Gary Brown is expected to return, but nothing official has been announced. They also have openings for tight end, linebacker, secondary and special teams coaches.

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