According to Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, newly signed linebacker Anthony Barr fits on the team’s defensive side.
“We always had to be very, very conscious of the matchup that you had with him,” McCarthy said.
“We want to be multiple in our defensive packages and we want to continue to develop different rush plans. He’s a great fit for us.”
The coach pointed out that Barr’s experience would enable the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to optimize the talent of Micah Parsons, the team’s young pass rusher. They plan to have Parsons being the primary pass rusher for the next season.
Parsons was 13 sacks away from winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year during his debut.
At the beginning of the previous season, the young player sustained an injury and the Cowboys placed him at the defensive end. This often made Parsons a target for the opponent’s offense.
To support Parsons, the Cowboys usually put two linebackers on the field. This is where Barr’s role in the team will be important. Barr could be paired with Vander Esch on the second level behind Parsons.
“I think when you look at packages and how we feature Micah, I think it gives you another weapon, another excellent player on and off the ball,” McCarthy said.
“I think when you get in and out of packages as you build your system for a 17-game season, I know the defensive staff is real excited to have another piece.”
Barr also mentioned his role to help Parsons in the team during an interview.
“I’m just trying to continue to help unlock his game and allow him to be the best player he can be,” Barr said. “Pretty amazing what he was able to accomplish.
“I think he can just continue to elevate and take it to the next level. I’m hoping to be a tool and resource to him and also to learn from him and learn from all the guys.”
Barr’s career
Barr signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 right after playing college football for UCLA. He was a significant player on the team and even joined the Pro Bowl four times.
The linebacker sustained an injury in his pectoral muscle during Week 2 of the 2020 season and had to be sidelined for the entire season. Last year, Barr had a knee injury that cost him four games.
Throughout the offseason, Barr was unsigned before receiving an offer from the Dallas team. The Cowboys announced that they had signed the four-time Pro Bowler for a one-year contract last Wednesday.
According to Barr, he never planned a specific timeline to join a new team.
“Timing is everything,” he said. “No rhyme or reason to it. It was just the right time for both parties. Hopefully, it’s a good marriage.”
Barr finally chose the Cowboys because his former defensive coordinator at the Vikings, George Edwards, was having his tenure in Dallas as a senior defensive assistant.
Meanwhile, McCarthy admitted that the Cowboys had been interested in Barr for a while.
Upon joining the Cowboys, Barr was immediately put onto the physically unable to perform list. The team takes a “conservative” approach to prepare Barr for the training camp.