Changes are well underway in Dallas on defense. With Rob Ryan gone and Monte Kiffin in as defensive coordinator, the 3-4 scheme will be scrapped and will be replaced with the 4-3 “under” scheme which Kiffin, Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, Mike Tomlin and scores of other talented coaches rode to a championship and a dominant run in Tampa in the early part of last decade.

The system is predicated on creating turnovers in lieu of allowing chunks of yards. It requires the four-man rush to provide pressure without frequent blitzing. It asks its linebackers and DBs to cover a lot of space, tackle well and not to give up big plays. The "under" front shifts the defensive line away from the strength of the offense and puts the strong-side linebacker up on the line much of the time. It's a defense used throughout the NFL still, with the Seahawks and Patriots employing it quite often and effectively.

Can it work in Dallas with the 72-year-old Kiffin?

For starters, it means DeMarcus Ware will move from stand-up linebacker to three-point defensive end. So, too, will Anthony Spencer if he returns, but he could prove to be too costly to afford for a team that is projected to be several million over the salary cap. NT Jay Ratliff might take less wear and see fewer double-teams; he looked like he was starting to break down at 31. Jason Hatcher could be another starting tackle as a penetrating three-technique, with DT Sean Lissemore and DT-DE Tyrone Crawford as solid contributors.