Jerry Jones sounds willing to keep shopping. Gerald McCoy wants to know what happens to the players once they arrive.
The Dallas Cowboys' defensive struggles have the former All-Pro questioning how much another acquisition would accomplish. On "First Take," McCoy put defensive coordinator Christian Parker directly under the microscope, arguing that Dallas has a coaching problem that another recognizable name cannot automatically solve.
Responding to Jones' openness to adding players, McCoy delivered a warning about the limits of roster upgrades.
"It does not matter how many good players you go get if you put them in a scheme with no identity, a scheme that doesn't work," McCoy said .
"The Cowboys have never had an issue with talent. The Cowboys have Pro Bowlers, All-Pros; that's what Jerry [Jones] does. He brings in All-Pros, he brings in Pro Bowlers."
McCoy's frustration centered on the gap between assembling recognizable talent and getting that talent to function as a team. In his view, Dallas keeps returning to the same answer whenever the results disappoint.
"You know what Jerry [Jones] says? 'Oh, let me just go get more players.' It does not matter. It's about the coordinator. Christian Parker has to change this."
Dallas has already made a significant move by trading for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Jones has also left the door open for further upgrades.
For McCoy, every addition still runs into the same question. What is the defense asking that player to do, and does the assignment give him a chance to succeed?
"You can bring in as many players as you want. If Christian Parker doesn't put it together, it's not going to work," he said.
Through Week 4, Dallas ranks 31st in the PFN's NFL Defense Impact rankings with a 67.0 grade. Its pass-defense grade sits at 63.8, and the Cowboys are allowing 6.4 yards per play.
Sunday's victory over the Houston Texans still required a late offensive rescue. Houston led 30-27 with 2:23 remaining before Dallas drove 74 yards for the winning touchdown in a 34-30 finish.
McCoy used Andy Reid to explain what he believes successful coaching should provide. He credited Reid with creating favorable conditions for his quarterbacks, then pointed to Patrick Mahomes as an example of exceptional talent flourishing within that structure.
"It's because he puts them in place to be successful," McCoy said.
Applying that principle to Dallas, McCoy wants Parker to make the pieces fit. Another player could improve the options available, but the coordinator would still have to turn those options into dependable coverage and stops.
Jones can work the phones. Parker's next challenge is getting the defense already in the building to justify the investment. After four games, McCoy is tired of hearing that the answer might be somebody who has yet to arrive.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
