Pepper Johnson as DC rumor surfaces

from Jean-Jacques Taylor: Parcells' best defense is to attack

Q: What about hiring an assistant from Pittsburgh or New England as defensive coordinator? Those two teams have some of the league's better defenses year in and year out.

Carl LeMaster

TAYLOR: That's not a bad idea, and there have been some rumors that Patriots' linebackers coach Pepper Johnson could get an interview as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. But we should assume next season will be Parcells' last. If that's the case, no assistant really wants to join a staff, when there's a firm belief the head coach is going to leave after one season. Jerry has also let it be known that he isn't interested in giving multi-year deals to assistant coaches this year, because if he has to hire a new coach next year, he wants that coach to have full flexibility to hire a staff.