Eric Kendricks excited to install Mike Zimmer's defense in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys began the installation of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer‘s scheme at OTAs, which was a highly-anticipated phase for veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks. Of all the Cowboys defenders, Kendricks is the most familiar with Zimmer’s defense, having spent the majority of his career under the coordinator’s wing in Minnesota.

Despite the intimate knowledge of the scheme and the way Zimmer prefers to operate, the former Chargers star is still finding himself learning new things. It’s an exciting process for the veteran entering his 10th season.

“Obviously, I have a lot of experience with (the defense),” Kendricks said. “We’re doing things a little bit differently. We’ve added some new things. I’m still learning. I’m still trying to check my ego, I don’t know all the answers.”

“I know the strengths and weaknesses of this defense,” he added. “I know what it’s capable of. There are a lot of guys on this team that haven’t played in this defense, and they don’t know it yet, but it suits them very well. I can’t wait to see it.”

Kendricks, Zimmer reunite in Dallas for Cowboys run

Kendricks is taking on a leadership role in the Dallas defense despite his newcomer status. He and Zimmer didn’t leave Minnesota on the best of terms, but the two are united in the difficult task of bettering an already stingy unit.

“Life’s hard,” Kendricks said of Zimmer’s hard coaching style. “I respect him fully. We had a talk this last weekend, we’re excited to have the opportunity to work together again. We’re going to play off each other. We have had some good years and I can’t wait to continue that.”

The Cowboys’ defense is trying to become a better run-stopping unit this season after dominating most teams who tried to throw on them last season. An increase in physicality up front is a main goal of the offseason training, which, according to Kendricks, starts in the meeting rooms.

“It’s in the meeting rooms, it’s a little bit of technique, it’s a little bit of guts,” Kendricks said. “It’s a mentality. Everybody knows what’s going on and being said coming into the offseason. It’s up to us to have that mentality to come in and change the narrative. Put the opportunity on our shoulders, put the responsibility on our back, and let’s go be physical.”

The first glimpse of the Dallas defense in its full glory will come on Sept. 8 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns had a top-15 offense last season, scoring 23.3 points per game even without Deshaun Watson for 11 games.