Cowboys' Mike McCarthy gives bogus explanation for DeMarvion Overshown benching

Cowboys fans won't like Mike McCarthy's explanation of DeMarvion Overshown's benching

"Just like anything, you got a new scheme, young players," said McCarthy. "You make decisions based on training reps in base (package) and sub [package]. Last week he was obviously primarily part of the sub package. We weren't anticipating going into that much base during the game, but that's where the game went. So, you know, those things happen."

That is unfortuantely the answer that Cowboys fans expected. It was obvious as the game progressed that Overshown wasn't playing because Dallas played a lot of base.

Even Zimmer defended Overshown's lack of playing time, saying he didn't get many reps in the offseason coming off ACL surgery, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Overshown was cleared in time for training camp so Zimmer's explanation doesn't hold much weight, either.

The Saints used a ton of pre-snap motion. Zimmer made the right call playing base (sub-packaged defenses are a nightmare matchup vs. pre-snap motion). Deciding whether to play Overshown shouldn't come down to scheme, though. He's one of the better defenders on the team. Get him on the field.

It's clear McCarthy and Zimmer prefer rookie Marist Liufau in base. Liufau actually didn't play poor against the Saints, but he and Damone Clark more than doubled Overshown's snap count (41 for Clark, 39 for Liufau). It should be the other way around. Whether that means fewer snaps for Liufau or Clark, Overshown needs to be with the first-team in base moving forward.

Deployed as a spy on Deshaun Watson in Week 1, Overshown could have the same role on Lamar Jackson this Sunday. Regardless, Zimmer better not make the same mistake the next time he's forced to play the base package.