Christian Parker is trying to save the Cowboys from a mistake he used to exploit

The Dallas Cowboys are trying their hardest to improve what was the league's worst defense last season as quickly as possible. Hiring a division rival's assistant to run that defense is a bold step in that direction. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker has brought a whole new approach, and it appears he's tried to warn head coach Brian Schottenheimer about methods he once used to exploit Dallas' weaknesses.

While giving a radio interview at training camp over the weekend, Parker described how he's drawn on his previous stints as a defensive assistant with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, when he would search in every possible place for tips on how to beat the Cowboys. One of those places was right out in the digital open, when the team's official social media accounts, journalists or fans would post videos from training camp and practices. Parker said he could glimpse insights, no matter how minor, and try to utilize the information when game planning for an early-season tilt with Dallas.

"Once you get past game three or four it's all tape," Parker explained to 105.3 The Fan on Saturday. "I was following some of [Dallas'] media members ... you kind of try to look for things — a lot of it's not even training camp stuff ... sometimes you can find some things. There have been some things I have found along the way that might have been posted by the team, might have been posted by a fan or might have been posted by a player, you never know, but you just want to turn over all those stones."

Jerry Jones' need for the spotlight will thwart Cowboys' ability to catch opponents by surprise

Unfortunately for Parker, he works for the one NFL franchise that must be in the public eye at all times lest it shrivel up into obscurity — or at least that's how owner Jerry Jones views things. If the 83-year-old could have cameras document every living, breathing second of his team and monetize it, he would. If only Jones would realize there's a competitive advantage to keeping most things behind closed doors.

However, there's no way to truly corroborate Parker's assertions that he gained that advantage over Dallas by picking apart social media video. The Eagles went 4-2 against the Cowboys in the two years he worked for the team, but the one time the two teams played within the first month of the season, Philadelphia won by just four points. All the other late-season victories were by much wider margins when he says he would plan by tape alone.

You be the judge. Here's a video posted Sunday of a deep pass by Dak Prescott at practice to CeeDee Lamb. Is there anything to be gleamed from the field-level view?

It appears the call was for two defensive backs to cover that part of the field but Lamb, of course, got behind them along the right sideline. He must not have been chipped by anyone because he had a free release and all of the linebackers' eyes looked locked on Prescott for a potential dump to the running back (No. 22) who sat down after crossing the line of scrimmage.

If that's the kind of thing Parker's looking for, then yes there's knowledge to be gleamed from those kinds of videos. In fact, Dallas posted six of those on Sunday alone. Over the course of training camp, a dedicated and ambitious assistant could certainly compile dozens and study them, comparing the practice to what actually transpires in preseason.

Nonetheless, Parker will have to make sure the Cowboys defense — which received reinforcements with the additions of Rashan Gary, Quinnen Williams, Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence this offseason — is prepped to handle the challenge of top NFC offenses this year with or without footage on the internet. Though pay attention if things don't get better compared to last year right away. Maybe opponents are just as chronically online as Parker and are paying attention.

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