Mike Zimmer was dealt a tough hand this season in Dallas. Not only did the new defensive coordinator only get offered a one-year deal to replace Dan Quinn as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, but he had a relatively undisciplined and undermanned roster to work with.

When a team like the Dallas Cowboys has a season like this one, it can be easy to pile on. Everything from the run of 12-win seasons to the playoff catastrophe against the Green Bay Packers in January to the all-in comments to the offseason approach and missing the playoffs altogether are ammunition for fans,

Mike McCarthy reveals plans moving forwardAll of this is a credit to the work Mike Zimmer has done. While he's been aided by the return of Micah Parsons — who missed four games with a high ankle sprain — Zimmer has gotten the most out of this unit despite several injuries at all three levels.