Don’t look now, but the Cowboys offense seems to be getting into a bit of a rhythm. After scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter against the Ravens, the offense took another step forward against the Giants, most notably with Dak Prescott posting a sky high completion rate and the running backs finally showing some signs of life. But they’ll face a tough defense this week in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have been known for their defense for several decades now, the Steel Curtain enduring as one of the most well-known nicknames in football. Head coach Mike Tomlin is a defensive minded coach himself, and he’s had a steady hand in keeping the defense elite ever since legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau stepped down following the 2014 season. LeBeau’s replacement, Keith Butler, also retired after the 2021 season, leading to the promotion of current coordinator Teryl Austin.

Austin is a seasoned coaching veteran and Pittsburgh native. He attended the University of Pittsburgh as a defensive back and began his coaching career at Penn State. His first full-time coaching job came as the defensive backs coach at Wake Forest under then head coach Jim Caldwell. Nearly two decades later, after Austin had enjoyed several stints in the NFL, he reunited with Caldwell in Baltimore; Austin was coaching defensive backs while Caldwell ran the Ravens offense.

Caldwell parlayed his success in Baltimore into his second NFL head coaching job, taking over the Lions. In turn, he tabbed Austin as his defensive coordinator. Austin very quickly became a hot head coach candidate, as his defenses shined with star players like Ndamukong Suh, Ezekiel Ansah, and Darius Slay. Austin never landed a job, though, and he was on his way out when Caldwell was fired after the 2017 season. Austin then went to the Bengals, replacing current Cowboys run game coordinator Paul Guenther, though he would be fired nine games into what became Marvin Lewis’ final season as the head coach.

Austin then joined the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant, working alongside Tomlin and Butler before being elevated to the top role. Austin’s ascendance did not bring with it a litany of changes, but rather he was promoted because of the continuity he offered. Like Tomlin, Austin hails from a similar school of defensive football that prioritizes fundamentals over scheme.

As such, the Steelers are not a very blitz heavy team. In fact, only six defenses are blitzing at a lower rate than Pittsburgh so far this season. Tomlin and Austin prefer their pass rush get home with just four, instead dropping the remaining seven defenders back into coverage to clog passing lanes. The Steelers tend to use a lot of two-deep safety shells, though Austin has proven adept throughout his career at disguising coverages prior to the snap. They primarily use zone coverage, though Austin has shown a good sense of when to switch things up.

There’s not much that’s been groundbreaking about Austin’s tenure as defensive coordinator, though he’s succeeded in keeping the Steelers right near the top of defensive production. They’ve ranked in the top 12 of the league in defensive DVOA both years he’s been in charge, and Pittsburgh is currently seventh.

Of course, it helps that the Steelers have a handful of superstars on that side of the ball, highlighted by T.J. Watt. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year makes things much easier for Austin, especially with how much attention opposing offenses have to show him. That’s allowed for the Steelers’ rotation of edge rushers opposite Watt – Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith – to get some easy wins in the pass rush. Veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has also remained reliable, leading the team in both sacks and pressures.

While the pass rush has been solid as ever this year – Pittsburgh is seventh in both pressure and sack rate – their run defense has stolen the show. Only the Ravens and Vikings are giving up fewer rushing yards per game, and they have the ninth-highest rate of stuffed run plays. Pittsburgh largely accomplishes this by loading up the box, doing so at the fourth-highest rate in the league.

That can be a risky proposition against high-powered passing attacks, but the quarterbacks this defense has faced thus far are Kirk Cousins (in his first game back from an Achilles tear), Bo Nix, Justin Herbert (playing with a high ankle sprain), and the combination of Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco this past week. So that’s three quarterbacks not at full health and a rookie making just his second career start.

It would be safe to say that Dak Prescott is the best quarterback this defense has faced in 2024, and even safer to say CeeDee Lamb is the most dangerous skill player they’ve faced. That could make Austin rethink his plans of loading the box to stop the run, especially considering Dallas leads the league in pass play rate.

Another thing to consider: Prescott has thrown more passes into tight windows than any other quarterback, with 27.5% of his attempts going into a tight window. Only one Steelers defensive back has forced a tight window throw at or above that rate. In layman’s terms, the Steelers are giving up some fairly easy receptions, though they do a good job of wrapping up shortly after the catch. Prescott has been completing passes even with nothing open, and his offense ranks seventh in yards after the catch.

This won’t be an easy game for the Cowboys by any stretch. Watt facing off against Tyler Guyton is far from ideal, for starters, and this defense is extremely disciplined and assignment-sound. However, there are some holes that can be exploited by Prescott and Lamb, provided they have the time to find those holes. That’s easier said than done, but there is a roadmap to success against this unit. Whether or not they can follow that roadmap will speak to the overall focus and preparation of this roster and coaching staff.

Dallas has named an interim police chief to lead the department until a permanent replacement is found for outgoing Chief Eddie Garcia.

Dallas Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert announced Friday that Dallas Police Executive Assistant Chief Michael Igo will serve as interim chief effective the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 18.

“It is an honor to be named as Interim Dallas Police Chief. I want to thank Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert for this assignment and her confidence in me,” said Igo. “For the last three decades, I have remained committed to the safety of this great City and its residents. I look forward to serving in this new capacity and will continue prioritizing crime reduction and recruiting the best and brightest that this country has to offer.”

That’s when current Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia will leave his position and begin his move to Austin, where he’ll be the assistant city manager overseeing public safety.

Igo has been with the Dallas Police Department for more than three decades. According to the city, he was first promoted to senior corporal in 1997 and went on to become a sergeant, lieutenant, major, deputy chief, and assistant chief before his appointment to executive assistant chief in January 2024.

“I am confident that Chief Igo will provide the Dallas Police Department with the continuity we need during this transition. His experience, trust within the community, and knowledge of the Department gives me the confidence that he is the right person at the right time for this assignment,” said Tolbert. “Chief Igo has been unwavering in his commitment to his service in uniform. He will continue the Dallas Police Department’s focus on safety, our number one priority.”

The city said that in his various roles with the department, Igo “provided leadership and supervision to field supervisors, sergeants, police officers, specialized units, and patrol divisions. He has collaborated with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, served as a departmental liaison to City Hall, analyzed crime trends and conducted weekly violent crime analysis to improve residential safety, and conducted internal and external investigations.”

Igo has a bachelor of science degree in commercial economics from South Dakota University. He completed the inaugural Sergeant Series Leadership School and Lieutenant Series Leadership School from the Caruth Police Institute, as well as the FBI Command College at the University of Texas, the Law Enforcement Management Institute of North Texas at Texas A&M University, and the Senior Management Institute for Police.

People identify Dallas with its impressive skyline, vibrant arts scene and rich cultural tapestry. However, buried within the layers of this dynamic city is a significant, yet often overlooked, chapter of its history: the French influence that has shaped its identity.

From the early settlers of La Réunion to the modern-day cultural initiatives led by the Alliance Française de Dallas, the French legacy is an integral part of the narrative that defines this city.

In 1855, a group of French, Belgian and Swiss immigrants arrived in Texas with dreams of creating a utopian society. Led by Victor Considerant, a disciple of socialist philosopher Charles Fourier, these settlers founded a colony called La Réunion just west of present-day downtown. Their vision was ambitious: to establish a community rooted in equality, intellectual freedom and cooperative living.

Despite their noble aspirations, the commune faced numerous challenges, including harsh environmental conditions and internal conflicts. By 1857, La Réunion had dissolved, but the settlers’ contributions to the area were far from over. Many chose to stay in Dallas, bringing with them a wealth of skills and knowledge that would help shape the city’s future.

The impact of the La Réunion settlers on Dallas was profound, particularly in the economic realm. Their expertise in various trades such as brickmaking, agriculture and winemaking contributed to the area’s burgeoning commercial scene.

One of the first brick factories in Dallas was established by these settlers, and many of the early buildings were constructed using their craftsmanship. Furthermore, the settlers introduced modern agricultural practices, significantly enhancing local farming and viticulture. Their influence can still be seen today in Dallas’ thriving food and wine industries, which reflect the city’s diverse culinary landscape.

Beyond their economic contributions, the French settlers played a crucial role in enriching the cultural fabric of Dallas. Their arrival marked the beginning of a rich tradition of arts, education and social ideals that would shape the city’s character. The settlers emphasized the importance of education and community, laying the groundwork for some of the first schools in the region.

French cultural traditions have persisted in Dallas, seen in everything from culinary influences to the arts. The annual Bastille Day celebrations and French festivals like Francophonie Festival and Fête de la Musique highlight this enduring connection.

For example:

— Frenchman Jean Monuel created the first brewery.

— John Louckx helped create the first system of public schools.

— Julien Reverchon was an early and influential botanist in the city.

— The first piano in Dallas was brought by the French settlers.

— The first Dallas art studio was opened by François Ignace “Adolphe” Gouhenant.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Dallas, Reunion Tower, serves as a reminder of the city’s French roots. While many admire the tower for its stunning views and modern architecture, few understand the historical significance of its name. The tower pays homage to the utopian dream of La Réunion, symbolizing the connection between Dallas’ past and present. This landmark not only stands as a tribute to the early settlers but also encapsulates the ideals of hope, ambition and resilience. It invites residents and visitors alike to reflect on the city’s history and the diverse cultures that have contributed to its growth.

On Saturday, the Alliance Française de Dallas will bring the often-forgotten history of La Réunion back into the spotlight with the La Réunion Symposium, following the recent publication of Considérant’s The Road to Texas, translated by Paola Tettamanzi Buckley and published by Deep Vellum. This book, which chronicles the journey of European settlers to Texas, offers fresh insights into the motivations and experiences of those who joined La Réunion.

As we celebrate Dallas’ dynamic identity, let us honor the contributions of its French settlers and recognize their role in shaping the city we know today. By embracing our diverse history, we not only enrich our understanding of the past but also pave the way for a more inclusive and vibrant future.

Emeline Colson is executive director of Alliance Francaise de Dallas.

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