Aikman surprised Cowboys hired Monte Kiffin

Published Jan. 14, 2013 12:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman said Friday he was surprised the team hired 72-year-old Monte Kiffin as its defensive coordinator.

Aikman mentioned that Jerry Jones said things were going to be uncomfortable around Valley Ranch after the Cowboys missed the postseason for the third consecutive season. Aikman then quipped that changing to Kiffin's 4-3 defensive scheme was going to make the players uncomfortable on the field.

"Really surprised with that," Aikman said on WFAN-AM 660 in New York. "There, for many, many years, it had to be 3-4. That's what they were about. And now, to bring in Monte Kiffin and go completely opposite, back to a 4-3 scheme. I think it's interesting that they're doing that in and of itself."

Although Aikman sounded perplexed by the move, he was confident that DeMarcus Ware would continue to be productive as a defensive end in the new scheme.

"He's going to excel no matter where he is, so I don't worry so much about him," Aikman said. "Just overall, and the way that they built this thing and then just to have a dramatic shift. And I don't know that they're done. I'm not sure that the changes are over yet."

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