Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus joined Adam Schefter's podcast for ESPN ahead of the Colts matchup Sunday with the Dallas Cowboys.

The former Cowboys linebackers coach and passing game coordinator, who had coached in Dallas since 2011, talked about his journey as a coach. He mentioned influences such as former University of Toledo and University of Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel. He praised current Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

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And he talked about how the Colts defense has been able to turn around its season after that 1-5 start.

“It's just guys buying into the system," Eberflus said. "We implemented the system here. We got here in February. So, I think it's just starting to take some traction here. It's really about the guys in the room.”

Linebacker Darius Leonard has played a significant role in that.

The rookie leads the Colts and NFL in tackles with 135, owns seven sacks and has tallied four forced fumbles so far. According to Eberflus, that's more than enough to win defensive rookie of the year. Especially for a guy who was thrust into the leadership role he was in such a young position group.

“Darius Leonard is a guy that surprised me in terms of his ability, his maturity, his ability to make those big-time, impactful plays," Eberflus said. "We knew he was a talent, we just didn't know how good and how fast he would get there. And he's certainly done a good job this year of rising to the top pretty fast.”

Schefter also asked Eberflus about Josh McDaniels accepting, and then backing out of, the Colts' head coaching job.

“That's just how life goes sometimes," Eberflus said. "Life isn't perfect and adversities happen. The one calming and saving grace was that Chris Ballard was here."

Eberflus praised the Colts' general manager for bringing in a head coach with the character and integrity Frank Reich has.

“(Ballard) was like, 'Matt, it's all going to work out," Eberblus said. "'You have a job here at the Colts, so you don't have to worry about that. We came after you, we recruited you, and it's all going to work out. We're going to get a great head coach in here.' And he certainly came through with that.”