OXNARD, Calif. -- Jayron Kearse wouldn’t let it go.

As the Dallas Cowboys second-team offense and defense went through a two-minute drill Saturday, the safety was in Dak Prescott’s ear disputing the quarterback’s touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb against the first-team defense. When Prescott went one way or the other, Kearse would follow.

“I’m always talking my trash,” Kearse said. “Those guys hear it and those guys talk back. ... It’s just continuous competitiveness that we’re going to continue to do throughout this training camp.”

Kearse’s trash talk speaks to the defense’s desire to not give up an inch, let alone a touchdown.

Entering 2023, most questions about the Cowboys center around their offense with head coach Mike McCarthy taking over the playcalling, replacing running back Ezekiel Elliott, reducing Prescott’s interceptions (tied for a league-leading 15 in 2022) and the health of the offensive line.

The defense returns every key component from a unit last year that finished tied for fifth in the NFL in points allowed per game (20.1), led the league in takeaways (33) and tied for third in sacks (54). And they added cornerback Stephon Gilmore in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts and defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of the draft.

“We got a strong cast,” defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. “Our unit is tremendous at their jobs. Definitely the confidence is going to be there when you’ve got ball hawks and headhunters like we do on our defense.”

Just because last year’s defense was successful -- they did not allow more than 19 points in each of the first five games and six of the first seven -- doesn’t mean this year’s defense will be as successful or better. There is a starting over, despite the continuity in personnel.

“We go back to Page 1 on the playbook,” McCarthy said.

Over the winter, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn watched ESPN’s 30 for 30 “Bullies of Baltimore,” about the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, one of the most dominant units in NFL history. When it was over, Quinn called their defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis to ask what made the difference from one year to the next.

In 1999, the Ravens allowed 20 touchdown passes. In 2000, they cut it down to just 11.

“A drastic number,” Quinn said.

Quinn was the defensive coordinator of the "Legion of Boom" Seattle Seahawks in 2013-14. In two years, Seattle allowed the fewest yards (270.4), points (15.2) and passing yards (178.8) per game.

“It’s not one-size-fits-all, but I would say at the front of it, the best defenses, one, are usually very good tacklers and guys who have a really good ball-hawking awareness because if you get those two parts right, you’re going to limit your explosive plays,” Quinn said, “and then obviously with the takeaways you’re taking away opportunities to score or you’re going to score yourself.”

Quinn has Pro Bowl players at every level with Lawrence, edge Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and Gilmore have been Pro Bowlers. In Kearse, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson, he has three safeties who can bring a versatility to the defense. The defensive line is as deep as any the Cowboys have had since their Super Bowl days.

“Each one (of the great defense) probably had their own identity and I’d say ours here is probably more flexibility and adjustability than most of the defenses I’ve been a part of,” Quinn said. “We can put some guys in different roles based on all the skills that they can do. We’re just getting started (but) the traits are there to play really exceptional defense.”

Early in camp, Prescott has noticed. While pressure has been a constant -- though it should be noted All-Pro right guard Zack Martin has not practiced -- the coverage has at times made Prescott hesitant.

“They communicate well. And I think that’s where it starts is they know each other. They know the call,” Prescott said. “They feel confident with the call they’re getting from DQ. They feel confident with the man next to him doing their job and that allows them to play fast. That’s going to make it tough on any offense. But it’s great for us to get to go against them every day, that’s iron sharpening iron.”

Parsons, who has finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting in each of his first two seasons, believes the Cowboys’ defense can jump another level.

“An elite defense is selfless, unselfish, (has a) magnitude of effort, relentlessness, determination, elite preparation,” Parsons said. “Just a determination to change the game and to understand whatever the circumstances -- whether it’s special teams that are messing up, it could be the offense that is messing up -- it’s just knowing your role on this team and where you align and knowing everything that can happen. Understand it’s getting on to the next play.

“I think this defense can be up there with the 49ers' great defense. I think we can be up there with the [Hall of Famer] Ray Lewis defense. I think we can be up there with the Legion of Boom, just with the talent we have and the vet guys mixed with the young guys, the experience that we all have.”