The carousel of defensive coordinators being let go by the Cowboys continues. Rob Ryan is the latest victim. He was a brash character that basically didn't get it done. Over the two years with him on staff, the defense did show improvement going from 31st in total team defense to 14th in 2011 and then dropped to 19th in 2012. Facts are facts--no NFL team would want to finish up a year either 14th or 19th. I'm sure Rob Ryan will get back on his feet somewhere but will it be as a defensive coordinator or will it be a specialty position under someone else? Stat of the day: teams with Ryan at Defensive Coordinator are 41-87.
Was Rob Ryan set up for failure with the Boys? The answer is yes. This guy didn't get a fair shake. His first year on the job was playing catch up after a long and stressful work stoppage. His 3-4 system is very complicated and is meant to keep offenses off balance and guessing. In order for players to learn a system of this magnitude they need a full camp and full season to work out the kinks. Strike 1. The second strike is something that no defensive coordinator or head coach or team owner can control and that is injuries. This is not a plea for sympathy here because no NFL fan feels sorry for the Dallas Cowboys and their fans. But lets face it--the team had 5 starters lost for most of this year. Every team deals with injuries but this defense was decimated. The linebacking corps had so much promise in 2012 with Linebacker U's own Sean Lee coming off a super sophomore season. Broken wrist and all he is a playmaker. Unfortunately a bad turf toe did him in and he was lost early in the season. Then rookie phenom Bruce Carter took control of the defense and made some great plays until he was sidelined for the rest of 2012 on Thanksgiving Day with an elbow injury. Losing two starting middle LB's and a starting strong safety for the year is impossible to rebound from.
The Cowboys need to focus on their two lines. We will only be talking about the defensive line today. Demarcus Ware had a disappointing season finishing with only 11.5 sacks. The double teams and injuries to his shoulder and elbow really limited him this year. The pass rush was non-existent towards the end of the year. The one bright spot on the Cowboys defense were the performances of their Cornerbacks. Rookie CB Morris Claiborne drafted # 6 overall did a solid job his in his first season. He needs to be a little more physical off the line to contend with larger athletic WR's like Hakeem Nicks and Calvin Johnson. Free agent signing Brandon Carr had a great year. The highlight of his season was when Carr picked off Big Ben on the Steelers' first series in OT to secure a must win for the Cowboys and defensive player of the week. His 3 INTS, 1 for a TD and almost 50 tackles is a bright spot for this team.
Going into 2013 the Cowboys have a ton of questions on Defense: Who will take over as their coordinator? If Lovie Smith doesn't land another HC job, he would be a great hire. Ex- Cowboy Ray Horton has made no name players on the Arizona Cardinals defense into stars. Although Arizona fell apart the second half of the season, their defense was not the reason their season was a disaster. Former Eagle Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn is out there as well but based on his relationship with Castillo, I wouldn't want him. How about Mike Singletary? If he doesn't get hired as a HC he would be another guy to consider. He is largely responsible for making the 49er defense into what it is today.
It will be exciting to see the chemistry between Carr and Claiborne grow as well as middle LB's Lee and Carter will be ball hawks for this defense. A healthy Jay Ratliff will make a difference plugging up the middle. Can these players stay healthy? Has Demarcus Ware seen better days rushing the QB? What will the team do in the draft to assist Ware and gang to wreak havoc on NFC East QB's--especially Eli-- in 2013? Let's hope with a new Defensive Coordinator and healthy personnel, the Dallas Cowboys can set a course for success on defense. -Adam
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