Dec 30, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan reacts during the second half against the Washington Redskins at FedEX Field. The Redskins won 28 – 18. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

Jerry Jones made Rob Ryan the scapegoat for the Dallas Cowboys 2012 season. He famously promised to be out of work for all of “like 5 minutes.” It took a little longer than that but he finally landed with the New Orleans Saints.

Many defenders of Rob Ryan though say the defense was devastated by injuries and thats why the Dallas Cowboys struggled last season. At one point they were signing linebackers of the street to come in and fill in for injuries.

“Where we fundamentally came down with Rob is that his philosophy is about multiple scheme,” Jones said, via the Star-Telegram. “I think you have to skinny it down. Philosophically, I don’t think Rob believes in that.”

Jerry Jones pointed to early regular season losses against the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears (a game in which Tony Romo threw 5 interceptions) as indicators of the defenses poor performance when at or near full strength.

Jerry Jones apparently asked Rob Ryan to scale it down and he didn’t scale it back far enough.

“I think Rob will tell you we had long visits about this in the off-season last year that there was too much scheme. He tried to cut it back and he did skinny it back, but it’s still a lot,” Jones said. “We just didn’t feel like at the end of the day Rob could skinny it back enough to our satisfaction that we could make plays.”

Dec 30, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan reacts during the second half at FedEX Field. The Redskins won 28 – 18. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

The New Orleans Saints have found a new defensive coordinator it would appear. Rob Ryan who was relieved of his duties by the and famously said he’d be out of work for all of 5 minutes. It took a lot longer than 4 minutes. The St. Louis Rams almost brought him a board but ultimately decided to go a different way over philosophical defensive differences.

Citing league sources Adam Schefter tweeted that Ryan was indeed headed to New Orelans.

New Orleans plans to hire former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan as its new defensive coordinator, per league sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2013

However Pro Football Talk said that it might not be such a “done deal.”

Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that the Saints will interview Ryan on Friday, a day after they interview Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

Pro Football Talk wittingly says that they can confirm that Rob Ryan to New Orleans is “basically a done deal” but we all saw how that went last time for Ryan. Mike Napoli and his contract negotiations with the Boston Red Sox were basically a done deal at one point too but that dragged on.

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on the sidelines against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

When the Cowboys shockingly let Rob Ryan go, and relieved him of his duties as defensive coordinator, Ryan brazenly promised that he would be out of work for all of 5 minutes. Well it took a little longer then 5 minutes but he has found a home.

That home is with the defensive minded St. Louis Rams. Their coaching staff is littered with former defensive coordinators. Head coach Jeff Fisher was a defensive coordinator but has presumably decided that he wants to not pull double duty like some head coaches do. But he isn’t the only former defensive coordinator on this staff. Linebackers coach Frank Bush is a former defensive coordinator, Chuck Cecil is also a former defensive coordinator, under Jeff Fisher.

According to ESPN, the Cowboys’ defense was 19th overall, 17th against the run and 21st against the pass while under Ryan’s control. The Rams’s defense was only slightly better ranking 15th against both the run and the pass.

But can Ryan take the Rams’s defense to the next level. One of the detractions about Ryan is that his defense is too complex, and runs too many schemes which consequently lacks identity. Instead of focusing on doing one thing well, like rushing the passer, he tries to do to much.

While his resume includes other defensive coordinator stints with the Oakland Raiders and the Cleveland Browns, and his legacy being the offspring of defensive guru, and father, Buddy Ryan, some question whether he can lead an elite defense. In all that time he has only once lead a defense into the top 10.

Some in Dallas say Ryan wasn’t given a fair shot this season as the team was plagued with injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But Jerry Jones maintained his decision was made based on the Seattle and Chicago games, both of which came in the first half of the season, and both were losses.

It’s worth noting that Tony Romo threw 5 interceptions against Chicago.

The other hurdle for Ryan, he’s been coaching a 3-4 scheme and the Rams are built for a 4-3 with their current personnel.

But with Jeff Fisher’s defenesive knowledge and experience as a head coach, he could possibly rein in Ryan and his defense.

December 9, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks on the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Many people were shocked at Rob Ryan being fired from his position of defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. His supporters say that he was in charge of a defense that fought through a horrendous rash of injuries that saw 7 starters get hurt and had the Cowboys signing players mid season and starting them that following Sunday. Those supporters also point to Tony Romo’s interception, head coach Jason Garrett’s clock mismanagement and conservative play calling as the real issues.

“I inherited a team that was 31st in the league in defense and made them better,” Ryan told ESPNDallas.com’s Tim MacMahon. “I (expletive) made them a hell of a lot better. I’ll be out of work for like five minutes.”

“When we weren’t short-handed, we were kicking ass,” Ryan said.

Jerry Jones however isn’t buying those excuses and believes that injuries are not the reason for defensive struggles. Jones went on KTVT in Dallas and pointed to losses against Seattle in Week 2 and at home against Chicago in Week 4, when the defense was healthy, as the reason he made the decision.

“I thought we could play better before the injuries, and so I factored that in,” Jones said, via ESPNDallas.com. “It wasn’t like we had a lot of injuries out here when we played Chicago. It wasn’t like we had a lot of injuries when we played Seattle. I didn’t like the way we played there. It’s not hard for me to go to those games and say what can we do to improve when we played Seattle and when we played Chicago.”

Some Cowboys fans and Ryan supporters would point out that Tony Romo threw 5 interceptions against Chicago. Against Seattle Tony Romo had a pedestrian 57.5% completions. He went 23 out of 40 that game. And in those two games combined only threw 2 touchdown passes. Against Seattle he had a quarterback rating of 74.1 and against Chicago it dropped to a 60.1 rating.

“It’s not hard for me to go to those games and say what can we do to improve when we played Seattle and when we played Chicago, and I liked the way we played in subsequent games and I know we didn’t have the talent level on the field that we had when we played Seattle and Chicago,” Jones added.

“I think I did a good job and I think our staff did a good job on defense trying to compete with what we had at the end of the year,” Ryan told MacMahon. “But the best job we did was when we were able to coach our starters.”

But Jerry continually points to those games to defend his decision.

“It’s not hard for me to go back there and say, ‘OK, we had all of our players out there we had our talent level there,’ ” Jones said. “That’s what we’ve been saying we didn’t have. Now let’s evaluate that. When we had all of our talent level, we’ve got to be able to beat Chicago at home and we’ve got to be able to go to Seattle and win that game there.

“We know they’re formidable. We know Seattle had a good football team and I don’t think we underestimated Seattle at all when we played them. But you’re going to have to get to where we want to go and you have to go into Seattle and win games in Seattle.”

And the comparisons to Al Davis have begun in Dallas with people saying that Jones simply needed a scapegoat and after brashly promising change and discomfort at Valley Ranch he needed to let someone go. Ryan simply drew the short end of the stick. Jones disagrees with that notion continuing to defend his decision.

“We certainly do need to not change for change sake,” he said. “But basically we need to look at what we’re doing. I’ve heard it even criticized that maybe we shouldn’t look at the matchups. We play six games in a 16-game schedule against our division, and we need to be successful in that division. We let Washington beat us twice this year, Philadelphia beat us twice last year — so all of those things are under our consideration.”

Well many believe this will lead to a switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive scheme. Jones also said if anyone currently on the defensive staff wanted the vacant coordinator position, they would have to apply like everyone else.

Who’d want to with that kind of loyalty?

And as players in Dallas tend to do, they stick up for their teammates. Terrell Owens defended his quarterback and teammate, Tony Romo. And now Dallas Cowboys’ defensive players are speaking out about the firing of Rob Ryan. Most notably, big free agent signing

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan reacts on the sidelines after the fumble was confirmed in overtime against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Carr went on to give other explanations for the defense’s performance.

“I’m not into pointing fingers,” Carr said, in an in-studio interview with WFAA, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I go out there and try to do the job to my best ability. I believe our coaching staff put us in positions to make plays. Some of that lies on us being accountable for our own actions and not getting the job done on Sundays. Of course, some of that goes back on coaches. It’s a 50-50 split. That decision was made from higher up. As a player, you have to roll with the punches.”

He wasn’t the only player to respond to Ryan’s firing.

“It was a privilege to play under coach Rob Ryan! One of the greatest. Sad day. I’m hurting right now,” Jason Hatcher tweeted.

Cornerback Sterling Moore tweeted, “Not Happy Right Now!”

Bruce Carter, the young budding star who filled in rather well for the injured Sean Lee at middle linebacker simply tweeted: “WTF!”

In Dallas the debate has raged ever since on whether Ryan was really at fault for his defense underperforming considered how decimated they were by injuries on defense. They lost defensive leader Sean Lee, as well as Jay Ratliff among others.

“It played a big part in our season, but our philosophy was next man up,” Carr said. “Coach Ryan emphasized it and hung his hat on the ability that his game plan could put pretty much anybody into the game. Through all the injuries, adversity, tragedy, everything we went through, the last game that we played, we still have a chance to make it to the postseason and win our division. We made do with the pieces that we had.”

But at the end of the day, Jerry Jones had to follow through on his promise and he needed a scapegoat and that man was unfortunately Rob Ryan.

Sep 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Buccaneers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The Dallas Cowboys are looking to avoid falling in a 3-5 hole when they matchup against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. While it is a tough task facing the Cowboys, the team seems up to the task and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan all but guarantees that the team will be victorious.

“We need to win now,” Ryan said, via Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram.

“That’s what we’re going to do. I know the record is not what we want it to be, but the ball is bouncing strange ways. When that thing starts evening out, we’re going to be great, and we’re going to keep playing. We’ve got to win this week, and we know it, and we’re going to.”

The Cowboys have come close to knocking off the Baltimore Ravens and were a finger away from defeating their NFC East rival New York Giants last weekend. The team has proven to be talented, despite what their record may suggest and Ryan wants to make sure you recognize the team’s talent.

“You know me, I like credit,” Ryan said. “Our guys, they deserve a ton of credit. Our players work their butts off. Our coaching staff, I’m fortunate and blessed to be around the best coaches.

“This is the best staff I’ve ever been on, and it’s not close. So good things are going to happen to those that work hard. If we just keep working, we’re going to get better. Despite losing, we’ve lost some really good players, but our guys keep going. We’ve got a whole team in there, not just a few individuals. This is really coming together, and I know we’re going to be special. I think we’re going to be special this week.

“I really do. I think we’re just starting to get that way, and I believe we’re going to have a special game this week.”

While the Cowboys may have been “close” in the previous weeks, they need to step up and bring their A game against the Falcons to avoid falling in a hole that could make their playoff hopes all but out of reach.

Here is a photo of Ryan’s tribute to the Colts head coach, which comes in as our Photo of the Week:

Photo via reddit

We here at NFL Spin Zone would like to second Ryan’s message. Get well, Coach Pagano. We wish you a speedy and full recovery.

Oct 30, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan talks with linebacker Sean Lee (50) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

One of the knocks on the Dallas Cowboys has been their lack of leadership. And head coach Jason Garrett is sick of hearing it and he disagrees.

“We have excellent leadership on this team,” Garrett said. “When you think about the guys on the offensive side of the ball, on the defensive side of the ball, the kind of players they are, the kind of performers that they are, how they go to work on a daily basis, they’re really, really good. It’s easy for us as coaches to say, ‘Hey, watch (Jason) Witten. Watch (DeMarcus) Ware. Watch (Tony) Romo. Watch these guys go about their job every day.’ That’s the best way to lead.”

And Rob Ryan thinks there is someone left off that list. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport tweeted an interesting quote from Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who just days earlier promised he was “gonna keep my mouth shut.”

“He reminds me of Tedy Bruschi. Tedy didn’t have to say anything. Everybody followed him.”

That’s high praise for the young middle linebacker who, in his linebacker core alone, has NFL superstar DeMarcus Ware and franchise tagged Anthony Spencer.

But we recently had Sean Lee tell NFL Spin Zone and other reporters at a “Shop and Jock” event for the Boys and Girls Club at Dick’s Sporting Goods that the Penn State body needs to move forward and heal showing he can be a leader with his words as well. Lee also stood up for troubled teammate Dez Bryant.

But a leader with their actions is something the Cowboys could use. Tony Romo is seemingly becoming more vocal, and someone to set the tone in work outs and practice as the Dallas Cowboys look to leave behind their “Camp Cupcake” days and turn their attention towards that elusive Superbowl is something the Cowboys could use.

They might have that leader in Sean Lee.

May 4, 2012; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan answers questions from the media during rookie mini-camp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Rob Ryan is heralding his defense again. Last year after arriving in Valley Ranch, Rob Ryan declared the Dallas Cowboys the best defense in the NFL. A brazen declaration that left even Dallas Cowboys fans bamboozled by such a comment by this odd looking long haired gentleman.

Of course as the season unfolded we found out that the Dallas Cowboys were not the best defense in the NFL. This of course game as no surprise to Cowboys fans who long knew the secondary was a glaring hole in the defense. The Dallas Cowboys were 23rd against the pass allowing 244.1 yards per game. They were better against the run (7th allowing 99.1 yards per game) and middle of the road ranking 16th in points allowed.

And Rob Ryan is taking the brunt of the blame for that disappointing season. He blames himself for throwing too much too quickly at his players overwhelming them with a new system. Ryan accepted responsibility for bad play calls, and took the entire blame for the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles squarely on his shoulders. He thinks his “all-hype” comment might have provided extra motivation to their divisional foes.

“Those guys had been beaten down so much that, in my opinion, I don’t think they had the confidence to go forward,” Ryan said in a vain effort to explain his praising of his new defensive unit. So Ryan’s bragging last year was an attempt to inflate fragile egos but he also pumped up expectations, in a sense setting them up to fall short. Maybe he could’ve chosen his words more carefully to do one and not the other. And as a result Ryan is one of several scapegoats finding blame for the 8-8 season that fell short of the playoffs by losing twice to eventual champions New York Giants down the stretch. Including giving up a 12 point lead at home with 5 minutes left in the game.

“That’s OK,” Ryan said. “Hey, keep the target on me this year and see what happens.”

Dallas fans in part forgive Ryan because they were not so high in praise for the personnel he had to work with, but Ryan won’t blame the players.

“I don’t know, it’s a hell of a lot better than what I had in Cleveland,” he said.

But Dallas fans know otherwise. The secondary at both inside linebacker and secondary was glaring holes. At inside linebacker Bradie James was aging, but a young player named Sean Lee came into his own and really established himself in the middle of the defense. They also added free agent linebacker Dan Connor, another young 26 year old entering his prime who racked up 75 tackles last year. But there still was the secondary. Terence Newman was always getting beat, and Mike Jenkins was underachieving since his single Pro Bowl season, though he was injured at times.

But Jerry Jones in arguably one of his best off seasons ever was very un-Jones like. Jones has always tended to go for big names not concerned with chemistry and signed players whose best years were behind them. First Dallas cut Terence Newman and replaced him by signing free agent Brandon Carr. Carr is a 4 year veteran out of Kansas City but many believe he is just coming into his prime, he just turned 26 years old. His production was similar to Newman last year in terms of statistics but they are on opposite sides of the curve of an NFL career. Newman also had a tendency to get beat deep.

Then the Cowboys brought in safety Brodney Pool, a player who has spent time in Ryan defensive systems. Then Jones not satisfied traded up in the draft to acquire Morris Claiborne in the NFL Draft. Claiborne was considered the best defensive player in the draft and the highest-graded cornerback on their draft board since Cowboys legend Deion Sanders.

Not to mention the Dallas’ D still has one of, if not the best pass rusher in DeMarcus Ware who is 0.5 sacks away from 100 on his career, and a four time Pro Bowl nose tackle in Jay Ratliff. The Dallas defense is aiming to be a top-10 defense this season. And being average would be an underachievement for a much improved squad.

“I know one thing: I’m happy as hell with what we’ve got here,” Ryan said. “I’m going to say it again: If we play the way we’re capable of, then we’ll be shutting a lot of people up. And there’s a lot of them to shut up out there. A ton of them.”

Ryan isn’t declaring them the best this time, instead putting them in the role of the underdog. I like to see Ryan running his mouth about shutting people up and proving themselves. That chip on the shoulder is what this defense needs.

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[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/toddarcher/status/98964985505529856"]

Last season Elam contributed all over the field. He recorded 79 tackles, 10 passes defensed, two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Elam will be reunited in Dallas with his former defensive coordinator from Cleveland Rob Ryan, who holds the same position with the Cowboys. This will be Elam’s second stint with Dallas.

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