The Cowboys needed a scapegoat for 2 consecutive 8-8 seasons and missing the playoffs yet again. That man was defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Jerry Jones promised change at Valley Ranch and he had to make a decision and he let go the defensive coordinator who was at the helm for only 2 seasons.
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.