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As Assistants Still Being Finalized, Ryan's Passion A Good Fit
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - As Jason Garrett builds his first coaching staff, as he continues evaluating the current roster as well as college talent at next week's Senior Bowl, the Cowboys head coach is always looking for three traits in the people around him: "emotion, passion and enthusiasm."
That's what he sees in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
Ryan, who held the same position with the Raiders (2004-08) and Browns (2009-10) for the past seven seasons, is regarded as a bright defensive mind in the same mold as his fellow Ryans, Buddy and Rex. He also shares his father's and twin brother's gregarious coaching disposition.
Both traits, Garrett believes, will be an asset to the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.
"I've just admired how he's coached and I've admired how his defenses have played. And certainly his personality is a bonus," Garrett said in his weekly "Cowboys Huddle" television segment, scheduled to air on KTVT-11 in Dallas this Sunday. "I think he's a guy that people respond to. If you walk down the hall you respond to him. If you're in a meeting room you respond to him. And certainly out on the practice field and in a game situation, you respond to this guy. He has a track record of that.
"He's fun to be around. He works his players hard but they love to play for him."
This year Ryan's Browns finished 22nd in total defense (350.1 yards per game), 13th in scoring defense (20.8) and 25th in sacks (29). In seven years directing the Browns and Raiders, only the 2006 Raiders (third) finished in the top 20 in total defense. Both units improved, however, and the Cowboys arguably have better pieces, led by Pro Bowlers DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff.
Ryan has more work to do. The Cowboys dropped from ninth (315.9) in total defense in 2009 to 23rd (351.8) in 2010 and allowed a franchise-record 436 points, approaching double the 250-point total from 2009. Takeaways jumped from 10 to 20 (30 total) in the last eight games under interim coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, but opponents still averaged 25.5 points during that final stretch.
Like Buddy and Rex, Rob is known as an aggressive play-caller that likes to pressure the quarterback. On film, though, Garrett also sees Ryan's defenses staying fundamentally sound.
"It's an attractive scheme," he said.
Garrett and Ryan aren't settled at Valley Ranch just yet. Ryan was Garrett's most prominent hire to make, but several assistant positions are still being finalized.
Four coaches entered the offseason with expiring contracts: wide receivers coach Ray Sherman, quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, tight ends coach John Garrett and kicking coach Chris Boniol. Wilson is already expected back, as is John Garrett, whose duties could expand to passing game coordinator. There have been no indications that Boniol won't be back after the improvements kicker David Buehler made during the season.
Sherman recently released a statement that indicated he will not return. One possible replacement, Broncos receivers coach Adam Gase, is staying in Denver as new quarterbacks coach.
Former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell also has visited twice, presumably about an assistant offensive line coaching position alongside Hudson Houck. Campbell spent the 2010 season as a Dolphins coaching intern with emphasis on the offensive line. Texans assistant and Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews is also believed to be a candidate.
Ryan figures to have input on the defensive side of the staff. Pasqualoni's departure to UConn leaves an opening at defensive line coach. And if linebackers coach Reggie Herring leaves for the same post in Houston as previously reported, the Cowboys will have another vacancy.
As Assistants Still Being Finalized, Ryan's Passion A Good Fit
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - As Jason Garrett builds his first coaching staff, as he continues evaluating the current roster as well as college talent at next week's Senior Bowl, the Cowboys head coach is always looking for three traits in the people around him: "emotion, passion and enthusiasm."
That's what he sees in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
Ryan, who held the same position with the Raiders (2004-08) and Browns (2009-10) for the past seven seasons, is regarded as a bright defensive mind in the same mold as his fellow Ryans, Buddy and Rex. He also shares his father's and twin brother's gregarious coaching disposition.
Both traits, Garrett believes, will be an asset to the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.
"I've just admired how he's coached and I've admired how his defenses have played. And certainly his personality is a bonus," Garrett said in his weekly "Cowboys Huddle" television segment, scheduled to air on KTVT-11 in Dallas this Sunday. "I think he's a guy that people respond to. If you walk down the hall you respond to him. If you're in a meeting room you respond to him. And certainly out on the practice field and in a game situation, you respond to this guy. He has a track record of that.
"He's fun to be around. He works his players hard but they love to play for him."
This year Ryan's Browns finished 22nd in total defense (350.1 yards per game), 13th in scoring defense (20.8) and 25th in sacks (29). In seven years directing the Browns and Raiders, only the 2006 Raiders (third) finished in the top 20 in total defense. Both units improved, however, and the Cowboys arguably have better pieces, led by Pro Bowlers DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff.
Ryan has more work to do. The Cowboys dropped from ninth (315.9) in total defense in 2009 to 23rd (351.8) in 2010 and allowed a franchise-record 436 points, approaching double the 250-point total from 2009. Takeaways jumped from 10 to 20 (30 total) in the last eight games under interim coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, but opponents still averaged 25.5 points during that final stretch.
Like Buddy and Rex, Rob is known as an aggressive play-caller that likes to pressure the quarterback. On film, though, Garrett also sees Ryan's defenses staying fundamentally sound.
"It's an attractive scheme," he said.
Garrett and Ryan aren't settled at Valley Ranch just yet. Ryan was Garrett's most prominent hire to make, but several assistant positions are still being finalized.
Four coaches entered the offseason with expiring contracts: wide receivers coach Ray Sherman, quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, tight ends coach John Garrett and kicking coach Chris Boniol. Wilson is already expected back, as is John Garrett, whose duties could expand to passing game coordinator. There have been no indications that Boniol won't be back after the improvements kicker David Buehler made during the season.
Sherman recently released a statement that indicated he will not return. One possible replacement, Broncos receivers coach Adam Gase, is staying in Denver as new quarterbacks coach.
Former Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell also has visited twice, presumably about an assistant offensive line coaching position alongside Hudson Houck. Campbell spent the 2010 season as a Dolphins coaching intern with emphasis on the offensive line. Texans assistant and Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews is also believed to be a candidate.
Ryan figures to have input on the defensive side of the staff. Pasqualoni's departure to UConn leaves an opening at defensive line coach. And if linebackers coach Reggie Herring leaves for the same post in Houston as previously reported, the Cowboys will have another vacancy.
