By Rainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
8:38 PM on Sun., Dec. 18, 2011 | Permalink
IRVING - Under any circumstance, Rob Ryan wants outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose tackle Jay Ratliff to play as much as possible. But during Dallas' 31-15 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday two of the Cowboys' most accomplished players were standing on the sidelines for most of the game.
"You definitely don't want that scenario," said Ryan, the Cowboys' defensive coordinator.
But Dallas was able to cope. With Ratliff and Ware resting during the second half after playing a combined 16 snaps, their replacements helped the Cowboys keep the Buccaneers at bay. After Ratliff aggravated a rib-cage injury, Sean Lissemore came in and sacked quarterback Josh Freeman while also hitting him on another pass play.
"He just does a really good job with every opportunity that he gets, both as a run defender and as a pass-rush guy," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "He's relentless. He's a good technician, but he has a real hunger to make the play."
Garrett praised Victor Butler in similar fashion for authoring a strong performance after Ware aggravated a neck stinger early in the first quarter. Throughout the night, Butler proved to be a disruptive presence, pressuring Freeman four times, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
Butler, who played more than he has all season, was "very active," Garrett said.
"I was happy to see us execute," Ryan added. "You've got to credit those guys."
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio
8:38 PM on Sun., Dec. 18, 2011 | Permalink
IRVING - Under any circumstance, Rob Ryan wants outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose tackle Jay Ratliff to play as much as possible. But during Dallas' 31-15 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday two of the Cowboys' most accomplished players were standing on the sidelines for most of the game.
"You definitely don't want that scenario," said Ryan, the Cowboys' defensive coordinator.
But Dallas was able to cope. With Ratliff and Ware resting during the second half after playing a combined 16 snaps, their replacements helped the Cowboys keep the Buccaneers at bay. After Ratliff aggravated a rib-cage injury, Sean Lissemore came in and sacked quarterback Josh Freeman while also hitting him on another pass play.
"He just does a really good job with every opportunity that he gets, both as a run defender and as a pass-rush guy," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "He's relentless. He's a good technician, but he has a real hunger to make the play."
Garrett praised Victor Butler in similar fashion for authoring a strong performance after Ware aggravated a neck stinger early in the first quarter. Throughout the night, Butler proved to be a disruptive presence, pressuring Freeman four times, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
Butler, who played more than he has all season, was "very active," Garrett said.
"I was happy to see us execute," Ryan added. "You've got to credit those guys."
