By BRANDON GEORGE
Staff Writer
bgeorge@dallasnews.com
Published 21 August 2011 11:51 PM
ARLINGTON -- New Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said he was excited about how the team started the game by forcing a three-and-out from the San Diego Chargers.
After that, Ryan wasn't so excited but said he's not in panic mode either.
"Hell, I've been in this league a long time. I have to keep learning our players better and call things that we're more comfortable playing," Ryan said. "Right now, trying to be too cute with the calls and it's hurting our guys. They're not playing as aggressive, but we'll play better. It's a learning process and it's a hell of an offense we went against. We're not going to hang our head here."
Ryan acknowledged that the Cowboys were challenged against the Chargers' talented offense.
"It's tough when you're going against Norv [Turner]," Ryan said. "He's got those great wideouts. We're getting a lot of three-wide receiver sets that we're struggling on right now and I think that's the toughest thing. Right now with the regular personnel, we're doing a pretty good job. It's those multiple-receiver sets we got to get better on. Again our communication has to get better and that all starts with me, but we'll get it there."
Cornerback Orlando Scandrick said the entire defensive playbook has been installed. Ryan said, however, he's "not running everything we've got obviously."
"We had the red zone coverage where the guy got wide open. That was me trying to get cute with them and doubled 83 (Vincent Jackson) on a call that should have had a safety on 81 (Randy McMichael)," Ryan said. "That's completely my fault. Guys are playing hard. We're not playing perfect by any stretch. We'll play better and it's taking time."
Ryan continues to take the blame for the Cowboys' defense not executing as well as it should. Ryan said the defense will be fine, however, but he'd like to force more turnovers.
"Getting some turnovers, that's the thing we're disappointed in," Ryan said. "We practice hard on that and we're just not making plays. I think it is us playing a little cautiously and we have to get that out and put our guys in better situations to play more aggressively. We're maybe trying to play a little too hard to be perfect."
Staff Writer
bgeorge@dallasnews.com
Published 21 August 2011 11:51 PM
ARLINGTON -- New Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said he was excited about how the team started the game by forcing a three-and-out from the San Diego Chargers.
After that, Ryan wasn't so excited but said he's not in panic mode either.
"Hell, I've been in this league a long time. I have to keep learning our players better and call things that we're more comfortable playing," Ryan said. "Right now, trying to be too cute with the calls and it's hurting our guys. They're not playing as aggressive, but we'll play better. It's a learning process and it's a hell of an offense we went against. We're not going to hang our head here."
Ryan acknowledged that the Cowboys were challenged against the Chargers' talented offense.
"It's tough when you're going against Norv [Turner]," Ryan said. "He's got those great wideouts. We're getting a lot of three-wide receiver sets that we're struggling on right now and I think that's the toughest thing. Right now with the regular personnel, we're doing a pretty good job. It's those multiple-receiver sets we got to get better on. Again our communication has to get better and that all starts with me, but we'll get it there."
Cornerback Orlando Scandrick said the entire defensive playbook has been installed. Ryan said, however, he's "not running everything we've got obviously."
"We had the red zone coverage where the guy got wide open. That was me trying to get cute with them and doubled 83 (Vincent Jackson) on a call that should have had a safety on 81 (Randy McMichael)," Ryan said. "That's completely my fault. Guys are playing hard. We're not playing perfect by any stretch. We'll play better and it's taking time."
Ryan continues to take the blame for the Cowboys' defense not executing as well as it should. Ryan said the defense will be fine, however, but he'd like to force more turnovers.
"Getting some turnovers, that's the thing we're disappointed in," Ryan said. "We practice hard on that and we're just not making plays. I think it is us playing a little cautiously and we have to get that out and put our guys in better situations to play more aggressively. We're maybe trying to play a little too hard to be perfect."
