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September 29, 2011
It's been a somewhat charmed tenure thus far for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
That's about to end.
After facing two grind-it-out teams in the Jets and Redskins and a 49ers team missing its best receivers, the Cowboys will take on a fully-functional offense Sunday in the Detroit Lions.
The Lions have the 10th best offense in the NFL. They average 400 yards per game and quarterback Matt Stafford is the NFL's third-leading passer with 325.7 yards per game.
Stafford has some serious weapons at his disposal, starting with Calvin Johnson, who is arguably the best receiver in the game. Brandon Pettigrew is a top tight end and Jahvid Best is the real deal at running back.
All three are among the top 24 in passes caught this season, and that's not even counting Nate Burleson, another solid receiver.
The Cowboys will have their hands full, but they've got a few things to throw at the Lions defensively.
First and foremost is outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who has virtually been unstoppable this season. The Redskins were able to slow him down, thanks to a conservative definition of holding by the officiating crew.
Anthony Spencer came up big late against the Redskins and also must be accounted for.
Then there's inside linebacker Sean Lee, who has been playing like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
"We got D Ware making plays, Spencer making plays. Sean Lee, he is on fire right now," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "Me and Brook [Kevin Brooking] stopping the run. The front seven, these guys are making plays. (A reporter) asked me, is this the best defense I've ever been on? It's up there. Because we are not just talking about it. We are proving it."
The Cowboys will still be missing nickel cornerback Orlando Scandrick because of an ankle injury. Defensive end Jason Hatcher is unlikely to play because of a calf injury.
But the plain fact is this will be the best defense Stafford and company have faced, by far.
The Cowboys rank fifth overall in total defense. That's 15 spots higher than the Vikings, the highest-rated defense the Lions have faced. The Lions' other previous opponents, Kansas City and Tampa Bay, are ranked 23rd and 24th, respectively.
The Cowboys lead the NFL with 13 sacks and have the 12th-ranked pass defense.
They are making big plays and putting up impressive numbers. And they've played just three games in the Rob Ryan system.
The scary thing for the Cowboys' future opponents is that the defense will get even better as it gets a better grasp of Ryan's schemes.
"The guys are just playing hard," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "We are grasping the system that Rob has put in. And we are realizing it is going to put us in a situation to make plays, and guys are stepping up when the opportunities present themselves."
Sunday's game boils down to chicken-or-the-egg questions. Will the Cowboys' defense buckle facing the best offense it's seen? Or will the Lions' offense crumble against the best defense it's seen?
The only sure thing is that Ryan and his unorthodox methods will be under more scrutiny than ever, for better or worse, after facing a potent Lions offense.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
Tags: NFL, detroit lions, Dallas Cowboys, Rob Ryan
September 29, 2011
It's been a somewhat charmed tenure thus far for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
That's about to end.
After facing two grind-it-out teams in the Jets and Redskins and a 49ers team missing its best receivers, the Cowboys will take on a fully-functional offense Sunday in the Detroit Lions.
The Lions have the 10th best offense in the NFL. They average 400 yards per game and quarterback Matt Stafford is the NFL's third-leading passer with 325.7 yards per game.
Stafford has some serious weapons at his disposal, starting with Calvin Johnson, who is arguably the best receiver in the game. Brandon Pettigrew is a top tight end and Jahvid Best is the real deal at running back.
All three are among the top 24 in passes caught this season, and that's not even counting Nate Burleson, another solid receiver.
The Cowboys will have their hands full, but they've got a few things to throw at the Lions defensively.
First and foremost is outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who has virtually been unstoppable this season. The Redskins were able to slow him down, thanks to a conservative definition of holding by the officiating crew.
Anthony Spencer came up big late against the Redskins and also must be accounted for.
Then there's inside linebacker Sean Lee, who has been playing like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
"We got D Ware making plays, Spencer making plays. Sean Lee, he is on fire right now," inside linebacker Bradie James said. "Me and Brook [Kevin Brooking] stopping the run. The front seven, these guys are making plays. (A reporter) asked me, is this the best defense I've ever been on? It's up there. Because we are not just talking about it. We are proving it."
The Cowboys will still be missing nickel cornerback Orlando Scandrick because of an ankle injury. Defensive end Jason Hatcher is unlikely to play because of a calf injury.
But the plain fact is this will be the best defense Stafford and company have faced, by far.
The Cowboys rank fifth overall in total defense. That's 15 spots higher than the Vikings, the highest-rated defense the Lions have faced. The Lions' other previous opponents, Kansas City and Tampa Bay, are ranked 23rd and 24th, respectively.
The Cowboys lead the NFL with 13 sacks and have the 12th-ranked pass defense.
They are making big plays and putting up impressive numbers. And they've played just three games in the Rob Ryan system.
The scary thing for the Cowboys' future opponents is that the defense will get even better as it gets a better grasp of Ryan's schemes.
"The guys are just playing hard," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "We are grasping the system that Rob has put in. And we are realizing it is going to put us in a situation to make plays, and guys are stepping up when the opportunities present themselves."
Sunday's game boils down to chicken-or-the-egg questions. Will the Cowboys' defense buckle facing the best offense it's seen? Or will the Lions' offense crumble against the best defense it's seen?
The only sure thing is that Ryan and his unorthodox methods will be under more scrutiny than ever, for better or worse, after facing a potent Lions offense.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
Tags: NFL, detroit lions, Dallas Cowboys, Rob Ryan
