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If given a chance, Rob Ryan will talk the talk
Posted Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011
rgalloway@ star-telegram.com
If nothing else, you have to love the total contrast.
The button-down, flat-belly, Ivy Leaguer new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys makes his most important staff hire -- defensive coordinator -- by picking a guy who looks like he came right out of Vince McMahon's WWE casting call.
That's from the neck up, by the way. Biker-boy hair and all.
Otherwise, and keeping with the made-for-TV comparison, Rob Ryan could have had the starring role on Man v. Food. And food always lost.
Another thing about Rob is he embraces his foodness. Got to like a man who likes himself.
Maybe it was just coincidence, but before Jason Garrett even made it official Wednesday on Ryan, the announcement came this week from Valley Ranch that Big Bill's off-season rules were back in place at Valley Ranch.
No assistant coaches can talk to the media until after the draft in late April.
Cue the outrage.
How can you hire Rob Ryan and not let the guy talk to us? Every day, and twice on Sunday.
Jason speaks well while concentrating on saying nothing to the media.
Rob, he just speaks often, and tells you everything, with words of the four-letter variety flowing freely.
Speaking of contrast, the Garrett name around Valley Ranch is beloved, and not just because of the number of brothers currently on the payroll. It started with the father, Jim, who is now retired but was forever a respected scout in the organization.
The Ryan name? One of the most hated, of course, in Cowboys lore, due to Rob being the son of Buddy, who in his Eagles' head-coaching days once punked Tom Landry (the fake kneel-down play) and attempted to punk Jimmy Johnson.
Buddy, obviously, is proud, and not just because Rex, twin brother of Rob, is the latest-greatest head coaching genius in the NFL. But how much is Buddy snickering these days over the mere thought that Rob is coming to the Cowboys to attempt to lead this franchise out of the defensive wilderness?
Any of the CowSheep watching last week when the Jets-Rex defense worked over Tom Brady, have to be hoping Rob is the same chip off the Buddy coaching block.
There's basically nothing to support that, stats-wise. Not if you factor in Rob's defensive coordinator work with the Raiders and with Cleveland.
But as one NFL voice said Wednesday, "judge nothing by what went on at Oakland. If you think Al [Davis] is crazy, well, that goes double when it comes to defense. Al will not keep his hands off the defense."
During his Browns' stay the last two seasons, the defensive reviews are mixed, but Rob gets somewhat of an NFL pass because the talent level in Cleveland was below the acceptable level.
I did hear that Jerry Jones himself made the call to Mike Holmgren (president of football operations at Cleveland) to get a good read on Rob. That could be labeled a local red flag since Jerry promised that Jason would have the total say on the assistant coaches.
But let's assume for now that Jerry was calling on behalf of Jason since Jones is good friends with Holmgren.
In general, when asking around the league, you will hear that Rob is good with players, and while maybe not as tough as he talks or looks, does get the respect because of honesty and work ethic.
Can he coach 'em up?
The verdict is still out, according to people I asked, but compliments were given to Garrett for hiring Rob, since he will represent a complete personality makeover from the last guy in charge of defense around here.
There was also the same obvious amusement as already stated.
"Garrett is bringing in, as just the look tells you, an unmade bed in Rob Ryan," said one NFL voice. "I'd predict that Jason will have to manage Rob just like he has to manage the players. As with Rex, this is a different kind of cat, but Rex is a head coach. Rob is still going to be working for a head coach."
At the moment, Garrett will not allow us to be entertained by him introducing Rob at a media conference. The official announcement Wednesday was by an e-mail statement.
Meanwhile, Ryan seems to be leaving Cleveland with a lot of media love, and also fan love. He became a favorite with the Browns.
In his departure up there after a new head coach was hired, the "Best of Rob" hit the Internet.
A few choice Ryan quotes from the 2010 season:
As his departure from Cleveland seemed imminent: "...if they bring in somebody else on defense, good luck, because he isn't going to be nearly as good as I am."
Is he worried about losing his job? "I'm sure there are other people nervous, but I'm not a guy that's nervous, not anymore. When I first got in the league I'd be scared (bleep)-less, but not now. Now it's like, please, there is nobody better. I don't care."
On his safety, T.J. Ward being a cheap-shot player: "...He's hitting them the way we teach him and then there's a big hullabaloo about this penalty. But, (bleep), those guys need to shut up. They don't coach our team. We do."
On some radio talk show criticism: "I know somebody said I'm not a good gameday coach. What a dumb (bleep). Anyway, I'm a great gameday coach. Probably the best coach. My kids ask, 'Why are you listening to that, Dad?' They get mad at me. I don't know; I just want to hear someone dumber than me."
If nothing else, I predict Rob Ryan fun is about to hit Valley Ranch. Now, if only his defense will actually hit somebody.
Randy Galloway can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on Galloway & Co. on ESPN/103.3 FM.
Randy Galloway, 817-390-7697
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/19/2781657/rob-ryan-talks-the-talk.html##ixzz1BZfGFoEN
Posted Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011
rgalloway@ star-telegram.com
If nothing else, you have to love the total contrast.
The button-down, flat-belly, Ivy Leaguer new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys makes his most important staff hire -- defensive coordinator -- by picking a guy who looks like he came right out of Vince McMahon's WWE casting call.
That's from the neck up, by the way. Biker-boy hair and all.
Otherwise, and keeping with the made-for-TV comparison, Rob Ryan could have had the starring role on Man v. Food. And food always lost.
Another thing about Rob is he embraces his foodness. Got to like a man who likes himself.
Maybe it was just coincidence, but before Jason Garrett even made it official Wednesday on Ryan, the announcement came this week from Valley Ranch that Big Bill's off-season rules were back in place at Valley Ranch.
No assistant coaches can talk to the media until after the draft in late April.
Cue the outrage.
How can you hire Rob Ryan and not let the guy talk to us? Every day, and twice on Sunday.
Jason speaks well while concentrating on saying nothing to the media.
Rob, he just speaks often, and tells you everything, with words of the four-letter variety flowing freely.
Speaking of contrast, the Garrett name around Valley Ranch is beloved, and not just because of the number of brothers currently on the payroll. It started with the father, Jim, who is now retired but was forever a respected scout in the organization.
The Ryan name? One of the most hated, of course, in Cowboys lore, due to Rob being the son of Buddy, who in his Eagles' head-coaching days once punked Tom Landry (the fake kneel-down play) and attempted to punk Jimmy Johnson.
Buddy, obviously, is proud, and not just because Rex, twin brother of Rob, is the latest-greatest head coaching genius in the NFL. But how much is Buddy snickering these days over the mere thought that Rob is coming to the Cowboys to attempt to lead this franchise out of the defensive wilderness?
Any of the CowSheep watching last week when the Jets-Rex defense worked over Tom Brady, have to be hoping Rob is the same chip off the Buddy coaching block.
There's basically nothing to support that, stats-wise. Not if you factor in Rob's defensive coordinator work with the Raiders and with Cleveland.
But as one NFL voice said Wednesday, "judge nothing by what went on at Oakland. If you think Al [Davis] is crazy, well, that goes double when it comes to defense. Al will not keep his hands off the defense."
During his Browns' stay the last two seasons, the defensive reviews are mixed, but Rob gets somewhat of an NFL pass because the talent level in Cleveland was below the acceptable level.
I did hear that Jerry Jones himself made the call to Mike Holmgren (president of football operations at Cleveland) to get a good read on Rob. That could be labeled a local red flag since Jerry promised that Jason would have the total say on the assistant coaches.
But let's assume for now that Jerry was calling on behalf of Jason since Jones is good friends with Holmgren.
In general, when asking around the league, you will hear that Rob is good with players, and while maybe not as tough as he talks or looks, does get the respect because of honesty and work ethic.
Can he coach 'em up?
The verdict is still out, according to people I asked, but compliments were given to Garrett for hiring Rob, since he will represent a complete personality makeover from the last guy in charge of defense around here.
There was also the same obvious amusement as already stated.
"Garrett is bringing in, as just the look tells you, an unmade bed in Rob Ryan," said one NFL voice. "I'd predict that Jason will have to manage Rob just like he has to manage the players. As with Rex, this is a different kind of cat, but Rex is a head coach. Rob is still going to be working for a head coach."
At the moment, Garrett will not allow us to be entertained by him introducing Rob at a media conference. The official announcement Wednesday was by an e-mail statement.
Meanwhile, Ryan seems to be leaving Cleveland with a lot of media love, and also fan love. He became a favorite with the Browns.
In his departure up there after a new head coach was hired, the "Best of Rob" hit the Internet.
A few choice Ryan quotes from the 2010 season:
As his departure from Cleveland seemed imminent: "...if they bring in somebody else on defense, good luck, because he isn't going to be nearly as good as I am."
Is he worried about losing his job? "I'm sure there are other people nervous, but I'm not a guy that's nervous, not anymore. When I first got in the league I'd be scared (bleep)-less, but not now. Now it's like, please, there is nobody better. I don't care."
On his safety, T.J. Ward being a cheap-shot player: "...He's hitting them the way we teach him and then there's a big hullabaloo about this penalty. But, (bleep), those guys need to shut up. They don't coach our team. We do."
On some radio talk show criticism: "I know somebody said I'm not a good gameday coach. What a dumb (bleep). Anyway, I'm a great gameday coach. Probably the best coach. My kids ask, 'Why are you listening to that, Dad?' They get mad at me. I don't know; I just want to hear someone dumber than me."
If nothing else, I predict Rob Ryan fun is about to hit Valley Ranch. Now, if only his defense will actually hit somebody.
Randy Galloway can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on Galloway & Co. on ESPN/103.3 FM.
Randy Galloway, 817-390-7697
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/19/2781657/rob-ryan-talks-the-talk.html##ixzz1BZfGFoEN
