Rob Ryan held Patriots in check last year

[Cr122]

October, 7, 2011
By Todd Archer

IRVING, Texas -- Winning at New England will be a difficult task for the Cowboys, but Rob Ryan’s recent history against the Patriots should help.

Ryan coordinated Cleveland’s defense last year that limited Tom Brady to 224 yards on 19-of-36 passing, confusing the Patriots with a variety of looks. Like this year, Ryan and the Browns had the bye the week before playing New England.

In a 34-14 loss to the Browns, New England had just 19 first downs, converted on 3 of 11 third down opportunities and had 283 total yards.

“We just went out and executed our game plan,” said safety Abram Elam, who started for Cleveland last year. “We gave them a bunch of different looks. We attack them and committed to not giving up the big play. That’s big with them. That’s a good offense. They find a hole and they do a good job of making adjustments, so you always have to stay ahead of the game with them.”

Cleveland’s offense helped that day, too. The Browns ran for 230 yards, led by Peyton Hillis’ 184 yards on 29 carries. New England had the ball for 21 minutes, 52 seconds that day.

 

[cmd34]

Cleveland’s offense helped that day, too. The Browns ran for 230 yards, led by Peyton Hillis’ 184 yards on 29 carries. New England had the ball for 21 minutes, 52 seconds that day.

Unforunately, we can't do this.

 

[Cr122]

Unforunately, we can't do this.

Exactly. We'll be passing more due to our lack of run blocking, therefore, you're right c we can't do that.

On defense I don't think we can slow down Brady and Welker either. This could be an ugly game.

 

[cmd34]

Exactly. We'll be passing more due to our lack of run blocking, therefore, you're right c we can't do that.

On defense I don't think we can slow down Brady and Welker either. This could be an ugly game.

I still think we can compete and possibly win, just not the way the Browns did.

 

[Cr122]

I still think we can compete and possibly win, just not the way the Browns did.

Right. I don't think we've been blown out yet since JG took over.

You're at the edge of your seat every game win or lose. I just have a bad feeling about this game.

 

[Theebs]

2 weeks in a row the pats will face a Ryan defense.

I don't know if this is good for us in that we will see their adjustments to Rex...

Or if this is bad for us because the odd looks for the second week may not be as effective.

 

[cmd34]

2 weeks in a row the pats will face a Ryan defense.

I don't know if this is good for us in that we will see their adjustments to Rex...

Or if this is bad for us because the odd looks for the second week may not be as effective.

Let's hope this a good thing.

Rob gets to see exactly what did and didn't work for Rex's defense. Rob can make adjustments to his gameplan starting Sunday.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

2 weeks in a row the pats will face a Ryan defense.

I don't know if this is good for us in that we will see their adjustments to Rex...

Or if this is bad for us because the odd looks for the second week may not be as effective.

Rob and Rex coach totally, different 34s.

 

[cmd34]

Rob and Rex coach totally, different 34s.

They're not that different. We have better pass-rushers, they have a better Secondary. One difference is we stand people up before the snap a lot more. They are both 3-4 schemes with a little bit of their Dad's 46 system mixed in.

 

[Theebs]

Rob and Rex coach totally, different 34s.

Still have similarities in principle.

It's really the personnel that is so different right now between the two.