Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan joined 103.3 KESN-FM Monday to talk about training camp. Here are some highlights:
Has anyone asked you to tone down the trash-talking and swagger?
"I don't think so. I think our guys know me. This is the way it's always been. It's just usually at spots where nobody cares. Cleveland and Oakland are different than Dallas. You say anything here in Dallas, it's on. That's just the way it is, the way I believe. And our guys, we've got the talent to back anything up."
What's the most important thing you're trying to do in camp?
"We have to have a multiple defense, so they have to have confidence in what we're doing, and I know they do. ... Apparently the group had lost a little bit of confidence last season. We've got six, seven Pro Bowlers over there on defense. They know how to do it, and we're going to make sure they know and they get after it."
Can Mike Jenkins and Anthony Spencer get back to where they were in 2009?
"Mike got banged up a little bit with his neck [last season], but he's had nothing but confidence. He was sticking people in the running game, blowing them up. Spencer had a great day rushing the passer yesterday. If we were counting sacks, he'd have had three. Those two guys are definitely instrumental in our plans."
New Cowboys safety Abe Elam also talked to the radio station. Elam, who played under Ryan the last two seasons in Cleveland, explained what he can bring to help the Cowboys:
"I'm experienced in the system. I'll be able to communicate well, being that I've taken on this role the last two years in Cleveland. I understand what coach Ryan is looking for out of his players, and I just want to make sure I'm accountable in giving this team everything I can."
Has anyone asked you to tone down the trash-talking and swagger?
"I don't think so. I think our guys know me. This is the way it's always been. It's just usually at spots where nobody cares. Cleveland and Oakland are different than Dallas. You say anything here in Dallas, it's on. That's just the way it is, the way I believe. And our guys, we've got the talent to back anything up."
What's the most important thing you're trying to do in camp?
"We have to have a multiple defense, so they have to have confidence in what we're doing, and I know they do. ... Apparently the group had lost a little bit of confidence last season. We've got six, seven Pro Bowlers over there on defense. They know how to do it, and we're going to make sure they know and they get after it."
Can Mike Jenkins and Anthony Spencer get back to where they were in 2009?
"Mike got banged up a little bit with his neck [last season], but he's had nothing but confidence. He was sticking people in the running game, blowing them up. Spencer had a great day rushing the passer yesterday. If we were counting sacks, he'd have had three. Those two guys are definitely instrumental in our plans."
New Cowboys safety Abe Elam also talked to the radio station. Elam, who played under Ryan the last two seasons in Cleveland, explained what he can bring to help the Cowboys:
"I'm experienced in the system. I'll be able to communicate well, being that I've taken on this role the last two years in Cleveland. I understand what coach Ryan is looking for out of his players, and I just want to make sure I'm accountable in giving this team everything I can."