Rob Ryan on 2011 defensive problems: We didn't have any basics. We had no foundation

[WoodysGirl]

ByRainer Sabin / Reporter
rsabin@dallasnews.com | Bio

2:40 PM on Fri., May. 4, 2012 | Permalink

IRVING -- Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is not one to make excuses. If anything, he's shown he's willing to shoulder the blame for any perceived failures that occur under his purview. But there were a lot of things working against Ryan last season even if he doesn't want to admit it.

As a new coach, Ryan was presented with the challenge of resurrecting a defense that was among the worst in franchise history. Then the lockout happened, which delayed the installation of his complicated, multifaceted scheme until training camp. Players tried to digest all of the information Ryan gave them. As it turned out, they couldn't. Consider it a teachable moment, Ryan said Friday.

"When we look back at ourselves and re-evaluate, I think I started a little too fast and put in the accelerated program without the English 101, which I always struggled with," Ryan said. ".... I think I put a little too much in and too fast. And we didn't have any basics. We had no foundation."

Read more: http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/cowboys-rob-ryan-on-2011-defen.html

[Chocolate Lab]

Sorry, but lame.

One, as noted a million times, other DCs had the same limitations and were successful.

And two, you can't claim that you put in too much too fast because we started the year great and went downhill at the end, not vice-versa.

[theogt]

Sorry, but lame.

One, as noted a million times, other DCs had the same limitations and were successful.

And two, you can't claim that you put in too much too fast because we started the year great and went downhill at the end, not vice-versa.When you read the quotes, what he's saying is that he failed to properly adjust to the limited amount of time.

[ninja]

So that explains why Newman was playing 10 yards off on third and 2.:rolleyes:

[MichaelWinicki]

When you read the quotes, what he's saying is that he failed to properly adjust to the limited amount of time.

You mean you've got to read these things too in order to give an educated response????


:laugh1:

[MichaelWinicki]

Sorry, but lame.

One, as noted a million times, other DCs had the same limitations and were successful.

And two, you can't claim that you put in too much too fast because we started the year great and went downhill at the end, not vice-versa.

The one thing to keep in mind is that most other DC's had been in place for at least one season.

That would make a difference no?

[Teague31]

The Niners d seemed to manage just fine.

[MichaelWinicki]

So that explains why Newman was playing 10 yards off on third and 2.:rolleyes:

Newman said he was hurt...

He was trying to compensate by playing off (OK well off) his man.

[MichaelWinicki]

The Niners d seemed to manage just fine.

Very true.

I think talent level comes into play at some point.

Plus I think teams know they have to score plenty to beat the Cowboys, with the 49ers, there wasn't that level of fear of their offense.

And then compare the divisions that they're in and the offenses they faced.

[Dough Boy]

Sorry, but lame.

One, as noted a million times, other DCs had the same limitations and were successful.

And two, you can't claim that you put in too much too fast because we started the year great and went downhill at the end, not vice-versa.

Shocker.

[MichaelWinicki]

Shocker.

The injuries in the secondary took their toll.

And I think teams figured out that the Cowboy defense was soft in the middle due to a lack of coverage skills.

[Sasquatch]

Accountability starts at the top. Well done, Coach Ryan, but not more mulligans, okay?

[MichaelWinicki]

Accountability starts at the top. Well done, Coach Ryan, but not more mulligans, okay?

I wouldn't expect he'll ask for any.

He's got a normal offseason and a heck of a lot more talent to work with this time around.

[Chocolate Lab]

When you read the quotes, what he's saying is that he failed to properly adjust to the limited amount of time.

Okay, then this Sabin guy was sure making excuses for him.

You mean you've got to read these things too in order to give an educated response????
Care to point out what wasn't educated about my reply?

[Doomsday101]

I don't think Ryan claiming we would have been better off with a full off season when putting his defense into place is an excuse. I think we would have been better off as well. I do think Ryan tried to put too much in to soon given the situations and chances are would have been better off not trying to add as much

[Aven8]

There are no excuses as far as I'm concerned.

The only excuse is we had bad players. We had a rookie coming into his 2nd season and not knowing he was going to be a stud he became. We had another rookie who started on the pup. Then we had two LB's that aged 5 years in one offseason.

We also had the same situation with Newman who aged 5 years, and the rest of the secondary was battered and bruised all season. Remember Oscan got hurt in TC and couldn't play for weeks.

That is as a lot to overcome for any DC.

[Dough Boy]

The injuries in the secondary took their toll.

And I think teams figured out that the Cowboy defense was soft in the middle due to a lack of coverage skills.

I agree 100%. How many games did the 4th & 5th CB play significant snaps.

[theogt]

Okay, then this Sabin guy was sure making excuses for him.They asked him later in the interview if the shortened off-season affected him, and he said no it was all his fault, he screwed it up. He was going out of his way to NOT make excuses -- which, to be honest, is frustrating. I'd rather hear what someone thinks is the truth, rather than lying because it's the "manly" thing to do.

[Idgit]

I thought we already understood that Ryan blew it last off season, but it's nice to hear him come out and say it.

[CoCo]

The injuries in the secondary took their toll.

And I think teams figured out that the Cowboy defense was soft in the middle due to a lack of coverage skills.

I don't know. I hear that it doesn't much matter who we have playing CB. ;)

[Risen Star]

The one thing to keep in mind is that most other DC's had been in place for at least one season.

That would make a difference no?

Didn't seem to effect the 49ers.