ESPND: Garrett says lack of takeaways doomed Ryan

[Risen Star]

Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett cited the team's lack of turnovers as the main reason for firing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

The Cowboys tied for 29th overall with 16 takeaways last season, including being tied for last in the NFL with seven interceptions. The Chicago Bears led the NFL with 44 takeaways.

"We had 16. That's 28 more opportunities with the ball," Garrett told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. "Give me some of those 28 opportunities.

"That's something that we really sat back and thought a lot about, had a lot of discussions about -- what's the best way to try to achieve that, and then, 'OK, you want to do that, now who are the guys who can help implement that?'"

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/...oomed-rob-ryan

[wick]

He's absolutely right. If you rank the problems that prevented this team from being better than it should have been, the turnover disparity is number one. Our pass defense was absolutely atrocious, and the main reason for that was the inability to force turnovers.

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Translation - put pressure on the QB and force him into mistakes by actually rushing Ware and Spencer rather than dropping them into coverage to cover a decoy TE.

[lostar2009]

this team has always struggle with take aways

[17yearsandcounting]

And what were the giveaways like Jason? How many horrid situations did you put the defense in with your inept first half offensive performances?

[rickjameschinaclub]

Originally Posted by 17yearsandcounting

And what were the giveaways like Jason? How many horrid situations did you put the defense in with your inept first half offensive performances?

What an arrogant guy this Jason is... I can't believe people swallow his stuff anymore...

[Idgit]

The TO ratio is, of course, what the real problem has been.

Originally Posted by 17yearsandcounting

And what were the giveaways like Jason? How many horrid situations did you put the defense in with your inept first half offensive performances?

I believe in terms of scoring points/possession, we were a top-10 offense last year. Including the issues we had with RT in pass protection and the early issues with our WR route adjustments. That's not too bad.

I know everyone wants to be mad about the OL and the play calling, but it really all comes down to the giveaways and takeaways.

[morasp]

Originally Posted by 17yearsandcounting

And what were the giveaways like Jason? How many horrid situations did you put the defense in with your inept first half offensive performances?

It's in the article.

[DFWJC]

Not to mention that many of those extra 28 opportunites would mean getting the ball with a short field or getting points directly.

Turnover differential is HUGE. But of course, the offense has to hold up their end too by not giving it up as much.

[17yearsandcounting]

Originally Posted by rickjameschinaclub

What an arrogant guy this Jason is... I can't believe people swallow his stuff anymore...

He is a politician.

Deflect, deflect, deflect, deflect.

[rickjameschinaclub]

Just as an aside, what was the offenses points accrued on the 16 chances they got, outside Carr falling down at the one yard line...

The problem with Jason is he keeps getting oppurtunities, despite not capitalizing on the oppurtunities given to him... The defense ain't going to get TOs if it can't press, knowing they have to play conservative because your offense can't score 10 points in the first half.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by Idgit

The TO ratio is, of course, what the real problem has been.



I believe in terms of scoring points/possession, we were a top-10 offense last year. Including the issues we had with RT in pass protection and the early issues with our WR route adjustments. That's not too bad.

I know everyone wants to be mad about the OL and the play calling, but it really all comes down to the giveaways and takeaways.

I would love to know what our rating was in the first half of games last year. Part of our problem was that we never scored more than 10 points in the first half of any game. That isn't on the Defense. That is an offensive problem. Romo inadvertently let it slip what the problem was but no one seemed to catch it or care.

When you are playing from behind and your opponent is playing clock ball, the turnovers don't come as quickly because they don't take risks.

[InmanRoshi]

I wish they kept stats on on defensive penalties that lead to opponent first downs on failed 3rd down conversions (ie jumping offsides on 3rd and 4). Those plays are the equivalent to an offensive giveaway.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by rickjameschinaclub

What an arrogant guy this Jason is... I can't believe people swallow his stuff anymore...

As HC he told you why Ryan was let go. He is arrogant for saying that? You think Dallas then should have kept Ryan even though it is a fact that the defense did not get turnovers.

I agree the offense needs work but the offense over the last 8 games of the season did avg 28 points a game there were some positives taking place.

As HC Garrett is not being arrogant explaining why a move was made, that is just stupid

[Chocolate Lab]

If by "lack of takeaways" , he means Jerry, I agree.