ESPN Mosley: Can Rob Ryan fix this defense?

[WoodysGirl]

Feb 17
1:00
PM ET

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By Matt Mosley

With the offseason in full swing, let's take a look at one major question facing each NFC East team as it begins preparations for the 2011 season:

DALLAS COWBOYS

Can Rob Ryan fix this defense?

I understand that folks are already predicting a bounce-back season under new coach Jason Garrett, but that would have to be fueled by the defense. The defense caused a lot more turnovers once Wade Phillips was fired at midseason, but teams still put up plenty of points.

The Cowboys gave up an embarrassing 27.2 points per game, which ranked 31st in the league. The passing defense was ranked 26th. And help might not be on the way when you consider the fact that a lockout could wipe out free agency this offseason. (Do we really think free agency could take place during a one-week period in, say, late August?) The Cowboys need to make changes at safety and cornerback. But at this point, their best hope is landing a starter in the draft.

The thought is that Ryan's fiery presence will spark some of the veteran players. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff's coming off a down season -- by his standards. Perhaps Ryan will turn him loose as a defensive end this season if the Cowboys can find a suitable replacement in the middle. And it will be interesting to see what Ryan does with second-year inside linebacker Sean Lee. Will this be the season when Lee supplants veteran Keith Brooking on the field?

Read the rest: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/25221/leading-questions-nfc-east

 

[Future]

There were six worse pass defenses than us? Wow

 

[Idgit]

I don't like that I like Mosely less just because he's a lot more negative towards the Cowboys now. But it really does seem like his insights aren't as good as they used to be. I used to think he was one of the better local Dallas guys. Now, I try to sort out his schtick from his reports, but it's getting harder to do. For example, we couldn't sign a player or two in a week of FA if we thought we needed to? Have you *met* Jerry Jones? If that's the route we think we need to go, we'll get it done, no problem.

We also need safety help, and to groom Newman's replacement. But the problems in our secondary aren't at CB.

And the Ratliff-to-DE stuff was squashed in Ryan's opening PC. Granted, it might still happen, but again, here's a report with opinions at odds with what he's supposed to be reporting on.