Kiffin, Ryan and Phillips update

[T-RO]

Back in early October I did a comparison of our current and most recent defensive coordinators. OK...it was a superficial comparison, mainly focused on defensive rankings. One of the Kiffin defenders in that thread justifiably commented, "...let's look at this again down the road."

So here we are...down the road:

Yards Per Game:
Phillips in Houston, #1: 290.4
Ryan in New Orleans, #5: 309.9
Kiffin in Dallas, #32, 421.6

Interceptions:
Dallas, 8th: 13 int
New Orleans, 18th: 10 int
Houston, 32nd: 4 int

Fumbles recovered:
Dallas, 1st: 12*
New Orleans, 15th: 7*
Houston, 27th: 4

Dallas and Saints both forced 12 fumbles. But Dallas recovered 12/12; while Saints recovered 7/12.

Penalties (yards):
New Orleans, 5th fewest
Houston, 11th fewest
Dallas, 30th: 707 yards

Sacks
New Orleans, 2nd: 37 sacks
Houston, 19th: 27 sacks
Dallas, 23rd: 26 sacks

 

[Teague31]

I will admit I was not a rob fan but I would take him back in a heart beat, too many square pegs in round holes.

 

[xwalker]

Points per Game Allowed:
Dallas 22nd
New Orleans 5th
Houston 26th

Houston's yardage ranking appears to be a bit misleading.

 

[T-RO]

A little more:

Defensive TDs:
Dallas: 5 (tied for second)
Houston 1
New Orleans 0

 

[CyberB0b]

I will admit I was not a rob fan but I would take him back in a heart beat, too many square pegs in round holes.

They sucked last year, too.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

One stat that should be emphasized is that we're first in the NFC in giveaways/takeaways and 2nd overall in takeaways. That's pretty solid. Like Rob's defense last season, this one has been decimated by injury, but unlike the D last season, this one is creating turnovers.

 

[T-RO]

Points per Game Allowed:
Dallas 22nd
New Orleans 5th
Houston 26th

Houston's yardage ranking appears to be a bit misleading.

Houston quarterbacks have thrown five pick-six interceptions! And Schaub was so bad his own fans cheered when he incurred a serious injury. So you can't look at points without factoring that in.

 

[gimmesix]

Sacks
New Orleans, 2nd: 37 sacks
Houston, 19th: 27 sacks
Dallas, 23rd: 26 sacks

Fix this issue and the rest go away.

 

[dragon_mikal]

I will admit I was not a rob fan but I would take him back in a heart beat, too many square pegs in round holes.

Why the heck would you do that? Kiffen's defense has been terrible but Ryan's wasn't that much better. Personally I think this defense would still be bad with Ryan but without the turnovers.

 

[joseephuss]

The Phillips comparison doesn't matter since he wasn't fired as the DC. He was fired as the head coach and there was no way he would stick around just to coach the defense.

It is a bunch of square pegs in round holes, but that was expected when moving to the 4-3. That does not just happen in one season. There will be an adjustment period. I'm not a fan of Roby Ryan. He is a blowhard.

What is the break down of games missed by starters this season and last season? Dallas seems to have been hit hard both years with injuries to starters on the defensive side of the ball. I thought it was just bad luck last season and am surprised to have repeated itself this year.

 

[T-RO]

One stat that should be emphasized is that we're first in the NFC in giveaways/takeaways and 2nd overall in takeaways. That's pretty solid. Like Rob's defense last season, this one has been decimated by injury, but unlike the D last season, this one is creating turnovers.

Part of that must be credited to Romo and the offense, but yes...and I'd propose that the turnover differential and good special teams play are the two biggest reasons we have a 7-5 record, instead of a losing record.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Part of that must be credited to Romo and the offense, but yes...and I'd propose that the turnover differential and good special teams play are the two biggest reasons we have a 7-5 record, instead of a losing record.

I absolutely agree. A team with a bad defense can have a really good season IF the defense can create turnovers.

 

[T-RO]

The Phillips comparison doesn't matter since he wasn't fired as the DC. He was fired as the head coach and there was no way he would stick around just to coach the defense.

It is a bunch of square pegs in round holes, but that was expected when moving to the 4-3. That does not just happen in one season. There will be an adjustment period. I'm not a fan of Roby Ryan. He is a blowhard.

What is the break down of games missed by starters this season and last season? Dallas seems to have been hit hard both years with injuries to starters on the defensive side of the ball. I thought it was just bad luck last season and am surprised to have repeated itself this year.

Phillips main responsibility was to run the defense. But I agree as a head coach he needed to be fired. As far as comparing the injuries...I'd say you could flip a coin which season was worse. We've been hit with a staggering amount both seasons...

 

[joseephuss]

http://www.aikman.com/AikmanEfficie...an-Efficiency-Ratings-2013-as-of-Week-12.aspx

 

[neosapien23]

It is easy for New Orleans defense to look a lot better than it really is when the offense allows them to play with a lead most of the time. The defense looked very average against the Jets and they will be exposed again when the offense is unable to carry the load.

 

[5Stars]

Part of that must be credited to Romo and the offense, but yes...and I'd propose that the turnover differential and good special teams play are the two biggest reasons we have a 7-5 record, instead of a losing record.

The kickers...the kick returner, and the coverage team. That is some team help. Plus, I think the Cowboys are tied for takeaways?

 

[Everlastingxxx]

QB fumbles the snap, Cowboys get the ball and Kiffen gets credit. I mean come on. That is just plain luck. Cowboys have recovered every single fumble they have caused, that is pretty lucky. The main thing you can understand from those stats is that the issue was not the coach or the scheme last season. That said, i think the Saints yardage standing will come down more. They have a tough road coming up. I think Rob has been doing it with smoke and mirrors because they don’t have a lot of talent on defense.

 

[Ken]

QB fumbles the snap, Cowboys get the ball and Kiffen gets credit. I mean come on. That is just plain luck. Cowboys have recovered every single fumble they have caused, that is pretty lucky. The main thing you can understand from those stats is that the issue was not the coach or the scheme last season. That said, i think the Saints yardage standing will come down more. They have a tough road coming up. I think Rob has been doing it with smoke and mirrors because they don’t have a lot of talent on defense.

I disagree. They preach hustle and stripping the ball. These two things in combination create your 'luck'...

 

[joseephuss]

I disagree. They preach hustle and stripping the ball. These two things in combination create your 'luck'...

It was Hatchers arm that reached in there and knocked it out of Jennings hands as he was recovering, which is a good example of what you said.

 

[ftghb]

Points per Game Allowed:
Dallas 22nd
New Orleans 5th
Houston 26th

Houston's yardage ranking appears to be a bit misleading.

you don't think that's a *teensy* bit skewed by all the pick 6's houston has thrown?