One Unexpected Move The Cowboys Should Make To Rescue Their Defense

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Up until nan infinitesimal nan Cowboys were methodically dissected by nan Broncos connected Sunday, I deliberation galore of america harbored astatine slightest immoderate modicum of dream that this discourtesy would beryllium consistently electrical capable to flooded a historically bad agelong of protect football. Dallas has fixed up 40-plus points doubly and is nan third-worst defense successful franchise history by points allowed done 8 games.

The realization that not moreover Dak Prescott astatine an MVP gait pinch a patient CeeDee Lamb and rejuvenated George Pickens is tin of salvaging nan play utilized to create nan benignant of arm-twisting symptom that would motivate proprietor Jerry Jones into action. But nan recently passive “all successful erstwhile it suits me” proprietor much regularly specializes successful tantalizing reporters pinch nan thought that he might do something, without really pursuing through.

As we attack nan waste and acquisition deadline, it very apt intends nan Cowboys won’t beryllium players unless nan imaginable successful mobility is immoderate benignant of late-round flier who didn’t activity retired location and could perchance capable a part-time domiciled pinch immoderate grade of upside (both financial and otherwise). Think: Jonathan Mingo, only … much Jonathan Mingo-y.

However, I person a scheme to perchance hole nan Cowboys’ defense that doesn’t necessitate Jones pounding overmuch pavement. It would make nan Cowboys incredibly absorbing astatine a value constituent Jones tin stomach, and he could extremity pretending he was superior erstwhile he asked nan Raiders astir Maxx Crosby. At nan very least, moreover if it crumbled spectacularly, it would springiness Jones nan attraction he craves for illustration a works biologically seeking sunlight.

O.K., capable preamble. The Cowboys should prosecute Rex Ryan, either arsenic a advisor aliases successful a full-time protect coordinator domiciled if nan statement is considering making a alteration astatine that peculiar spot.

You whitethorn almost exclusively cognize Ryan now arsenic a haymaker-throwing expert who gives ESPN a Sean Hannity–like presence, unbound by nan societal norms of sensitivity. But I knew him—and I deliberation a batch of coaches still cognize him—as a protect guru. I besides cognize him arsenic a coach who ran successful simulated unit defenses erstwhile they weren’t arsenic en vogue arsenic they are now. In Ryan’s 12 years arsenic an NFL caput coach aliases play-calling protect coordinator, his defenses vanished extracurricular nan apical 10 successful yards allowed conscionable twice. He had 5 of those defenses successful nan apical 10 successful takeaways, 9 of them apical successful nan 10 successful rushing yards per effort allowed and 7 of those defenses successful nan apical 10 successful nett yards per passing effort allowed. In 2010, Ryan’s defense added 182 expected points, according to Pro Football Focus. This year’s Cowboys, done 8 games, person removed 106 expected points, nan second-worst full successful nan league.

Ryan was a Brian Flores–type coordinator earlier Flores, who was almost guerilla successful his approach, which was particularly useful erstwhile his units were undermanned. Ryan’s defenses pinch nan Jets were talented but, extracurricular of nan in-prime early Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, and a brace of really bully seasons from Bart Scott, nan Jets relied connected domiciled players who could simply understand nan complexities of what Ryan was trying to execute (all right, I deliberation that’s a spot for illustration saying extracurricular of nan cardinal dollar fortune, Bruce Wayne was conscionable a really hard-working crime fighter, but activity pinch me). His highest-graded tally defenders from his champion defenses were nan likes of Sione Pouha, Mike DeVito and Brodney Pool.

I opportunity each this, successful part, because I interest that Ryan’s effect whitethorn get mislaid down nan persona. Much successful nan measurement we extremity reasoning astir Terry Bradshaw arsenic a backmost pinch a superior cannon and immoderate sneaky bully pouch mobility aliases Rob Gronkowski arsenic 1 of nan astir cerebral nonquarterbacks of his generation, Ryan has nan benignant of everyman entreaty connected TV that lends itself to assumptions.

I besides opportunity this because I deliberation it would genuinely thief nan Cowboys. Ryan’s violative coordinator for nan first 3 years of his Jets tenure was … drumroll … existent Cowboys caput coach Brian Schottenheimer. The brace would presumably person an amenable relationship, and Ryan was interviewed for nan Cowboys’ protect coordinator opening successful 2024 earlier Mike Zimmer was fixed nan role.

Ryan would beryllium either an perfect stylistic complement to nan much reserved and measured existent DC Matt Eberflus, arsenic a consultant, aliases a straight-up antithesis arsenic a replacement who would rotation into nan building connected Day 1 and, astatine nan very least, lukewarm to nan veterans specified arsenic Dante Fowler Jr., Jadeveon Clowney and Kenny Clark. I judge powerfully that if Ryan had simply taken immoderate clip betwixt nan Jets occupation (where he was caput coach from 2009 done ’14) and nan Bills occupation (where he was caput coach successful 2015 and ’16), he would person decently rejuvenated and reprised his domiciled arsenic a galvanizing force, overmuch for illustration he did pinch nan Jets erstwhile taking complete for Eric Mangini.

At nan very least, it has to beryllium worthy a shot. It’s not ever easy to fulfill nan Jones bingo paper erstwhile it comes to an emergency in-season transaction. But adding Ryan whitethorn beryllium amended than immoderate azygous trade, it would beryllium acold little costly and it would make nan Cowboys a small spot much for illustration nan Cowboys, alternatively of this unusual organism that is almost purposefully middling. Ryan, I’m certain, wouldn’t let that to stay nan position quo.