Rob Ryan: RG3 is a 'hell of a football player'

Published Nov. 22, 2012 10:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

ARLINGTON, Texas – Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan didn't stick around long to talk with reporters. But for roughly two minutes, he shared his thoughts on allowing the Washington Redskins to score 28 points in the second quarter, which led to a 38-31 Cowboys Thanksgiving Day loss.

"That was about as bad of a quarter of football as I've been around in a long time," Ryan said before exiting the Cowboys locker room. "Our guys kept fighting because that's who we are. We wanted to play better, there's no question, and I think we will play better."

Ryan specifically mentioned the big plays the Cowboys defense allowed, which all came off the arm of Robert Griffin III.

The Redskins' rookie quarterback and former Baylor Heisman Trophy winner had a 68-yard touchdown pass to former SMU wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, a 19-yard pass to Pierre Garcon that set up their second score and a 59-yard touchdown to Garcon that put the visitors up 21-3.

"That kids a hell of a football player," Ryan said of Griffin. "Hell, there's a reason you trade half your team to get that kid. Hell, with him and (Andrew) Luck, they're going to be two great quarterbacks for a long time. The kid played really well. We were trying to hit him, (shoot) believe me.

"But you put that kid in there with (Redskins coach) Mike Shanahan, that's a pretty good combination, and it's going to be pretty good for a long, long time. But we'll be back and we'll get the (stuff) right."

The Redskins traded their 2012 first- and second-round selections and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014 to move up four spots and select Griffin with the second overall pick in April. The Indianapolis Colts chose former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the top pick.

Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota