By Steve Hunt
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Jan. 15, 2011
In sports as in life, perception can be everything. For the Dallas Cowboys defense, a unit that finished the 2009 season on a roll and from which much was expected in 2010, that is definitely the case.
Despite those high expectations, the Cowboys' D pretty much fell flat on its face this season. Woes on that side of the ball and a basic inability to stop anyone when the game was on the line were big reasons why the team limped to a 1-7 start, which cost head coach Wade Phillips his job.
To his credit, interim defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni did the best with the hand he was dealt. But the defense didn't get much better, and he made a smart move by becoming the new head coach at Connecticut earlier this week, because it was clear that he would not return as Dallas' defensive coordinator.
Now, the news that the team will hire Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator, following Jason Garrett's promotion to head coach earlier this month, has fans of America's Team abuzz.
Nothing against Phillips, who is as solid a defensive mind as ever coached in the league, but it was clear the defense had tuned him out. Wade's "aw, shucks" persona worked well for a number of years, but it was clear just walking into the locker room at Valley Ranch that none of the players on defense had much fear of discipline or being cut for poor performance.
Phillips wasn't much of a hard-ass, at least not in public or in front of the media. Ryan already has proven he has no problem letting a player know when he's done something wrong. But he's also great at lauding his players when they deserve recognition for doing things the right way.
Ryan's recent stint in Cleveland might not have been successful, but he didn't have the same quality personnel to work with as he did in New England under Bill Belichick and as he will have in Dallas.
But the genius of hiring Ryan could be in where it counts the most: personnel. This is someone who isn't going to hesitate to tell someone they aren't cutting it or they aren't in the team's future. He's also not going hesitate to threaten serious repercussions for underperforming players or those who don't follow directions. That's definitely a sharp departure from the laissez-faire attitude that has come to define this defense the past few seasons.
Phillips always was referred to, often facetiously, as Mr. Fix It. But if Ryan has to have a name, he could very well be Mr. Hard-Ass and that's not a bad thing. Cowboys fans, media and players alike have been clamoring for a more fiery personality to lead this unit, and now it looks like they finally got their wish.
And really, is there anyone who follows the Cowboys who can't wait to hear what this guy says at his opening press conference? Because if the quotes are anything like what twin brother Rex threw out during last year's "Hard Knocks," this guy will be gold and instantly be a favorite among local fans and media alike. More importantly, he's someone who will command the respect of the entire defense.
