Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes the defense his team ran under Rob Ryan for the past two seasons was too complicated and is looking forward to a simpler approach from new coordinator Monte Kiffin, according to Clarence Hill Jr. in the Star-Telegram. Jones decided to replace Ryan after two years with the Cowboys in which their defense ranked 14th and 19th in yards allowed.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says Rob Ryan’s defense was too complicated
The Cowboys believed their defense was too complicated under Rob Ryan and are looking forward to a simpler approach from new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
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Jones said the decision was not based solely on the Cowboys’ 8-8 finish and drop in defensive rank in 2012 but rather a philosophical difference between himself and Ryan. “Where we fundamentally came down with Rob is that his philosophy is about multiple scheme. I think you have to skinny it down,” Jones said.
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A week is a long time to be in Indianapolis -- just ask the Saints defensive coordinator. He went on, “I think Rob will tell you we had long visits about this in the offseason last year that there was too much scheme. He tried to cut it back and he did skinny it back, but it’s still a lot.” In 2012, after Ryan tried to alter his defense, the Cowboys dropped from 14th to 19th in total defense and from 16th to 24th in points allowed.
Jones believes a simpler defense allows players to make more plays and creates more turnovers. He said, “guys can’t play fast and guys can’t make plays when they are trying to think about what they are doing.”
Kiffin is known for running a simple 4-3 defense in his famed Tampa 2 scheme.
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