Dallas Cowboys Reportedly Fire Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan

Jerry Jones said the Dallas Cowboys were in for an "uncomfortable" offseason after losing out on the playoffs during Week 17 for a second consecutive season.

A week in, he apparently means business.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 8:11 p.m. ET

In true Ryan fashion, Rob isn't taking the firing too hard, as reported by ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

"

Rob Ryan confirms he's fired. "I'll be out of work for like 5 minutes," he said.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 9, 2013"

Confident words from a man that has failed to make the playoffs as a defensive coordinator. Still, Ryan knows defense, has a long pedigree of family success and will likely get interviewed for another job very soon—maybe even a head coaching one.

---End of Update---

According to ESPN Dallas' official Twitter feed, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is the next man on the chopping block in Dallas:

"

Source: #Cowboys fire Rob Ryan. More to come.

— ESPNDallas (@ESPNDallas) January 9, 2013"

It's been a rough two-year stint for the Cowboys' defense, especially considering Ryan's blitz-happy schemes that were supposed to take advantage of both pass-rushers like DeMarcus Ware and defensive backs like Brandon Carr.

It's been a mixed bag of results, however, with the team finishing in the middle of the pack in 2011 and failing to make the postseason. In true redemption fashion, Dallas had a chance to stop Washington and make the playoffs this season, but couldn't contain Robert Griffin III enough to squash the demons of 2011.

This season was supposed to be different, with a full offseason for Ryan to familiarize his players with what he expected each week and the additions of Carr and Morris Claiborne to the secondary.

Dallas ranked 14th in total defense in 2012, allowing 125 yards on the ground and 230 through the air per game. It's actually a step back from 2011, when the team used the lockout and the limited time to implement Ryan's defense as excuses for poor play.

This season, the loss of both starting linebackers, a starting safety and two nose tackles figured to give Ryan a little wiggle room. Star linebacker Sean Lee went down midway through the 2012 campaign, followed by Bruce Carter and Jay Ratliff. Even DeMarcus Ware played hobbled at the end of the season.

Apparently, it wasn't enough wiggle room, as the Cowboys have now chosen to go in another direction on defense.

It looks like Jason Garrett will keep his job as head coach, but the Cowboys now have at least two jobs to fill since Ryan and running backs coach Skip Peete are now in the unemployment line.

For once, it looks like Jones wasn't kidding.

Follow @DowntownEG