7 Reasons Rob Ryan, Not Jason Garrett, Needs to Be Replaced in 2012

The bravado of Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan may have reached its pinnacle in Week 8 when the Cowboys were trounced by the Philadelphia Eagles. The ‘Boys were dominated by the Eagles as Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy racked up 185 yards on the ground and quarterback Michael Vick accounted for two touchdowns. Ryan’s defense looked bad against the potent Philadelphia offensive attack and hasn’t been the same since.

Over the course of the season, Ryan has said that his defense has only had two bad games and that he’ll fix the defensive problems the ‘Boys have had.

Against the Bucs, Ryan’s defense held Tampa Bay to 190 total yards and just 58 yards rushing. Tampa has struggled this season as they are in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. It's great that Dallas’ defense stepped up and shut the Bucs down, but I won’t give too much kudos to a defense that held a nine-loss team to less than 200 total yards.

The next couple of weeks will show just how serious Ryan is about fixing the defense as Dallas faces the Eagles and Giants. If he’s unable to slow Giants quarterback Eli Manning down or stop the Eagles rushing attack, then Ryan’s tenure as a defensive coordinator may be shorter than Ryan Leaf’s stay as a starting quarterback in Dallas. No?

At any rate here are seven reasons why the long-haired Ryan may need to find new employment in 2012.

Cowboys Pass Defense

The Cowboys secondary can be downright putrid—see the Detroit Lions game. Dallas ranks 19th defensively against the pass, and with games coming up against the Eagles and Giants, that could ranking could get worse. Dallas gave up 400 passing yards to the Giants, and New York receiver Hakeem Nicks averaged over 20 yards per catch.

That type of poor play in the secondary has to change, and while Ryan can't do much about the talent right now, he'll have to do what's in his power to hide whatever deficiencies Dallas may have in the defensive backfield.

Cowboys Secondary

The pass defense has a lot to do with pass rush, push from the front three and other factors. Dallas' secondary just stinks at times. Terence Newman is getting older, and Mike Jenkins is made of paper it seems. Orlando Ball and Alan Ball will never be enough for the Cowboys fanbase and rightfully so as both have given up big plays this season.

Dallas has to get better from a talent perspective in the offseason, but until that point arrives Ryan will have to do a better job of scheming. It may be simplifying his coverages or calling less blitzes, but Dallas cannot continue to give up big plays at crucial points in the game.

Third Down Efficiency

Dallas ranks 18th in the league when it comes to giving up third downs for first downs. Take a look at third downs from this perspective: The Colts have only one win and rank worst in the league as they give up 47 percent of third downs. Dallas you ask? They give up 39.2 percent.

The Cowboys will have to get better at getting off of the field in the last two weeks against two teams who have either a great running attack or efficient passer behind center.

Dallas will need to rely heavily on nose tackle Jay Ratliff, linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Sean Lee, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. It's time to step up.

Opponents First Downs

Ryan may believe that his defense is getting better and that the team has only had two bad defensive games, but the numbers suggest something different. The Cowboys' defense has given up 265 first downs on the season and 170 of those have come from passes.

Not really a great judge to demonstrate just how poorly the Cowboys defense can be at times, but I believe it speaks to Dallas ineptitude on the defensive backfield.

Inability to Develop Consistent Pass Rush

When I say consistent I mean from a player other than DeMarcus Ware. For the season Ware has 16 sacks and the closest person to him is linebacker Anthony Spencer with six.

Ryan needs to find new ways to leverage the talent that he has in order to give the opposing quarterback nightmares. Spencer isn't having a bad year, but I believe it's safe to say that more was expected of him.

Linebacker Victor Butler was supposed to emerge as a pass-rushing threat, but he never materialized as such, and linebacker Bruce Carter is still learning the defense. Defensive end Marcus Spears isn't an edge rusher, but Ryan needs to find new ways to rush the quarterback.

Too Much Bravado

I still enjoy listening to Ryan talk about his defense and how great the Cowboys will be defensively. It's also interesting to hear him give such confidence to his players and how they play football.

I think that Ryan's attitude has served the Cowboys defense well, and his act still has a few years before it begins to wear thin. But Ryan will have to back up his talk with Jerry Jones, and if the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs, his act will officially be on life support.

Stopping Eli Manning and Michael Vick

Both quarterbacks have had phenomenal performances against the Cowboys defense, and both guys have the chance to salvage their teams' playoff hopes with wins against Dallas.

Rob Ryan's career as a defensive coordinator in Dallas may very well hinge on how his defense performs in the last two games. While I believe there has to be a Wade Phillips-type of quit in the Cowboys defense for Ryan to be fired, I do think that he has to have a strong performance against Philly and New York.

The playoffs are on the line and the Cowboys defense fails to step up, then everybody's job could be on the line.