Dallas Cowboys' defense starts with coach

DALLAS – They’re coming.

One thing you can count on from Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, similar to his father, longtime NFL defensive guru Buddy Ryan, he’s not going to sit back and wait for the offense to dictate tempo.

Ryan is known for his aggressive play-calling, putting players in motion and bringing pressure in order to create mistakes and turnovers on the other side of the ball.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he’ll be prepared for the myriad of defensive fronts, blitzes and coverages the Seahawks expect to see today.

“His notebook must be enormous because they have so much stuff that they can do, and they attack while they’re doing that, too,” Carroll said. “They’re not going to sit back and wait on you – they’re coming after you. … Basically, it just causes problems and confusion. You can make mistakes – there are some opportunities there too at times, but it is very challenging.”

Ryan has the Cowboys playing well on defense. They’re ranked fourth overall in the league against the run, giving up 94 yards a game, and ninth in total defense (328.3 yards per game).

The twin brother of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, Rob Ryan is in his first year with Dallas. But he’s been successful at other places as well, including five years as defensive coordinator in Oakland and two in Cleveland.

“You just have to be sound with your rules, knowing that a lot of the time your rules will take care of it,” said Seattle running back Leon Washington, who played for Rex Ryan while with the Jets. “With them having premier pass rushers on that defense, that gives them an advantage when you’ve got guys that can bring pressure off the edge and can cover.

“Me personally, I’ve just been sharing my knowledge with some of the guys on the team because I played for Rex Ryan, and played against that defense a few times, and saw it a lot in practice. You’ve got to know you’re going to get a bunch of different looks, but if you stick with your rules and your protections, you’ll be fine.”

Ryan’s defense has its weaknesses. Philadelphia sliced and diced its way to 495 total yards in a 34-7 win over the Cowboys last week, and Dallas expects Seattle to use that game as a blueprint for success today.

Ryan had to eat some humble pie after his team’s loss to Philadelphia. Before the season started he referred to the Eagles as the all-hype team and said that the Cowboys would kick their butt.

“I take a lot of pride in my job,” Ryan told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I’m the best at what I do. Every once in a while you throw a dud out there. You can’t be great if you can’t come back from one bad game.”

The Seahawks will have to keep a close eye on talented pass rusher DeMarcus Ware, who has 12 sacks this season and can effectively rush the passer from anywhere on the field – the next highest in sacks is outside linebacker Anthony Spencer with three.

“He can do it all,” Seattle quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said about Ware. “He’s a long guy, first of all. He’s got long arms, and that helps when you’ve got those long arms as a pass rusher because you can kind of keep those guys off of you, and they won’t be able to extend on you and kind of lock you out. He can get around the edge. He can bull-rush you. He can pretty much do it all.”

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
Eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-5) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (3-4)

10 a.m., Cowboys Stadium

TV: Ch. 13. Radio: 1030-AM, 1240-AM, 710-AM, 97.3-FM.

The series: This is the 13th meeting between the teams. The Cowboys hold an 8-4 advantage. Seattle is 2-5 in games played in Dallas, and last won there in 2002. The last time the two played, the Cowboys came out on top, 38-17, on Nov. 1, 2009.

WHAT TO WATCH: Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Friday that quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (strained pectoral muscle) will be a game-time decision, but the expectation is that he will play today. Defensive tackle Alan Branch (hip/knee), tight end Cameron Morrah (toe/knee) and linebacker David Vobora (calf) also will be game-time decisions. … Dallas quarterback Tony Romo has given the Seahawks problems in the past. He has completed 60 of 99 passes (60.6 percent) for 776 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception. … Seattle linebacker David Hawthorne plays against his hometown team for the second time in his career. Hawthorne hails from Corsicana, Texas, about an hour drive south of Dallas. … Seahawks receiver Mike Williams is expected to be available after missing last week’s game against Cincinnati with a hamstring injury. … Seattle will start the projected starting offensive line in consecutive games for the first time this season. … Receiver Drew Pearson, defensive lineman Charles Haley and offensive lineman Larry Allen will be enshrined in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.

The pick: Cowboys, 26-20.

Eric D. Williams, staff writer

PRIME NUMBERS

SEATTLE

No. Name (position) Ht./Wt.Year

18 Sidney Rice (WR) 6-4/202fifth

Seahawks need their big-play receiver to create some explosive plays to make scoring easier.

25 Richard Sherman (CB) 6-3/196first

The rookie out of Stanford will be a frequent target matched up against Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.

75 James Carpenter (OT) 6-5/321first

The rookie out of Georgia will be challenged by Dallas sackmaster DeMarcus Ware.

91 Chris Clemons (DE) 6-3/254eighth

Seattle’s leading pass rusher should give the Cowboys’ young tackles problems.

DALLAS

No. Name (position) Ht./Wt.Year

9 Tony Romo (QB) 6-2/228ninth

Dallas offense usually goes as Romo goes.

29 DeMarco Murray (RB) 6-0/227first

Rookie out of Oklahoma will be counted on to carry the load for the Cowboys’ run game.

32 CB Orlando Scandrick (CB)5-10/191fourth

He’ll be a frequent target with starting cornerback Mike Jenkins out with a hamstring injury.

94 DeMarcus Ware (OLB) 6-4/260seventh

The perennial Pro Bowl selection has 12 sacks on the year – six from each side of the line.