A loss is a loss and I won’t condone that in any shape, form or fashion. However, Dallas Cowboys fans have to be thrilled with the team’s defensive performance against the New York Jets in a 27-24 loss on Sunday night. Dallas held New York at bay on the ground and in the air for a majority of the game and all of the game that cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick were in the game. I’ve ridden Scandrick pretty hard in the past, but his presence was felt on Sunday night. As good as this defense was in Week 1 under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, I’m itching with anticipation to see it in six weeks.
Jets running backs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson combined for 42 yards on 15 carries, an average of 2.8 yards per carry. That is outstanding and the Cowboys haven’t done that to a team like New York in over a decade. The Jets boasted a top five rushing attack in the NFL a year ago and the Cowboys absolutely crushed it on opening night.
Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff controlled the line of scrimmage by himself. That’s saying something considering the Jets have one of the top offensive lines in the league. He drilled New York quarterback Mark Sanchez time and again and stuffed both Greene and Tomlinson on multiple occasions.
What was truly impressive was the run contain provided by Cowboys defensive ends Jason Hatcher and Kenyon Coleman along with outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Besides Ware’s monster two-sack night, he showed solid run support that he hasn’t previously in his career. Ryan’s influence over all Dallas defenders was clearly evident on Sunday night.
Jenkins has returned to form after a down 2010 season; he completely shut down Jets receiver Plaxico Burress until he went down twice with injuries. Burress didn’t catch a pass until Jenkins left the game and reserve corner Bryan McCann did not impress when called upon to relieve Jenkins. That was disappointing to me since I’m a huge McCann fan.
Who did impress was somebody I’ve been riding hard for the last four years. Scandrick did a fantastic job on Jets receiver Santonio Holmes until he, too, went down with an injury. Sanchez was on his back for most of the game and didn’t start completing passes until the Cowboys’ secondary was depleted.
Once starting cornerback Terence Newman, Jenkins and Scandrick are all healthy, the Cowboys’ secondary could be a dominating unit. In fact, I’ll go ahead and say it will be.
Perhaps what impressed me the most in the 9-11 Special was the play of Cowboys second-year linebacker Sean Lee, who started the game over veteran Keith Brooking. Lee led the Cowboys with 11 tackles and an interception he took back to the 1-yard line. Lee is by far the surest tackler on the Dallas defense, always taking down his man once he made contact. He’s a star in the making and is stepping up at just the right time with Brooking’s contract expiring at the end of the year.
Ryan was a genius hire by Cowboys team owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Take note, because I don’t say that very often about Jones and I’ve never praised Scandrick before. Maybe these are all good changes. I can’t wait to see the Cowboys’ defense in action against a premier NFL offense.
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[...] loss to the New York Jets on Sunday night, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan wasn’t happy. His defense played absolutely outstanding in his Dallas debut, but Ryan wanted desperately to win the contest against his twin brother, Jets head coach Rex Ryan. [...]
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