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Cowboys Defense | Team

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Cowboys hired Rod Marinelli as defensive line coach.

We don't typically blurb position coach hirings, but Marinelli is a good enough teacher to make a significant impact in Dallas. Along with new DC Monte Kiffin, Marinelli will bring a four-man front to a Cowboys defense that has long been a staple 3-4 team. Marinelli has gotten the best out of Simeon Rice and Julius Peppers, and should be able to maximize DeMarcus Ware's talents. Jan 18 - 6:40 PM

Source: Todd Archer on Twitter

Cowboys hire Rod Marinelli
Jan 18 - 6:40 PM
Cowboys officially name Monte Kiffin as DC
Jan 11 - 1:35 PM
Report: Cowboys 'close' to hiring Kiffin
Jan 10 - 7:48 PM
Report: Cowboys focusing on Kiffin for DC
Jan 10 - 1:48 PM

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Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Cowboys hired Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator.

Kiffin will be replacing Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme with a 4-3 alignment, and is returning to the NFL after a four-year stint as his son Lane's coordinator at USC. Kiffin has 25 years of NFL coaching experience, but will turn 73 next month. His Trojans defense fell apart last season. Regardless, Kiffin has long been one of the league's most respected assistants, though he supposedly will not force his "Tampa 2" coverage scheme on CBs Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, who excel in press coverage. DeMarcus Ware will shift from outside linebacker to end in his new boss' system. Ware will be doing it without the benefit of an offseason, as he's recovering from extensive shoulder surgery.

Source: Ed Werder on Twitter

Jan 11 - 1:35 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Fox Sports Southwest confirms the Cowboys are "close" to hiring Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator.

Kiffin spent the day at Valley Ranch, meeting with owner Jerry Jones and staff. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Tampa 2 master will not force his cover 2 scheme on press corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. According to ex-Bucs LB Derrick Brooks, Kiffin "wants to earn his reputation back" after his Tampa defense fell apart once he announced he was leaving back in 2008. "I know that bothers him," said Brooks. "He is motivated in that sense."

Source: Fox Sports Southwest

Jan 10 - 7:48 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

The Cowboys are reportedly focusing their defensive coordinator search on ex-USC DC Monte Kiffin, interviewing the former Bucs DC on Thursday.

Kiffin has emerged as the favorite from a list that surprisingly includes Cardinals DC Ray Horton, who is twisting in the wind following Ken Whisenhunt's firing. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was a backup QB with the Bucs in 2004 when Kiffin was running Jon Gruden's offense. The creator of the Tampa 2 defense ranked in the top 10 in fewest yards and points allowed a league-record 10 times. The Tampa 2 would seem to be ill-suited to Dallas' two major 2012 investments, CBs Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. The Chiefs reportedly had designs on Kiffin as their defensive boss, but the 72-year-old wasn't interested.

Source: ESPN Dallas

Jan 10 - 1:48 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Cowboys fired DC Rob Ryan.

Jets beat writer Brian Costello first broke the news. Perhaps he got the surprising scoop from someone close to Ryan's twin brother. Costello advises to forget about a Ryan Brothers reunion, as secondary coach Dennis Thurman has already been promoted to Jets defensive coordinator. Ryan's Dallas defense was among the league's stingiest early in the season before losing several key players to injuries. For his part, Ryan believes he'll be "out of work for like five minutes." It may have been that kind of bravado that helped wear out his welcome in Big D.

Source: Brian Costello on Twitter

Jan 8 - 7:27 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

The Cowboys are among the five teams accused of impermissible contact with players prior to the NFL lockout.

The Dolphins, Browns, and 49ers are believed to be three of the other four. The contact would've been impermissible even in a normal offseaason, as teams are not allowed to schedule "extra sessions" with players before the start of the new league year. This year, the new league year won't begin until there's a new CBA. The Cowboys had to pay an undisclosed fine.

Source: Dallas Morning News

Thu, Mar 24, 2011 09:00:00 AM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Cowboys named Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator.

The move was first rumored on Friday, and finalized in the past 48 hours. Ryan oversaw the Browns' No. 22 defense in 2010. It's certainly not a blockbuster number, but as Schefter notes, they jumped nine spots in yards allowed (from 31st) while forcing a respectable 28 turnovers. Ryan also runs the 3-4, a scheme Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is committed to. Ranked ninth in yards allowed and second in points allowed in 2010, Dallas' defense is in surprisingly good shape heading into 2011.

Source: ESPN Dallas

Sun, Jan 16, 2011 10:25:00 AM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

The Cowboys are reportedly working on a contract that would make Rob Ryan their next defensive coordinator.

It's a best case scenario for Ryan, so we'd imagine he's all for it. He's never worked with as much talent as he'd have in Dallas. In limbo since the Browns fired Eric Mangini, Ryan would replace Paul Pasqualoni as the Cowboys' defensive boss. Pasqualoni has accepted the UConn head coaching job.

Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter

Fri, Jan 14, 2011 06:52:00 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

The Cowboys reportedly have their sights set on Browns DC Rob Ryan to fill the same position in Dallas.

The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram confirms that Ryan will interview Friday. It's no surprise that Rex's twin brother's big personality would appeal to owner Jerry Jones, though his work speaks for itself. Ryan boasts the best track record of the Cowboys' candidates, and he appears to be on the outs in Cleveland after Pat Shurmur's hiring. Ryan would keep the 3-4 scheme intact in Dallas.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Thu, Jan 13, 2011 09:07:00 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Cowboys interim defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni has been hired as UConn's head coach.

Pasqualoni led a much improved Cowboys' defense for eight games after Wade Phillips was shown the door at mid-season. Vic Fangio iis likely to stay with Jim Harbaugh, and Greg Manusky is also interviewing with Chargers and Cardinals. Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton appears to be the fallback option in Dallas.

Source: Connecticut Post

Thu, Jan 13, 2011 06:22:00 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton has reportedly emerged as a candidate for the Cowboys' vacant defensive coordinator position.

Horton can interview next week if the Steelers lose to the Ravens. With linebackers coach Keith Butler widely viewed as Dick LeBeau's successor in Pittsburgh, Horton's best chance for promotion lies outside the organization. He joins Vic Fangio, Greg Manusky, in-house candidate Paul Pasqualoni, and perhaps Todd Bowles on the Cowboys' list.

Source: Dallas Morning News

Thu, Jan 13, 2011 03:24:00 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

ESPN Dallas reports that the Cowboys have talked to Stanford defensive coordinator Vic Fangio about taking the same position with their club.

Fangio has been a defensive coordinator for the Panthers, Colts and Texans and, helped the Cardinal to an Orange Bowl victory in his lone season there. He's predominantly used the 3-4 scheme in his career, making him a natural fit in Big D, but he's also a candidate to follow Jim Harbaugh to San Francisco. The Cowboys will also interview former 49ers DC Greg Manusky this week. Manusky was Wade Phillips' first choice as DC in 2007 before they settled on Brian Stewart.

Source: ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth

Tue, Jan 11, 2011 09:04:00 AM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

NFL Network's Albert Breer predicts that Dolphins DBs coach Todd Bowles will be the Cowboys' next defensive coordinator once Jason Garrett is promoted to full-time head coach.

Bowles held the title of "assistant head coach" in Miami, so he was a bit further up the food chain than a run-of-the-mill secondary coach. He's also received some head coaching interest over the past few offseasons. Bowles' history with the Cowboys' organization makes him a natural fit in Big D.

Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

Thu, Jan 6, 2011 09:43:00 AM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

The Cowboys have reportedly received permission to interview Dolphins assistant head coach/secondary Todd Bowles for their own head coaching job.

Owner Jerry Jones interviewed WRs coach Ray Sherman Tuesday morning, so the Rooney Rule wouldn't apply here. Jones has a history with Bowles, who spent three years as the secondary coach in Dallas before moving on to Miami with the Bill Parcells group. Interim coach Jason Garrett is still considered the heavy favorite to lead the Cowboys in 2011. He could be considering Bowles as his defensive coordinator.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Tue, Jan 4, 2011 02:06:00 PM

Cowboys Defense - TM - Cowboys

Citing a source with knowledge of the situation, Profootballtalk.com reports that Bill Cowher "is not, and will not be" a candidate to coach the Cowboys in 2011.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported something similar in November. The latest rumors have Cowher generating little interest on the head-coaching market, with Jon Gruden out in front in terms of analysts who may return to the sideline. If Cowher does come back, Carolina seems like the likeliest landing spot. Jason Garrett is on track to be the Cowboys' full-time head coach.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Sun, Dec 12, 2010 06:19:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
Pos	Role	Name
QB	1	Tony Romo
	2	Kyle Orton
	3	Nick Stephens
	4	Dalton Williams
RB	1	DeMarco Murray
	2	Joseph Randle Sidelined Cowboys signed fifth-round RB Joseph Randle to a four-year contract. The Cowboys have very high hopes for Randle, despite the fact that he'll miss all pre-training camp activities due to offseason thumb surgery. An adept pass catcher, Randle does little else well. On tape, it was evident his production was spiked by Oklahoma State's wide-open offense in the defense-deficient Big 12. May 13
	3	Lance Dunbar
	4	Phillip Tanner
	5	Kendial Lawrence
GLB	1	DeMarco Murray
	2	Joseph Randle
3RB	1	DeMarco Murray
	2	Joseph Randle
FB	1	Lawrence Vickers Sidelined Cowboys FB Lawrence Vickers underwent back surgery Friday. "It won't keep him out of training camp, but will limit him during (offseason) training," owner/GM Jerry Jones said. With a $1.2 million base salary, Vickers is squarely on the roster bubble. Apr 27
WR1	1	Dez Bryant Sidelined Owner/GM Jerry Jones says Dez Bryant has "certainly matured." It's mid-May and we have zero reports of off-field incidents surrounding Bryant. No news is great news for the freakishly talented 24-year-old. "Football means everything to him and he certainly had a lot of growing up to do, probably more so than your average player in the NFL," Jones said. "He's quick to understand that and he's doing that and he's doing it at a real fast pace." May 15
	2	Terrance Williams
	3	Cole Beasley
	4	Anthony Armstrong
	5	Carlton Mitchell
WR2	1	Miles Austin Sidelined Miles Austin said he is focusing on strengthening his hamstrings this offseason. Austin played in all 16 games last season, but was consistently bothered by hip and hamstring issues. In 2011, he missed six games with a severe pull. "I'm definitely strengthening my hamstrings a lot more than I have been," said Austin. "Doing a different routine, a couple of extra exercises each day on our leg days." May 9
	2	Dwayne Harris
	3	Danny Coale Sidelined Cowboys WR Danny Coale is still not medically cleared after tearing his left ACL on the team's practice squad last November. Coale underwent surgery on December 11 and isn't a realistic candidate for a 2013 roster spot. Injury prone at Virginia Tech as well, Coale also broke his left foot at the Cowboys' first OTA as a rookie. A slot receiver prospect, Coale is targeting the first day of training camp for full medical clearance. May 10
	4	Tim Benford Sidelined Cowboys WR Tim Benford underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Benford will miss the rest of rookie minicamp and OTAs before returning for training camp. The former Tennessee Tech receiver spent the entire 2012 season on the practice squad, and he'll face an uphill battle for a roster spot. May 11
	5	Jared Green
WR3	1	Dwayne Harris
TE	1	Jason Witten
	2	Gavin Escobar
	3	James Hanna
	4	Andre Smith
	5	Colin Cochart
K	1	Dan Bailey

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