The recent firing of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has given the Cowboys a good start towards improving on the defensive side of the ball. In spite of this, there remains to be controversy over whether or not Monte Kiffin is the right man for the job. There is certainly no questioning that Kiffin was a great and influential defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he helped to revolutionize the “Tampa 2″ defense, but his age has led many to question if he is capable of replicating his past success. To be optimistic, while still having regards for some realism, it can be inferred that if Kiffin is even able to be half as good of a play caller as he once was, he will at the very least be an improvement over Rob Ryan.

However, much of this will be contingent upon whether the current personnel on the Dallas defense will be compatible with Kiffin’s scheme. As mentioned before, Monte Kiffin is fond of the “Tampa 2″ scheme, so we should expect to see him convert the team to a 4-3 defense. Transitioning a team between a 3-4 to any type of 4-3 can be difficult as it is, but converting to a “Tampa 2″ requires even more specified personnel.

To reiterate, the “Tampa 2″ is a cover 2 variant in which the MLB will cover the seam between the two deep safeties. As a cover 2 variant, it is essential that a team has two physical cornerbacks (CBs) that are capable of bump and run coverage. The reason being that when both CBs have reliable safety help, there is much less risk in pressing the opposing receivers. In the Cowboys’ case, Brandon Carr is more than capable of being a physical corner, but Morris Claiborne raises some concerns in that area. One of the main gripes that people had against Claiborne going into the draft was that he wasn’t physical enough. This issue also seemed to carry over into the NFL this past season, so CBs could be a slight weakness for the Cowboys when trying to run Kiffin’s scheme.

An additional requirement for a “Tampa 2″ defense is a weakside linebacker (LB) that is a sure tackler and capable of covering a lot of ground. With the MLB focusing on the seam between the safeties, the weakside linebacker assumes a greater responsibility against the run. Prototypical weakside linebackers in this scheme have been Derrick Brooks of Kiffin’s Buccaneers back in the day, Lance Briggs of the Bears, and Chad Greenway of the Vikings. These are LBs that are not only quick enough to play the weakside but are also better tacklers than your typical weakside linebacker. Luckily for the Cowboys, Sean Lee is the perfect fit for a “Tampa 2″ scheme. As an up and coming LB, Sean Lee has spent time playing weak inside LB in Rob Ryan’s 3-4 defense, where he has been notably great at chasing runs from the backside. There is no reason to suggest that he wouldn’t be an ideal weakside LB in a “Tampa 2″ defense.

Although the Cowboys seem to be set at weakside LBs, middle LBs could be a problem. For obvious reasons, there is more emphasis on pass coverage for a MLB in a Tampa 2 scheme than any other scheme. However, the Cowboys are stocked with ILBs that are best utilized in a 3-4 defense. In other words, linebackers such as Dan Connor and Bruce Carter have too much size in order to be able to cover the seam between the safeties.

Lastly, a “Tampa 2″ scheme is typically dependent on having a good pass rush from its front four. While this may seem like an obvious necessity for any scheme, it is more crucial in a Tampa 2 scheme than any other. Since both safeties will be deep for a majority of the game, there will be fewer opportunities to blitz, which puts extra importance on the defensive line being able to get pressure on the quarterback. Although DeMarcus Ware is best suited as a 3-4 outside LB, there is no question that he is also capable of rushing the passer with his hand in the dirt as well. In addition, Jason Hatcher should be right at home as a 3-technique tackle given his ability to penetrate in both the running game and the passing game.

Overall, the Cowboys should at least be adequate enough personnel wise in order to transition to Kiffin’s defense. In spite of this, there are certainly some voids that need to be addressed either in the draft or during free agency. Skepticism can also arise from Monte Kiffin’s age, as well as the lack of overall talent on the roster as of now. For these reasons, Cowboys fans should not take for granted that Rob Ryan’s firing will drastically improve the defense.

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The Bills come into the game on Sunday looking to avoid losing two in a row for the first time this season when they travel to Jerryworld to square off with the Cowboys who are trying to keep pace with the Giants for the NFC East. “The focus is trying to win a game. … We got everything in front of us — we hold our own destiny in our own hands, so we gotta go take care of business,” coach Chan Gailey said.

Buffalo, who sit at 5-3 tied atop the AFC East with the Patriots and the Jets, failed to take care of any business last Sunday against the Jets. They fell 27-11 and saw their high power offense, which is tied for the highest scoring in the AFC with the Patriots at 27.8 points per game, sputter as the Jets made them look like the one win Dolphins. The Bills went 3 for 11 on third down and turned it over three times.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions and had his worst game of the year going 15 of 31 for 191 yards and a touchdown. ”It was a bad game,” said Fitzpatrick. “We certainly didn’t have our best effort out there, and I think that’s where a lot of disappointment and frustration comes in.”

Fitzpatrick will look to bounce back facing a Cowboys pass defense that’s right in the middle of the pack ranked 16^th giving up 232.5 yards per game. The Bills are led by running back Fred Jackson who is having a career year leading the AFC at 100.4 yards per game and helping the Bills to the 7^th ranked rushing attack with 135 yards per game.

However, the Jets held the team to only 96 yards on the ground and forced Jackson’s first fumble of the year. They will look to get back to the run, as Dallas has struggled lately giving up 401 yards on the ground the past two weeks. Dallas will get Sean Lee back who is their leading tackler and this should help them somewhat.

For Buffalo to keep pace for the AFC East title they’ll have to go at least 2-1 on their three game road trip facing Dallas, Miami, and then the Jets again before heading home to face Tennessee. ”It will be a difficult stretch, but we don’t have to play all three of them at the same time,” Jackson said. “If we go out and continue to make plays like we have been throughout the season, we feel like we’ll be OK.”

Buffalo has struggle so far on the road this year by going 1-2, but the losses came against the Giants and the Bengals, both who are in first place in their divisions. Each loss was only by three points. The Cowboys sit at 4-4, but are looking to make a push in the second half of the season as they benefit from an easy schedule. They also benefit from the first place Giants having a tough stretch over the next few weeks.

After the Bills the Cowboys face Washington, Miami, and Arizona who have a combined record of 6-18. After that, the Giants come to town in what looks to be a pivotal matchup. ”We’ve done a lot of things to build on over the first eight games, a lot we can be positive about. … But we have to get better,” said Garrett

When starting running back Felix Jones got hurt, people expected the running game to take a step back, but the opposite has happened with rookie DeMarco Murray shining rushing for 466 yards in three games. They hope he can keep it up against a Bills run defense that ranks 20^th giving up 120.8 yards per game.

“We are going to have a great 1-2 punch when Felix gets healthy,” Witten said. “It’s going to put us in a great situation.” The Cowboys are a little banged up with Felix Jones still being questionable and wide receiver Miles Austin out for possibly a month after he reinjured his hamstring last week.

With no Austin, Dez Bryant figures to see a lot more targets, along with tight end Kevin Ogletree and wide receiver Laurent Robinson. Buffalo’s defense, while rich with playmaking ability, they lead the AFC with 15 interceptions, isn’t that great. They rank 25^th against the pass giving up 260.4 yards per game.

The game should be a close contest as both teams can put up a lot of points in a hurry. Both teams need to win to keep pace in their respective races, but with the Bills on the road and Dallas’ defense being run by Rob Ryan, Rex’s twin brother, they will see a dose of the same stuff they saw against the Jets. The Cowboys should be able to get a win at home. Final Prediction: Bills 17 Cowboys 27.

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