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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This action packed game came down to the wire. The game started with a special tribute for the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 and was followed up by chants of “USA”. The Jets had the honor of starting this home game in remembrance of 9/11 over the Giants so the pressure was on for gang green.

The Cowboys came down and scored a touchdown on the first drive of the game. Dallas QB Tony Romo threw a three yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant for the score. After that touchdown, the next touchdown wouldn’t come until the last drive of the first half when Mark Sanchez got hot for the Jets and found TE Dustin Keller with a four yard touchdown pass. Dallas led at halftime with the score 10-7.

The Cowboys looked like they were going to take over the game when Tony Romo threw up a jump ball to WR Miles Austin and he came up with it over CB Antonio Cromarite for the score, making it 17-10. The 3^rd quarter would end when Mark Sanchez threw an interception to Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee. He took the ball all the way down to the one yard line.

Felix Jones punched in the ball from the one yard line and made the score 24-10 to start the 4^th quarter. Never in Cowboys history have they lost a game in where they led by 14 or more points in the 4^th quarter. They were 241-0-1 all time.

Jets started gaining some momentum as Mark Sanchez was finding WR Plaxico Burress late. Burress capped a 7 play, 84 yard drive with a 26 yard back shoulder touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez to cut the lead to 24-17. Tony Romo would come right back with a 64 yard pass to TE Jason Witten setting up first and goal at the Jets three. Although that wasn’t the big play, the big play was Jets SS Jim Leonard stopping Witten from getting into the end zone as he caught up to him and knocked him out of bounds before he was able to score the touchdown.

Three plays later, on third and goal, DE Mike DeVito sacked and forced a fumble on Romo and the Jets would recover. No touchdown, no field goal, and no score for the Cowboys. With 5:08 left and Dallas’ ball and 4^th and 22, they would bring on the punting unit. With MetLife Stadium rocking, Isaiah Trufant returned a block punt 18 yards for the game tying score.

The defenses would not be forgotten as LB Anthony Spencer sacked Mark Sanchez and gave the Cowboys a chance to win it. With less than a minute to go and Dallas’ ball, Tony Romo gets intercepted by Darelle Revis. Four plays and two yards later it would set up a game winning 50 yard field goal by Nick Folk. The Jets would go on to win 27-24.

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