IRVING -– Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said he’s looking forward to the challenge of facing rookie sensation Robert Griffin III, but clearly stated the Baylor grad will not like the outcome on Thanksgiving Day.
“We’re happy to be playing in this game,” Ryan said. “The whole country’s watching. They want to see America’s team win, and we’re going to.”
It may not be a “3-inch-headline” guarantee, a la former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson before the 1993 NFC championship game, but Ryan clearly stated his feelings.
It's Griffin’s first NFL game in his home state, and he’ll be looking to show the kind of great decision-making ability on the run that makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
“We’ve got to hit those guys hard -- that’s the big thing. We have big, big football players on defense, and we’re planning on hitting ‘em hard,” said Ryan, with about as much emphasis as he could put on hard without sounding maniacal.
“They say the kid is really smart, and obviously a tremendous athlete and he’s a helluva kid, but I don’t like him,” Ryan said for comedic effect. “But I know he’s a very talented guy. So obviously this game looks like it’s in slow motion for him already, hopefully we speed it up a whole lot.”
So, speed will be a huge factor in the game in more ways than one.
E-mail jtrahan@wfaa.com
