Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan spent two years as the defensive coordinator in Cleveland before running the Cowboys’ defense in 2011. But that was long enough to make this a personal showdown Sunday when the Browns invade Cowboys Stadium.
“Anytime you pour everything you have into it and apparently management didn’t see it as it was good enough, of course it’s personal,” Ryan said of his two years with the Browns. “I spent a lot of time in those offices. In fact, I slept in them for seven straight weeks when I said, ‘I’m not going home until we win a game.’ I’ll never say that again.”
Ryan was part of Eric Mangini’s staff that got fired after the 2010 season but says he was never interested in being head coach for the Browns, who hired Pat Shurmur while Ryan went to Dallas.
“No, I came in with Eric and I was proud to go out with him,” Ryan said. “I don’t think a coach does that, not in my situation. Eric’s a good friend of mine. It's not like they asked me to stay, but they should have. But I would have said no.”
Ryan isn't the only member of the Cowboys’ coaching staff who will be facing his former employer. Secondary coach Jerome Henderson coached the defensive backs in Cleveland for the past three seasons before joining the Cowboys staff this year. Linebackers coach Matt Eberflus held the same position with the Browns and joined Ryan before the 2011 season. Cowboys defensive assistant Ben Bloom also coached quality control with the Browns.
Bernadeau preparing for center: The Cowboys will likely have two changes on the offensive line. With starting center Phil Costa (ankle) expected to miss his fourth straight game and backup Ryan Cook having missed all week of practice with a knee injury, right guard Mackenzy Bernadeau is prepared to slide over to center. Veteran backup Derrick Dockery will likely start at right guard.
Bernadeau has never taken a center snap in a regular-season game but got some preseason work while with the Panthers. “I’m excited about it … I’ve had a good week of practice,” Bernadeau said. “I have a lot of confidence I can do the job well.”
Murray doubtful: For the first time since he suffered the foot sprain against Baltimore on Oct. 14, running back DeMarco Murray wasn't ruled out on the Friday injury report. Still, Murray is doubtful to play and with a short week to follow with the Thanksgiving Day game on Nov. 22, it’s likely Murray will miss this game, with a chance to be fresh and ready for the Redskins four days later. Felix Jones will get the start Sunday with Murray out.
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