Stephen A. Smith Calls for Rex Ryan to Lead Cowboys Defense

Dallas blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 33-30 to the visiting Arizona Cardinals in overtime on Sunday, leaving the Cowboys with a 3-5 record. Stephen A. Smith criticized the team on November 2, faulting its defense and questioning quarterback Dak Prescott’s public support for teammates and coaches after the defeat.

Smith argued that Prescott’s measured comments were not providing the forceful leadership the team needed. He also said the Cowboys lacked accountability and that players were too comfortable despite poor results. Smith pointed to Ryan, a former NFL head coach now working as an ESPN analyst, as the kind of fiery figure Dallas needed in charge of its defense.

Smith urged Jones to bring Ryan in to replace first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Ryan’s NFL coaching career ended in 2016, after serving as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Dallas’ defense gave up 385.4 total yards per game, the most in the league, and 152.8 rushing yards per game, also the league’s highest average allowed.

The loss came after Arizona quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 17 of 23 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Dallas will try to recover in a Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Smith also criticized head coach Brian Schottenheimer, arguing that responsibility for the team’s recurring mistakes and late collapses rested heavily with him.