Aside from hair length, brothers Rex and Rob Ryan look a lot alike. They are identical twins, after all.
But when Rex’s Jets and Rob’s Cowboys (Rob coaches the Dallas defense) square off Monday night, at least one Jet player sees some similarities that extend from the sideline onto the field of play.
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| Rob Ryan (DallasCowboys.com) |
“Defensively, with Rob Ryan over there, it’s kind of like looking in the mirror,” Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson told the New York media. “It’s kind of like looking at our own defense, with couple different wrinkles.”
Rob, previously with the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns, took over as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys this offseason and has been installing his version of the 3-4. Like Rex, Rob runs a very multiple defense, likes to disguise blitzes and puts on simulated pressure.
“It’s gonna be very challenging,” Tomlinson said. “We know the blitz packages and stuff that Rob likes to bring, so it’s gonna present a heck of a challenge for us.”
Despite Rex’s relationship with Rob, Rex said Monday that he’s not involved in any more offensive planning than usual. Rex is probably more concerned with stopping Tony Romo and the Cowboys’ offense, something he has more control over, being a defensive guy.
“I think it’s more Schotty [offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer] dealing with my brother,” Rex said Monday. “We’ll talk about different things, but it's more Brian. The chessmatch is more Schotty and my brother than it is with me. I don’t call any offensive plays.”
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