VALLEY RANCH -- First, Jason Garrett praised Rob Ryan. Then, he praised Monte Kiffin even more.
During his 53-minute news conference Wednesday, Garrett explained why Ryan was fired and replaced by Kiffin after the Cowboys decided to switch schemes. The Cowboys, who had run a 3-4 since 2005, will go back to their roots, having hired Kiffin to run the 4-3.It is the scheme the Cowboys used to help them win all five of their championships.Though the Cowboys surrendered the most yards in team history last season, Garrett cited two other reasons for the change: The 4-3 is a simpler defense to teach and to learn, so it should help them better absorb injuries; and they hope to force more turnovers."We think it can be a simpler defense for us, for guys that come in here and learn in this day and age and also if you have the injuries, to absorb it. It allows you to maybe do that a little bit better," Garrett said. "The other key component to this defense, and it goes back to all of Monte's defenses, is their ability to take the football away. We think that is really, really important. We've done a lot of good things on defense here in the last six years, but the thing that we probably have done least well is take the football away, and that differential is probably the single most important statistic in football."Since Garrett arrived six years ago as offensive coordinator, the Cowboys have had four defensive coordinators, not including Kiffin but counting 2010 interim coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. They rank only 24th in turnovers in that span, with an average of 23.8 per season, including a franchise-low 16 in 2012.In 13 years in Tampa, Kiffin's Buccaneers averaged 31 takeaways a season. The Cowboys new defensive line coach, Rob Marinelli, was the defensive coordinator in Chicago last season when the Bears had an NFL-best 44 takeaways.Garrett said the Cowboys believe they have the personnel to make a successful transition quickly."We got our arms around the fact that we feel like the guys we have on our roster right now can fit into a 4-3 style of defense," he said.Ratliff's futureJason Garrett said he has talked to defensive tackle Jay Ratliff since Ratliff was arrested Jan. 22 on a driving while intoxicated charge after hitting an 18-wheeler and a highway median with his car. His arrest came 44 days after Ratliff's backup, Josh Brent, was arrested for intoxicated manslaughter as the driver in a single-car wreck that killed his passenger, practice squad linebacker Jerry Brown.Ratliff's blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit."Very disappointed, and obviously having one situation like that is one too many," Garrett said. "We're trying to do ... everything we can to help our players make the right decisions, and we'll continue to do that going forward."Garrett said the legal process will have to "play out" before a decision is made on Ratliff's future. Ratliff faces possible discipline from the league.Ratliff, who played in only six games, with no sacks, has five years left on his contract. He is scheduled to make $5 million and count $7 million against the cap.Brotherly loveJason Garrett is excited about his staff, including the three new offensive assistants. But it meant saying good-bye to his brother.John Garrett joined Jason in Dallas in 2007 and had the title of passing game coordinator added to his duties in 2011. John Garrett left this off-season to become the receivers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Jason Garrett said that was the best move for his brother."Johnny had some opportunities to leave here in the last couple of years, and we kept him here," Jason Garrett said. "We made it worth his while to stay here. And as we've restructured this thing, I would never put him in a situation where he would call plays on our staff. He and I had that discussion; we had that discussion in our organization. We felt like the best way for him to grow was not to be here."Charean Williams817-390-7760Twitter: @NFLCharean
Dallas Cowboys coach leaves questions unanswered
Jason Garrett speaks, but waffles are all we're getting
If weather is a problem, Super Bowl date might change
Follow Charean Williams on Twitter
Follow Clarence E. Hill Jr. on Twitter
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
