OVERSHADOW SHRINKING: Talkative and boastful Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan letting actions speak

PHOTO: Dallas Cowboys DC Rob Ryan at rookie mini-camp

One of the biggest changes in Dallas Cowboys camp this year has been a smaller and quieter defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Not only has Ryan shocked everyone with his dramatic weight loss of more than 60 pounds but he has also trimmed the fat on his cocky trash talk of a year ago.

He refuses to be baited into boastful comments about beating the rival Philadelphia Eagles as he was a year ago. He also has declined to say his players are better than any others in the league which got him into hot water headed in the a game against the Detroit Lions because he intimated that Miles Austin and Dez Bryant were better receivers than Calvin Johnson.

Ryan has simply been muzzled by coach Jason Garrett who wants his players and coaches to let their play do their talking.

“I think it’s important for our team to do our work every day and let our actions speak for themselves,” Garrett said. “That’s an important concept for our players to understand and our coaches to understand. We want to have a confident group of guys but ultimately we have to do our jobs and demonstrate we are a good football team by playing the right way and winning football games.”

Courtesy: Clarence Hill | Ft Worth Star-Telegram

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys DC Rob Ryan says weight loss was ‘for health, not beauty’

Back at the rookie minicamp, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan made his first appearance before reporters in a while. And while he said some things about his defense, the conversation turned more personal at the end.

Just like his twin Rex, Rob had lap-band surgery to help with weight loss. And while there was some thought that it was to help Rob get a head-coaching job, he said that wasn’t the reason at all.

Instead, it was much more simple.

“Just breathing at night …” Ryan began. “My wife was telling me, ‘We’re looking for the long haul here.’ So, I did it for health, not for beauty. I did get a sweet cut (takes off his hat), you guys gotta see this. Trying to look like a Cowboy.”

Ryan laughed and took off his hat, displaying a scraggly cut of his long hair. Looked to me like an 80s rocker with bed head. But what the heck do I know? Not exactly a beautician, ya know?

Anyway, Rob says he’s lost 35 pounds already, which is pretty awesome.

“That’s a good thing,” Ryan said. “And it’s only been a couple months. I’ll keep working.”

Courtesy: Ian Rapoport | NFL

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