New Orleans Saints Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan *
*Post-Practice Media Availability
Friday, November 8, 2013

Sean (Payton) just said he doesn't expect you to come out angry and fired up to play this game against the team you former coached for.

"Yeah, we are just going to do the best we can.  We know that we have our hands full with a great offense.  We are looking forward to the challenge.  The whole world is watching so we have to put our best foot forward and we are looking forward to it."

Are you looking forward to a week like this or are you ready to get past it?

"Obviously, you want the attention to just be on the team.  That is what it is all about.  We are just trying to work and do the best we can and get a win.  That is why we are doing everything we can to do that.  I haven't been up all night studying what I'm going to say to the media. I just want to coach football and get it right and help us win."

How much of a benefit is it for you going up against an offense you've seen the past two years in Dallas?

"They've seen us just as much as we've seen them.  This will be a great challenge.  They have a ton of weapons over there with Dallas starting with Tony Romo; he is a hell of a quarterback.  And they have all those weapons with Dez (Bryant) and Demarco (Murray) and those guys.  We have our hands full.  We know kind of what to expect and we are going to kind of know if we just keep studying the tape anyway.  They know about us, but they don't know about our players as much and we have some great players on defense over here that are going to show up Sunday night."

We remember how Cleveland was for you and what you told your players.  Can you put into words how personal this one is?

"No, I can't.  If I just worried about every team that has fired me, hell, I would have a grudge every week.  This is a huge game.  It's a big game for both teams and it is what it is.  That is the way the sport is and people change teams.  Thank God it is not like hockey coaches where they just keep changing them every period.  It is the way it is and I love the players out there.  They are great to me and there are a lot of great people in that organization.  I was fortunate enough to be with them for two years."

No one likes to be fired because it suggests failure, do you feel like you failed in Dallas?

"Whatever people suggest it doesn't give a crap to me.  I know I am a great coach, whatever it is it is.  I said in Dallas on my way out there are a couple of better coaches than (me) to be fired, not many but there are a couple.  That is just the way it is."

And with Jerry (Jones) coming in and all of these people in the building Sunday, how vindicated do you feel by the job you are doing here?

"I'm just trying to be a little tiny part of our success here with the Saints and that is all I care about.  I don't care about anything else.  I just want to be great, do the best I can with the Saints and we are all working hard together and trying to be a part of something special."

What do you think was the reason why they let you go in Dallas?

"I've read so many things.  I don't care to read them anymore so whatever it was I'm sure it was a great decision on everybody's part."

The way you feel about getting fired, is it because you are older?

"There is no question it is maturity. I'm able to handle it better.  Really, honest to God that is right.  When it is your first time in those days, it gets like that and then you just have to come to the conclusion, look man, not everybody thinks like I do.  I always think I'm going to do great because I pour everything I have into the job.  Some people don't think it is good enough and they fire you and you get pissed because you have done your best.  Hey whatever happens, happens.  I am excited to be here.  This is the most excited of any spot I've ever been is right here.  I love it here in New Orleans.  I love this team.  I love the players.  I love how the team is run.  I love the organization and it feels like home and it is a great spot for me."

How much satisfaction do you get that the Cowboys defense is ranked 31st and yours is ranked ninth?

"I had no idea.  I never knew how those numbers are.  I'm just trying to do my job."

Is Dez Bryant one of the toughest matchups in the league right now?

"Oh Dez is great.  Dez is a wild horse out there that just loves football. He's fun to watch. I enjoyed being around him for two years.  I think he is a primary receiver in football.  The guy just loves football.  There is nothing to not love about Dez Bryant."

You've had a few challenges this season with different receivers, what is different about Dallas' receivers?

"They have so many weapons there.  It is very difficult obviously.  They have a great quarterback too.  We are going to have our hands full but that is life in the NFL.  But like you said, we have faced a lot of challenges.  This is a great challenge for us.  We have been working hard and we want to have success.  We have been working our tails off and we really want to have it this Sunday night."

Your dad loved hating the Cowboys. Is this father like son now or are you to that point?

"That is a hell of a question, but I think my dad had a genuine hate for Dallas and I don't."