Cowboys being No. 1 defense 'not a big deal at all'

September, 28, 2012
9/28/12
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IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys finally delivered on Rob Ryan’s bold promise to be the NFL’s top-ranked defense.

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The Cowboys are limiting opponents to 250.0 yards per game, the fewest in the league through three games. Wade Phillips’ Houston Texans defense is close behind, allowing 255.7 yards per game.

The reaction in the Valley Ranch locker room: Whoop-dee-doo.

“It’s not a big deal at all,” defensive end Marcus Spears said. “Each one of you guys know that this is a marathon, and you can go from the penthouse to the outhouse in this game within a matter of seven days. That’s for our fans and you guys to talk about, but next week, it could all be different if we don’t perform. So we don’t really pay much attention to it.”

Defensive end Jason Hatcher did confess that playing for the top-ranked defense made him stick his chest out a little bit. His focus, however, is on keeping the Cowboys on top of those rankings.

“I think we’ve definitely got the talent to do it,” Hatcher said. “We just got to keep honing in. It’s just the small things we’ve got to take care of.”

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