Tag: Logan Ryan

Who could play nickel corner for the Bucs in 2023?

The Bucs have a few options to fill its biggest defensive need heading into the season.

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The Bucs made a lot of moves to address their various roster issues this offseason, but one glaring hole remains: slot corner. Despite possessing a better-than-advertised corner duo in Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean, Tampa does not have a clear notion of who will play the nickel position in the secondary.

Neither Davis or Dean have much experience at nickel. According to Pro Football Focus, plays in the slot account for less than 10% of their overall snaps on defense over their NFL careers. This is unlikely to change given their skill sets as long press corners.

Last year, the Bucs experimented with playing Antoine Winfield Jr. at nickel, giving him 445 snaps in the slot per PFF, most on the team. He was capable in the slot, but his play did not quite match the excellence he provided at free safety the previous two seasons.

While Todd Bowles has indicated he would prefer to keep Winfield Jr. at just one position, there has yet to be any indication what position that is. Winfield Jr. is Tampa’s only real option to start at free safety so the odds are better that Bowles keeps him there instead.

Tampa has few reliable options otherwise. Dee Delaney has the most experience in the slot, but still primarily played outside corner. Same goes for second-year CB Zyon McCollum, who struggled in coverage overall last season.

The dark horse on the roster is rookie Josh Hayes. The 2023 sixth-round pick primarily played the nickel for Kansas State last year. Naturally, playing a rookie at such a key position is a risky proposition, particularly when he allowed a 109.9 passer rating from the slot last year per PFF.

The Bucs’ last option is to add a veteran free agent defensive back likely before training camp. The simplest solution would be to bring back Logan Ryan, who has experience playing in the slot and free safety, giving Bowles maximum flexibility with how to address both positions and use Antoine Winfield Jr.

Other options include former Saints CB P.J. Williams, former Browns S John Johnson and former Chargers CB Bryce Callahan. With little cap space left, the Bucs cannot afford to give any free agent a big payday, but that holds true for most teams at this point of the offseason. Many current free agents will have to settle for a veteran minimum deal, which would be about all the Bucs will be able to afford anyway.

Logan Ryan vouches for former Patriot to be Hall of Famer

Is Stephon Gilmore a first ballot Hall of Famer? Logan Ryan seems to think so.

Former New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan believes one former member of the organization should be a Hall of Famer.

Ryan appeared on an episode of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” as a guest host. While on it, he vouched for former Patriots corner Stephon Gilmore to receive the accolade.

A strong case could be made. Gilmore was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

He came to New England in March 2017 and immediately became an impact player in the New England secondary. In three seasons with the Patriots, He tallied 11 interceptions in 56 games and started in all of them. He made the Pro Bowl in three out of his four seasons with New England and was a First-Team Associated Press All-Pro in 2018 and 2019.

Ryan vouched for Gilmore, while also comparing him to a previous Patriots teammate.

“Somebody I’ve been watching a lot in the league and study his game and that’s Stephon Gilmore,” said Ryan. “Gilly Lock is a clamp. I think he had a great season last year, and honestly, Gilly’s been doing this for a long time. He’s one of the rare guys that you can lock on a guy in push coverage. We really haven’t seen that since Darrelle Revis, the ability to shut down a side of the field. Press man-to-man, every play, he’s making the receiver earn it. He doesn’t fear them. And he got a Defensive Player of the Year.

“That is really hard to do at the DB position. Every year, the Defensive Player of the Year is just another pass rusher. …This guy is special. For you to get a Defensive Player of the Year at DB and be doing it at the level you’ve been doing it, on an island, that’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”

Gilmore was traded from the Patriots to the Carolina Panthers in October 2021. He played for the Indianapolis Colts last season, and now, he’s with the Dallas Cowboys.

The South Carolina product will look to put together another strong season and possibly strengthen his potential Hall of Fame case.

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Logan Ryan praises Cooper Kupp, explains why he’s the key to the Rams’ offense

Logan Ryan heaped praise on Cooper Kupp, who he says is the key to the Rams offense – not Matthew Stafford

After an injury-riddled season, the Los Angeles Rams are going to get a bunch of key players back for the 2023 campaign. Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp will all be returning from injuries that caused them to miss the end of last season, and all three are critical to the team’s success this year.

But if you were to ask NFL defensive back Logan Ryan, he would say Kupp is the key to the Rams offense, not Stafford. He was on “Good Morning Football” this week and heaped praise on the Rams receiver, explaining what makes him so good and such an important part of Los Angeles’ operation.

He thinks with Kupp coming back, the Rams will recapture at least a little bit of their 2021 “fear factor.”

“I think they do somewhat and that’s gonna be because the guy’s back, and that’s not Matthew Stafford. That’s Cooper Kupp,” Ryan said. “In 2021, Cooper Kupp is No. 1 in receptions, No. 1 in receiving yards, No. 1 in receiving TDs, No. 1 in catching the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl. So I feel this guy is a security blanket. He and Matt Stafford, they’re peanut butter and jelly, and he’s gonna find him. He can get open in zone coverages, he’s beaten man-to-man. The whole defensive game plan is to stop Cooper Kupp. I think he’s tough after the catch, and he’s one of the most willing blockers out there in football. So he doesn’t take a play off. He powers their running game because of how he blocks, he powers their passing game. And playing against him, our whole game plan – he kept our defensive coordinator up – was, ‘How do we slow down Cooper Kupp?’ And if we don’t slow him down, it’s going to be a long day. I think he opens everything for McVay, he opens up Van Jefferson, he opens up the running game. Cooper Kupp is the key to the LA Rams.”

Kupp led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches in 2021, winning the receiving triple crown. He was also named Offensive Player of the Year and claimed Super Bowl MVP honors, putting together one of the best seasons ever by a wide receiver.

He was on a terrific pace last season before getting hurt, too. Excluding his three-catch, minus-1-yard game against the Cardinals when he injured his ankle, Kupp had 72 catches for 813 yards and six touchdowns in just eight games, putting him on pace for more than 140 catches and 1,600 yards.

With Kupp and Stafford back to full health, they could be in for another massive season together in 2023. Their chemistry together is off the charts, and Kupp’s feel for defenders makes him so tough to cover.

“It’s really tough because you can’t take away everything,” Ryan said. “So if he knows what your leverage is, he knows where you’re trying to take him away, he just goes the other way. He has so much freedom in their offense to find space and I think he’s great at finding space.”

He even compared Stafford and Kupp to a pick-and-roll play with James Harden and Joel Embiid.

“I look at it like an NBA pick and roll with Embiid and Harden,” Ryan added. “They both know how to play off each other. It’s hard to stop. It’s a two-man game and I think that’s what Kupp and Stafford are doing.”

Ryan isn’t worried about Kupp’s supposed lack of speed after he ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He still finds ways to make plays and get open despite not being the fastest player out there.

“He’s not a track star but you know what? When you’re in great shape, you run 4.6 every play,” Ryan said. “I know 4.3 and 4.4 guys that aren’t in great shape and they’re running 4.8, 4.9 out there because they’re tired. Cooper Kupp is elite shape, he takes care of his body, he knows the game and it’s easy for him.”

Suffice to say, Ryan is a big fan of Kupp and always finds it difficult to take him away in the Rams offense.

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Logan Ryan has funny story about Bill Belichick’s coaching abilities

Nothing gets by coach Bill Belichick on the practice field, according to former Patriots CB Logan Ryan.

Former New England Patriots defensive back Logan Ryan has interesting stories from his time as a member of the organization. He told one on Monday that summed up the football knowledge, and quite literally vision, of coach Bill Belichick.

Ryan was part of the second edition of the Patriots dynasty. He won two Super Bowls with the organization and was a major part of a productive secondary. He ended up playing four seasons with New England and recorded 13 interceptions in 64 games played. Ryan was a major contributor to the secondary, starting in 40 games over the course of his career.

Despite all of his on-field accomplishments during the season, he told a practice story on Monday’s edition of “Good Morning Football” that resonated with him the most. It was a moment that really made him appreciate Belichick’s coaching prowess.

“I remember a couple stories of him twirling his whistle on the practice field, and he’s just standing back there,” said Ryan. “And you’re going through plays, and he’s just sitting there very chill. Then he’ll blow the whistle, and you would look at him. And he would correct the center for having the snap be a little off to the left. He would correct the left tackle for holding on the play or whatever. So I’m like, ‘Okay cool, that’s on the offense.’ Then he’ll say, ‘Ryan, stop holding on the top of the route.’ I’m like, ‘Hold on, how do you see me? Do you have eyes on the back of your head, the side of your head?

“He can correct players in live time on offense and defense. And that’s where you saw the football savant, the genius of him come out. He simplified the game for you. I just remember being like, ‘Man, this man can really coach every position.’”

Belichick’s coaching abilities will once again be put to the test in the 2023 season.

The Patriots missed the playoffs last season, and they have yet to make a deep postseason run following the departure of Tom Brady. That being said, there is little doubt that Belichick is regarded as one of the best football coaches of all time, and his football knowledge is invaluable.

It will be interesting to see how the Patriots fare this season. Stories like this really hammer home the point that Belichick is hands-on in several aspects.

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Aaron Rodgers’ final pass as a Packer was picked off (just like Brett Favre’s)

Aaron Rodgers’ last pass with the Green Bay Packers is officially … a pick to the Detroit Lions.

After years and years of torment, the Detroit Lions have finally gotten the last laugh on the Green Bay Packers era of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

After Rodgers was reportedly traded to the New York Jets on Monday after 18 seasons in Wisconsin, Lions fans got a beautiful opportunity to unearth what is now the last play of Rodgers’ career with the Packers.

Yes, Rodgers’ days as a Packer ended on an interception from Lions safety Kerby Joseph. Rodgers’ last game with Green Bay will forever be a 20-16 home loss to Detroit that eliminated the Packers from the playoffs.

Yikes, Aaron Rodgers. Yikes. 

This is, strangely, just like Brett Favre’s last pass with the Packers, a pick to New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster, and Tom Brady’s last pass with the New England Patriots, a pick-six to former Pats teammate Logan Ryan.

Rodgers officially closed his legendary career with the Packers in the most embarrassing way possible, mirroring Favre’s exit even more than he already has with his trade to the Jets.

While Rodgers will get a fresh start in the Big Apple, Detroit fans will be laughing about this for the rest of the franchise’s existence.

It’ll be the Lions that grace sports trivia questions for decades to come.

Logan Ryan heaps praise on new Titans CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Sean Murphy-Bunting has a big fan in his former Bucs teammate and ex-Titans CB Logan Ryan.

The Tennessee Titans added to their secondary on Monday with the team agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, Sean Murphy-Bunting.

Murphy-Bunting gives the Titans more experience, versatility, speed, and depth in their secondary, with the depth part being perhaps the most important aspect with the group’s injury history.

Murphy-Bunting’s coverage numbers have been very impressive over the past few years, especially in 2022 when he posted career-bests in passer rating allowed (59.6) and completion percentage against (51.2). He also notched an outstanding Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 80.9.

Upon seeing those numbers, I was no doubt excited; however, people who cover the Bucs have poured some cold water on that. It’s clear the numbers don’t match what they saw on the field.

“He’s pretty bad fellas,” former Bucs beat writer and NFL draft analyst Jon Ledyard tweeted. “Not trying to be a downer. He has awesome tools. But some of the worst instincts I’ve seen. Played in basically every coverage scheme and inside and outside too. For a team that has developed a ton of good [defensive backs]. Nothing worked.”

When talking to the managing editor of Bucs Wire, River Wells, he had this to say when I asked him if he viewed Murphy-Bunting as a quality starter.

“I don’t [think he is],” Wells said. “Murphy-Bunting is a talented piece that could serve as good depth and he’s shown some potential over the years, but even when he has been on the field after recovering from his injuries, he’s been a very frustrating corner to watch on game days.”

Someone who clearly is not in the “down on Murphy-Bunting” camp is his former Bucs teammate and ex-Titans cornerback, Logan Ryan, who took to social media to heap praise on the 25-year-old.

The playoff interceptions Ryan is talking about came in 2020, when Murphy-Bunting tallied one in each of the Bucs’ first three playoff games en route to the Super Bowl. That experience is invaluable for a young secondary like Tennessee’s.

Someone else who is a fan of the signing is our Shaun Calderon, who gave the Titans a good grade for the move. You can read more on his take right here.

Even if Murphy-Bunting is more along the lines of what Bucs people say as opposed to what his coverage numbers say, if everyone stays healthy and the trio of Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Elijah Molden can secure their roles, SMB won’t be needed as anything more than a No. 4 corner.

However, with all the uncertainty on the back-end, there’s definitely an avenue for him to have a bigger role than that.

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Logan Ryan endorses new Kansas City Chiefs S Mike Edwards

New #Chiefs S Mike Edwards got some high praise from 10-year NFL veteran Logan Ryan.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Mike Edwards on a one-year deal to cap off the first week of free agency.

Not long after the news was announced, Edwards received an endorsement from two-time Super Bowl champion and 10-year NFL veteran safety Logan Ryan. Edwards and Ryan played together with the Buccaneers last season and it seems that the 26-year-old safety made an impression on the old head.

Ryan took to Twitter to react to the news that Edwards had signed with Kansas City, showering the newest member of the Chiefs with praise.

“Playing with the lead in the 4th quarter I can’t imagine how many picks (Mike Edwards) bout to have,” Ryan wrote on Twitter. “Mike (is) one of the best ball hawks I (have) ever played with at any level sheesh. Don’t believe me just watch Chiefs.”

That’s high praise coming from one of the best defensive backs in the league over the past decade. It’s especially impressive knowing that Ryan has seen Edwards in action and knows what he’s capable of.

“That’s real, coming from one of the best,” Edwards responded. “Appreciate you Lo!”

Edwards certainly carries a reputation as a ballhawk, recording seven interceptions and 15 passes defended in the past three seasons. His three interceptions returned for touchdowns in the past two years is the most in the NFL during that span. No other defender has more than two.

It’s a safe bet that Edwards will help the Chiefs recoup some of the interceptions they lost this offseason with Juan Thornhill signing with the Cleveland Browns.

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Tom Brady not happy about signing ball Logan Ryan intercepted in 2019 playoffs

Tom Brady wasn’t thrilled about Logan Ryan’s request, but he did oblige.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and defensive back Logan Ryan are on their second stint as teammates (well, at least for now with free agency approaching), but back in the 2019 playoffs, they were foes.

Brady’s New England Patriots hosted Ryan’s Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs during the 2019 campaign in a game that saw Brady throw his last pass as a Patriot to Ryan, who picked it off to seal the upset victory, sending Tennessee to the Divisional Round.

Wisely, Ryan has held on to the ball, which figures to be worth some money down the road.

And, prior to the season-ending defeat at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys last week, the veteran defensive back had Brady sign the ball, which the future Hall of Famer wasn’t thrilled about.

Afterwards, Brady took to Twitter with a funny reaction, and he ultimately signed the ball, complete with the message “last pass as a Patriot.”

You know Ryan, who joined the Bucs in free agency last offseason, was waiting all year to do that.

Both Ryan and Brady will be free agents this offseason, assuming they don’t re-sign with the Bucs beforehand. There has been some speculation that Brady could come to Nashville, but it is just that, speculation.

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Tom Brady ashamedly signed his last Patriots ball despite the pass being an INT

Okay, that’s hilarious.

One of Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates made an absolutely hilarious request for a very particular autograph.

Way back in January 2020, former Tennessee Titans defensive back Logan Ryan picked off Brady to help Tennessee seal a key playoff victory.

As it turned out, it was Brady’s last pass he’d ever make in a New England Patriots uniform. After the Pats were eliminated from the AFC playoffs that year, Brady left for Tampa Bay, and the rest is history.

Three years later, Brady and Ryan are on the same Buccaneers squad about to mount their own playoff push in the NFC.

However, it looks like Ryan held onto that fateful football and asked Brady to sign it for him.

Even if you’re the world’s biggest TB12 fan, that’s just gold. Brady has had to play the elder statesman this season more so than in any other, which includes being able to take a joke such as this.

If you’re a mega Brady hater, enjoy what’s sure to be one of the funniest requests the future Hall of Fame quarterback might ever receiver in his career.

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Good sport Tom Brady signs intercepted ball that was his final pass as a Patriot

Another reason why Tom Brady is the ultimate teammate.

Whoever said Tom Brady isn’t the ultimate teammate clearly hasn’t been paying attention.

It was only a few weeks ago when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was signing an intercepted ball for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Now, he’s signing one for a current teammate as well.

Buccaneers cornerback Logan Ryan hauled in a pick-six as a member of the Tennessee Titans against Brady in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs back in 2020. That intercepted throw was Brady’s last pass as a New England Patriot.

Ryan’s play sealed the deal for the Titans to move on to the next round and put an end to the Brady era in New England.

Brady and Ryan will now try to keep the Buccaneers’ championship hopes alive on Monday, when taking on the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round of the playoffs.

They’ll be keeping their fingers crossed this is the last interception souvenir that’s asked to be signed for the rest of the season.

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