Tag: Rex Ryan

D’Anton Lynn has many influences in football, but one stands above others

D’Anton Lynn’s defensive scheme contains many branches, but one coach provides the roots.

D’Anton Lynn told assembled members of the media last week that while his defensive scheme contains many influences and flavors, there is one man who centrally shaped his understanding of how to coach football: Rex Ryan, the former coach of the New York Jets who made multiple AFC Championship Game appearances with former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez as his starting signal-caller.

What does this mean for the scheme Lynn and USC will use this fall on the gridiron? We would all love to get clear answers right now, but it will be interesting to see what happens in spring practice with the installation of the scheme and how quickly the players are able to absorb it.

In the meantime, let’s look at some of the other influences for Lynn plus some additional observations he offered on installing a new defense at USC:

Rex Ryan: Mike Zimmer doesn’t have DC job yet; Cowboys ‘so close’ to Super Bowl success

From @ToddBrock24f7: The ESPN host interviewed for the job last week but says the candidate who beat him out isn’t officially in the very attractive job yet.

Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan found himself- quite unexpectedly, for many observers- in the spotlight last week after it was revealed he had interviewed with the Cowboys for their defensive coordinator position.

On Super Bowl Sunday, he was back at ESPN’s pregame desk, sharing some insight as to why he threw his hat in the coaching ring after seven years away. He also dropped a mini-bombshell regarding the man reportedly taking that DC job in Dallas.

“First off, I’m not so sure that [Mike] Zimmer’s got that job right now. Not real sure about that,” Ryan said. “I can honestly say I don’t believe that’s a fact right now.”

Ryan paused as if he were expecting some dramatic reaction from his Postseason NFL Countdown cohosts, but in truth, it’s not an altogether shocking revelation. Word that Zimmer was Dallas’s choice first leaked out Thursday night just before the NFL Honors ceremony was set to begin. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones- while literally on the red carpet- even alluded to an imminent hire, saying he had “been on the phone all afternoon with our future defensive coach.”

Jones was said to be working the phones while in Las Vegas to firm up details with the 67-year-old Zimmer, but it’s not inconceivable to think that getting a contract drawn up and signed while the main movers and shakers of the entire league are all on-site for Super Bowl LVIII just wasn’t a top priority.

Especially if the two sides- who are very familiar with one another after Zimmer’s first stint with the Cowboys- have come to a gentleman’s agreement; finishing up the business once everyone gets back to The Star on Monday or Tuesday is just as good.

There’s no real indication that Zimmer is about to pull a Kliff Kingsbury move; the fact that pen hasn’t hit paper yet is a story that may not be worth watching.

But in addition to stirring up a controversy that likely doesn’t exist, Ryan also decided to shed some light on why he interviewed for the Dallas job in the first place.

“I’ve been out for seven years. I’ve never called another coach or anything like that. I called Mike McCarthy. And the reason I did is I want to be on this stage,” Ryan explained, gesturing to the field getting prepped for the championship game. “I want to be back on this stage, if I’m going to get back into coaching, have a chance at that. I think that with this roster, the way it is, offensively, special teams, and defense- I figured I could make maybe even a little of an upgrade- that they could be right here. That’s why I was interested.”

The 61-year-old Ryan hinted that he’s been approached about a return to the sidelines before, but never by a team he’d be interested in coaching.

“It’s funny how, ‘Well, should we get–?’ Ryan play-acted. “No. Your team has no chance at me, okay? That’s generally the case. I would only go at the right situation. And if it’s not completely right, then I’m not going. But this team, it is interesting, because they are so close to getting over that edge, and that’s why I think people would be interested in this job.”

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Of course, to someone like Ryan or even Zimmer, the fact that McCarthy will helm the team on the final year of his contract may be part of it. A coordinator with extensive head coaching experience would easily be seen as the top candidate to take over the Cowboys should McCarthy find himself on the outs.

Even if the Cowboys rattle off another 12 wins next season, all eyes will be on what the Joneses do at the head coaching position. So if you’re Ryan, why not make a subtle last-ditch plea for the on-deck circle on national TV?

Zimmer’s official announcement may be a mere formality. But for now anyway, everyone involved is talking about a very attractive job that is- technically- still vacant.

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Report: Ex-Bills coach Rex Ryan interviews with Cowboys

Rex back in the NFL? Maybe

Rex Ryan could be back in the NFL for the first time since he was with the Buffalo Bills… or at least there is a possibility.

According to Cowboys Wire, Dallas has interviewed Buffalo’s former head coach for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

Ryan last coached the Bills in 2015 and 2016. He he was fired with one game remaining in the 2016 regular season. He was 15-16 overall in western New York.

Prior to that, he coached the New York Jets for six seasons.

Since leaving Buffalo, Ryan has worked on ESPN as a studio analyst.

Mike McCarthy was and remains the Cowboys head coach. However, during the recent coaching cycle, former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn accepted the head coaching position with the Washington Commanders.

While Ryan being be back in the NFL would be an interesting twist… the Bills and Cowboys do not play in 2024. A bummer.

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Rex Ryan ‘nearly’ got Broncos’ defensive coordinator job in 2023

Rex Ryan “nearly” got the Broncos’ defensive coordinator job in 2023, according to NFL Network.

In passing along a report about Rex Ryan’s 2024 job prospects in a tweet on Wednesday., NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport described him as a coach candidate who “was nearly the #Broncos DC last year.”

This is the first time we’ve seen a reporter — national or local — indicate that Ryan was close to getting Denver’s defensive coordinator job in 2023. The Broncos eventually hired Vance Joseph and Ryan later implied on ESPN that Denver did not meet his contract demands.

Joseph’s defense struggled early in the season and Ryan blasted the unit on ESPN multiple times before the Broncos turned things around. ESPN’s Pat McAfee even reported that Denver was considering an in-season DC switch to Ryan, but such a change never happened.

At the time of publication, the Broncos have not fired any of their coaches from the 2023 staff (at least not that we’re aware of), and it appears that Joseph is set to return as DC in 2024.

Ryan, meanwhile, is now a candidate for the Dallas Cowboys’ DC job.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Report: Cowboys have interviewed Rex Ryan for defensive coordinator opening

From @ToddBrock24f7: The longtime defensive-minded coach last roamed the sidelines in Buffalo in 2016; his twin brother Rob was the Cowboys DC in 2011 and 2012.

Add another name to the list of candidates to become the Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator. And this one might knock your socks off.

Former New York Jets head coach and current ESPN studio analyst Rex Ryan has interviewed for the position, according to multiple reports.

Ryan last coached the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and 2016; he was fired with one game remaining in the 2016 regular season. He coached the Jets for six seasons prior to that stint and amassed a 61-66 overall record as a head coach.

But Ryan- like his father, the legendary Buddy Ryan- made his bones as a defensive strategist, spending ten years in Baltimore as D-line coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant head coach. He earned a Super Bowl ring as one of the masterminds of the famed 2000 Ravens defense.

Cowboys fans will be familiar with Rex’s fraternal twin brother Rob, who was the defensive coordinator in Dallas in 2011 and 2012, the first two seasons of the Jason Garrett era.

Rex’s name has not been in the mainstream hopper for any of the other openings in this (or recent) hiring cycles, but the idea of him making a return to the sidelines- and doing it in Dallas- makes perfect sense, to at least one observer.

NFL veteran, ex-Dallas receiver, and current Cowboys analyst Isaiah Stanback loves the prospective fit.

“He’s able to connect with this generation of players with his personality,” Stanback said this week on Talkin’ Cowboys of the 61-year-old Ryan. “High-energy guy, still disciplined, allows guys to be themselves. … He’s humble enough to be at that level with them but still demand excellence.”

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Stanback also offered an unexpected compliment that puts Ryan on a completely different plane, in his mind, than any of the other coaches of his era.

“Having been in the league and having been in a lot of meeting rooms with a lot of great players, seeing the preparation and coaches,” Stanback continued, “I’ve never seen any offensive coordinator/head coach/quarterback have to prepare more for any other D-coordinator outside of Rex Ryan. Hands down. The stuff that he was bringing to the table, the stuff that he was doing in the games was absolutely insane.”

Ryan is the third known candidate so far with previous head coaching experience. Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera have also been interviewed by the team for the job vacated recently by Dan Quinn. Current defensive line coach Aden Durde has had an official interview as well.

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Should Giants consider Rex Ryan as a potential defensive coordinator?

Some have begun to float the idea of Rex Ryan taking over as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator.

The New York Giants are still seeking to fill the vacancy at defensive coordinator left by the departure of Wink Martindale after the 2023 season.

They have interviewed several candidates to no avail and have also been shunned, blocked, and rejected by others.

They could turn to defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, who also interviewed for the job, but they were hoping to land an established name to run their defense.

The hosts over at WFAN’s afternoon show made a suggestion this week — former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan.

“If you’re not attracting the best. . . are you gonna be able to find someone that gets the most out of this group?” co-host Evan Roberts said.

“I got another guy who is also desperate, and good. And that’s the key. . . you can’t deny this guy is really good at coordinating, and it would allow Brian Daboll to say, ‘You take care of the defense. I’m gonna fix the offense with this quarterback that we’re probably gonna draft. . . His name is Rex Ryan. . . he could be brilliant as a defensive coordinator.”

Ryan, 61, hasn’t been on an NFL sideline since being fired by the Buffalo Bills in December 2016. He’s worked as a television analyst since 2017.

Ryan would be a stretch of a hire and not likely to be high on the Giants’ list. His brash style would surely clash with that of head coach Brian Daboll.

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Rex Ryan ‘would not be shocked’ if Bill Belichick joins this AFC East contender

This would feel like a gut punch to Patriots fans

Bill Belichick is in need of a new head coaching gig, and the Buffalo Bills haven’t been able to get over the hump with Sean McDermott. Could Belichick and the Bills be a match made in heaven?

Rex Ryan thinks it’s a possibility.

On Monday, the former Bills coach made an appearance on ESPN’s “DiPietro & Rothenberg Show” and floated an idea that would keep the former New England Patriots coach in the AFC East with a possible Super Bowl contender.

“[The Bills] are so close, man. They are so close. They had a ton of injuries. They had all this type of stuff which they had—everybody has. Now, this is the craziest thing. This might be the spot where Bill Belichick goes,” said Ryan. “I’m just saying if ownership thinks you’ve taken this team as far as you can, which I’m not agreeing or saying that they should do it. But this could do it. Who could take this to the next level? Well, Bill Belichick. And I’m not saying it’s definitely going to happen, but I would not be shocked.”

Belichick joining the Bills would be a nightmare for the Patriots considering they’d have to face him twice a year.

On the other hand, it would be the perfect landing spot for the future Hall of Fame coach considering he’d already have an elite quarterback in place with Josh Allen. His ability to get the defense up and going again could be the turning point for the Bills.

Not only would Belichick be in a position to break Don Schula’s wins record, but he would have a legitimate shot at adding to his Super Bowl rings collection.

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Bill Belichick responds to Rex Ryan’s scorching take on ‘Patriot Way’

Bill Belichick responded to the relentless criticism from former NFL coach Rex Ryan.

ESPN analyst Rex Ryan has been slamming coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots at every turn. He recently claimed the “Patriot Way” exhausts players.

He then went on to say that Tom Brady was the only reason the Patriots won during their timeframe of success.

On Monday, when appearing on “The Greg Hill Show,” Belichick responded to the comments made by his former longtime rival.

“Yeah, I’m not really sure what he’s talking about,” said Belichick. “Rex has never been with the Patriots. I’m not really sure what that means either. Look, I mean, we’re going to do the best we can to prepare the team and compete every week. So that’s what we’re going to do, whatever that is.”

New England has struggled this season, and they currently hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The team hasn’t had a winning season since 2021, and they have been a hotbed for criticism over the course of the year.

Belichick has not been absolved from that criticism, either.

New England will have a chance get back on the winning track and perhaps even limit some of that criticism, if they’re able to win a short turnaround game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.

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Bill Belichick had an accurate rebuttal to Rex Ryan’s criticism of ‘The Patriot Way’

Bill Belichick is right. Rex Ryan has zero idea what makes the Patriots tick.

There are a few certainties in pro football. Death, taxes, and Rex Ryan ripping the Patriots unprompted without any clear instigation.

Last week, the former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach went off in a rant critiquing Bill Belichick’s coaching process. Setting aside that Belichick is widely regarded as the greatest football coach in the sport’s history, Ryan’s diatribe rang a little stale. It read as if Ryan was waiting specifically for Belichick’s team to finally fall to the bottom of the abyss after roughly two decades of excellence.

But then again, that’s par for the course for Ryan, who has four career playoff wins, compared to Belichick’s 31. Ryan probably needs something (anything) to cling to as the decisively inferior football figure:

On Monday, Belichick finally caught wind of Ryan’s harsh critique during an episode of The Greg Hill Show on WEEI in Boston. When asked his thoughts about Ryan calling “The Patriot Way” culture an exhausting endeavor for players, Belichick had a succinct but accurate response.

Ryan has never coached with the Patriots or been associated with them in any meaningful fashion outside of a “rivalry” he stirred up to keep his teams motivated. Well, Bill — when you’re right, you’re right:

Blasting Belichick’s processes is easy as the Patriots languish about to the NFL’s second-worst record. It’s the definition of kicking someone when they’re down. However, outside of manufactured drama, I don’t much remember critiques like Ryan’s when New England was playing in the AFC title game every year and winning Super Bowls in the NFL’s greatest dynasty ever. To be clear, Ryan often still made cutting remarks — because he needed a villain to pin a tail on  — but people mostly turned a blind eye to them.

Even with the Patriots finally falling back to Earth, this should still be the case. Ryan just wants to throw dirt on New England’s disastrous 2023 campaign, nothing more. That doesn’t mean he has any idea what constitutes building pro football’s finest run of success with a culture that, up until now, had seemed impregnable.

Rex Ryan goes off on ‘Patriot Way,’ credits Tom Brady for Bill Belichick’s success

Rex Ryan goes off on Bill Belichick’s Patriots: “Tom Brady was the only reason you won anyway, all right?”

In one breath, ESPN analyst Rex Ryan pumped up the success of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and tore it down.

When appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up,” the former NFL head coach credited former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the team’s long run of past success. He also took a jab at the “Patriot Way,” which he claimed exhausts players.

“This team plays like they’re exhausted, and the Patriots Way, that’s it, it exhausts these kids,” said Ryan. “Tom Brady was the only reason you won anyway, all right? I’m just telling you the difference. Tom Brady was the absolute difference. I said from jump, they would never win again. I said they would never win again when that guy trotted down to Tampa.

“Because I know how draining that is to those kids. And that is what you’re facing right now. You pick all of the players, you do all this. Bill Belichick, greatest in the history, I will never dispute that, okay? I’ve had my ass kicked by him a million times. But if you think for a minute that it wasn’t about Tom Brady, you’re absolutely crazy.”

Belichick has not been able to maintain the same level of success without the legendary quarterback, even though he has complete control over personnel and coaching. Brady, on the other hand, went to Tampa Bay and won a Super Bowl in his first year away from the Patriots.

Since getting blown out in their only playoff appearance in the last four seasons in 2021, the Patriots have experienced back-to-back losing seasons. This season, they’re sitting at 2-9 with the worst record in the AFC and a projected top-three 2024 NFL draft pick.

Ryan’s comments might not be easy to hear from longtime fans, but they’re becoming harder and harder to dispute.

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