Tag: Sean Ryan

Threat Assessment: A deep dive into the Mountaineers before week 4

Get to know the strength, weakness, and threat level of West Virginia before they roll into town to play the Sooners in week 4

Opponent: West Virginia

Record: 2-1

Threat level (1-10): 7

Rundown:  

If the Mountaineers can find a way to hold onto the football, they could be a pretty good team this year. Through just three games, they have coughed up four fumbles and three interceptions and rank 124th in the FBS in turnovers lost.

Takeaways proved to be the difference-maker in week one. West Virginia was perfectly capable of knocking off Maryland, going 4-5 in the red zone and starting with terrific field position after 217 return yards. But a muffed kickoff return and a pair of Jarret Doege interceptions spotted the Terrapins an extra three possessions and the 30-24 win.

Much like Oklahoma against Tulane and Nebraska, West Virginia grabbed a big lead against Virginia Tech before the Hokies clawed their way back into it. The passing game dried up in the second half, and the Mountaineers survived by bludgeoning VT quarterback Braxton Burmeister with six sacks.

Strength: Rush defense

WVU allows a meager 2.6 yards per rushing attempt.

Weakness: Ball security

At -6, the Mountaineers hold the second-worst turnover margin in the FBS.

Monitor:

Redshirt freshman quarterback Garrett Green. Head coach Neal Brown likes to incorporate him in running situations.

Up Next: Leddie Brown

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Analysis: WR Robby Anderson’s extension makes Panthers an enticing destination

The Panthers are locked in with the likes of Robby Anderson, DJ Moore, Christian McCaffrey, Taylor Moton and Terrace Marshall Jr. If Sam Darnold doesn’t work out at QB, there will be others.

In a perfect world, the Carolina Panthers are able to successfully salvage what the New York Jets left behind in Sam Darnold. But this world isn’t perfect and neither is this situation at quarterback.

On Tuesday, the Panthers announced a two-year contract extension with receiver Robby Anderson. The fifth-year wideout earned that money by being absolutely money for the team thus far, coming off a career season of 1,096 yards on 95 catches in 2020.

Although he’s largely thought of as a premier deep-ball threat, Anderson is much more than that. (He’s also, for you ham-and-eggers, much more than the guy who thought a giant cat was a bear . . . )

Many may overlook his prowess as a route runner, for one, given the assumption that he lives primarily off the go. He’s often exhibited sharp footwork and direction on his runs, which made him a particularly effective intermediate last season for Carolina. Anderson picked up 512 yards after the catch this past campaign, good enough for the fourth-highest total in the NFL.

His hands have gradually improved as well. Not only do the visuals prove that he plays with much stronger mitts, but so do the numbers. 2020’s catch rate of 69.9 percent, aided a bit by the dink-and-dunk layups from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, was by far his highest yet. The next closest mark was 55.3 percent back in 2017.

Overall, he’s closer to an entire package of a pass catcher than he is to being a Ted Ginn Jr. He’s a constant home run threat who can beat you downfield and underneath, whether that be on straight runs to bust the top open or a lengthy catch-and-run off a slippery slant route.

And that’s where this all ties into that Darnold lede you just read at the top. All of Anderson, as well as the cast next to him in running back Christian McCaffrey, fellow wideouts DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall Jr. and tackle Taylor Moton, makes Carolina that much more of an appealing option for whoever is under center in 2022.

We’ll be fair to Sam, though. Yes, perhaps his fit in New York wasn’t healthy for either of the parties involved. Management had been disconnected, the top of the coaching tree was rotted early on and the personnel around the 2018 third overall pick was never worthy of the investment the Jets made in him.

But, to also be fair to facts and reality, Darnold hasn’t proved a damn thing yet. The promising prospect we saw at the University of Southern California has yet to make the trip out of Cali, as the poised, strong-armed, athletic slinger we saw in that Trojan uniform has become a distant memory.

Hopefully, for him and the Panthers, head coach Matt Rhule, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan get the most out of him. The thing is, what if Darnold’s most isn’t enough? What if he is what he is and doesn’t work out for the organization moving forward?

Well, that’ll give way to the next experiment, whomever that may be. Can they lure in a big-name veteran quarterback, say an Aaron Rodgers if the relationship in Green Bay keeps souring? Or maybe they can make a 2022 rookie feel comfortable right off the bat with the talented crop of weapons.

Either way, whichever path that Darnold and 2021 may take the Panthers down, they’re now set up. With Anderson, Moore, Marshall, McCaffrey and Moton all locked in for at least the next two years, Carolina could be a hot spot for the next best quarterback out.

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Panthers QBs coach talks about Sam Darnold’s technique

Unlocking his potential will fall mostly on Darnold’s shoulders.

The Carolina Panthers changed quarterbacks again this year, effectively trading Teddy Bridgewater for Sam Darnold. While there’s no doubt Darnold is a better athlete than Bridgewater and a more talented quarterback in general, he still has a great deal of room to improve. Unlocking his potential will fall mostly on Darnold’s shoulders. Carolina’s coaching staff will also play a critical role, though. That will begin with sharpening his technique.

New quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan says the team is working on Darnold’s footwork and his movement in and around the pocket, according to David Newton at ESPN.

“The process would be like any other quarterback I’ve worked with — you start from the feet up. . . When your feet are right, when your lower half is right, there’s a really good chance the balls are going in the right spot. . . To me, less moving parts equals more accuracy. So I think it’s a subtle movement up in the pocket, or to the side in the pocket, but I’m still in a great throwing position. And we’ve done a lot of that this offseason.”

If the Panthers can turn Darnold into a solid starter, it will be a parade-worthy accomplishment Matt Rhule’s staff. Pro Football Focus has him ranked No. 28 at the position right now and he was just named the league’s worst passer outside of the pocket.

All that said, Darnold just turned 24 years old and hasn’t had a legitimate chance to prove himself at this level. He deserves at least a full season with a competent playcaller and a quality receiver corps before any definitive judgments are made about his ability. Darnold will have both in Carolina.

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Panthers send offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach to Justin Fields’ second Pro Day

According to Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will be in attendance.

Sam Darnold may be the Panthers’ projected starting quarterback for 2021. The team hasn’t ruled out drafting another one, though. Today, Carolina is sending two important offensive personnel to watch Ohio State QB Justin Fields throw at his second Pro Day.

According to Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will be in attendance. Previously, head coach Matt Rhule, general manager Scott Fitterer and Director of Player Personnel Pat Stewart were on hand for his first.

The Panthers dealt for Darnold in part because it seems unlikely they’ll be able to land Fields or one of the other top-four QB prospects in this class. San Francisco’s move up to No. 3 overall made it that much harder, at least.

Then again, if the 49ers throw a curveball and pick Mac Jones instead, the chances of either Fields or Lance falling to No. 8 could increase dramatically.

If either one of them is on the board when they’re on the clock, the Panthers shouldn’t hesitate. Until they find a legitimate franchise QB (Darnold is not, as of yet) they have to keep swinging. Taking a chance on a prospect like Fields at least gives them another opportunity.

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Panthers announce 2 additions, 1 subtraction from Matt Rhule’s staff

The Carolina Panthers have announced some changes to head coach Matt Rhule’s staff.

The Carolina Panthers have announced some changes to head coach Matt Rhule’s staff. Last week, it was reported the team was hiring Sean Ryan to be their quarterbacks coach and Tony Sparano Jr. to be their assistant offensive line coach. Carolina made that news official in today’s release.

Ryan’s arrival has raised speculation that the team will attempt to trade for either Deshaun Watson or Matt Stafford, who he worked with in his previous stops in Houston and Detroit. Ryan replaces Jake Peetz, who has been hired to be the offensive coordinator at LSU.

Sparano has been coaching in the NFL since 2011 when he was a part of his father’s staff in Miami. He held the same position for the Jaguars the last four seasons and is taking the place of Marcus Satterfield, who’s been hired by South Carolina to be their OC.

In addition, the Panthers announced defensive line coach Mike Phair will not return in 2021. A replacement has not been named or reported at this time. The team’s statement says assistant defensive line coach Frank Okam will be working with the defensive line prospects at the Senior Bowl this week.

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Why the Panthers should be first in line to trade for Texans QB Deshaun Watson

The Carolina Panthers would be the one team that could get the most out of Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson if they traded for him.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson isn’t going anywhere. He has a no-trade clause, and general manager Nick Caserio would be making a career-ending move right off the bat by getting rid of a franchise quarterback.

However, if the situation with Watson and the Texans becomes irreconcilable, the Carolina Panthers need to be the first team to get on the phone with the Texans and present an offer.

From Watson’s perspective, while he is a winner and can elevate the play of his teammates around him, are the Miami Dolphins really a great fit for him? Would he be able to fix the New York Jets or just blend in with the losing? Those teams may have the draft haul that would help the Texans, but they wouldn’t be helping Watson.

The Panthers have plenty to offer Watson.

Location is a big one as the three-time Pro Bowler would be two-and-a-half hours from Clemson and four hours from Atlanta — or an hour by flight. Watson would have all of his support networks from his journey into the NFL all nearby with Dabo Swinney in Clemson and his family in the Atlanta area.

Speaking of Clemson, the Tigers fans in that area would support the Panthers in a way they probably never have since the franchise’s 1995 inception.

While Watson would have two bright coaches to work with in coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady, he would have a familiar element from his time in Houston and an assistant key in his development in Sean Ryan, who will be the Panthers’ new quarterbacks coach in 2021.

In a Dec. 27, 2018, meeting with the Houston media, Ryan explained what his process with Watson is like on the sidelines.

“All we do between series, whether it’s me and him, OB (Bill O’Brien) and him, whoever is with him, it’s all about the football,” Ryan said. “It’s all about what we see how the game is going at that time, where our plan is taking us next and how we’re going to attack the opponent, what we feel like they’re doing to us and how we’re going to handle it. It’s all of that. It’s never time to panic, it’s always calm. Just talking about where we’re going from here.”

None of the other 31 teams can off that type of chemistry with Watson.

In order to get the former 2017 first-round pick, it would cost Carolina. The club would have to look at giving up a bevy of premium picks, including two first-rounders, or balancing out picks with players, possibly running back Christian McCaffrey.

The Texans still have a coaching hire to make, and that may be enough to get Watson happy again. However, if the Texans blow it, the Panthers need to strongly consider a huge upgrade at quarterback.

Report: Panthers hire Sean Ryan to be their quarterbacks coach

According to Joe Person at the Athletic, the Panthers are hiring Sean Ryan to be their quarterbacks coach.

According to Joe Person at the Athletic, the Panthers have hired Sean Ryan to be their quarterbacks coach. Jeremy Fowler at ESPN was the first to break the news.

Ryan is replacing Jake Peetz, who has accepted a position to be the offensive coordinator for LSU.

Ryan has been coaching in the NFL since 2007, when he was part of the Giants’ staff as an offensive quality control coach. From there, he worked his way up to be their wide receivers coach. In 2012 he became New York’s quarterbacks coach. That’s also when he shared a connection with Carolina head coach Matt Rhule, who was an assistant offensive line coach for Tom Coughlin’s staff.

After two seasons as QBs coach, Ryan went back to coaching their wide receivers (2014-2015). He left for Houston in 2016, where he held the same position for a season. The next year, he became quarterbacks coach – just as the Texans drafted Deshaun Watson in the first round. He stayed with the team for two years, then moved on to Detroit where he worked with Matt Stafford from 2019-2020.

Given the current situation with Watson and Houston, that angle is what’s getting the most attention. Every connection helps if the Panthers really are trying to swing a deal for Watson, of course. That said, it still seems like a long shot. Carolina has a need for a new franchise QB but they simply don’t have the assets that other teams like the Dolphins to really compete if Houston does put Watson on the trade block.

For now, the Panthers got themselves a qualified assistant who should help replace some of the talent they’ve lost this offseason.

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Report: Sean Ryan expected to join Panthers as QB coach

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that the Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Detroit Lions quarterback coach Sean Ryan. Panthers coach Matt Rhule and Ryan coached together in 2012 when both worked for the New York Giants — Ryan as the QB coach and Rhule as an assistant offensive line coach.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that the Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Detroit Lions’ quarterback coach Sean Ryan.

Panthers’ coach Matt Rhule and Ryan coached together in 2012 when both worked for the New York Giants — Ryan as the quarterbacks coach and Rhule as an assistant offensive line coach.

Ryan has spent the last decade in the NFL coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers, though his work with the signal-callers put on him on the “future offensive coordinator” path. In addition to Matthew Stafford, Ryan has spent time honing the techniques of Eli Manning and Deshaun Watson.

If Matthew Stafford stays in Detroit in 2021, he will once again have a new quarterbacks coach, the seventh during his 13 seasons in the NFL.

With Dan Campbell officially hired as the Lions’ next head coach, staff turnover was expected. Other Lions coaches from last season have already begun receiving attention such as offensive line coach Hank Fraley and defensive line coach Bo Davis. How the rest of the staff shakes out will likely be determined over the next few weeks.

Report: Robert Prince to replace Darrell Bevell as interim coach in Week 16

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that wide receivers coach Robert Prince will replace Darrell Bevell as interim coach in Week 16.

Due to a COVID-19 exposure, the Detroit Lions will need an interim coach to replace their interim coach.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that wide receivers coach Robert Prince will replace Darrell Bevell as interim coach in Week 16.

Bevell is “deemed a high-risk close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19”, Rapoport said, and “won’t coach this Saturday vs the Bucs, sources say. The first head coach to miss a game due to COVID protocols this season.”

Prince, a senior member of the Lions staff that has been with the team since 2014, is highly respected by the players due to his intelligence, energy level, and personality. Prince is familiar with the Lions offensive scheme, but with 30-years of coaching experience, he has experiences that extend beyond just offense.

Prince’s leadership style is highly energetic and infectious, and he is someone the players can rally behind.

Rapoport also reported that quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan, who is considered an offensive coordinator in waiting, will take over offensive play calling in Bevell’s stay. Ryan and Matthew Stafford have built a trusting relationship over the last two seasons and there should be little lag in their ability to produce on offense this week.