In defensive coordinator comparison, Ravens' Ryan gets nod
OK, I realize that the Ravens' Rex Ryan and the Raiders' Rob Ryan are not matched up coaching against each other this coming Sunday when Oakland comes to Baltimore. Obviously, both are defensive coordinators.But it is interesting to see how they have applied the defensive heritage they inherited from their father, Buddy Ryan.
While they are twins, the Ryan boys are easy to tell apart. The Ravens' Rex is clean shaven with close-cropped hair. The Raiders' Rob has sported the long-haired, bearded biker look that you naturally associated with Al Davis' crew.
While Rob has been a defensive coordinator one year longer than Rex, the Ravens' coach has consistently put up the better statistics. In his four years as the Baltimore coordinator, Rex Ryan's defense has ranked in overall defense (yards allowed) thusly: No. 5 in 2005; No. 1 in '06; No. 6 last year, and No. 2 so far this season. Rob's best season during that same time was No. 3 in 2006, otherwise the Raiders' defense has ranked in about the bottom third of the league in total yards allowed and is No. 26 so far this year.
The overall yardage allowed stat isn't the end-all and be-all in looking at defenses. In the Buddy Ryan world view, takeaways/giveaways and the third-down conversion rate were keys to look at. Still, Ravens' fans can't complain about which Ryan they have running their team's defense.
Comments
Do you think that just maybe Rex had had the SUPERIOR personel for those seasons? Just a thought.
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Raider fan,
Yep, certainly that's a huge factor and I'm not being hyper-critical of Rob Ryan because I don't get to see those guys week in and week out. But I think it says a lot about Rex Ryan that he has had top-rated defenses in years when his team's offense struggled badly and there have been key injuries, such as Ray Lewis back in '05 and the secondary and Trevor Pryce last year, plus they lost Adalius Thomas in free agency. So I think Rex deserves his props.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: LunaticRaiderFan | October 20, 2008 1:41 PM
Hi,
Rob has done a great job with what he was handed down there. I am sorta surprised that Darth Davis did not consider him for the head coaching job actually as he certainly fits the Radiers Mold.
Posted by: HappyRaven | October 21, 2008 3:56 PM
Ravens fans and writers your right..Ryan is the stepchild of the family..His D sucks,but I really believe AL has told him not to blitz,since AL doesn;t like to blitz and don't play cover 2 because AL doesn't like cover 2..AL is a one on one cover guy and thats half of way our D sucks..99% of the NFL is wrong to old ... AL..
Posted by: ghst2thepost | October 21, 2008 10:39 PM
Rob's defenses are horrible. he is overrated and should have been fired. Lane was right about Him. Rex is better by far, and Sunday He will prove it! His defense will destroy Russell. Russell might be the dumbest QB in the game today. I know He is young, but man He has no brains at all. Easy win sunday Raven fans. This is a bye week, just need to kick a FG and the game is yours. But the score will be Ravens 31 Raiders 0 It's a lock! Bet it in vegas.
Posted by: Joey | October 22, 2008 6:06 AM