Best of luck to Rex in Atlanta.

Watching Rex on the Ravens Game Plan show on MASN the past few years has convinced me this guy should be the head coach. He is no nonsense football guy and his schemes were a large reason for the success of guys like AD and Bart Scott. I have heard some criticize him this year, but the defense was still a top 10 defense even though it was only at full strength for one game the entire season (the opener). Playing without your starting corners is not easy. I wish Rex lots of luck and in this fan's humple opinion, the Ravens are making a mistake letting him go. Of course when I become as successful as Steve Bisciotti, someone will care. Until then, I'l' trust him and his management group to make the right choice.

I agree Rex will haunt us, even if it isn't from the sidelines of Cincy. I have a feeling we will all be wondering this time next year what when wrong and why the defense is sitting close to the bottom of the league standings. Also why some former QB that got passed over (for Vinny) when his number was up for the starting job during his playing days still can't get water from the stone that is the ravens offense...that is if the talking head are right and Garrett is naed King of The Castle

Damn... the last thing I want to see is Ryan coaching in the division. That's scary.

Yes, It will haunt them because the other teams had no clue how to stop the d when all the starters were healthy and clicking on all cylinders. Maybe offer the next postion of Ast HC if no one else picks him up or make him honor the contract signed if afc conference rivals makes a move towards hiring him. It was dumb to fire a leader of the component that worked well enough to win alot of the games Billick couldn't win with O. If you place blame on Ryan why be concerned where he goes. As, it is bound to happen with new team, right ? IMO he lacked the backing from Billick to stop the madness that was allowed to flourish. Example , When Ray Lewis started doing all the pre-game dances and Dogs in the house melodrama, Billick never recommended that an up and coming player(s) step up from week to week to assert that the team is motivated by all aspects of the future, not just one mans perspective as being the sole leader. You never officially elevate on player over another unless you plan to control said players words motives emotions and actions on and off the field. QB are the only acknowledged leaders that fit the scenario. And would say alot of the problems started top creep in due to the status that Ray enjoyed, All the tv commentators, press, coaches, fans were singing a RayTune and the other players were displayed like second class players. And that to me was wrong so can only imagine the feelings the other players were feeling about the accolades being bestowed on one player. Ray felt like a football god. Now it is apparent that all that must change or else. But what disturbs me is the fact that even in the twillight of his career, he still holds the team and front office captive with that BS. Sing along- "Ray, I'm so glad we 've had to together, just to have a laugh or sing a song.........come folks you know the song ! Thee Ending= So Long !

Mike, I highly doubt the first reason the ravens might not take Ryan is because he is not the "corporate type Owner Biscotti is looking for." While I as your reader am not particularly sure what you mean by corporate type (does he carry a briefcase instead of a gym bag? or wear three piece suits instead of warm-ups?), it just seems to me that if it is a reason, first or last, that it is a rather petty reason for discounting coaching candidates in the NFL and the Ravens will be in bad shape in the future.

While I am not writing your opinion column, I would guess it had more to do with your last two suggestions than whether Ryan was or was not a corporate type (again, is that someone that demands a corner office in the castle? or is it someone that uses cliches like "bottom line" every other sentence?). I'm not sure what you meant by it or why you felt it necessary to include in a sports column. It seemed more like a cheap shot on Biscotti than an educated guess as to why the Ravens might be passing on Ryan. I prefer to read your column for insight and interpretation, not this garbage.

Its always been about the players on defense here - Marvin Lewis never panned out as a head coach, neither did Mike Nolan, neither will Rex Ryan.

Rex Ryan is definetely a defensive genius. He ia players coach. The players like him and they would play their butts off for him. As a head coach, you have to be an A-hole sometimes. You don't have to be liked by everybod, but you should commamnd respect. I don't think Ryan can do that. It's a shame to see him leave, but since he's under contract still, Baltimore should demand he would not be able to coach in the AFC North. We definetely don't want him to comme back and haunt us!
Stan

Mr. Ryan is too close to the current Ravens. They need a man of discipline to come in with no pretenses and the authority to run his own ship. No one is expendable. As much as I love Ray Lewis and Ed Reed; TEAM is more than "I"!

The lack of discipline on defense last year was a bit concerning. I wanted Rex initially, but I'm beginning to think Garrett would be a nice change of pace.

Jason Garrett has to think about Coaching the Ravens. Why in the hell did he come for two interviews and leave without a deal ? Because, either Ozzies breathe was rocking or the money tree was cut down via Brain Billck, my bad, Brian Billys debacle.

Another theory shot down . . .
Bengals hire Zimmer
Former Falcons coordinator replaces Bresnahan...
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/SPT02/301140061

Ummm,

Ryan as Bengals Def Coordinator gets a big thumbs down.

"Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was hired Tuesday for the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been dragged down by their defense for years."

if ryan was fired by the ravens how is still under contract?

Oops! So much for Rex to Bengals.

ray lewis the best middle lb ever or reed the best safety ever is not the cause of ray doing his thing to get everyone on his mind set lets face it when has terrell suggs or adalius thomas spoken out never ,,,and as far as reed with our cbs mcallister and stupid ivy the shrimp cb id be out of position this is bs and rex ryan is just another one set to take the blame on biscotti not knowing a single thing about football because if he did wed already have our personall in place what moves where gonna make tory holt wants out hint hint we need a big power rb mcghaees numbers are better then they appear billick ran most of the time making them look good ozzy newsome cant draft thats why were goin this year after matt ryan everyone knows that when what we need is the best cb in the draft or best wr in the draft mason is old and can barely run slants anymore any guy happy with 5 yard passes should leave.I would make yamon figures a reciever start troy smith mcnair hes done boller should already have been gone since 2005 and my proof biscotti doesnt know whats goin on if players liek it or not franchise them get draft picks secondly modell won a superbowl what has biscotti done won maybe 1 if any playoff games.Garret is not the answer can base one year stick with rex only because if hes a bust u can lose him next year hes still under contract technically even if he was fired.

So much for Ryan coaching in Cincinnati. They just hired Zimmer (former def coord for Atlanta) to be their new Def Coordinator.
If Ryan doesn't get the Atlanta job, who knows where he might end up as DC.

Since the Bengals hired a D-coordinator today, Zimmer, Preston's "insight" is nothing as usual. Rex is still breathing.

Anyone could coach that Dallas Offense!

i have left at least 10 messages, none of which appeared. Ridiculous.

Bottomline - Rex Ryan should be our coach. It's a blue collar city, and Rex is the man. 41 year old princeton grad with tons of talent on offense, and a very good QB, plus Owens & Whitten. They still lost!

He is too young, and the players will not respect him. The Ravens, will not get Garrett, and Ryan will turn Cincy's D around for a few years and you can bet that's 2 losses for the next 3 years. The Tan Man and Ozzie are very overated and these actions are going to kill this franchise!

Harbaugh -you must be kidding me. He couldnt get an interviiew at Towson State!!

Marty - Has Been

There arent any candidates that are long term solutions. Garrett may be a solution, if you are looking for a coach for the next 10 years. But he will have no control in the locker room for the first 3 years. He tells Ray Ray something, you thing Ray Ray, Reed, McAllister are going to listen to a backup QB. NOT HAPPENING!

What's this? Blame Ryan, Ray and Reed for being good at what they do? And that is lead this defence to play at an elite level? Now that's a stretch if I ever heard one and a ridiculous case of pretzel logic. Shame on you.

If this organization allows Rex Ryan to go elsewhere, we deserve the butt-whipping coming to us...again.

4 hours after MBOD posted this, the Bengals hired Zimmer from the Falcons to be the D coordinator

Its devastating that we are going to hire some young kid wether its Garrett or Harbough when we have a guy who has been in our system for seven years and is proven. Wasn't it just last year everyone said, wow, what a mistake San Diego made by passing him over. Now we have the opportunity to sign him and were either going to get someone who walked out of here with a contract in his hand or some guy who really has no experience about to head a team full of veterans. Think about all the exotic blitz packaging Ryan puts together, I am sure he can be just as creative on offense. Since he knows our defense so well, he will be able to put an offense together to compliment it. All that a side, he knows the city and he comes off as more of a "blue collar" guy, which is more in line with the locals here in baltimore as opposed to some Princeton guy. HIRE REX

Don't make the same mistake that Marvin Lewis and Mike Nolan did. The players make this defense, not the coach. Good luck in cincy if that's what it comes down to, but there's no field general like Ray up there. I'm more concerned for what happens if HE decides to move on.

The staff should've never cleared Ryan from the staff after they fired Billick, bad decision, we had the 6th best Defense this year, bad call on the Ravens' organization

Ryan will not be going to the Bengals as Defensive Coordinator. They hired Mike Zimmer ex- Falcon DC to that position on Tuesday.

I honestly do not believe that Jerry Jones will let Garrett go anywhere. He has long forecasted him as his head coach in waiting. Jones will match any offer that Jason garret happens to get.

I would much rather have him than Garrett, Ryan has a lot more experience and the players seem to respect and want him as HC.

Biscotti is going to run this team into the ground. He let his best option get away because he's too concerned with image and not with winning.