Saints DC Rob Ryan: Thoughts on the Big Guy Staying in NOLA
Nov 24, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan on the sidelines in the second quarter of their game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
It was confirmed Wednesday morning that New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will last at least one more year in the Big Easy under head coach Sean Payton. While some fans may feel sour about the situation after the Black and Gold finished with the 31st ranked defense in the NFL, I feel it is necessary to give the big guy one more chance.
It’s only fair that he returns. I understand this year was a disaster, but he did turn a historically bad defense from 2012 into the No. 4 overall unit in 2013. This will also be his first time as an NFL defensive coordinator that he’s been given a third shot with the same team, so maybe he can make the proper adjustments.
Truly, it was miscommunication all around this season, and like the offense, I think we should expect to see the team part ways with several assistants on defense. Missed tackles and coverage assignments and poor pass rushing can’t be controlled from the sideline, but if coaches are to blame, I’m looking at the positional guys.
The team has already parted ways with several assistants since the horrid season came to an early end for the Who Dat Nation. Wide receivers coach Henry Ellard and tight ends coach Terry Malone are both on their way out.
Additionally, the Saints fired assistant secondary coach Andre Curtis and said goodbye to secondary coach Wesley McGriff, who took the vacant defensive coordinator job at Vanderbilt.
It was just a mess and he definitely deserves one more shot, but only one more. Several players were part of a plea the past couple of days to keep him around, so obviously they don’t feel he’s the problem. LB Curtis Lofton and CB Keenan Lewis being the main two guys that wanted him to stay. They are arguably the two best and most consistent players on New Orleans’ defense — that’s got to tell you something.
“I don’t want to play for any other defensive coordinator other than Rob Ryan,” Lofton, the Saints’ leading tackler this year, told The Times-Picayune. What’s done is done, so we’ll have to see who the real big guy is — 2013 Rob Ryan or 2014 Rob Ryan.