Buddy Ryan’s twisted legacy

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Buddy Ryan was brutal. He was brutal on his players, his fellow coaches and opponents. Nothing was easy for those around Ryan, who was cantankerous and flat-out mean on many occasions.

Ryan was also brilliant.

On Tuesday, the two-time Super Bowl champion passed away at age 85, leaving behind one of the more fascinating legacies in National Football League history.

Ryan broke into professional football with the American Football League’s New York Jets in 1968, working as an assistant under defensive coordinator Walt Michaels. The Jets would capture glory that season, defeating the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts of the NFL in Super Bowl III. Ryan would not achieve personal fame until 1985, however, as defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears.

In Chicago, Ryan created the famed 46 Defense, named after safety Doug Plank. The scheme was brought to life well before the ’85 season (Ryan had begun creating it after being hired by the Bears in 1978) but flourished with one of the more talented defensive units ever assembled, including Hall of Famers Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and Dan Hampton.

That season, the Bears went 15-1 with arguably the greatest defense of all-time, allowing 10 total points in three postseason games, including consecutive shutouts in the NFC playoffs. As the final seconds ticked off the clock of Super Bowl XX, Ryan was carried off the field alongside head coach Mike Ditka.

It remains the only time an assistant coach was given The Ride by his players in a Super Bowl.

From this vantage point, the story seems clear. Ryan was a phenomenal defensive wizard who was beloved by his players. Those observations are all true, but so are the negatives.

Ryan went on to be the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1986-90 but failed to win a playoff game. His defenses were always excellent, but his teams struggled to win in big spots, failing three straight years to advance.

After being out of football for two years, Ryan joined the Houston Oilers as a defensive coordinator. He brought the 46 to Houston, and helped the Oilers rattle off 11 consecutive wins to close the regular season. In the final week of the campaign, Ryan authored his defining moment in sky blue and white, punching offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for throwing the ball late in the first half instead of going conservative.

The game was on national television. It was Buddy Ryan in all his glory.

Ryan’s Oilers would do what his defenses always did in the playoffs. They blitzed from all over, sometimes bringing eight men. In Houston’s first postseason game that year, a Divisional matchup against Joe Montana and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Astrodome, Houston held a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter. Montana lit up Ryan’s defense for 21 points over the final 10 minutes. Houston lost, and Ryan was off to his final stop as head coach of the Phoenix Cardinals.

It was an ugly ending. Ryan lasted two years in the desert going 12-20 before retiring, leaving the family coaching legacy to his sons, Rex and Rob.

So what is Buddy Ryan’s lasting imprint? Ultimately, Ryan is one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all-time, earning a pair of Super Bowl rings. He belongs in the same conversation as a Bill Arnsparger, Bill Belichick and Dick LeBeau. He created one of the greatest schemes ever, and one that is still used in today’s game.

Ryan is also a coach who couldn’t cut it in the big chair. He always seemed happier losing 10-9 than he did winning 31-30, always focusing on his defense. It’s the same charge levied on Rex by many, and not an unwarranted one.

The NFL will always remember Ryan because his fingerprints, and intellect, is all over 32 playbooks. He changed the way teams play the game.

This is his greatest accomplishment, and one that is profound.

Film Study

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the eight or so teams that have a realistic chance of hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy in February.

Pittsburgh has an elite quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger who is surrounded by a bevy of talent including All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown and prolific running back Le’Veon Bell. Sprinkle in the new addition at tight end in Ladarius Green, and the Steelers could score 30 points per game.

However, the Steelers are going to be without one of the most dynamic playmakers in the game for all of the 2016 season. Wide receiver Martavis Bryant was suspended back in March for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Without him, Big Ben and Co. will have to rely on the talents on Markus Wheaton to replace Bryant. It won’t be easy, with Bryant catching 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns last year in 12 games (he was suspended for the first four games due to substance abuse).

Here we will take a look at what the Steelers lose without Bryant.

Week 6: Arizona Cardinals at Pittsburgh

It’s the fourth quarter with 2:18 remaining and the Steelers have a slim 18-13 lead. On this play, Bryant lines up wide right facing one of the best in the game, Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu is in off-man coverage.

The route concept is simple. Bryant runs a quick slant to the inside while Antonio Brown slants to the boundary. The idea is to cause confusion between the Cardinals corners and create space when the two defenders have to avoid each other. Bryant’s speed wins immediately.

When the ball leaves the right hand of Landry Jones, Bryant has a three-yard cushion. Bryant secures the catch and then heads upfield, appearing to be corralled by Mathieu and Tony Jefferson after an intermediate gain.

Here’s where we see the talent of Bryant emerge. It’s not just speed but his vision which sets the 24-year-old apart. Instead of continuing down the middle of the field, Bryant plants his left foot and goes back the direction he came, jutting toward the right sideline.

At this point, the race is on. Bryant won’t lose a footrace.

The result was a game-clinching 88-yard touchdown for Bryant, his second of the game. In all, Bryant caught six passes for 137 yards and two scores in his 2015 debut against a team that would go to the NFC Championship Game.

Week 12: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh

It’s the second quarter and the Steelers are trailing 10-6. On 2nd and 8, Ben Roethlisberger sees Greg Toler in single, off-man coverage on the far right with Bryant. Bryant is running a 9-route, or a fly pattern. The Colts are in Cover 2 with man coverage principles.

Toler has great coverage. He gets an effective jam on Bryant, forcing him toward the boundary. Roethlisberger is watching the coverage but sees safety Dwight Lowery sitting on the hashmark. He won’t be able to provide double-coverage, something the Colts think they are getting from the sideline. Roethlisberger throws high and to the outside, giving his second-year receiver a 50/50 ball.

The result is Bryant making a phenomenal grab at the 50-yard line.

Here’s a look from the end zone, showcasing Bryant’s ability to out-leap perfect coverage from Toler. This is a textbook example of high-pointing the football.

Bryant would pick up another 10 yards, only brought down by Lowery’s shoestring tackle.

Week 15: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh

This is the first quarter and Pittsburgh is trailing the eventual Super Bowl champs, 14-7. On 1st and 10, Bryant is lined up against Aqib Talib wide right. Denver is in a zone defense, but Talib is effectively in off-man coverage on Bryant with that side cleared out.

Talib is one of the top corners in the game, but he respects Bryant’s deep speed. He continually backs up before the snap, ending up at seven yards off the line of scrimmage.

Bryant is running a curl route and doing a great job of selling the fly pattern. Talib is in perfect position to take away the bomb, but with his hips in this position, can’t turn quick enough to shut off the comeback route.

Talib knows he has deep help in the middle of the field, allowing him to shade toward the boundary. However, the underneath zone coverage he’s banking on from outside linebacker Shane Ray won’t drop deep enough to take away an intermediate curl. Roethlisberger is already loading up.

Bryant ends up with a 10-foot cushion at the top of the route. Talib closes beautifully and provides a good hit, but Bryant holds on.

The end result is an easy 15-yard completion to start the drive against an elite secondary.

Power Rankings

Top 12 quarterback/head coach combos

1. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick – New England Patriots
2. Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Tomlin – Pittburgh Steelers
3. Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks
4. Joe Flacco, John Harbaugh – Baltimore Ravens
5. Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy – Green Bay Packers
6. Drew Brees, Sean Payton – New Orleans Saints
7. Cam Newton, Ron Rivera – Carolina Panthers
8. Carson Palmer, Bruce Arians – Arizona Cardinals
9. Alex Smith, Andy Reid – Kansas City Chiefs
10. Andy Dalton, Marvin Lewis – Cincinnati Bengals
11. Teddy Bridgewater, Mike Zimmer – Minnesota Vikings
12. Jay Cutler, John Fox – Chicago Bears

Quotable

"“We know that they’re the team to beat, not just in the AFC West, but in the whole NFL. They’re Super Bowl champions, so we understand that. It’s a salty taste, clearly because it’s a division foe, but we’re excited about it. We’re excited about having that opportunity (to unseat them).”– Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, on taking down the Denver Broncos"

Maclin’s statement on Sirius XM radio last week with Alex Marvez and Ovie Mughelli isn’t throwing down the gauntlet or huge breaking news, but it stands out.

Most players attempt to steer clear of talking about opponents, but Maclin had no issue saying the Broncos are clearly on the Kansas City bulls-eye. The Chiefs have finished second in the AFC West to Denver in each of the past three seasons. With the defections from the Broncos this offseason and the continuity in Kansas City, this season offers the Chiefs a great opportunity.

Don’t forget about the Oakland Raiders or San Diego Chargers, though. Oakland added an arsenal of talent and the Chargers have to be healthier than they were in 2015. While San Diego probably has a gap between it and legitimate contention, the Raiders are a legitimate threat to win the division for the first time since 2002.

Random Stat

The NFL has only had two seasons ever cut into by a work stoppage. In both years, 1982 and 1987, the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl.

Lessons learned this week

1. NFL wants Bills to pursue new stadium

When Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula bought the franchise in Sept. 2014, he inherited a few issues. One was a nervous fan base, who watched as the Bills began playing an annual game in Toronto which was deemed a home game. Another was Ralph Wilson Stadium, a concrete box that despite renovations, is clearly a venue on its last legs. It was built in 1973.

Pegula has stated he believes the National Football League wants the team to build a new stadium in the near future, according to his conversation on WGR-AM last week. Regardless of the NFL’s wants, Pegula certainly won’t be moving soon.

The Bills are locked into a lease at the stadium through the 2022 season after the city poured $130 million into renovating the current building. Buffalo is likely going to keep playing at The Ralph well into the next decade and while that might rankle the luxury box-wanting league, Pegula doesn’t seem overly concerned.

2. Tony Romo stands out among Dallas circus

The Dallas Cowboys do not typically worry about the character of a man before he’s brought into the fold.

Dallas is notorious under owner Jerry Jones for seeking out questionable behavior attached to serious talent because those types of players can come at discounts whether it be the draft or free agency. A quick look at the news this week showcases Jones’ penchant for accepting trouble, whether it be the pending lawsuit against Dez Bryant or the third felony charge being levied against former Dallas running back Joseph Randle.

However, not everyone with the star on their helmet is a risk to other human beings. Quarterback Tony Romo took time out for 14-year-old Christian Bass, who was diagnosed as a 9-month-old baby with cancer, per Todd Archer’s heartwarming story on ESPN.com. Bass was thankfully declared cancer free when he was 3 years old.

The youngster was at Romo’s camp in Burlington, Wisc. when he met Romo, who snapped a picture with him and provided some autographs.

Good for Romo, who proved that not all NFL players are the monsters they are so often made out to be.

3. Adrian Peterson doesn’t understand how boring retirement will be

In a recent interview with ESPN, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson stated that retirement could come because of the mental boredom associated with some of the offseason tasks rather than his body breaking down.

Peterson, 31, is likely not too far away from the rocking chair as it is, but more due of the physical pounding he takes on an annual basis. The idea of retiring early because OTAs are a snoozefest is laughable. Maybe Peterson doesn’t realize how boring it will be to sit at home or do constant interviews about who he once is, instead of who he is.

The Vikings finally have a team capable of making real noise in the postseason for the first time since Brett Favre retired. Peterson would be foolish to retire for any reason beyond physical ones.

4. San Diego launches another Hail Mary

The San Diego Chargers were supposed to be leaving the city following last season for Los Angeles, but things broke differently. The Chargers are back at least for one more year while the city continues to do little in the way of figuring out a new stadium proposal that would keep the team where it has been since 1961.

On Thursday, former city councilman Carl DeMaio launched the idea of a $1.5 billion stadium that is funded by both fans and investors, according to Roger Showley of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Most importantly, the proposal would not raise taxes for those in the county.

Unfortunately, this is a longshot at best. DeMaio has no legitimate pull in the city and the Chargers are all but committed to leaving San Diego after the city refused to help them build a new stadium for years. Add the considerable consternation of the fans and the part of this proposal that calls for the team to pony up $650 million, and it’s not likely to gain traction.

5. Jets, Wilkerson see no movement as deadline nears

The New York Jets tagged Muhammad Wilkerson back in February, with the perceived intent of signing their best player to a long-term deal. Instead, the two sides have gotten nowhere near a deal as the July 15 deadline gets closer.

For whatever reason, general manager Mike Maccagnan has neither dealt nor made a better offer to Wilkerson. The 26-year-old has been a force since being a first-round pick out of the University of Temple in 2011, racking up 36 sacks, including 12 last year.

While New York can say it has leverage with both Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams at the 3-4 end spots, that’s a fallacy. If the Jets could strike a deal with Wilkerson, they would immediately get cap relief this year from the current $15.7 million number. A potential savings of $10 million in 2016 would give New York a better chance of inking quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick without having to cut other players.

Ultimately, Maccagnan has to make a decision. The Jets aren’t winning the Super Bowl this year, so keeping Wilkerson with the knowledge he’s gone after this season is a waste of time. The Jets need to either ramp up efforts to retain their star, or ship him out for a huge return.

History lesson of the week

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their first 26 games in franchise history before beating the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome in Week 13 of the 1977 season. They would win their first home game the following Sunday, beating the St. Louis Cardinals.

Only two seasons later, the Buccaneers would host the NFC Championship Game.

Parting shot

The NFL loves to trumpet its parity, and for good reason. Going into training camp, there are at least 20 teams that could make a real case that they will play beyond Week 17.

There are only a few teams that truly have little to no shot of reaching the postseason. Those franchises likely include the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers, although one or two will shock us all.

We all know the powers will be there, but it’s that second tier that make us raise our eyebrows and induce conversations at the bar. Will the Houston Texans make a move with the addition of Brock Osweiler? Will the Jacksonville Jaguars reach the playoffs for the first time since the Jack Del Rio era behind a revamped roster? Can the New York Giants show that their free-agent spending spree was worth it? Does Jared Goff finally get the Los Angeles Rams over the proverbial hump?

We won’t see games that count for another two months and change, allowing even more time for imaginations, and dreams, to run wild.