Legendary defensive mastermind Buddy Ryan dies at 82

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC Sports

Buddy Ryan, a longtime coach who built perhaps the greatest defense in NFL history with the 1985 Bears, has died at the age of 82.

Beloved by his players and hated by opposing offenses (and sometimes hated even by his own offenses), Ryan masterminded Chicago’s 46 defense that won Super Bowl XX. He later served as head coach of an Eagles team that had a great defense in its own right, and ended his coaching career as head coach of the Cardinals in 1994 and 1995.

Ryan’s 35-year career as a pro football coach began in 1961 as a defensive line coach with the Bills, and in 1968 he moved to the Jets, helping them win Super Bowl III. He spent two years with the Vikings in 1976 and 1977 before George Halas hired him to coach the Bears’ defense in 1978.

It was with the Bears that Ryan saw his greatest success. Although Mike Ditka was the head coach, many thought it was Ryan’s coaching of the defense that really made the 1985 Bears one of the best teams in NFL history. After Super Bowl XX, the Bears carried both Ditka and Ryan off the field.

Read more: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/06/28/legendary-defensive-mastermind-buddy-ryan-dies-at-82/

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Saw an Philly Inquirer breaking banner while reading the story about Pat Summitt.

Interesting that they left the Eagles off the list regarding the fans' mixed feelings while he was here.

R.I.P.

[Still In Wisconsin]

1. That '85 Bears defense...

Brick. Wall.

And I say this as a die-hard Packer fan.

[fbc]

5. And his Eagles defense was even better

too bad his vision of offense was Randall Cunningham winning the game by himself.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. ^^^ THIS ^^^

where near the end of his reign, Randall was reduced to dropping to the ground and curling up in a ball (thanks to the continual sacks).

As an Eagles fan, the most frustrating thing was always having "great defense" but little or no offense.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. Fencik and Plank

As the whistle blew and the play was stopping, you'd see Doug Plank flying through the air, helmet first, knocking the wind out of some player. He had no fear, and he put everything into every tackle.

I haven't heard of any brain damage, and he seems to have done well as a coach and businessman. He scared opposing linemen, petrified opposing receivers, and put more than on running back flat on their asses repeatedly during a game.

[Still In Wisconsin]

10. Those guys hit like a ton of bricks.

Then there was Singletary in the middle- equally fearsome- and that great line.

[Moostache]

2. RIP Buddy.

I have been watching football since the 70's, most of that time as a die-hard Bears fan. The 46 defense from 1984 through 1986 was the greatest run of defensive football I have ever seen. It was a shame that Ryan left for Philadelphia after the Super Bowl in 1985. His players loved him like a father.

Thanks for the childhood memories that grow more and more important to me over time.

[Uben]

3. He coached my high-school football team

How great is that?

[snooper2]

4. I read the title too fast and saw, "mastermind" "Ryan" "Bundy"

And for a second was like- WHAT! THIS GUY?





RIP Buddy Ryan

[DemFromPittsburgh]

6. Da Bearssss

[bigwillq]

9. RIP

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. A totally classless individual

Thoughts to the family. As far as I'll go.

[Redford]

12. Completely Agree

I bet even Jesus thinks he's a jerk. Condolences to the family.