Buddy Ryan loved his brand of chaos

[modrepub]

He was the architect of chaos and he gloried in it.

He was earthy and profane, a blunt, bullying genius in the gladiatorial arena of professional football, all bluster and bravado, and as subtle as a forearm shiver, and certainly no candidate for a diplomatic post.

But Buddy Ryan, who died Tuesday at 82, revolutionized the fine art of the carnivorous defense as it had been played in the National Football League. It was based on a simple, immutable mathematical equation: Bring one more than they can block.

First, his defenses confused you. Then they pounded the pudding out of you. The target of opportunity was always the same - the quarterback. Blitz him early, blitz him often, blitz him with extreme prejudice.

James David Ryan became so accomplished at his craft that he was accorded sport's highest honor - he had something named after him.

Buddy Ball.

He was beloved by his players, most of them anyway, large brutish men not easily given to emotion. In a memorable show of affection they hoisted him on their shoulders and carted him off the field for a victory lap after the 1985 Chicago Bears had pulverized the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

Ryan was the coordinator of that defense, which is still spoken of in hushed and reverential tones. What set Ryan's Ride apart was that such trips of triumph are always reserved for the head coach. In this case that was Mike Ditka. To the players delight, Ditka and Ryan, hot-headed mirrors of each other, were forever feuding. In front of the team.

Link: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20160629_Bill_Lyon__Buddy_Ryan_loved_his_brand_of_chaos.html



Quick article from storied Philly Sports Reporter Bill Lyon. It may not be one of his best (he's retired due to Alzheimer's) but Bill is the quintisential Philly sports journalist and came out of retirement to quickly pen his thoughts.

Tumultuous best describes Buddy's reign in Philly. Someone you'd want on your side but probably despised if you stood on the other side of the field. His sons coach the game very similarly to their father. Oh, I wish that that fog never showed up for that playoff game against Chicago in 1988.... but that's another heartbreaking Philly football story. RIP Buddy.

[tonyt53]

1. Personal opinion here, but I think his defenses worked for about five years.

Offensive coordinators figured it out, and Buddy never came up with anything else.

[disillusioned73]

2. If so, five years was more than enough..

to cement a pretty firm legacy of one of the great defensive minds of all time - arguably the greatest..

If he had stayed with the Bears he most likely gets another ring or two, but with the Eagles he was never able to rekindle that special something he created with the Bears. It's unfortunate, as a Bears fan living in Eagles country I felt their (Eagles fans) pain as they were never able to get over the hump with Randall & company..

RIP Buddy