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Buddy Ryan Was More Than an Character. He Was Also a Good Coach

By John Sarianides

1989: Coach Buddy Ryan of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to reporters about a game against the Cleveland Browns at the American Bowl in London, England. The Eagles won the game 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport
1989: Coach Buddy Ryan of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to reporters about a game against the Cleveland Browns at the American Bowl in London, England. The Eagles won the game 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport /
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Buddy Ryan was more than just a brash character who liked to talk trash. He was a defensive genius who developed a front and pressure package that defined arguably the greatest defense of all time, the 1985 Chicago Bears.

Legendary defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82 (via ESPN.com). Ryan was in poor health in recent years after suffering a massive stroke and being diagnosed with cancer.

Despite his poor health, Ryan was able to attend a Bills game last season and watch his son Rex coach. Rex spent two seasons on his dad’s staff in Arizona when Buddy was coach of the Cardinals from 1994 to 1995.

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Ryan was a defensive genius, plain and simple. While most people will remember him as being a character and famously stubborn, Ryan was a defensive wizard and who was loved and respected by his players. Ask any member of the 1985 Chicago Bears defense and they will tell you they loved Ryan like a father.

Ryan was already a successful assistant in the NFL before becoming the defensive coordinator of the Bears. It is with the Bears however when he developed a reputation of being a defensive genius thanks to his vaunted 46 defense. The defense was called the 46 because of the alignment of strong safety Doug Plank over the tight end. It was a pressure oriented front predicated on playing man to man coverage.

The 1985 Bears terrorized opponents using the front. They held opponents to 12.4 points per game and only gave up 258 total yards per game. They went 15-1 and crushed the Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.

Ryan couldn’t replicate the success he has with the Bears as head coach of the Eagles and Cardinals compiling a 55-55 record. Despite that, Ryan didn’t lack bravado and confidence. He famously put bounties on opposing players as coach of the Eagles and he confidently announced at his introductory press conference with the Cardinals that you “Now have a winner in town” As you can see with his sons Rex and Rob, bravado runs in the family.

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Buddy Ryan wasn’t just a character. He was a great coach as well. Sure, we’ll remember him for badgering offensive coaches on his own staff, his legendary exchange with Jimmy Johnson and for punching Kevin Gilbride in the side of the head. But above all else, he was a great coach. Ryan was an innovator and a genius. He truly was ahead of his time. His bravado and his swagger will be missed but we’ll never forget Buddy Ryan.

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