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Forget the Dos Equis commercials – new Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan just might be the most interesting man on the face of the earth.
With his long, flowing grey locks of hair, his jiggly pot belly (which he admits is a work in progress) and a notorious potty mouth, all eyes will be on the Saints’ new defensive coach throughout the entire 2013-14 season.
But it’s not all fluff and shenanigans for Ryan – he knows the sport of football, too.
Both Ryan and his players believe that they have what it takes to fix the team’s ailing defense that ranked as the worst statistical unit in NFL history last season.
“We’re working hard every day,” Ryan said. “We’re trying to improve. We have some real talented guys on defense and they’re doing a good job. … We’re going to get better this year. We’re improving every day.”
“Rob Ryan being here has definitely renewed our energy,” Saints’ linebacker Junior Galette said. “We just want to put last year behind us and kind of move forward and try to make a big push.”
Here is just about everything you need to know about the Saints’ popular new assistant coach.
For starters, Ryan is the son of famous defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Buddy Ryan – the man who anchored the 1985 Chicago Bears, arguably the best defense in NFL history.
The new Saints coach is also the identical twin brother of New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, though the two don’t look much alike these days because of Rob Ryan’s flowing hair, sometimes thick beard and his thick exterior.
Twin brother Rex had a similar stomach hump, but lost more than 100 pounds after undergoing a lap band surgery.
Ryan is also notorious for being loud and sometimes downright vicious on the sidelines.
Last season with Dallas, television cameras often had to blur Ryan’s lips to hide his obscenities from the national TV audience.
Ryan is also brash and outspoken with the media – he is known to guarantee victories and to say things that put his players on the spot before big games.
But it works.
Sure, Ryan may look and act like a common man, but his players (current and former) say that he is a football genius.
As a linebackers coach with the New England Patriots, Ryan won a Super Bowl ring.
With the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, he coordinated defenses that were often overmatched and improved their statistics.
So now Ryan has been staked with maybe his toughest challenge yet – the Saints.
New Orleans allowed 20 or more points in 13 of their 16 games last season.
A lot of those games, the Saints were gashed for 30 and 40 points in a game.
They allowed more total yardage than any other team in league history.
To start the wave of progress into motion, Ryan changed the team’s scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment this offseason.
The coordinator believes that scheme best fits the team’s personnel and will allow New Orleans to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Ryan said the transition has been smoother than he expected.
“I’m so impressed with mentally how they’re so quick to pick things up,” Ryan said. “I really like our mental approach to everything. We have great coaches and these guys take coaching. They are smart and they adjust well. There’s a lot of excellent veterans on this defense, so things come easily for them.”
But more important than the scheme and X’s and O’x, Ryan gives the Saints’ defense energy and hope.
New Orleans’ players have touted throughout camp that Ryan’s fiery ways have served as a major source of inspiration.
“He knows how to motivate his players,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “He’s brought a different level of intensity to our defense. It’s definitely been pretty special to be a part of it. We can’t wait for the season.”
That attitude change has also caught the eye of Ryan’s boss, head coach Sean Payton.
The Saints’ coach said he sees the change in his team’s defensive players, as well. It’s a change that he likes.
“Guys are flying around out here,” Payton said. “What’s encouraging is that you want it to be competitive. … When you are having that type of competition in your periods, it benefits both sides of the ball.”
Whether or not it all translates into regular season improvement is the big question for New Orleans going forward.
Ryan embraces giving the challenge his best shot.
He knows that the Saints’ defense has nowhere to go but up – literally.
“It was a good day today,” Ryan said following a recent practice.
“Every day is a good day until you miss one,” he quickly added with a snarky laugh.
With all due respect to the Dos Equis mascot, a new, intriguing fellow is roaming the streets of New Orleans.
The world may be a stretch – but Rob Ryan is undoubtedly the most interesting man on the face of the NFL.
In this July 30, 2013, file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan chat during NFL football training camp in Metairie, La. Saints defensive players are praising their new defensive coordinator not just for his aggressive, fun-loving approach, but also for his genuine interest in players’ opinions about what works best for them.
