It's Official now with Rex Ryan

[Galen Sevinne]

just got the text msg from the ravens. I think this is a good thing. It should allow Harbaugh to focus on the offense more. Aids in the transition. Truly I think Rex realized that there wasn't too much out there for him this year.

[ravenmad71]

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=30788

Good move !!!

[The Fanatic]

He's definitely here for 2008 season as defensive coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.

I'll assume terms, length of contact, etc. will be released at a later time.

Rex To Return In 2008 (http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=30788)

[Losac]

Hmmm....

Let's hope the jolly fat man makes it known to his defense that Harbs is the man, and they don't treat him as de facto head coach.

[The Fanatic]

Hmmm....

Let's hope the jolly fat man makes it known to his defense that Harbs is the man, and they don't treat him as de facto head coach.

That right there has been my entire concern all along regarding retaining him.

Time will tell....

[Fanman]

I am not doing backfips over this. Ryan was part of the discipline problem on the team. No punishment for Bart Scott throwing the flag and getting 2 huge penalties in the NE game was a joke.

Ryan better that group together and NOT step on Harbaugh's toes.

FM

[FellsPointRaven]

Happy with this. I'm sure Harbs and Rex have discussed their roles in detail and Ryan will be quick to dampen any mutinous behavior from the inmates. This could actually strengthen Harbaugh's position by having a popular guy who has his back as his assistant.

At least this allows for consistency on D - we should once again comfortably be a top 10 unit again in 2008.

[RavenScallywag]

I think this is a good move...Harbaugh is going to let the players know who's boss, when it comes to discipline issues. Ryan will learn from Harbaugh and SB about tips for becoming a HC in the future and will continue to give us dominating defensive play.

So in 2008, we'll have Cam Cameron leading our offense, Rex Ryan leading our defense, and John Harbaugh bringing it all together. I love this setup!

[ravenjoe]

I'm of the opinion that Harbs should and Will provide the necessary discipline, regardless of what Rex will, or will not do - if not, he'll end up like BB. Harbs is the Head Man, and if he does not want his ship to sink, then he needs to take control - I think he will do that!

[RavensNTerps]

I am not doing backfips over this. Ryan was part of the discipline problem on the team. No punishment for Bart Scott throwing the flag and getting 2 huge penalties in the NE game was a joke.

Ryan better that group together and NOT step on Harbaugh's toes.

FM

who gives a fuck we were on a 6 game losing streak at that point anyway.

The lack of discipline thing is severely over blown. People get pissed when they're losing, deal with it. It's good to maintain SOME continutiy especially on a unit that's been a strength.

My concern with Ryan is that his scheme, even with everyone healthy last eyar at the beginning, seemed to struggle a bit without the versatility of AD in there.

[festivus]

Main reason I like this hire: It lets us keep the highly regarded position coaches we already have. Rex gets to reorganize his staff but, I would guess, keep and possibly promote anyone deserving.

I expect Harbaugh will bring whatever tone he wants to the entire team. If he can't bring the attitude he wants to the defense, with Rex as DC, then we have a problem at HC. Hope springs eternal, and I think we'll be ok.

Those of you who think some members of our defense will become lambs are going to be disappointed, but keeping (or replacing) Rex has nothing to do with whether tigers will change their stripes.

[Purpleguy]

Hmmm....

Let's hope the jolly fat man makes it known to his defense that Harbs is the man, and they don't treat him as de facto head coach.

It's becoming very obvious that it is Bisciotti who is the man and that is where the players will continue to go to get their way.

[UKRaven]

The potential 'flaw' is if the players see him as the HC and only want to play for him!

Otherwise it's great news!!!!

[RavenScallywag]

i don't think so, I think Rex and John have this thing talked out, and Ryan is going to make it clear that John is the boss, Rex his right hand man. If the players are looking for a power play, Rex is going to back John up.

If not, I don't think John would've hired him.

[darb72]

Folks seem to think that Ryan is the cause of the defenses lack of discipline. It's the fact they're defenisive players that makes them lack discipline. Defense is played with a lot of emotion, usually anger. I can't remember who said it, but my favorite quote about playing on that side of the ball is, "Playing defense is simple. Run towards the ball and arrive there in a bad mood."

Even the defensive goody-two-shoes like John Lynch get personal foul penalties for acting stupid. If defensive guys were smart, they'd be playing on offense.

[Fanman]

"It's the fact they're defenisive players that makes them lack discipline. "

I have to disagree w/ this. The coach has to have some responsibility here.
I watch a LOT of NFL games and the Ravens stick out as having a severe lack of discipline. Your blanket statement above I think is a gross over-simplification of the issue.

FM

[HoustonRaven]

"It's the fact they're defenisive players that makes them lack discipline. "

I have to disagree w/ this. The coach has to have some responsibility here.
I watch a LOT of NFL games and the Ravens stick out as having a severe lack of discipline. Your blanket statement above I think is a gross over-simplification of the issue.

FM

Agreed. Defense is about controlled emotion and anger. There were many times, dating back to the Detroit debacle, where the D players lost one or both.

[Rayvens52]

Folks seem to think that Ryan is the cause of the defenses lack of discipline. It's the fact they're defenisive players that makes them lack discipline. Defense is played with a lot of emotion, usually anger. I can't remember who said it, but my favorite quote about playing on that side of the ball is, "Playing defense is simple. Run towards the ball and arrive there in a bad mood."

Even the defensive goody-two-shoes like John Lynch get personal foul penalties for acting stupid. If defensive guys were smart, they'd be playing on offense.

you could not have said it any better. Also it was Billicks job to discipline the players not Rex. The HC is in charge, it his job to make sure players are acting right. This really is not as big of a deal as some make it out to be. This is a great hire again, and i'm looking forward to a great season.

[RavenScallywag]

I think there was only one game where the penalties were out of control for the defense, and that was the NE game.

I think there was more than meets the eye going on there. You had a dispute between Samari and the ref, you had a TON of trash talk going on both teams, you had some strange circumstances towards the end of that game where it felt like the only way we wouldn't get flagged is if we just stood still on defense and let NE score.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Bart's throw of the flag into the stands was excusable, but I don't think the behavioral problems were out of control...I think you had that one game, and then some lack of respect from veteran players towards the head coach. LOTS of teams have the latter, hell...Joey Porter and Zach Thomas allegedly ripped Cam Cameron a new one IN THEIR OWN TEAM MEETING! Yes, we need a coach that will control that, but to some degree, I wouldn't blame it on Rex. Lots of NFL players have the ego attitude get to them in the heat of the moment. We just need the coaching staff to crack down on those outbursts and make sure players know what will happen if they don't check their ego.

[Rxdoxx]

Harbs is going to set the practice times and influence the tone to some degree.
He will control the meetings (time and length), determine fines for infractions, and will have a different (more firery?) perspective then BB.
I understand the concerns with keeping Rex, but as long as he is in Harbs camp, I don't think the issues that were surfacing last year are going to be a problem that doesn't get dealt with fast. Harbs may not be very hands on with defensive things, but he should (and he better) have a grip on team issues and an effectiveness in dealing with them instead of just appearing to ignore them. IMHO

I'm not unhappy with the choice.

[ravenwoman]

I understand that Harbs is meeting with some of the players already and that they know what is ahead of them. They know they are going to have a meaningful training camp, and that they will play with discipline--making good choices at critical times.

Although I was not for Rex's returning, initially, I think he is man enough to have the coach's back. We just have to wait and see how things play out. I don't think this new coach is going to tolerate comments made in the media about him, the way Coach Billick did. He is going to treat them like football players, not men.

[bmore finest]

I'm all for Rex coming back. Our D should be top 8 this year with a easier season ahead. I think all will be well for the new coach. plus Rex, after last season knows what he really needs for that D.

Now my only concern is, who's the O line coach ?:ot

I think that's a bigger issue than the mad sciencist coming back to do what we do best.

Harbaugh will point us in a new direction, one we have not seen in years. Me i'm all for that.

[Dont Know]

I couldn't find any info regarding the assistants (on the defensive side), are they all coming back too?

Except Fitzgerald of course who signed with Cincy.

[RavenScallywag]

I'm hoping now that both coorindators are on board, both will evaluate the current assistants and just bring back who we think should be back.

Example: Chris Foerster should NOT be back. Tony Nathan SHOULD be back.

I think same even goes with Rex and the defensive staff. There might be some changes coming with the staff. I heard somewhere Mike Pettine is going to be the LB coach, or most likely will be the LB coach.

[metro]

I'm not impressed. It took Rex over half a season to figure out an effective defense for the no huddle offense. He could not come up with an effective pass rush. The secondary (even with CMac and Rolle) was a mess with the exception of the game against the Patriots. The Ravens do well against the run but have trouble against the pass. Like the defense, Rex is overrated.

[RockyMRaven]

I'm really happy about this. Happier after watching the presser on baltimoreravens.com. Harbaugh stressed that "assistant head coach" was just that - not just a title to make someone feel better. Rex is going to have a lot of input into the decisions. Harbaugh is going to lean on him and expect his help. Rex says he's also going to pick Harbaugh's brains about the defensive scheme in Philadelphia so that he can use the info to make the Ravens defense better. They seemed to have a genuine rapport with each other. They're both around the same age (I think?) and I just feel that they'll form an excellent team to make the whole team click.

[ravens-maniac]

i like all the moves, harbs, cam & rex, I like it alot!! Just assistant coaches really need to be looked at. OL, DB,WR coaches especially

[Dade]

Love the news. Couldn't be more pleased with the signing of all the coaches.

[braven98]

excelllent move...btw Billick was the problem with the team not rex hopefully he will be the hard ass his dad was

[highwater]

excelllent move...btw Billick was the problem with the team not rex hopefully he will be the hard ass his dad was

His dad was a windbag that never backed up his big words as a HC. I hope Rex is better than his old man.

[purplepoe]

So instead of just having him back as the DC, they toss the Assistant HC title his way?

And this was Harbaugh's idea?

Ummm, right.

:eyes:

PP

[BertJonesMyHero]

I had my reservations about this, but not now. Not after I read Aaron's article. Rex and John have said all the right things. And unilke the previous coach, I believe them.

And trying it for 1 year can't hurt. You can always part ways down the road.

[Galen Sevinne]

So instead of just having him back as the DC, they toss the Assistant HC title his way?

And this was Harbaugh's idea?

Ummm, right.

:eyes:

PP

ummm, right...it was all Bisciotti's idea. Word is that he held a gun to the entire organization and said it is my way or the highway. He forced them to hire Harbaugh and then forced Harbaugh to extend Ryan and word is that he is going to force Rex to let Ray run the undisciplined defense exactly how he wants to. Bischiotti does this because he has no idea how to run an organization nor does he have any experience hiring people. Also the word is that if Ray gets to run the defense as he sees fit then Bisciotti gets a free rack of ribs every week.

Puhleeeeze :eyes:

[Rayvens52]

ummm, right...it was all Bisciotti's idea. Word is that he held a gun to the entire organization and said it is my way or the highway. He forced them to hire Harbaugh and then forced Harbaugh to extend Ryan and word is that he is going to force Rex to let Ray run the undisciplined defense exactly how he wants to. Bischiotti does this because he has no idea how to run an organization nor does he have any experience hiring people. Also the word is that if Ray gets to run the defense as he sees fit then Bisciotti gets a free rack of ribs every week.

Puhleeeeze :eyes:


:roll: :hammer: It is funny how so many people think SB is this unorganized idiot, who is a control freak. Who cares why he fired Billick, it needed to be done. Who cares if he said he was safe and then let him go, it is his descision, his money. Who cares if he ask the players how they feel, it is the players who have to play and if it is not working for them then make a change. I think we all need to give SB more credit, the guy know how to runa business seeming how he only makes like a billion a year (which i'm pretty sure is more than what this whole board will make in a lifetime combined)

[purplepoe]

:roll: :hammer: It is funny how so many people think SB is this unorganized idiot, who is a control freak. Who cares why he fired Billick, it needed to be done. Who cares if he said he was safe and then let him go, it is his descision, his money. Who cares if he ask the players how they feel, it is the players who have to play and if it is not working for them then make a change. I think we all need to give SB more credit, the guy know how to runa business seeming how he only makes like a billion a year (which i'm pretty sure is more than what this whole board will make in a lifetime combined)

Who said SB is an unorganized idiot?

I care that he said one thing and then backtracked.

I care if he asks the players their feelings on whether or not to fire a coach.

Who the hell cares that he can run a staffing firm and make big money (a billion a year huh?).

Ooooo, he makes more money than us. I guess that means he can do no wrong as an NFL owner.

I love the "he makes millions so he knows how to run an NFL team" argument.

Take a look 40 miles down the road and tell me how that great business man runs his team.

And before you go all nuts, the comparison is just in regards that both have made a ton of money in the business world.

PP

[purplepoe]

ummm, right...it was all Bisciotti's idea. Word is that he held a gun to the entire organization and said it is my way or the highway. He forced them to hire Harbaugh and then forced Harbaugh to extend Ryan and word is that he is going to force Rex to let Ray run the undisciplined defense exactly how he wants to. Bischiotti does this because he has no idea how to run an organization nor does he have any experience hiring people. Also the word is that if Ray gets to run the defense as he sees fit then Bisciotti gets a free rack of ribs every week.

Puhleeeeze :eyes:

Once again, just because he runs a staffing firm doesn't mean he's good at running an NFL team.

PP

[ravenjoe]

His dad was a windbag that never backed up his big words as a HC. I hope Rex is better than his old man.
Buddy Ryan was one tough SOB! He took No crap from anybody, and his '85 Bears Defense reflected that attitude - it's all about attitude, as far as I'm concerned. Hell, even Ditka knew not to mess with this guy during their SB run; the players loved him, and they would do anything for him!

[Tspot-D-Ravenator]

:ww: :happyanim :thumbup: :banana: :cheeky: :hammer: :rocking::roll:

[Galen Sevinne]

Once again, just because he runs a staffing firm doesn't mean he's good at running an NFL team.

PP

true but what's the evidence for the contrary?

[purplepoe]

true but what's the evidence for the contrary?

It's called an opinion.

I know it's unpopular to ever question the mighty Ravens front office but I really don't care.

I question many of the things over the past few years.

If people are happy with what's gone on, that's fine.

Basically it's time to see them fill out the staff and on to the draft.

The issues that I and some others have with the FO have been discussed over and over on this board.

I'm sure we'll have plenty to debate in the near future.

PP

[highwater]

Who cares if he said he was safe and then let him go, it is his descision, his money.

Actually, there are people who care about that. If you look someone in the eye and tell him he's coming back, and then one day just wake up and decide to go back on your word, yes, there are people who care about that.

That doesn't mean Bisciotti is an "unorganized idiot," but to say that no one cares how this went down is wrong.

But this is history now, I'm ready to move on. I didn't think Rex was coming back, but I like what I've heard from him and from Harbaugh this week. Hopefully they'll be a good team.

[Rayvens52]

Actually, there are people who care about that. If you look someone in the eye and tell him he's coming back, and then one day just wake up and decide to go back on your word, yes, there are people who care about that.

That doesn't mean Bisciotti is an "unorganized idiot," but to say that no one cares how this went down is wrong.

But this is history now, I'm ready to move on. I didn't think Rex was coming back, but I like what I've heard from him and from Harbaugh this week. Hopefully they'll be a good team.

I did not say no one cares I said who cares. It is his team, it his decision. What was he supposed to do, say with several weeks left we are not sure if we want to keep him or not. It was handled properly. And for PP you are right, it is your opinion I guess I just don't understand what this FO has done to make you not trust there judgment over these last several years.

[Galen Sevinne]

It's called an opinion.

I know it's unpopular to ever question the mighty Ravens front office but I really don't care.

I question many of the things over the past few years.

If people are happy with what's gone on, that's fine.

Basically it's time to see them fill out the staff and on to the draft.

The issues that I and some others have with the FO have been discussed over and over on this board.

I'm sure we'll have plenty to debate in the near future.

PP

cool... I was just looking for evidence that Bisciotti is calling the shots as many are so quick to assume. It's an easy stance to criticize the guys at the top especially if you don't need any evidence.

The Ravens front office has been respected throughout the NFl for the past 10 years. I don't think one coaching change nullifies all of that especially when it is not hard to make a case for the change.

To say that is was done in an Angelosian style is pretty silly to me but like you said it is just an opinion. If we are having tis same discussion in two years, I will praise your opinion.

[purplepoe]

cool... I was just looking for evidence that Bisciotti is calling the shots as many are so quick to assume. It's an easy stance to criticize the guys at the top especially if you don't need any evidence.

The Ravens front office has been respected throughout the NFl for the past 10 years. I don't think one coaching change nullifies all of that especially when it is not hard to make a case for the change.

To say that is was done in an Angelosian style is pretty silly to me but like you said it is just an opinion. If we are having tis same discussion in two years, I will praise your opinion.

My concerns run much deeper than the handling of the Billick firing.

You seem to be willing to take whatever the FO says at face value.

I'm much more skeptical.

PP