Rex Ryan is the man for the job

The speculation is over. The massive amounts on reports on interviews are over. The head coaching vacancy has been filled in Western New York and it’s been filled by the most polarizing candidate out there in former Jets head man Rex Ryan. Now Bills fans are split on whether this was a good or bad move, but personally I think Rex was the man for the job.

1) He brings national attention to a small market. 

I have seen some fans start going off about how this hire brings Buffalo out of the small market. Let’s get one thing straight, this is, and always will be a small market team. That’s what makes the Bills and their fans so great. Anyway, it brings national attention to a team that has the second smallest market in the NFL behind Green Bay. That could give the Bills an extra primetime game or could bring in a good quarterback (a la Jay Cutler, Robert Griffin III, Mark Sanchez…) to be at the helm and could also keep the talent (Jerry Hughes in particular) in Buffalo. We will see, but Rex is a figure who brings national attention with him wherever he goes.

2) That defense is scarier than before.

Whether or not Jim Schwartz is staying is a question in itself. But all Bills fans know that if Schwartz does leave, the defense probably will not miss a beat under Rex. His Jets finished sixth in YPG allowed this season (two spots behind the Bills), and fifth in rushing yards allowed. Where they struggled was the Bills’ strength last season, and that was the passing game. The Jets finished 14th, while Buffalo finished third. If you combine Schwartz’s ability to stifle the pass and Rex’s ability to stuff the run, this defense is lethal. Even if Schwartz does leave, the Bills have a better secondary than the Jets do so that passing defense number should not change too much.

3) He is a player’s coach.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan hugs New York Jets wide receiver

(16) before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Some of you might be like “what does he mean by that and why does that matter?” What he instills and expects from his players fits the Bills mold. His players never gave up on him last semester, and with a team with lots of personalities like the Jets are, that is saying something. Players love playing for him and will give every ounce of energy that they have, which is what we as fans expect from him. With how bad his team was, it was amazing that they didn’t just give up. They won two of their last three games, and only lost by one to the Patriots, who by the way are now in the AFC Championship. He always gets the best out of his players, and with a Bills team that has their backs up against the wall when it comes to getting in the playoffs, your team cannot have a game off (can anyone say Oakland Raiders?)

All in all, I think this is a great hire for the Bills. Rex’s personality and coaching style fit this team. But what is going to be more important is who he brings in to support him. Rex likes a 3-4 style defense, while Schwartz likes a 4-3 defense. That will be an interesting struggle. And of course we have the most important question as who’s going to be the quarterback. But for now, I like the hire by Doug Whaley. What do you think? Let me know!