Rex Ryan Cancels Last OTAs

Rex Ryan is clearly a man of fun.

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For the second time this season, Coach Ryan cancelled OTAs (organized team activities) to bring his Buffalo Bills together for some team bonding. In late May, he took his squad bowling for a voluntary team activity (not an OTA) while earlier this June he took them to Jim Kelly’s golf tournament. This time he took them… to an Airsoft range.

Yes, you read that correctly. Rex Ryan took his team to another fun-filled “OTA” this Thursday at a local Airsoft range. With this event being the tenth team activity, Ryan and his Bills team held eight official OTA practices this offseason.

By now us Bills fans should have known Coach Ryan would spend his last OTA doing something more fun than running basic drills. But it’s safe to say that Rex Ryan has an adventurous side.

Ryan’s players are already fans of this outspoken, thrill-seeking coach, including Bill’s running back Anthony Dixon.

"“… I love him. He got the excitement. He keep us going. He keep us guessing. It’s fun.”"

Believe it or not, the Buffalo Bills are no strangers to playing some offseason Airsoft. Coach Doug Marrone took last year’s Bills team to an Airsoft range in Tonawanda, New York, for some team bonding too, according to ESPN.com. Dixon, the 6’1″ back from Mississippi State was one of the members present at last year’s event.

"“We did the same thing last year. They pretty much come up with the ideas. I’m pretty much one of the guys that’s always down. I’ll do whatever.”"

Sure, I could criticize Ryan for “wasting” two of the ten allowed OTAs, considering the Bills are facing a sticky quarterback situation right now. But to me these activities weren’t a waste at all. By bringing his team together with fun, competitive activities, Ryan is creating a Bills team that will want to support each other on and off the field.

I’m sure you’ve heard stories about NFL teams that don’t get along. Are they successful on the field? Most of the time, no.

Take the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles for example. Two Eagles teammates, WR Riley Cooper and CB Cary Williams, got into a fight at one of the team’s OTAs. Cooper allegedly made some racist comments the summer before OTAs and basically ticked everyone off on the team, especially Cary Williams, who grabbed him by the neck during one-on-one drills. You can see the fight here.

The incident during Philadelphia’s OTAs affected the team’s overall dynamic and created tension between teammates. The Philadelphia Eagles went 4-12 that season.

With that example, it’s evident that better team chemistry means better football. Therefore, I am all for Coach Ryan creating positive bonding time with his team. Let’s see if it pays off.

Next: Buffalo Bills Circling The Wagons: Eric Wood, Evan Mathis

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