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It’s A Family Affair For Rex and Rob Ryan In Buffalo

By Richard Kowalski

Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Titans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Titans defeated the Saints 34-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan during the first half of a game against the Tennessee Titans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Titans defeated the Saints 34-28 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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In Buffalo, It’s A Family Affair For Rob and Rex

When the 2015 season started, the Bills hopes were high and those hopes were only inflated more as the offseason talk went on. Rex would talk about building a bully and getting us back to the playoffs, but those hopes were dashed as the season progressed.

Bills fans were left disappointed and let down by a team that had so much talent but couldn’t get it all working together. They had players disgruntled with the style of play and injuries lingering around every position.

Part of the reason for the lack of success this past year was because it was a transition year for the Bills. The defense moved away from the Jim Schwartz style that had seen success in the past and implemented the Ryan defense which was deeper and more complex. Rex took a lot of heat from the media but kept his composure and stayed true to his scheme.

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When Rob Ryan was hired by the Buffalo Bills in early January, people weren’t quite sure what to expect. He was a man pushed out of New Orleans after giving up the most passing yards in the NFL while also finishing near the top in yards allowed as well as points allowed in 2015. Many people in Buffalo at the time believed that Rob Ryan could push out Dennis Thurman as defensive coordinator.

Why not? When a man brings in his brother who was a former coordinator in the NFL one could easily see that happening.

His last few seasons as coordinator weren’t much to brag about but there was something about the connection that was appealing to the Bills.

Rex has plans for his brother.

His brother was named, after a bit of uncertainty, Assistant Head Coach/Defense. The decision was one that still doesn’t quite fully describe what Rob will do but dispelled the coordinator rumors.

Rob sat down with the guys on the Pardon My Take podcast in late May. Coming from a rough dentist appointment, Rob talked about selling his old van, nights out in New Orleans, and growing up with his brother Rex.

“We had some pretty good fights in the day.”

The bond of two brothers is something you don’t often see on the same sideline in the NFL. Each brother is typically motivated to pave their own way to success and make a name of their own.

The hunger.

The Ryan’s hunger for success has only been magnified the past few years with their fathers ailing health. Recently they both sat down for an interview with Jenny Vrentas of The MMQB.

” …we’re going for broke, man.” Rex told Jenny Vrentas.

Rob added “Because, who knows? He’s not going to be able to watch us coach for much longer, I don’t think. But hopefully he can see this one, because we have got big plans. Bring Belichick on. We got him.”

This type of motivation is something I believe will help the Bills. A family member is someone who can tell it to you straight and not hold back. You tend to feel more comfortable around a family member.

Who knows where Rex could of been if his brother had been with him more along the way. Could he have seen more success? Could it have held him back?

In this stage of Rex’s and Rob’s careers, they want to win. They want to win at any cost.

The Ryan name has been dragged through the mud the last couple years and doesn’t have the shine it once did. Losing seasons, failing defenses, and mediocre teams have all been contributing factors but the Ryan’s want to be the contributing factor. They want to be the contributing factor for good. They want to make the playoffs in Buffalo and win a title because that’s what they’ve worked their entire lives for.

They’re part of the family.

A little bit of Buffalo is in the Ryan family. The part of Buffalo that yearns for success so much it hurts. The part of Buffalo that wants to be taken legitimately and finally take that weight off our shoulders that has for so long stuck with us everywhere we go.

People give the typical reaction when I tell them I’m from Buffalo. ‘Oh, you must be a Bills fan. That must suck.’ I’ve heard it so many times that I’ve grown numb and I no longer acknowledge it.

I’ve grown up in an era where the Bills have been labeled as a ‘joke’ for so long that I no longer know what it feels like to have a successful football team.

The group of people that has accumulated in Buffalo has a hunger. The players, the coaches, and the brothers that are here feel apart of the city and the playoff drought that looms over it.

In Buffalo, we are all one family and I believe this family will work.

Next: Why Can't The Bills Land A Home Monday Night Football Game?

Do you think that Rob Ryan is going to help in Buffalo? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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