The news that a defensive coordinator is staying with his NFL team usually isn't that noteworthy, but Rob Ryan staying with the New Orleans Saints is an exception.
The Saints' disappointing season had a few identifiable moments, and many of them included coach Sean Payton and Ryan yelling at each other on the sideline. They're both passionate, high-strung individuals. It worked in 2013 when the Saints had a shocking defensive turnaround from a terrible 2012 behind Ryan's schemes, when the Saints ranked fourth in yards allowed.
It did not work in 2014. The Saints tumbled to 31st in total defense. That's not all on Ryan. But with the public bickering between the head coach and defensive coordinator, it seemed like the relationship would be done.
Not so. Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Ryan will return for another season, although there could be changes to the personnel on defense and the defensive staff as well according to Holder.
Like his brother Rex, who was just fired by the New York Jets, Rob Ryan's style is popular with most players.
"I don't want to play for any other defensive coordinator other than Rob Ryan," linebacker Curtis Lofton said last week, the Times-Picayune said.
But results will have to be better. Ryan's creative pressure schemes didn't have the same effect in his second New Orleans season. The Saints went 7-9 and were eliminated from the playoffs in a blowout loss to Atlanta in Week 16.
Either the Saints will get better, or you can probably plan on more sideline shots of Payton and Ryan disagreeing with each other.
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