As Ravens players sat stunned in the team?s locker room today shortly after the firing of Coach Brian Billick, they knew exactly who they wanted as a replacement: Rex Ryan, who also lost his job as defensive coordinator along with all of Billick?s assistants.
“We want to select the best and if Rex is the best guy,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome said, “he will be the third coach in the history of the Baltimore Ravens.”
Bart Scott appeared miffed at the possibility of losing Ryan, as the linebacker departed the locker room inside the team?s Owings Mills headquarters uncertain of his or the team?s future after a disastrous 5-11 season.
“Before Rex Ryan took over full-time working with me, I was pretty much a certified bust,” Scott, a potential free agent in March, said. “I would definitely be out of the NFL right now or another team.”
Ryan, whose defense was the top-ranked unit in the NFL in 2006, was a finalist for the San Diego Chargers job last year, but lost out to Norv Turner. His name has surfaced in the past few days as a replacement for Emmitt Thomas, who replaced Bobby Petrino as Atlanta‘s head coach after Petrino took the same position at the University of Arkansas.
Ryan is one of the most popular coaches inside the Ravens? locker room ? and many feel Owner Steve Bisciotti should select the 45-year-old Ryan as coach after firing him Monday.
“I’d love it,” cornerback Samari Rolle said. “Not to disrespect coach Billick or anything, but I’m sure everyone around here would love that.”
Ryan has been at the controls of one of the most stifling defenses in the NFL during the past three years. His unit was depleted by injuries this season, as cornerbacks Rolle and Chris McAlister both were sidelined for lengthy stretches with serious injuries.
Defensive end Trevor Pryce barely played this season, creating a lack of pass rush that contributed to the defense finishing the season ranked sixth among the league?s 32 teams. Linebacker Ray Lewis, who was not in the team’s locker room after the news of Billick?s firing, missed the team’s final two games with a dislocated finger.
“It would be great,” defensive tackle Kelly Gregg said of promoting Ryan. “A lot of the guys would like that. He’s a top coach. He’s going to have other options.”
