Rob Ryan: Underachieving Saints defense 'drank the Kool-Aid'
METAIRIE — Should he stay or should he go?
That's the burning, Clash-esqe question regarding the fate of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in the days leading up the New Orleans Saints' (6-9) season finale at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-13) on Sunday.
It's a valid question considering Ryan has presided over not only the unit's meteoric rise after the Steve Spagnuolo-led defense of 2012 allowed an NFL-worst 7,042 yards during head coach Sean Payton's lost Bountygate season, but also this year's subsequent collapse. Though 15 games, Ryan's defense ranks 31st out of 32 teams, a far cry from last season's fourth-ranked finish.
If Ryan knows his fate, he's certainly not letting on. One thing's certain, though, he definitely wants to return for a shot at redemption.
"If I get a chance (to return) that'd be awesome," he said. "But hey, the numbers are what they are. They don't look good. The game's not played on paper, obviously.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
"I didn't win no awards last year, so I don't know if I'll win any this year," he quipped. "But hell, it is what it is. This is a win business. And hey, this is a tough-people business, too. ...
"I haven't finished this low in a long time in the second year of something, I mean it's a little different, so I have to make sure it's right."
The question surrounding Ryan's fate is one of many that will require answers once the season concludes. Another high on the list: Is the defense in need of a dramatic overhaul or simply a few tweaks? Ryan feels that's a question best left answered by the Saints' brain trust of Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis.
"I'm gonna leave that evaluation up to Sean and for Mickey and those guys," he said. "I'm just here to do my job the best that I can, and that's what I've done. But it wasn't good enough and ... obviously we need to make improvement and that's the way it is."
Ryan has no doubt his players were affected by lofty expectations and hype showered upon them during the preseason. Furthermore, he said anyone who disagrees with his assertion that his defenders "drank the Kool-aid too much" is flat wrong.
"I think we forgot how we had success," he said. "The NOLA defense where nobody likes our ass, that's how we played better, when our backs were against the wall when we had a lot to prove. We didn't get soft in a year's time, but certainly we could have played better and started faster, and you know it cost us early in some games and then we're treading uphill the rest of the year."
The early-season loss of safety Jairus Byrd obviously hurt, Ryan said. Nonetheless, the coach refused to use that injury or any others as an excuse. In fact, Ryan praised his players for maintaining their unity through persistent adversity.
"Guys that weren't even on our roster (initially) have played quite a bit for us," he said. "When the times got real tough I think our defense responded and we got tighter. Maybe we're not the best defense in the league, but I think we're a pretty tight group and I think that'll help us down the road."
Whatever happens come "Black Monday," the NFL's day of reckoning each year, Ryan plans to take a hard look at himself.
"I gotta start with me," he said. "Whatever I can do better, whatever we can do better, I'll tell ya, I'll always have to do it. If I have that opportunity, if I don't, then I'm still gonna look in the mirror and make sure I'm doing things right.
"I've been coaching a long time and the best way for me is to be myself, and usually that works."
What could ultimately save Ryan is the loyalty of his players, who continue to express their unwavering support. Defensive captain Curtis Lofton said that management is well aware the players "all love Rob and would run through a wall" for him.
Safety Kenny Vaccaro, Ryan's most vocal proponent, believes his coach will be back — though he admits he's a bit biased.
"Rob will be here," Vaccaro said repeatedly. "Rob's my guy. I love Rob. I'll fight for Rob every game. I'm a Rob guy, so there's no point even asking me about Rob. He'll ride with me until the end. Year 17, he'll come get me off my couch and say, 'Come play with me.' "
Lyons Yellin writes for Gannett Louisiana and WWL-TV, Gannett affiliates.
WEEK 17 GAMES RANKED BY WATCHABILITY
