The Bills hiring Rex Ryan happened quickly and was a surprise to many fans and pundits around the NFL. Here’ more on the move:
- Ryan decided to take the Bills job after the Falcons moved slowly, and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the Bills made him feel wanted. Ryan thought he had the Atlanta job after the 2007 season, but felt strung along and was not going to let that happen again.
- The move might be good for the Bills, but it isn’t bad for the Falcons, writes Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The team has other options, and ultimately, he believes Ryan was turned off because he was not fully embraced by general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
- Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was among those surprised, believing Ryan would rather take the open job with the Falcons. He writes that the Bills were viewed as possibly the worst job available, with no quarterback and no first round pick this year (via Twitter).
- Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com agrees that this might have been a questionable decision for Ryan, as he goes from one bad quarterback situation to another (via Twitter).
- Bills’ first-round pick Sammy Watkins is excited to have Ryan on the way to Buffalo, according to his Instagram.
- Ryan was believed to be most interested in the Falcons job, according to La Canfora (via Twitter). Not only does Atlanta have Matt Ryan and Julio Jones as an established offense, but they also play in a poor division with a driven owner, writes La Canfora (via Twitter). The bonus is that he would be closer to Clemson, where his son plays college football.
- Falcons owner Arthur Blank had tremendous interest in Ryan, but the process was delayed due to a death in the Blank family, writes La Canfora (via Twitter). “I understand on some level Rex being worried about not getting any coaching job,” writes La Canfora (via Twitter). “But more patience and I think he coulda had his top job.”
- Ryan has reportedly asked defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to remain in his position as Bills defensive coordinator, but they would be an odd marriage, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN. The two coaches have different philosophies when it comes to scheme and how to pressure quarterbacks.