When he first began drawing up football X's and O's, the son would call the father to ask for advice. After all, tapping into the expertise of defensive innovator Buddy Ryan was a great resource.
For Rex Ryan, this past week seemed like a perfect time to turn back that clock, as he prepared for perhaps the toughest challenge of his coaching career. Yet there was no call made. It's not that Ryan didn't need the assistance; it's that he already knew the answer.
Now in his third season as Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, Ryan has drawn up a plan he hopes will stymie one of the most potent offensive attacks in the history of the NFL, that of the Patriots. What would his father tell him to do?
"To hit that quarterback no matter what it takes," he responded. "And the Ryan in me, I want to hit that quarterback."
Indeed, the Ryan name is synonymous with the blitz, as Buddy Ryan's "46" defense - which overloaded one side of the field and often overwhelmed pass protectors in relentless pursuit of the quarterback - took the NFL by storm in the 1980s, helping the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX.
In many ways, these were the type of weeks that Buddy Ryan lived for, the chance for his attacking defense to exert its will on a well-oiled offensive machine, to slow it down, and often times shut it down altogether. His defenses had an attitude. They were tough, fearless, and embraced the most extreme challenges.
While the game has changed since Ryan's days on the sideline - his final NFL season was 1995 - his innovations remain. The Ravens use the "46" defense from time to time. They also blitz as much as any team in the league. And like his father, Rex Ryan has instilled a distinct personality and bravado among his defenders that - despite the team's five straight losses and ongoing injury concerns - he guarantees will be on display tomorrow night.
"Our guys are going to play fast, furious, and with a lot of emotion," Ryan said. "We're coming with all we have, and if the Patriots are expecting less of a game from us, they're sadly mistaken. It's going to be a great challenge for us, but it's also going to be a great challenge for New England as well. We're not afraid."
Such straight talk is vintage Ryan - whether it's Buddy or his twin sons, Rex and Rob (defensive coordinator, Raiders). Buddy Ryan was known as a no-nonsense coach who once struck a fellow assistant (Kevin Gilbride) during a game because he didn't like the way the offense was performing.
Yet while Rex has much of the same fire for the game, and has adopted his father's passion for defensive X's and O's, he also has carved out his own niche. If his father was viewed by some as rigid, Rex Ryan finds himself closer to the other end of the spectrum. One of his core philosophies is that "players don't care what you know until they know that you care."
That, coupled with the continued success he's achieved with the Ravens' defense since being elevated from defensive line coach to coordinator in 2005, has made the charismatic, 45-year-old Ryan one of the league's top head coaching candidates.
He interviewed for the San Diego Chargers job after earning 2006 Assistant Coach of the Year honors, and probably would have had it if general manager A.J. Smith didn't put a premium on someone who had previously been a head coach and had an offensive background (Norv Turner).
"I'm surprised he's still there," said Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, who played for Ryan for seven seasons. "He's just a real good guy all around, as a coach, husband, and father, and is the same regardless of who he is around. Very consistent."
Thomas explained Ryan's philosophy as one in which "everybody will be treated fairly."
Ravens head coach Brian Billick first detected Ryan's genuineness at a coaching conference in Toronto in the mid 1990s, when in a room of just 10 high school coaches he led an energetic clinic as if there were thousands in attendance. After Ryan's work, Billick approached him and said that if he were ever hired as a head coach, he wanted Ryan to join him as an assistant. That happened in 1999 with the Ravens.
Now in his 21st year of coaching and ninth with the Ravens, Ryan is on the cusp of taking the next coveted step in his career. Finding the key to slowing the Patriots, and devising the plan to spring an upset, would catapult him that much further.
"I think we would shock the world if we did that," Ryan said. "But it wouldn't shock us."
Patriots couldn't get free Mason to join
The Patriots went on a receiver binge in the offseason - landing Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donté Stallworth, and Kelley Washington - but it wasn't the first time they've aggressively targeted the position.
In 2005, the team quietly hosted Derrick Mason on a visit the first weekend of free agency, and things went so well that it appeared a deal was imminent.
"He was reasonably sold on it," recalled Lamont Smith, Mason's agent. "I remember them being very detailed about the way they would use him, similar to the way they're using Wes Welker now, putting him in the slot to take advantage of his quickness and ability to get open. It was enticing to hear how many balls he would have had a chance to catch."
Mason returned home and discussed the possibility of a move to New England with his wife, Marci. That's when the Ravens swooped in.
"They got in it later in the process," Smith recalled. "I probably shouldn't say this, but from a monetary standpoint, I was still favoring New England. But that wasn't the only factor in the decision."
Turns out Mason liked the fit of the Ravens better because he had played against them more in his first eight seasons with the Titans, and had a better feel for the personnel on the team. Marci and the couple's two children also felt more comfortable in Baltimore.
Smith admits to wondering how things would have unfolded if the choice went the other way.
"It would have been interesting to see what he would have done in that situation, but that's history now and I think you could say it's worked out for both sides," he said.
Now in his 11th season, the 5-foot-10-inch, 192-pound Mason remains one of the more underappreciated players in the NFL. His 79 receptions rank third in the NFL and his 424 catches since 2003 rank third over that span.
Yet perhaps even more impressive is his durability. After being declared inactive for the first two games of his career and not playing in the third game, he has played in 172 of a possible 175 contests.
Speedy Green has been caught and passed this year
As the Patriots have assaulted the NFL record books this season, longtime NFL receiver Roy Green is one player who couldn't help but notice because he's twice been knocked off his perch atop the record books.
"I think there is a conspiracy against me going on up there in New England," Green joked.
Green, who played for the Cardinals (1979-90) and Eagles (1991-92) and was known for his blazing speed, entered the season as the last player to record the NFL's longest return for a touchdown - a 106-yarder at Dallas in 1979. He also was the last player to score four receiving touchdowns in one half, against Seattle in 1983.
Of the two records, Green figured the kickoff return was safest. But in the Patriots' season-opening victory over the Jets, Ellis Hobbs took the opening kickoff of the second half 108 yards for a score.
"I didn't think it would be beaten because coaches are always harping about not taking it out that deep in the end zone. But I guess finally there was another guy as stupid as I was," cracked Green, who just turned 50 and resides in Arizona.
Turns out Hobbs's stay atop the record books was short-lived, however, as San Diego's Antonio Cromartie returned a missed field goal 109 yards for a score Nov. 4 at Minnesota.
Just as Green was surprised to see the return record smashed twice, he was also surprised that it took 24 seasons before another player (Randy Moss) caught four touchdowns in a half.
"The way they're throwing the football nowadays, I figured it was inevitable," said Green, who remains atop the Cardinals record book for receiving yards (8,497). "With the rule changes these days, where the defender can only touch you at 5 yards, it's made it more conducive to scoring points. As a receiver, it makes you wonder what you could do if those rules were in place."
Etc.
He Bears up well against Sayers
How good is Bears returner Devin Hester? Consider that after scoring on a 75-yard punt return and an 88-yard kickoff return last week against the Broncos, he now has 10 return touchdowns in 131 attempts since his career began last season. In scoring one touchdown for every 13.1 returns, he has the best ratio in league history, ahead of Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, who had eight touchdowns in 118 returns (one every 14.8). Hester also averages 84.4 yards per touchdown, the highest mark in league history (minimum 10 touchdowns).
Quarterback options in Cleveland
One of the surprise teams of the season at 7-4, the Browns appear to have a surplus at the most important position on the field: quarterback. With Derek Anderson stepping in and providing an unexpected spark, the question now is what the Browns will do next season when Anderson is a restricted free agent. Do they keep Anderson? Do they turn things over to 2006 first-round pick Brady Quinn? General manager Phil Savage indicated that his plan is to keep both players, and that he will tender Anderson at the highest level. If the Browns do that, any team that attempts to sign Anderson would have to hand over first- and third-round draft choices if the Browns don't match the offer.
Woody will tackle a new position
Looking to fill a gaping hole at right tackle, the Lions are turning to an unlikely source: former Patriots center/guard Damien Woody. It's a position Woody hasn't played since high school, but the Lions are out of options. Starter George Foster, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Broncos, started nine games and was flagged for nine false-start penalties while struggling in pass protection. His replacement, Jonathan Scott, tore his hamstring on Thanksgiving. Scott's replacement, Blaine Saiapai, struggled mightily. Now it's Woody's turn. "Everybody else, it seems like they've been out there," said Woody, who opened the year at right guard and was benched. "Why can't I give it a try?"
Clock is ticking on Seahawks
The Seahawks visit the Eagles today, and that has coach Mike Holmgren searching for answers as to why his team has traditionally started slowly in East Coast games. Holmgren was on the brink of changing the team's schedule last week - he was going to have the Seahawks practice at 8 a.m. - before he thought better of it and tore the plan up. He then reminded his players that three of the team's final five games are on the East Coast, and at 7-4, it was up to them to reverse the trend without a change in routine.
Putting one shoe after another
Among the categories in which receiver Torry Holt leads the Rams are receptions (66) and number of shoes worn over the course of the season. Holt keeps piles of shoes in his corner locker at Rams Park, as he wears them only once or twice before discarding them. All the shoes are from Reebok. "They can never say that I didn't take full advantage of my contract," Holt said with a laugh, before noting that he sends most of his shoes to charities.
Better action for Jackson
One player who isn't about to take an opportunity for granted today is Bills running back Fred Jackson, who is scheduled to make his first career start because of injuries to starter Marshawn Lynch (ankle) and Anthony Thomas (calf). A second-year player, Jackson also spent two years playing in the United Indoor Football League, where he made about $100 per game. Jackson was a surprise addition to the Bills' 53-man roster coming out of training camp, which meant he was making slightly more than the $100 per game from his UIFL days. His base salary for the season: $285,000.
Extra points
When Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan broke down tape of the Patriots' offense, he identified left guard Logan Mankins as a Pro Bowl-caliber performer . . . Redskins players will wear a "21" decal on their helmets for the remainder of the season to honor safety Sean Taylor. The NFL is allowing other teams to wear the decal this weekend, if they choose . . . The Dolphins (0-11), Rams (2-9), and Panthers (4-7) are the only teams yet to win at home this season . . . Colts quarterback Peyton Manning needs one more touchdown pass to become only the third player in history to throw for at least 20 touchdowns in 10 consecutive seasons, joining Brett Favre (1994-2005) and Dan Marino (1983-92). . . . Bengals receiver Chad Johnson (537 receptions) became the franchise's all-time leading receiver last week, moving past Carl Pickens (530, 1992-99) . . . Former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett, the franchise leader in sacks (100), is one of 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tippett was a finalist last year. The group of 26 will be narrowed to 15 in January . . . Former University of New Hampshire receiver David Ball was signed to the Jets' practice squad last week.
Did you know?
The Browns will wear a "BW" decal on their helmets for the rest of the season in honor of Hall of Famer Bill Willis, who died Tuesday at the age of 86. A guard who excelled as a two-way player, Willis was one of the first four African-Americans to play in the NFL in the modern era after World War II.
Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.
