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Former NFL Coach Buddy Ryan Dies At 82

Former NFL coach defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan dies at 82

Sad day continues: Former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan died Tuesday, according to his agent James Solano.

Throughout his career, Ryan became renowned for his successful defensive strategies as well as his gruff, tell it like it is demeanor.

The name most synonymous with the '85 Bears is the "46 defense"-a hyper-aggressive, blitz-happy defense using a stacked defensive front that Ryan was the innovator of". There is no way we can possibly begin to measure how much football we have learned from him over the years and we are forever thankful to him for instilling within us his unwavering love for the game of football. "It took a long time for people to figure out what to do against his defense, not that they ever figured it out". Buddy was brash, intelligent and tough. We will always be grateful for Buddy's contribution to the Bears. "Our prayers are with his family", McCaskey said. Rex Ryan also served as the New York Jets head coach from 2009-14. Ryan was the linebackers coach for the Joe Namath-led Jets. From their dad, they learned what to do "and maybe a couple things not to do, " Rex said. He then took the same position with the Minnesota Vikings in 1976, and making two Super Bowl appearances with Minnesota, before being hired by the Bears in 1978.

Players on the team included current Panthers coach Ron Rivera, Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, Mike Singletary, and Wilber Marshall. Not that teams had more success in the air, either. And you can never say how much you appreciate it. Having the opportunity to go back the couple years and sit down with Buddy and look into his eyes, knowing that there's so much that he wants to communicate but he really can't, it's just very hard to put into words. "On behalf of myself and the entire Eagles family, I'd like to offer our deepest condolences to the Ryan family". They almost slugged it out at halftime of Chicago's only defeat, at Miami on a Monday night in December. He also helped the Bears win a blow out game for Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots.

After leaving the Eagles, Ryan landed with the Houston Oilers in 1993, where he made some waves for punching fellow coordinator Kevin Gilbride on the sideline of a game during his only year there. He was sacked after going 43-38-1 in five seasons, including an 0-3 playoff record. It's ironic that as we're entering the 2016 season a lot of the talk is about defense again. Ryan later was head coach of the Cardinals, going 12-20 over two seasons.

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Former NFL Coach Buddy Ryan Dies At 82