Former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was on NFL Network Sunday morning and discussed his departure from the team midway through his third year running the defense.
Ryan’s firing came after his porous unit was shredded by the Redskins in Week 10 -- “they made my bye week turn into a bye-bye week” -- and the voluble coach conceded that “something had to be done” because the defense “ranked 33rd in the league and there are only 32 teams.”
Despite that concession and the continued failings of the defense, Ryan followed familial tradition by finding a colorful way to say he was taking too much blame and that he’ll return to the sideline in the future.
“Everything in New Orleans is being blamed on me including Katrina and I think it’s a little farfetched,” Ryan said. “So the bottom line is this. I’ll hold my head high and walk out into the sunset, but believe me, I’m coming back with a vengeance.”
Ryan said Sunday that his visit to the network’s studio was the first time he’s ever worn makeup “publicly or privately,” but it might not be a bad way for a guy whose quotes have been better than many of his defenses to stay around the football world if no one is quick to bring him onto their coaching staff.
