Do St. Louis Rams wait on Rex Ryan?
Sometime today, the final “finalist” interview will be completed with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo by the Rams’ braintrust in Los Angeles. At that point, owner Chip Rosenbloom will await general manager Billy Devaney’s recommendation, and then act on that recommendation one way or the other.
So it’s quite possible the next Rams’ head coach could be named by Friday or Saturday. Unless, that is, the team feels like waiting to see what happens with Rex Ryan and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the AFC championship game.
If the Ravens lose at Pittsburgh, Ryan is available immediately. If they pull the upset, Ryan can’t be hired until after the Super Bowl.
All reports out of New York lately indicate that Ryan is the frontrunner for the Jets’ job. The Jets aren’t known to have interviewed anyone this week, although there has been some speculation that they may bring in Spagnuolo for a second interview. So as each day passes it seems clear that the Jets are waiting on Ryan _ at least until the outcome of the Ravens-Steelers game.
But don’t sell St. Louis short on Ryan. Those close to Ryan say he’s at least as interested in the Rams’ job as he is in the Jets’ position.
Ryan has a brother who lives in St. Louis, and he’d also be closer to his father Buddy, who’s in Kentucky.
There are plusses and minuses to every job, and with the Jets there are salary cap concerns and the entire Brett Favre issue. Does Favre retire or not? If he does, you need a quarterback. If he doesn’t, can he still get it done and does he still have the respect of his teammates in the locker room?
And the mere fact that the NFC West is so weak, Arizona’s postseason resurgence notwithstanding, actually makes the Rams a more attractive job. It’s seen as an easier turnaround, at least in terms of the division competition.
And, let’s be honest, living and coaching in New York does not suit everyone, nor everyone’s family, and is harder to do than you might imagine. If you think the sports radio shows and e-mail maniacs and bloggers are tough in Saint Louis, you ain’t seen nothing. Do you really want to subject yourself to the NY fans and media? (I say this as someone who grew up in NY with friends still living in Brooklyn and Manhattan.) Some people want that setting but others don’t.
Love Rex Ryan, but the Rams probably shouldn’t wait on him. Get that new coach in before Senior Bowl week. That is, unless Haslett is still the favorite. Otherwise, wait on Rex Ryan and bring in some others just in case.
If it’s Haslett or Frazier, I’m selling my PSL’s. I hope Bill is reading this because I’m sure there are many PSL holders that feel the same way.
I’m a Haslett backer (unpopular as that might make me), BUT… if the Rams, at the end of the whole lengthy, involved search process, truly believe Ryan is the best coach, they should wait on him. We can overcome a late start this year (be it immediately or in a year) with the RIGHT guy. The WRONG guy just sets us back again. If Ryan is the right guy, be patient and get the right guy.
Nick123…THEN SELL YOUR PSL’s!!! We don’t want spolied, half-hearted fans wasting space in the dome anyways! Go cry and pout by yourself or with all of your other PSL holders who “feel the same way” until you can learn to be real Rams fans. And then you people worry about the team being sold… Would you want to stay here and bleed for fans like you? Didn’t think so. Grow up first, and maybe you can by your PSL’s back when they start winning again, that is if you aren’t on some other team’s bandwagon by then.
I am a Haslet fan and a very big Rex Ryan fan. I read that Haslet would consider bringing in Mike Martz if he became coach. I think that would be a very good idea. Bottom line, lets get a GOOD coach in here and get this thing turned around.
Man, I am so sick and tired of hearing whining Ram’s fan’s get on here and complain and moan about the team’s coaching search. Being a sports fan isn’t about kicking your team in the gut while they are on all fours. It’s about undying devotion. I would be buried in the dome if they would let me. I want a great coach for the team just as much as anyone. But at the end of the day we are not in charge of who they pick. If I were I wouldn’t be in the Army. I’d be in Los Angeles conducting interviews! With that being said, I would love for Rex to be our coach. But hey, if we can’t wait 2 stinking weeks then hire Spag or Garrett. Haslett is garbage, the numbers and his weak defense in LA speak for themselves. We need to look into getting a good young quarterback. Bulger is gun shy and not worth the money he earns landing on his butt every week. I agree with you John. If the choice is there Rex will choose STL cause of the weather, home proximity and friendlier fans. Speaking of fans; What the flipping dolphin is going on in STL. I have moved upstate but everytime I go down for a game the dome is half empty? I would give my arms and legs to be able to attend every game.
I prefer Haslett, but if we have to go another direction I like Frazier by default. I don’t believe the rest of the field can be good head coaches, even though they are good coordinators. Right now this is Haslett’s team - let’s leave it that way.
First of all, there is no such thing as a “real” Rams fan. “Real” Rams fans don’t tell anyone, who to cheer for and they never, ever put down another fan. This is America, man. Then you look at who actually runs the Rams. The simple fact, that Jay Zygmunt is gone & John Shaw has stepped aside shows change is coming. But here is the 2 proper questions to ask. Who is the best possible fit for the HC job & what kind of direction is this organization going? Will the Rams seek to build a run oriented offense or will it seek to recapture the GSOT mentality? Either case, the Rams have to really upgrade their defense. The Rams can’t afford to give up 550 points a season, mainly because the offense cant score 580 + points a season anymore. Also, whatever direction the new HC & OC go in offense wise, they still need an identity. Run first, pass later or pass until they stop it , then run or run a lot, then try to make wing and prayer passes at the end of the game (Brett Favre). It is that identity, that will dictate what kind of OL they need, as well, as identify the proper personnel to apply that outcome too. Right now, the main 2 are Rex Ryan and Steve Spagnoulo. If it was going to be Haslett or Frazier, they would have been hired already.
I hope the Ram’s hold their announcement until Monday to see if Ryan is available, should the Raven’s make it to the super bowl, I would name Spagnuolo the new coach. I believe that either would make an excellent choice and turn this team around. I think with either one and the potential defense players available in the free agent market they could make an immediate impact and leave the the draft to straighten out the offense. I hope that this ownership group makes the right decision on a new coach and not bring back “anyone” back from the prior staff!!!