paveleck@ihldt.UUCP (Bob Paveleck) (01/17/85)
I was just reading an article in the Chicago Tribune today which stated that Buddy Ryan, the Chicago Bears' defensive coordinator, is one of 4 finalists for the position of head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Up to this time, I had heard rumors that he might consider a head-coaching job, but all the stories I've read seemed to downplay these rumors. My question is this: WHY HAVEN'T THE BEARS BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO KEEP RYAN AS THEIR DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR?! Buddy Ryan's "46" defense was a MAJOR factor (if not the ONLY factor) in the Bears' success this past season. The Bear brain-trust waited until the midst of the playoffs to announce the re-hiring of head coach Mike Ditka, apparently to heighten the tension felt by Bear fans (not to mention Ditka). So far, I haven't heard ONE WORD about the Bears' making Ryan any offers to remain with the team! If these are the same tension-raising tactics they used with Ditka, the fans must all be guzzling Maalox by now! I can't believe they'd let the author of the top-ranked defense in the NFL (at least, until the '49ers pounded on it in the NFC Championship game) get away without a fight! It seems like keeping Ryan would be one of the Bears' top priorities for next season, especially with the hopes of a healthy Jim McMahon returning. Did I miss something along the line or is Buddy Ryan likely to walk away from Chicago without so much as a pat on the back from the Bear brain-trust? I'm sure a lot of fans are hoping that he'll stay. Bob Paveleck ..ihldt!paveleck
marc@bmcg.UUCP (01/19/85)
According to ESPN and Sports Illustrated, it is supposedly common knowledge around the league that Buddy Ryan doesn't want to leave the Bears, and that he is just "testing the waters" to see how much he's worth. The latest I've heard concerning Ryan and the Colts is that he asked for a very high salary, just to see what they'd say, and they turned him down. Marc Lee Burroughs San Diego