My Buddy

Posted: July 3rd, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 22 Comments »

Buddy Ryan is the reason I’m an Eagles fan. He first put the hooks in me when he was coaching the Bears defense. I don’t remember a specific moment that got my attention, but the 1984 Bears defense was the start of it all. There was a famous game between the Bears and Raiders. It was almost like the first version of the Body Bag Game.

The 1984 Bears were finished #1 in the league and set an NFL record with 72 sacks. They were great.

And then the 1985 Bears showed up. They took defense to a whole other level.

There were 10 games where the opponent scored 10 or fewer points. Two of those games were shutouts. The ’85 Bears had 34 INTs. That is an astonishing total. The Eagles have 46 over the past 3 years combined. The Bears didn’t just take the ball away. They scored 5 TDs. The Bears then pitched 2 shutouts in the postseason and won the Super Bowl 46-10. For my money, that was the best season by a defense in the history of the NFL.

The Bears had great players. They also had Buddy and his 46 Defense.

Mike Singletary Chicago BearsJanuary 27, 1986S 587credit:  Bill Smith - spec

I was just getting into the X’s and O’s of football when the 46 Defense took over the NFL. I was enamored with the 46. It was so creative and different from anything else being run by teams.

I was excited to see what Buddy could do as head coach of the Eagles. And he didn’t disappoint, as I wrote for PE.com.

The end result was disappointing. No playoff wins. Unfulfilled potential. Far too many “What if’s?”.

But that doesn’t erase the great memories and all the fun of the Ryan era. In some ways, it makes things even better. Think about how many people become bandwagon fans of the Lakers, Yankees, Patriots or Cowboys. Fans see them on TV. They see all the titles. They start pulling for those teams. but it is all based on winning.

I became an Eagles fan because of Buddy Ball, not postseason glory. I loved watching the Eagles play. The team was fun. They felt special, even though they don’t have the postseason success to prove that. They are like a boxer that won big fights, but never the title fights. The good moments were sensational. They just didn’t come in January.

I also think Buddy’s impact on the Eagles has been long lasting, as I talked about in the piece. He is a big reason that the Eagles are Philly’s team. It wasn’t that way when Buddy came to town, but is has been true since he left.

If it wasn’t for Buddy Ryan, you wouldn’t be reading this. I might be writing about the Baltimore Orioles or the Sixers (god forbid) or maybe something completely outside of sports. How does Tommy’s Tips To A Whiter Bathroom sound?

Buddy got a Super Bowl ring when he helped the Jets win SB III. He got another ring when the Bears won in 1985 and his players carried him off the field. When the Eagles win a Super Bowl some time in the next 37 years, I feel like Buddy will be part of that. His arrival in 1986 woke the franchise up and got it moving in the right direction. While Buddy didn’t deliver the results we wanted, his impact on the organization and the city is still here to this day.

Buddy’s impact shouldn’t be defined by rings and trophies. His impact is more about people and relationships. Buddy’s players loved him and were incredibly loyal. The fans loved Buddy’s players and continue to do so to this day. Reggie, Seth, Clyde and Jerome haven’t played for the Eagles for more than 2 decades, but those names mean something to Eagles fans. No last names are needed. Buddy loved being the coach of the Eagles. That really meant something to him.

It feels funny to use the word “love” so much when writing about Buddy Ryan, but it also seems darned appropriate.

Thank you, Buddy, for teaching me to truly love great defense and for making me an Eagles fan.

Buddy-Reggie

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22 Comments on “My Buddy”

  1. 1 My Buddy - said at 6:22 PM on July 3rd, 2016:

    […] Tommy Lawlor Buddy Ryan is the reason I’m an Eagles fan. He first put the hooks in me when he was coaching […]

  2. 2 xmbk said at 7:02 PM on July 3rd, 2016:

    I was living in Chicago during the 85 season. It was an amazing experience. Undoubtedly the best D ever. We used to be disappointed if the other team got away with a 3 and out and no sack.

  3. 3 Melaniemschmitt4 said at 12:35 AM on July 5th, 2016:

    <<ws.
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  4. 4 P_P_K said at 9:04 PM on July 3rd, 2016:

    Tommy, this is a great piece of sports journalism. Thank you.

  5. 5 maxineldavis said at 12:07 AM on July 4th, 2016:

    <<u.
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  6. 6 PacificPurl said at 4:22 AM on July 4th, 2016:

    If judging the “greatest defense” for 1 year or by statistics, 1976 Steelers. FIVE shutouts. In 2 games they allowed ONE field goal. Of course the best should surely be measured by a longer period of time? Against some formidable opponents. Perhaps FOUR Super Bowls in 6 years? Two of them after the Mel Blount rule? How quickly we forget.

  7. 7 Media Mike said at 6:49 AM on July 4th, 2016:

    Incorrect. 91 Eagles were much better than the 76 Steelers statistically.

    http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2014/historical-dvoa-estimates

  8. 8 Media Mike said at 6:50 AM on July 4th, 2016:

    And those 4 Steelers titles were all fraudulent due to being powered by roids.

  9. 9 daveH said at 2:28 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    Forget the red sox and yanks and cards

  10. 10 daveH said at 2:27 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    How about 4 Super Bowls in a row. .

  11. 11 RobNE said at 4:51 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    Maggie go find the steelers blog.

  12. 12 Eagles News: Randall Cunningham's daughter makes history by qualifying for the Olympics - NFL Feeds To The Fans said at 8:15 AM on July 4th, 2016:

    […] My Buddy – Iggles BlitzBuddy’s impact shouldn’t be defined by rings and trophies. His impact is more about people and relationships. Buddy’s players loved him and were incredibly loyal. The fans loved Buddy’s players and continue to do so to this day. Reggie, Seth, Clyde and Jerome haven’t played for the Eagles for more than 2 decades, but those names mean something to Eagles fans. No last names are needed. Buddy loved being the coach of the Eagles. That really meant something to him. […]

  13. 13 Aaron said at 11:45 AM on July 4th, 2016:

    Warriors, wow

  14. 14 truehaynes said at 12:50 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    I don’t understand how they are going to fit all those salaries

  15. 15 Aaron said at 4:38 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    I dont understand how everyone is gonna get their shots/points,

  16. 16 wee2424 said at 6:11 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    They seem like a pretty unselfish team. Durant seems the same. It will take getting used to at first, but they all seem to have the character to adapt.

  17. 17 wee2424 said at 6:10 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    They have actually managed their cap very well. The core of that team has already been signed to extensions, and they will have them under contract for some years now.

    Players like Iggy and Livingston have at least another year on their contracts.

    Barnes will be the one that has to go, but KD will be a large upgrade over him.

    I think Bogut is leaving as well. Could be wrong.

    Admittedly I do not know their current contracts numbers and cap space. From what I have heard on TV/radio, and just friends talking is that they are managing the cap space brilliantly, and still have the ability to make some moves.

    It wouldn’t surprise me if player(s) sign somewhat less lucrative contracts to be part of that team.

    I think you can somewhat very loosely compare it to the dreaded 2011 Eagles off season. We were signing and gathering big name players left and right, but Howie made some cap magic happen and our cap was still fine.

    I am sure the Warriors season will turn out a lot better then our 2011 season.

    If I rambled I am sorry…….. slightly inebriated.

  18. 18 P_P_K said at 10:20 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    Are you saying you are sorry for being “slightly” inebriated? If that’s the case, get back to work.

  19. 19 wee2424 said at 7:47 PM on July 5th, 2016:

    Lol, trust me I did. Worked real hard.

  20. 20 P_P_K said at 7:59 PM on July 5th, 2016:

    It’s always a good feeling to work hard and accomplish a goal!

  21. 21 wee2424 said at 5:55 PM on July 4th, 2016:

    Born in 1989. Really wish I was around to witness Buddy. I have heard stories that my Dad, Grandfathers, and Uncles have told me countless times. Have watched a lot of highlights and interviews with him through the web, but that is really all I have to remember him by.

    Must have been fun time watching his teams and him. His sons definitely don’t seem to do him justice, especially Rob. Rex has at least actually been in charge of some very good defenses.

  22. 22 1253235616 said at 2:43 AM on July 5th, 2016:

    如果有一天,我潇洒死去,请记得,我来过这里!