The Ryan’s are one of the most polarizing football families of all-time.
When it comes to Buddy and sons Rex and Rob, you either love them or you hate them. But either way, it’s nearly impossible not to respect them.
All three are as authentic as it gets. They always speak their mind and never try to be anyone other than themselves.
While Rex is the most well-known son, he’s more than enjoying life in broadcasting and there’s doubt whether he’ll ever return to coaching.
Meanwhile, brother Rob is still grinding away and fighting the good fight.
Currently, Rob serves as a senior defensive assistant on Antonio Pierce’s staff with the Las Vegas Raiders.
With respect to Davante Adams, when you think of the Raiders, the first person you think of is All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby.
Crosby is the heart and soul of the team, and you could certainly make a strong argument that there’s not a player on the entire planet who plays harder than he does.
In other words, Crosby is the exact definition of a “Ryan guy.”
This is why it came as absolutely no surprise when Rob spoke glowingly of Crosby and went as far as calling him the best defensive player he’s ever laid his eyes on.
“When you talk about Maxx Crosby, you’re talking about the best defensive player in the league. Probably in the history that I’ve ever seen,” Ryan said.
“Now, I’ve only been around it 30 years, but I mean he’s that good.”
Much like his father and brother, Rob knows good defense when he sees it.
When it comes to Crosby, it doesn’t take a genius to see the relentless impact he has on each and every game he plays.
“Maxx makes everybody tougher,” Ryan continued. “Maxx makes everybody better. Maxx makes everybody get tattoos … He’s just a badass.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Ryan has coached and developed numerous defensive stars, including Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame-caliber players.
His NFL coaching career includes stops with the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens.
He’s currently serving his second stint with the Raiders. He was previously the team’s defensive coordinator from 2004-2008.
As for Crosby, he’s coming off a phenomenal 2023 season where he had 90 combined tackles and 14.5 sacks.
As we near training camp, the biggest question surrounding the Raiders is who will end up winning the starting quarterback job?…
It figures to be either Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew.
Minshew came over in free agency and is undoubtedly the more proven of the two. However, O’Connell left a strong impression on Pierce and the organization in his limited playing time last year.
Pierce has made it clear that O’Connell will have every opportunity to compete for the job.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported that O’Connell has become “more vocal” and has “shown some moxie” throughout offseason workouts.
“Davante Adams loves him, which always certainly helps with the brownie points,” Fowler added.
“He did a hell of a job for us,” Pierce said of O’Connell.
“You’re talking about a kid that has the mental toughness to play in the National Football League. Whatever happens and whatever we do, it has to go through Aidan O’Connell. (I’m) being honest with you, because he’s earned that right.”
Crosby has gone on record supporting both O’Connell and Minshew…
“Aidan has come a long way … He’s starting to talk some sh*t back, I encourage it. That’s what I want him to do. The best of the best – the Mahomes, the Brady’s – always jawing back and forth and standing up,” he said of O’Connell’s improved confidence.
As highly as Crosby speaks about his teammates, it’s safe to say his words will always pale in comparison to how his teammates speak of him…
“Seeing (Crosby) up close and personal each and every day – it’s like, ‘Damn. This guy doesn’t stop,’” Christian Wilkins recently said of Madd Maxx.
Getting back to Rob Ryan – what are your thoughts on his comments?
Do you think that Crosby is actually the best defensive player he’s EVER seen? … Or do you think he was exaggerating a tad?
Where do you rank Crosby among the top defensive players in all of football?
Is he the best in the entire league???