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A product of Rutgers taken in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, Logan Ryan certainly has the pedigree to be a “Bill O’Brien Guy.” Groomed by Bill Belichick and stewarded by Mike Vrabel, all Ryan has known his whole career is The Belichick Way, something O’Brien has desperately tried to recreate in H-Town.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has played alongside guys like Aqib Talib, Darrelle Revis, Adoree Jackson, Malcolm Butler and Patrick Chung. He’s picked off quarterbacks named Peyton Manning, Joe Flacco, Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, Ryan Tannehill, Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady. If he stood in the Houston Texans cornerback meeting, he’d instantly be the best player in the room.
Yesterday, the free agent made it clear he’s not returning to the Tennessee Titans for the 2020 season.
https://t.co/fXOkUtl6IS
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) May 5, 2020
My chapter in Tennessee has come to a close.
To the @Titans fans: Thank you for all the love. The energy and support this past season is what led to an epic run.
Ryan has started in 85 games over the past seven seasons, defended 78 passes, notched 494 tackles, recorded 17 interceptions, and forced 9 fumbles. For the sake of comparison, Bradley Roby, the Texans’ best corner, has started only 39 games in one less season, defended 68 passes, grabbed 274 tackles, caught 8 interceptions, and forced 8 fumbles.
Ryan is clearly an upgrade over any corner the Texans currently employ.
Putting Ryan on one side, with Roby on the other and moving Gareon Conley (a player Houston traded a third round pick for less than a year ago yet declined to pick up Conley’s fifth year option this past week) to CB3 would give new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver a lot more dependable options in coverage, particularly when employing New England-esque five-plus DB formations.
Additionally, taking a quality player away from a division opponent, even if Tennessee willingly let him go, is always a plus for any team. In a COVID-19 shortened offseason/training camp, the benefits of having a veteran who already knows the basics of the system can’t be overstated.
Ryan also holds the distinction of intercepting Tom Brady’s last ever pass as a Patriot. In addition to that savory morsel, Ryan is already familiar with the offenses of the Indianapolis Colts, Titans, and Jacksonville Jaguars, having played and practiced against them the AFC South for the past three seasons.
According to OverTheCap, the Texans still have $18.2 million to spend, so fitting Ryan in financially shouldn’t be an issue.
Logan Ryan:
“I’m looking forward to continue to play at an elite level for a organization that’s a great fit for my family and me.”
Houston is a great city. Texas is a great state. Ryan and his family could do an awful lot worse than living in near J.J. Watt and other Texans stars. In fact, he might even be able to get a deal on a house recently vacated by the best wide receiver in the NFL.
What do you think? Want Ryan in battle red? Tired of ex-Patriots invading H-Town?