John Ryan

[tkirish33]

All,
I am a new member to Gold Helmet. I would just like to hear all of your thoughts on John Ryan. Now, I am never one to bash a player, but I cannot understand why this young man keeps trotting out on defense. I understand there are much bigger problems with this program than something as small as this kid playing. However, it seems as if Charlie is NOT playing the best players ..I look forward to reading your thoughts.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Good post man. He looks slow to me. I would play the future, and he ain't it.

[tkirish33]

not only is he slow, but he seems to avoid contact. I encourage all to take a look at the game films and just watch this kid...slow, unathletic, scared..he sure doesnt have the 'nasty" Charlie is talking about. You're telling me that John Ryan is the best OLB that one of the best programs in the country can trot out there..i just dont buy it.

[goirish41]

I don't think I saw K. Neal in for one play against Navy. That was just amazing to me.

[CULion17]

I think he needs to spend more time with Ruben and that will help tremendously. In another thread about the defense vs. navy I mentioned players freelancing. Many times saturday it seemed like he was trying to outsmart Kaipo rather then just knock the snot out of him and let somebody else get the pitch man. I'm not ready to give up on him though. I'm surprised Richardson isn't on the field more, and don't think I saw Kerry Neal once on saturday.

[benneboy]

I don't think I saw K. Neal in for one play against Navy. That was just amazing to me.

That was kind of explained in Weis's press conference before the game. He stated that Neal is more comfortable right now with his hands down because of the position he played high school vs. smith who played LB in high school. My guess is that ryan is and was in there because he understands the defense better. Smith and Neal are obviously very talented, but right now they are probably almost playing on talent alone.

[therizz]

I'm hoping J Ryan somehow goes to a DE and they play K Neal and B Smith at outside backers next year...maybe not possible though.

[IrishCalves]

Its just that simple: John Ryan is a defensive end playing in space. I think he could be a good player, but he doesn't look very comfortable out there.

We'd like to think that he was actually a "tweener" prospect, when in reality he's much closer to a Kyle Budinsack type of lineman than, say a Justin Tuck type of athlete. I think in an ideal world Ryan would be a not too flashy run stopping type of DE in a 4-3, playing at anywhere from 265-275 pounds. All opinion here, but its apparent to me that he's gawky in space (see his pass coverage drops and it makes you cringe), and that he doesn't generate much of a 1st step. I hope Charlie continues "fast tracking" B. Smith with Neal, while getting Darius Fleming up to speed next fall, because Ryan has really done nothing of much significance this year. Leads the team in sacks if I'm not mistaken, but I'm pretty sure 2.5 sacks over 9 games isn't much to jump for joy over, and the rest of his overall game is hardly enough to overcome his shortcomings.

Heres a stat for ya: the Irish have recorded 12 sacks this year. A) Thats really really bad, as usual, and B) really makes me wonder how good our secondary could look a year or two from now.

[Flyin_Irish]

Isn't Ryan only a soph? He's not a LB and he probably needs to get stronger to play on the D line. He may find himself burried on the depth chart next year.

[NDisNCin2010]

Ryan needs to hit the weight room IMO...he only a soph, playing in his second defense in as many years, i will cut him some slack...but when i see his skinny ass out there taking on OT's...sorta makes me cringe...i also dont see any "nasty" out of him either...not that you need it or it trasnslates to results but i see a tall, lanky, guy w/ no fire who seems to be robotic out on the field. his progress the least of our worries right now.

[Sureal]

Its just that simple: John Ryan is a defensive end playing in space. I think he could be a good player, but he doesn't look very comfortable out there.

We'd like to think that he was actually a "tweener" prospect, when in reality he's much closer to a Kyle Budinsack type of lineman than, say a Justin Tuck type of athlete. I think in an ideal world Ryan would be a not too flashy run stopping type of DE in a 4-3, playing at anywhere from 265-275 pounds. All opinion here, but its apparent to me that he's gawky in space (see his pass coverage drops and it makes you cringe), and that he doesn't generate much of a 1st step. I hope Charlie continues "fast tracking" B. Smith with Neal, while getting Darius Fleming up to speed next fall, because Ryan has really done nothing of much significance this year. Leads the team in sacks if I'm not mistaken, but I'm pretty sure 2.5 sacks over 9 games isn't much to jump for joy over, and the rest of his overall game is hardly enough to overcome his shortcomings.

Heres a stat for ya: the Irish have recorded 12 sacks this year. A) Thats really really bad, as usual, and B) really makes me wonder how good our secondary could look a year or two from now.


The two kids we have on the end can get that in one game...

Gotta sit him and get the younger guys in there...
Next year I think the defense will be one of the best that we've had in years but it means nothing if we can't stay on the field on offense.

[WheelMan]

I'm surprised Richardson isn't on the field more, and don't think I saw Kerry Neal once on saturday.

Richardson was on the field a lot in place of Ryan in the game Saturday. I have not seen Richardson on the field much this year and I think we has hurt earlier in the year.

Ryan is a good OLB that can play with his hands down, but does not have great speed to be standing up. He was usually pulled in the penny formation and on passing downs for most of the year.

[quiksilver253]

I'm hoping J Ryan somehow goes to a DE and they play K Neal and B Smith at outside backers next year...maybe not possible though.

We're not gonna need him to play DE next year, the intention is to use the recruits coming (Ethan Johnson and Darius Flemming) splitting time at one DE position, and move Pat Kuntz to his natural position, Defensive end. DT will then be manned by Ian Williams, with Omar hunt as a great backup

[Sureal]

I thought Flemming was a Linebacker...

[daytonirish]

I'll agree that Ryan is to slow to be playing olb. But I've got to believe that Corwin must believe he's the best option right now at olb. We either have to trust the coaches or pull a Neb. fan stunt and work to get the whole staff fired.

[Flyin_Irish]

I will trust the coaches to a certain point. And there is awful lot of talk about John Ryan here. Let's be clear. He did not lose the game for us yesterday. He's not the best player on the field, but he didn't cost us the game.

[goirish41]

We either have to trust the coaches or pull a Neb. fan stunt and work to get the whole staff fired.

How much time do we have to make this decision? :)