Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihldt.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ihldt!paveleck From: paveleck@ihldt.UUCP (Bob Paveleck) Newsgroups: net.sport.football Subject: Will Buddy Ryan Stay with the Bears? Message-ID: <2690@ihldt.UUCP> Date: Thu, 17-Jan-85 13:51:59 EST Article-I.D.: ihldt.2690 Posted: Thu Jan 17 13:51:59 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 18-Jan-85 02:50:21 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 28 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