<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who presided over the NFL's top-rated defense with the Baltimore Ravens in 2006, has been rewarded with a new, two-year contract and a salary more commensurate with the success he has enjoyed in his two years on the job.The contract, first reported by The Baltimore Sun and confirmed by team officials, includes salaries of more than $1 million per season. Ravens officials had been in discussions with Ryan about a new deal since the end of the 2006 season. There was just one season remaining on Ryan's previous contract.Ryan, 44, is the son of former NFL head coach Buddy Ryan. His twin brother, Rob Ryan, is the Oakland Raiders' defensive coordinator."I'm excited about it," Ryan told The Sun of the new contract. "Now, I don't have to worry about finding another job as a coordinator. I can just go out and worry about kicking butt."A 13-year league veteran, Ryan was elevated to the coordinator position in 2005, and the Ravens' unit statistically ranked No. 5 in the league that season. Baltimore improved to No. 1 in the NFL in 2006, surrendering just 264.1 yards per game as the Raven posted a 13-3 record and won the AFC North crown.The Ravens were second in the league in sacks (60) and takeaways (40) and were first in takeaway/turnover differential (plus-17).Baltimore held the potent Indianapolis offense without a touchdown in a divisional-round playoff game, but still lost 15-6 to the eventual Super Bowl XLI champions.Ryan was a candidate after the season for the head coach vacancy in San Diego, and was said to have interviewed well, but the job subsequently went to Norv Turner. Ryan has said that his goal remains to be a head coach in the league.A defensive end at Southwest Oklahoma State, Ryan began his coaching career at Eastern Michigan in 1987. After stints at five colleges, he joined his father's staff with the Arizona Cardinals in 1994 and moved to the Ravens in 1999.</div>He should be a head coach after this upcoming season...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ Apr 21 2007, 09:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He should be a head coach after this upcoming season...</div>Probably.
