(Tampa) Logan Ryan won two Super Bowls in New England with Tom Brady, intercepted the legendary quarterback’s last pass with the Patriots for a touchdown and is reunited with him again with the Buccaneers.
Posted at 12:48 p.m.
Getting another ring in Tampa Bay is an avowed goal.
“We rubbed shoulders in the same locker room. We went to the Super Bowl together. I played playoff games against him,” Ryan said on the AP Pro Football podcast. I miss this competitiveness in training. What I’m looking forward to at the moment is to compete against him in training to prepare myself as best as possible for the season. »
The 31-year-old Ryan, a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2013, was a starting cornerback for the New England team in 2016 that overcame a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons for win the Super Bowl. He left the team after that season and spent three years with the Tennessee Titans.
During an American Association First Round Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 4, 2020, Ryan intercepted Brady’s final pass with the Patriots and hauled the ball back nine yards for a major in the final seconds to seal a 20-13 victory.
Ryan does not remind him of this painful memory.
“It’s one of those memories you don’t forget, so I don’t have to.” But he also knows how to move on, he moved on and got another Super Bowl ring after that, Ryan recalled. And I came here to do the same. So it’s part of our heritage. Tom was one of my favorite players, one of my favorite teammates, and I always felt like I was at my best when I was with him and gave my best- even against him.
“He gets the best out of you whether as a teammate or as an opponent. And that’s why I’m delighted to be back with him. We are not on the ground at the same time. So I have to do what I have to do, which is to go on the field, communicate, play my role as a leader, demand the best from my teammates, be an excellent teammate, offer my maximum and do the games. And it takes that kind of selfless attitude to win championships. And I know that me and Tom, we have a very strong bond and we try to each do our part. »
Ryan is one of three former teammates who joined Brady in Tampa this offseason, along with right guard Shaq Mason and defensive end Akiem Hicks. Brady also lost his friend Rob Gronkowski, who retired.
“I think when you’ve been in combat with these guys, you know what it’s all about,” Brady said in June. I think the more of these guys you have – that caliber of player who can play at the highest level – the better. »
Ryan has played both safety positions with the New York Giants for the past two seasons and has also been used as a cornerback. He joins third-year starter Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Edwards in the secondary and is thrilled to be part of coach Todd Bowles’ defense.
“What I like the most is the aggressiveness and the attention to detail,” explained Ryan. They have already told me that they were going to rely on me a lot in terms of versatility, but also communication and immediate decision-making within this defense. Todd has played at safety, and he has also held the position of coordinator and now head coach. So he has high standards at this position. So I was picked up for a reason and I don’t take that lightly. I take on this heavy responsibility and I want to do a good job. “.