NFL Nation

          Rex Ryan: Rob Ryan has done 'as good of job as anybody coaching'

          ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Is Rob Ryan among the best coaches in the NFL? His twin brother, Rex Ryan, believes so.

          As Rex Ryan continued to face questions Monday about why he fired his offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, before making any changes to the coaching staff of his lackluster defense, the Buffalo Bills' head coach defended his decision to hire Rob Ryan as assistant head coach/defense.

          "I think my brother's done as good a job as anybody coaching in this league, so I think that's ... but I get it," he said Monday. "That's always going to be [those questions] out there but hey, it comes with the territory. And now it's time to move on, I'm focused on Arizona and I better be."

          Rex's comment Monday might actually undermine his case that nepotism did not play a role in Rob's hiring.

          Why? This looks like a case of one brother, Rex, going over the top to have his brother Rob's back.

          Over 12 seasons as defensive coordinator of the Raiders, Browns, Cowboys and Saints, Rob Ryan's defenses finished 22nd or worse eight times. Through two games this season, the Bills' defense ranks 23rd in yards allowed per game (400.5), 30th in Total QBR allowed (83.9), 30th in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.88) and 23rd in third-down conversion rate (50 percent).

          Rex Ryan remains the Bills' defensive play-caller and Dennis Thurman remains the defensive coordinator, but Rob Ryan has played a part in preparing the Bills' defensive players. At one point in the team-produced documentary "Rex and Rob Reunited," which first aired earlier this month, Rob Ryan is seen leading the classroom installation of the defensive playbook during training camp.

          In the same documentary, Rex Ryan defends his brother's hiring against charges of nepotism during a speech to his team at the beginning of training camp.

          "Nepotism -- the only reason Rob is here is because of nepotism," Rex Ryan said in a mocking tone to his players. "Really? OK. We all know how f---ing good of a coach he is, but maybe the rest of these people don't. But they're going to find out, aren't they?"