Just when it looked like the Denver Broncos were going to take the lead at MetLife Stadium, defensive back Logan Ryan turned in a play that will be on many a coaching clinic video this winter.
With tight end Albert Okwuegbunam barreling towards the goal-line, football in hand, Ryan descended upon the big TE and punched the football out just as Okwuegbunam was nearing the sideline. Not only did Ryan manage to dislodge the football from the tight end, but he was able to somehow scoop up the football before sliding out of bounds:
Can’t do it much better than that. @RealLoganRyan #TogetherBlue
📺: #DENvsNYG on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/QNeMBZLddT— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2021
The turnover was automatically reviewed, and the replay official ruled that the call on the field stood.
This play illustrates why coaches in youth football instruct players to put the football in the arm closest to the sideline. Had Okwuegbunam done so, Ryan would have had a tougher time to make this play. Instead, the defensive back displays tremendous technique and strength here, driving his right arm into the pocket and ripping it right out of the TE’s hands. From there, Ryan still needed to somehow recover the football and establish possession in the field of play.
He did just that, and helped keep the Broncos out of the end zone.
