There is talk about the Giants boasting one of the best secondaries in the NFL in 2021. Logan Ryan is aware, and he is not shying away from it.
After the Giants opened up mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, the ninth-year pro said he looks at what the best rooms in the league look like and uses it as his "barometer" for his group in terms of practicing and pushing each other. But the 31 other clubs aren't his only concern. Ryan, who is entering his first full season with the Giants, also looked into the past.
"I reached out personally this year to Antrel Rolle, I reached out to Jason Sehorn, and I reached out to Corey Webster," Ryan said. "I reached out to those guys and said, 'Hey, I want to pick your brain and be great like you. I respect what you have done in the past. Can you give me anything?'"
They had plenty to share.
Rolle never missed a start in his five seasons with the Giants and was a vocal leader of the Super Bowl XLVI-wining team; Corey Webster won two Super Bowls with the franchise and made one of the biggest plays in the team's postseason history with an overtime interception of Brett Favre in the 2007 NFC Championship Game; and Sehorn played in more than 100 games and helped lead the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance.
"All those guys were so honored and willing and eager to be a part of our secondary, and they were willing and eager to help out," Ryan said. "They were thankful that I reached out to try to build the bridge between the current secondary and former greats. I want to be like them and lead those units, and I asked them personally how to be a better leader and a player. I'm an empty cup. They are filling it up, and I just try to relate that and try to teach the history of the franchise to the young guys so we know that our standard is to be one of those secondaries to make the organization and the fan base proud."
Check out must-see photos of Giants defensive back Logan Ryan's time with the Giants.
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) talks to his team mates before a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) signs autographs following a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday July 29, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
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New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) celebrates his defense on fourth down with teammates during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) breaks up a pass during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) plays against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. The Giants play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 27. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants free safety Logan Ryan (23) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tries to escape the grasp of defensive back Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) breaks up a pass during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Tae Crowder (48), Leonard Williams (99), Niko Lalos (57), Isaac Yiadom (27), Madre Harper (45), Austin Johnson (98), Dexter Lawrence (97), B.J. Hill (95), Cam Brown (47), Xavier McKinney (29), , Jabaal Sheard (91), Logan Ryan (23), Dalvin Tomlinson (94)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday Oct.18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on October 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) causes a fumble by Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample (89) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) reacts during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) celebrates an interception during an NFL game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Landover, MD. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan (23) celebrates with teammates after the Giants forced a turnover on downs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan is pictured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants free safety Logan Ryan (23) in action during an NFL football game Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive back Logan Ryan (23) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 19-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants defeated the Seahawks 17-12. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New York Giants inside linebacker Blake Martinez (54) and free safety Logan Ryan (23) play the field during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. The Giants won 19-17. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 22-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) reacts after sacking Washington Football Team quarterback Kyle Allen (8) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants free safety Logan Ryan (23) warms-up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Logan Ryan, left, tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tyler Johnson during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23)in action against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) in action during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) runs off the field before an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys beat the Giants 37-34. (Cooper Neill via AP)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Xavier McKinney (29), Logan Ryan (23), Keion Crossen (31)
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a Week 4 football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday October 3, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana
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New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during the National Anthem before a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants cornerback Logan Ryan (23) during a week 7 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday October 24th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Ryan re-upped the ante last year for Big Blue, despite joining the team just 10 days before the start of the 2020 regular season. A cornerback for most of his career, Ryan started 13 games at safety and finished second on the team with 92 tackles (67 solo), one sack, one interception, nine passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Ryan's interception with 1:15 remaining sealed the Giants' 23-20 victory in Washington on Nov. 8.
Like the trio of Giants greats he reached out to, Ryan knows what it takes for the younger players to get to the mountaintop. Ryan won two Super Bowls with the Patriots and has played in five conference championship games, most recently with the Titans in 2019.
Sharing his wisdom was part of the reason he gathered the Giants' defensive backs for workouts this offseason.
"I really just wanted to bring the guys down and just have some time to ourselves," Ryan said. "It was tough last year, joining the team so late and not really having an opportunity to bond with the guys. I just think those guys got to see how I work day to day, and we got to talk a lot about how we would play things and we actually had a boating trip. [Pro Bowl cornerback James] Bradberry said he didn't catch any fish, but we talked a lot about coverage and Bradberry talking about how he was covering a guy, and really it was cool sharing stories how we covered guys in the league. It was a great opportunity."
Ryan added: "We are far away from game planning, but me, Jabrill [Peppers] and [Xavier McKinney], I think we are each other's biggest fans. I think we like playing together. I think there's no selfishness there, and I try to give them every trick that I know and have learned through the years. I try to put that down to them and allow them to be better players than me at that age. I love coming to work with those guys. They are great guys and we are finding a way to all enjoy each other."
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