The spirits of Valley sports fans have been lifted by two young guys hitting field goals from deep despite expectations to the contrary.

The Arizona Cardinals‘ kicker Chad Ryland and Phoenix Suns swingman Ryan Dunn may have taken different routes to Arizona but both have found a way to have surprising impacts on their teams so far. 

Chad Ryland Arrives In The Valley

Ryland was a guy that Monti Ossenfort and the Cards brass picked up off the NFL streets. A second-year placekicker who lost his job in New England after one season where he hit only 64 percent of the kicks he attempted. He was a surprise addition to the roster as starter Matt Prater was ruled out after playing the first four games of the season and going a perfect 6-of-6 on field goal attempts and 10-of-10 on extra points. 

A relative unknown to Cardinals fans, his introduction to the Birdgang left something to be desired.

After hitting a relatively easy chip-shot from 30 yards early in the 2nd quarter in his debut against the 49ers, Ryland set up for a 49-yard field goal minutes later. He promptly had an awkward warbler blocked and returned for a touchdown, turning what would have been a 13-13 tie into a 20-10 49ers lead. 

On the mean Twitter streets, the Red Sea was skeptical of the young man to say the least. 

Since then? Oh he’s just been like Kendrick Lamar. One hit after another. He made a 35-yard game winner in San Francisco in the final minute plus two walk off winners against the Chargers and Dolphins, giving Arizona a 3-1 record since his arrival.

In just four weeks he’s gone from “him?” to “HIM” with fans helping turn what appeared to be a season on the verge of irrelevance into one with playoff aspirations.

He’s also earned his teammates and coach’s trust. 

“He’s a primetime player. He does it in practice. We try to rattle him in practice,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said after the win in Miami. “He’s got ice water in his veins.” 

Ryan Dunn Complete Player?

Dunn, while only being three games into his NBA career, has turned his ability to hit from deep into a strength despite it appearing as a complete weakness entering the year. 

The first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft was a career 23.5 percent three point shooter at Virginia over two seasons. The number made many media members, fans and even executives question whether he could survive in the modern game despite being a savant on the defensive end of the floor. 

Since joining the Suns, Dunn has answered those questions more emphatically than a toddler being offered candy. 

In the preseason, he shot over 43 percent on 30 attempts, making more from deep than he did in his entire time in college. The success has carried over to the regular season as he’s hit an impressive 46.2 percent from deep on 13 attempts. 

His performance has led many in the national media to call him the “steal of the draft” already. 

“Ryan Dunn might be the steal of the draft,” tweeted Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently. “The Suns really might have hit a grand slam with him. A defender of his elite caliber with his seemingly newfound jumper is a special piece for a contender, even as a rookie.”

The excitement for what he’s been able to prove early this year isn’t just from the media. His own coach has shown it as well, starting him just three games into his career with Bradley Beal out due to injury. 

“Ryan has earned the trust and respect of his teammates,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer shared prior to Dunn’s first start. “Earned the trust and respect of myself.” 

If Dunn’s three-point shooting ability stays even simply league average, his presence gives the Suns the 3 and D wing they’ve desperately needed. It also opens up new paths for the Suns to find themselves towards the top of the West and with a chance to do something the franchise has never accomplished in its history.

Sure, we’re playing in small sample size theater for both Dunn and Ryland, but each has given a renewed sense of optimism in a desert that has been in desperate need of some. 

Who knew all it would take is two unexpected characters proving threes make good company.