The problem with a guy like Rob Ryan, IMO, is how loud and volatile he can be. He can be a sideshow at times, and while that can be fine, you've got to be a damn good DC to make it worth dealing with. Why not go get someone who you perceive to be just as good and you know won't be a distraction?
Agree with these points. I would ask, however, if one thinks that this is where coaching should come into play. You lose a few guys (major guys too, I understand), shouldn't the DC, if he's as good as he claims to be on a regular basis (in a pricky way btw), make adjustments to his schemes/strategies and overcome the injuries?
They clearly may not overcome the injuries to the point where they are better as a defense w/o those guys, but shouldn't a great DC overcome the injuries somewhat to where you're not near the bottom in most defensive statistics?
I'm not sure if I necessarily believe that, just throwing it out there...