Rex Ryan's greatest fault is his inability to understand or value high level QB play.
Some old-school coaches like Parcells and Ryan (and Sparano and Wanny, etc.) believe that high-level QB play is like a piece of trim on a car: It may look nice but really doesn't add to the functionality of the car. These kinds of coaches believe that you can enjoy high level success w. good running, great D and game-manager QBs. It maybe used to be that way in the NFL, but in today's league, teams generally need a QB that is high level -- if not in passing, then in running and able to pass well enough to keep teams honest when they key on run.
Ryan struggles to understand the QB position and offense in general. All his years doubling down on Sanchez, now Geno, oops, Vick, it's sunk him as HC.
Today's league places a premium on the QB and WRs and big-time TEs. It devalues the RB (compared to old-school philosophies like Parcells, etc.). It also places a premium on pass rush and pass defense, more than before.
It's a different league. Rex seems to get the defensive part but not the offensive.
Philbin even struggled w. this to some degree -- being forced to get Lazor and being forced to get higher level WRs. Still he struggles -- thinking possession WRs are great and low-level TEs all that. Hopefully Philbin can get it figured out w. Lazor's help, before he goes the way of Rexy.
LD