I know this might sound cold but all the superlatives that are coming out on Buddy Ryan are leaving me a bit underwhelmed. IMHO was a very good HC, but he was no genius. He should get full props for leading (IMHO) the greatest defense for a single season in league history. In fact the 1985 Bears (IMHO again) are the best team (single season division) in league history. He should also get full props in developing an innovative defense that for a very short time, no one could stop
However, it should also be noted just how quickly teams reacted to that innovation. After a run of just 2 good years, the Bears disappeared from the playoffs for over a decade. And while Buddy Ryan's HC's coaching career ended above .500 (I said he was a very good coach), his teams NEVER won a single playoff game.
The area's where Ryan's career SHOULD be extolled are the obvious connections he made with the players he worked with, and the fact he raised 2 sons who have had decent careers in the NFL, including one son, who has actually WON a game in the playoffs.
