These extreme comments are completely off base. I get that everyone is upset about the performance of our D. However, the extremist views expressed on this and many other threads have reached absurd levels. Every player in our defensive rotation is capable of contributing to a good to great defense. Some who are currently starting should be contributing in more situational roles and others are playing in positions/alignments that are not an ideal fit. None of this is due to the coaches not knowing what they are doing; it is simply the result of 1) not yet having all of the necessary pieces in place to execute the vision, 2) a few injuries, and 3) players learning/adapting to their roles.
1) not yet having all of the necessary pieces in place to execute the vision: We all knew (or should have known) that this was a building year for the defense. This is year one with a new d-coordinator and a new vision. We could have gone all in to fill out the roster with the right pieces to execute his vision and field a competitive defense. Instead, we let Wagner go, we used 3 of our top 4 draft picks on the offensive side, and, although we made a couple of free-agent signings to shore up the defense, I definitely didn't see any get-us-over-the-top all-in type of moves in free agency.
2) a few injuries: In the secondary, we've had multiple corners out for most of the season, and the injury to Adams eliminates the best playmaker on the team. The injuries to Alton and Smith depleted the edge depth. And, I think (I know most disagree with this) LJ would have been a good early-down rotation guy.
3) players learning/adapting to their roles: This is both a bigger deal than some are acknowledging and not as big of a deal as some on here are making it out to be. Regardless, a new coordinator with new variations is an adjustment. The biggest thing missing is that on-the-field leader to get everyone lined up and fired up. The current defensive leaders are lead-by-example guys. If I could take any player from the LOB and plug them into this defense to get things righted it would be Kam.
I for one am glad that we are taking our lumps this year rather than trading draft picks, signing stop-gaps, and/or using draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. I had my doubts on draft night, but I think getting the O-line shored up was the right move.