I haven't been able to figure this defense out all year long. Is this a case of Nature vs Nurture (talent drafted or coaching)? There really is no way this defense should be ranked #32 in the league considering some of the talent and coaching available on this team, but here we are and this game didn't prove the rankings wrong!
This defense has 5 players drafted in the 1st round (Hawk-disappointing play for draft position, Pickett/Woodson-both have high mileage on their tires and Raji/Matthews-most recent D1's). Collins is a D2 but we unfortunately had to replace him with Peprah who is a D5. Burnett is a D3 but we can all agree that he just completed his rookie year this year. The other names that have popped up as starters are as follows: D6-Bishop, Wynn, Walden; D7-Jones, Wilson and finally Free Agents-T.Williams, Shields, Zombo.
Shouldn't this defense be better with 5 players coming from the 1st round (raises questions about coaching)? Or are we counting on too much from the bottom end of the draft to complete the starting line up (raises questions about talent drafted/obtained)?
I'm not quite sure that this mess is all coaching. Before showing Capers the door; I would take a long hard look at the talent on this defense. When I was done looking, Raji, Matthews and Bishop might be safe at their positions and Pickett/Woodson would earn respect for being a veteran presence but everyone else would be fighting for a starting position on this team. I see this team missing Jenkins and Collins a lot!
However if we were not able to maximize defensive effort due to inadequate coaching; then steps should be made to correct these deficiencies. I'm not in favor of wholesale firing of the coaching staff when Capers may have been coping as best as he could with the hand (roster of players) that he was dealt.