Quote:
Originally Posted by barrett
I agree that Richard Smith should go based on the overall performance of the defense, but I disagree with the idea that we know why it was so poor early in the year.
It's a nice theory to say it was conservative play calling and it may be true. But look at the defense from the 1st month.
No dunta robinson. Injured Demeco was a shell of himself. Adibi was banged up early, missed alot of time and camp and was not on the field yet. No deljuan robinson who has played great lately. Eugene wilson did not get up to speed until almost 2 months in. The Defense on the field was basically Mario and the 10 stiffs at that point.
I want Smith gone because I don't think he's a good coach, and I don't think we'll ever be great with him, but I still recognize that Monte Kiffin couldn't have stopped people with our early season 11.
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I gave him the benefit of the doubt last year because of the injuries we had then. The D also played better down the stretch last year....once we were out of contention. If you look at the starting 11 this year compared to the end of last season...I probably take this years team. Reeves is better than Faggins. He still had the "upgrade" at Safety in Demps who was prematurely labeled as a savior last year (not by me though

). Okoye was a year older. Diles was an upgrade until he got hurt. Guys like Earl Cochran and Tim Bullman contributed this year. Demeco was banged up last year and Dunta was gone too so that's a wash, but the defense regressed from the way they finished last year with what should have been a better squad IMO. The only major drop-off was the way Greenwood has fallen apart.
I suspect, but have no way to know for sure, that Kubiak might be dictating some of the conservative approach. If that's the case then hopefully Kubiak recognizes it, and assuming they bring Smith back he lets him turn the defense loose. I'm concerned that we will see the same pattern next year if there's not a change with the defensive co-ordinator...I call it "coaching tight" until we have nothing to lose.