I don't know that it is so much the coaching but more in the scheme. We have had the same basic defense for several years and teams know what it is and have found ways to attack it.

What is also problematic is that we are subject to a large number of explosive plays. We stop the run five to ten times for little and then give up a big gain.

This defense puts an awful lot on the LB's and teams seem to be picking up on this and attacking it by passing the ball on plays designed against our LB's.

All I know is I see teams like the Giants and Steelers and the defense looks like a chinese fire drill before the snap with multiple variations and it puts offenses on their heels and we line up the same over and over and rarely move guys around out there.

Obviously it would work better if we could get a pass rush on third down but teams just run those flat and cross routes and sit back until somebody gets open.

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could not possibly agree more... but thats why i say it is on Sanders head.

Sanders isn't so much a DC as he is a custodian. He took a great scheme and ran it. Problem is, he hasn't shown the ability to add new wrinkles. We need someone here with a defensive mind, someone who attacks offenses in different ways every game. Sanders comes out and lines up and says this is what we do... now try and beat it. And it works when the personel is right, as evidenced by last years strong showing. Problem is... you can't rely on that and hope to win a Super Bowl. You have to have a guy who shows up with a scheme fully prepared to flip the script on you once he thinks you've figured it out. Sanders can't.

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