Pagano

[thelightningwill]

I think we made the right call in keeping Pagano as defensive coach this year. The D has been okay as a group despite pretty bad individual players.

I see the results that Pagano got this year as similar to the ones Ron Rivera got when he was with us. Neither coach had much for talent to work with and each got the players, as a group, to play average. We're not a good defense. But we're not a bad defense either. And, based on who plays defense for us, average is pretty damn good.

I don't like our defensive linemen - not any of them. Liuget might be good some day, but he isn't right now. Reyes sucks. And Thomas should always be a backup.
I think Butler could end up being good if he ever stays healthy. Te'o is in the same boat. Neither were consistently good this year. And their backups were worse.
Our outside linebackers - I didn't even know who they were from week to week. Johnson is okay when he plays.
Our secondary is Weddle and nobody else. And, Weddle, as well as he plays, isn't the god that some people make him out to be. He's just a better-than-average safety who seems to be a good leader.
So, basically, what I'm saying is our defense this year was mostly Weddle, sometimes Johnson, and a whole lot of bad and injured players. Yet, somehow, this defense, as a whole, was okay. I think that has to do with the good work of the defensive coach.

[Coachmarkos]

I think you are kinda harsh on our defensive players.

Did you see the Chiefs Colts game yesterday? And the Chiefs are supposed to be one of the top defenses in the game.

It's simply not a defensive game anymore.

I don't mind Pagano. I don't love him, I don't hate him, and I think it's ridiculous to lay the blame of defensive failures completely at his feet.

[SFW]

I think we tend to be our own harshest critics, especially on these forums. We tend to judge our own players to an almost impossible standard. I don't know if it the lack of championships, the environment of the city or what but our team and players are no where near as bad as many make it out to be (or as I continually read in this forum). The defense obviously needs a few impact players added but I think it is much closer to being good than people think.

I don't think there will be any truly dominant defenses anymore in this era of the NFL. The best you can hope for is just be good when it matters. I think players like Liuget, Reyes, Butler, Weddle, Ingram, Te'o and Johnson are good enough to build around. Telesco needs to upgrade one player per defensive level (line, LB, secondary) through free agency and the draft and our defense will get the job done next season.

I am not a big fan of Pagano, but I do think he has earned the right to get one more season. The team and defense needs continuity and they will probably be losing Whisenhunt, would hate to lose both coordinators at same time.

[Boltx]

He needs to call the game of his life today.

[SDFan]

so far he is... at least in 2nd half

[KNSD]

Amazing how well the defense plays when Ingram is in. Coaching is better too.