The Schaffer Effect

The more I contemplate last years horror, the more I realize that our defensesive coordinator, alone, caused 40% of all our problems. Considering that this is utilizing Hindsight 20/20, and accepting the possibility of scape-goating someone who no longer is one of ours, I still believe that last year was at least a 5-7 / 6-6 team without Schaffer at the healm of the defense. First, I know our offense was the biggest liability for our defense. Illinois, Penn St., and OSU prove that... as soon as our offense was halted, our defense was put in such horrible position that no scheme could make up for it. No defensive scheme would have won those games. It was obvious that our defense had no concept of tackling fundamentals, and at times it was obvious that the schemes were too complicated for a 1st-year system. My biggest complaint the whole year was how Harrison was handcuffed in a scheme where his speed and versatility was not utilized (Schaffer must not of watched the Capital One Bowl film where Harrison spent the entire game chasing (and hitting) Tebow in the backfield in between knocking receivers off their routes). And mostly I still can't believe that he couldn't take advantage of the depth and talent on the D-Line.... giving Stevie more time to be exposed down field. NOw knowing that RR shipped him out after only a year, and now hearing that there was discourse in the locker room, it is obvious (maybe only to me) that Schaffer and RR weren't only on different pages, but actually were at odds with each other. For a head coach that has never coached defense and has always relied on the D.C. to essentially be a co-head-coach, hiring Schaffer was a huge mistake; but Schaffer's inability to adapt (or refusal to adapt) killed us. Putting the past behind us (which I'll never be able to do, 3-9 for God's sake!), Robinson is that head coach that will coach up a defense. Imagine if at this time last year we were talking about S. Brown at "safety-backer" and "Spinners (Deathbackers)" and admissions by our coaches that our players "need" to work on fundamentals. These adjustments and schemes will improve this team as much as anything else next year. With an offensive line, a capable qb, a healthy TB tandem... and a legit D.C., this is at least an 8-4 team.