Why did Spagnuolo stink as Saints' DC? (merged)

scott88 said
because the talent outside of Cam Jordan was sh**

We fielded the #4 defense (both yards and scoring) the very next year

Let's see if we can figure out personnel changes
Also note we switched from the 4-3 to the 3-4
Im listing only starters, although Galette and Hicks were on the roster in 2012

Code

     2012                      2013
DT   Buntley/Ellis             Buntley(NT)
DE   Jordan/Smith              Jordan/Hicks
ILB  Lofton (MLB)              Lofton/Hawthorne
OLB  Vilma/Shanley/Hawthorne   Galette/Harlson
CB   Robinson/Greer            Lewis/Greer,White
S    Harper/Jenkins           Vaccaro/Jenkins

I don't think the 2012 roster was devoid of talent. The problem was there had some very obvious "weak links" which could be exploited, combined with a poor scheme and guys not being in the right spots. If I remember right Sedrick Ellis was a major one. Roman Harper had also lost a step, and I remember Vaccaro making an immediate impact. You can add Keenan Lewis replacing Patrick Robinson to that list.