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.