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

They were bad for his scheme. Spags defense operates mostly off zone coverage and a dominate dline while disguising blitzes from our linebackers. Our Dline was struggling to win their matchups and none of our linebackers were good at blitzing. Robinson was a corner who was better in man coverage then zone. Harper sucked in zone but was great at the LOS. Greer and Jenkins were the only two who were above average zone defenders.

He just didn't have the personal for his scheme here at all. Smith was fading in a big way. Galette was in his second year and not performing very well yet. Bunkley was bleh. and Ellis was getting shoved around everywhere. Jordan was our most consistent dlineman.

Our linebackers looked good on paper but none of them could blitz. And despite the fans loving Vilma, they had blinders on. He was above average but not great. And neither he, Lofton nor Hawthorne were good at pass rushing. Vilma also seemed very average in pass coverage.
As someone who loves Vilma remember he was out of position they moved him to Weakside even though playing MLB his whole career to make room for Lofton. Vilma greatest asset was between the ears and once they moved him from the MLB position I agree his weaknesses begin to show mor often. Lofton was a better athlete at that point of Vilma career but you can see Vilma was a general on the Def side of the ball