Question
Don't you think it's possible that at least part of (maybe a big part of) the issue vis a vis defensive talent is a coordinator who doesn't seem to know/understand/care what his players are best at - their strengths and weaknesses - and is seemingly unable to use them where they are best?

-----------

Answer
In this case, no. The strengths and the weaknesses of the DL players are pretty clear, so I don't think it's a lot of knowing or understand nor a lack of caring.

Now you could argue the scheme is not best for the talent, but it's the head coach that demanded this scheme, which Joe Barry maybe would of selected even if that wasn't a demand.


Raji was drafted to be a NT, but he never had the NT skill set (two gapping) so Raji's best spot was one gap DE pass rusher.

Packers got away from the one gap 3-4 DE pass rushing because they barely had enough pass rushers for it and then they lost someone (Jenkins?) In FA (which FYI, his agent over priced his market and he actually ended up accepting less than what the Packers offered him, and then even later took a paycut from that less. But in losing that other player they no longer had the pass rushers to stay in the one gap 3-4 DE scheme. But honestly, I think Raji also got lazier or less hungry and demanded less from himself after the Superbowl.


And I would disagree with that statement about Gute. It's pretty clear the last two years, they wanted to double down on those interior one gappers and that's exactly what Gute got them in Wyatt, Van Ness (he mainly played DT in college), Wooden and Brooks.

So Gute has tried to get players for the scheme.

I would say Gute's method is I'll grab the best large athlete, and it's the coaches job to develop that large athlete.

Where Thompson wanted the best developed football player, though some were not nessarily the best athletes.


Say as Thompson would always draft WRs/TEs that could catch extremely well, but like TE Richard Rodgers, they might of been a sub average athlete.

Where Gute has drafted WR J'Mon Moore, whom was absolutely amazing quick area athletic and could absolutely move like Devante Adams, but couldn't catch a cold if your hosed him down and left him outside for week in the coldest parts of winter.


I guess a simpler way to say it, Thompson drafted for the highest floor talent, guys that are safe, least likely to bust, as they're already fairly developed, just need help to take it from good to great, but not as much athletic potential.

Gute drafts for the highest ceiling, most athletic potential, even if they might have a higher chance of busting, IF they develop, they MIGHT become a great player.


Though I still strongly think Gute needs to have some new eyes or listen to different people about linemen (OL, DL and maybe TEs).


Not only coaching changes, but GM changes. Or at least scouting change.