Gruden fires defensive coordinator Joe Barry

[Schneed10]

Talent certainly matters. So does scheme and coaching, and no doubt the organization is looking to improve all of the above.

The best way to measure a defensive coordinator's impact is look how he did in his first year, and look how that same defense did in the year before his arrival. That's why Wade is so impressive, he has frequently taken a moribund defense into the top 10 in his first season.

Bradley has improved the defenses he has coached, both the Seahawks and Jags got quite a bit better, but it took longer and some talent. Wade's impact has been more immediate.

Same with Manusky. Wilks we can't judge, never been a coordinator. Norman developed, and he certainly knows what good defenses look like, but can he call one? Can he gameplan? Can he flex his scheme to fit his talent? Maybe but we don't know. He's a risk.

Wade is the best candidate, it's not close.