Jim Haslett

[Schneed10]

This thread, and most of the opinions in it, don't make much sense to me.

First, let's acknowledge the obvious, we gave up a shit-ton of points last year, giving up 478 points good for 30th in the league. But remember special teams contributed to that fiasco, giving up multiple returns for TD in addition to bad field position thanks to having the lowest number of kickoffs go for touchbacks. So I think you have to judge the defense last year on yards.

The team of course was horrible last year to start when Chip Kelly's Eagles came out and destroyed us to start the season, then Green Bay and Detroit went ape on us too. And then in weeks 7 we gave up a ton to Denver (who didn't?). But Haslett definitely got things fixed. In our first 8 games, we gave up 399 yards per game. In the last 8, 309 yards per game. If you want to break the season into 4-game chunks:

First 4: 441 yds per game
Second 4: 357 yds per game
Third 4: 325 yds per game
Last 4: 294 yds per game

That is significant improvement. It led to some improvement in points allowed, we averaged 32 allowed in the first 8, and averaged 28 allowed in the last 8 - and that was despite averaging an incredible 4 turnovers a game on offense in the last four games to end the season (Cousins + fumbles).

Haslett was able to get that improvement despite a very thin secondary. I think we still have questions about our secondary - is Clark really an improvement and is Amerson really ready to start full time, etc. But I think we're in better shape than last season. Our pass rush is certainly better with Hatcher and Murphy there for depth/rotations.

Haslett is definitely still a strong defensive coach, that's why he was kept. You can't lay the 30th ranking in points allowed entirely at his feet. Shanahan ignored special teams when building the roster, when he put Cousins in the team turned the ball over more, and yes he overruled Haslett at times.

For Haslett's D to work best he needs a playmaking safety and the reins taken off when it comes to rushing the passer. I like our passrushers. Not sure about safety. But that's not on the coach. Getting rid of Has would have been throwing the baby out with the bathwater.