Cory's Corner: Is Dom Capers the next scapegoat?

I’m not a member of the “Fire Capers” fan club.

Capers has done a solid job in seven years as an innovative Packers defensive coordinator. He completely overhauled the defense by switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and in the very first year he improved the total defense by 19 spots — up all the way to No. 2.

I have always believed that what separates average coaching from good coaching is the ability to change — whether that’s through personnel or scheme. He squeezed every ounce of talent out of Charlie Peprah and has really showcased Clay Matthews’ versatility. He has also developed things like the psycho and NASCAR packages.

But what’s next for Capers? Remember, this is a Packers team with Grand Canyon-sized expectations. And to quell those expectations, head coach Mike McCarthy has given away the offensive playcalling (before taking them back) and he has also fired special teams coach and friend Shawn Slocum.

If the Packers continue to be disappointed in the playoffs, I don’t think it matters if the defense continues its status quo. Unless McCarthy opts to fire himself, which obviously won’t happen, Capers has to know that he’s next.

Let’s be clear. The offense was a complete train wreck last year and it was the defense that kept the Packers up and running.

The reason that’s impressive is because that’s not how the Packers have been built. Thanks to back-to-back Hall of Fame quarterbacks, they’ve been built to score about 30 points a game and hold teams to 21. And next year, outside linebacker Julius Peppers is in the final year of his contract with whispers of retirement around the corner. How interested is Peppers going to be at throwing his head in the pile?

Even if Capers is able to find Peppers plenty of rest, is able to find the next answer at inside linebacker and smiles at one of the better secondaries in the NFL, it may not mean much.

Because if the Packers fail again before reaching the NFC Championship Game, someone will likely get fired. Are those expectations pretty strong? Sure. But by now, McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson know that there’s an ever-present glow on their respectable seats.

Which may or not be fair, but the Packers are on the clock. They added a veteran tight end. They beefed up the defensive and offensive lines.

And if the Packers fall flat early, McCarthy will have no choice but to make a move. Could Capers’ message be falling through the cracks? Maybe, but hiring a new defensive coordinator would make more sense with a leader like A.J. Hawk on the roster. While Matthews is a great linebacker, he doesn’t possess the same leadership that Hawk had.

Football can be a weird game. An odd bounce of the ball often means the difference between winning and losing.

And most losses cannot be pegged on one person. But McCarthy is running out of scapegoats and Capers looks like he’s perched atop Blame Mountain. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (51)

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Bearmeat's picture

May 24, 2016 at 06:37 am

Capers won't be fired in season, and I can't imagine him getting fired at all unless things go south very quickly and stay south on the defensive side of the ball.

While I'm concerned about the front 7 on D, I'm not concerned that GB will be terrible and it will keep them from winning the division. I'm concerned that the best teams in the league will exploit a lack of consistent pass rush and poor man to man coverage in underneath routes to keep the chains moving. This is not a defense that will give up a ton of big plays. The other (lesser IMO) concern is stopping the run. Clark is going to be huge for that, as is the development of Pennel. If those 2 step up, we'll be fine. If not.... uh oh...

Bottom line: Against good offensive teams, Capers is not going to get better results than his talent allows him. He's a master at masking some deficiencies, but that usually makes the D weak elsewhere. For example, he manufactured a pass rush for years before Pep showed up - when TT gave him CM3 and a bag of balls at OLB. BUT that meant a lot of man to man in the back end and big plays happened - especially when there was a bag of balls at FS too. However, if Capers has the edge in talent, the defense truly will be a shut down type of D. I don't think he does - so I'd expect the D to be mediocre, but certainly not terrible.

TL:DR - I guess what I'm saying is that I'd file this under "It's possible but not likely."

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 24, 2016 at 05:55 pm

The best defenses have the best players.

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porupack's picture

May 24, 2016 at 06:54 am

Cory,
I guess its inevitable to reignite the debate after the pre and post draft emphasis on TT and whether its talent or coaching. So let's rage on; which of those two are most responsible for a moderately good, but not elite defense?

As for complaining about coaches, most of my gripes have been about offense schemes/play alterations and calling and not enough creativity to get WRs open. On defense, I think it has been more about mediocre talent (and some of that was due to shortened careers). Like a million times said, ILB and S were the weakest units in past 5 years (though S now seems above par).

If I complain about defensive coaching, then it is on the fundamentals that we have so often identified after a game; 1) poor tackling, 2) missed assignments, 3) confusion in backfield, 4) wide open receiver running naked across the middle. So yeah, DC should be on the hot seat to get these fundamentals and execution right. He now has a seasoned crew of corners and safeties and DL, so no excuses. Needs to be in the top 10 Defenses this year, or go.

I fault TT for missing talent infusion at ILB. What good is it to have 3-4 DL eating up blockers so ILBs can roam and penetrate, if ILBs can't run and roam? Seems a fundamental concept indictment on TT.

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Finwiz's picture

May 24, 2016 at 01:46 pm

The reason you had wide open receivers running free in the middle of the field, particularly in the AZ game is, a scheme that's too complicated for rookies like Randall to know where the zone boundries lie. He dropped a coverage figuring it was picked up and Peppers wasn't there. That falls on coaching - not talent. That's just ONE example, there are many, many more. The game has passed this old guy by - time to retire.

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marpag1's picture

May 24, 2016 at 07:29 am

I assume that this article was written as a monument to wild speculation and illogical conclusions.

Here's my thought on the matter: Capers might get fired if the defense sucks.

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Bearmeat's picture

May 24, 2016 at 08:19 am

Hahaha. +1 Marpag!

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dobber's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:33 am

You win the thread.

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Chad Lundberg's picture

May 25, 2016 at 12:49 am

Glad I'm not the only one who's getting really tired of "cory's I need to talk about anything that's unrational corner". Seriously, I can't recall one time I agreed on something or even learned anything. This site would be more if these articles were finally just taken out already.

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ray nichkee's picture

May 24, 2016 at 07:49 am

The way the D kept the pack in the hunt last season having limited talent with a putrid offense on the other side of the ball i say capers did a pretty good job. Unless there are drastic changes in overall performance i think capers will retire before he gets the axe. He has adapted well to changes over the years so i would expect that to continue.

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egbertsouse's picture

May 24, 2016 at 08:00 am

While I realize the D wasn't the problem last year, I wouldn't mind if Capers retired and sat by the pool in Boca with the other 80 year olds and we get some new blood.

My beef has always been that TT always drafts 4-3 players and then forces Capers to square peg them into the 3-4 round hole. Why not just go to the 4-3 and maximize your existing talent?

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dobber's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:38 am

Certainly not true this year in that the defensive talent selected in the draft came almost exclusively from 3-4 college schemes, and in the case of Lowry, who is the only one of the four defensive players selected that came from a 4-3 team at Northwestern, he has prototypical 5-technique dimensions (except for the T-rex arms).

Maybe it's by design...maybe it's happenstance...but I like it. And I hope it continues.

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4thand1's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:33 pm

I hate the short arms bull shit. Bulaga's arms were supposed to be too short , and when healthy he's one of the better RT's in the league. Tom Demsey made a 63 yard FG with half a kicking foot. All these so called experts don't measure heart.

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Kid Culi's picture

May 24, 2016 at 10:30 pm

Wrote about the Lowry arm length issue here: http://lombardiave.com/2016/05/04/green-bay-packers-arm-length-really-ma....
Results weren't encouraging

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RCPackerFan's picture

May 24, 2016 at 08:18 am

Overall I like Capers and what he has done.

My biggest complaint about Capers is he tends to get to conservative to fast in games. And while I like moving Mathews to ILB and think it was a smart move, I don't think making him a ILB was not a good move.

What I mean by that is I like him playing in the middle but I don't like him playing the traditional ILB role. I like him moved around and used in special ways. I keep going back to how he was used that first time against Chicago. He was moved around every where. He had him blitzing from the middle, from the outside, everywhere. He wasn't used in a traditional ILB role. He was used his own way. The way he should be used.

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dobber's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:45 am

"He had him blitzing from the middle, from the outside, everywhere. He wasn't used in a traditional ILB role. He was used his own way. The way he should be used."

You're right: this move, which happened out of necessity, may have helped Capers to be more open-minded in how he uses some players. Two years ago, CMIII moving inside was a turning point for this defense. Was it because CMIII made all the key plays from that position? I think it was more because getting Jones and Hawk off the field more in favor of Neal, Elliott, and Perry put a higher quality player on the field. CMIII will be someone offenses will need to scheme for regardless of which position he's playing.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

May 24, 2016 at 08:18 am

Capers just needs to keep his concepts simple enough for the young secondary to understand. A bunch of the times they've had problems the guys CLEARLY didn't know where they where supposed to be.

Look at the Seahawks, they never get fancy, they do simple things, they get very good at doing them.

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porupack's picture

May 25, 2016 at 03:05 am

Jeremy...not being critical of you...so bear with me....but seriously? How hard are concepts to understand? These are professionals paid, and dedicate their whole year, and this is beyond them to grasp? A concept is teachable, but execution is trainable. There is a difference. If the guys miss assignments, either they're dumb (and don't understand a concept) or the coaches haven't trained them to execute the concept. I have a hard time believing that a concept is beyond a professional that attended college and experienced high level of football during college.
Which do you think is the problem? Extraordinarily complex concepts that can't be learned in a year? Athletes with low intelligence? or Poor practices that don't translate to effective execution?

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4thand1's picture

May 25, 2016 at 03:39 pm

I say it's being dumb.

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Finwiz's picture

May 26, 2016 at 11:40 am

No it is NOT being dumb....you don't have 20+ players all collectively being dumb, on defense. It's the inability of the coaching staff to properly TEACH the scheme so its executed flawlessly at game speed. That's assuming the scheme itself is sound - but that's another story we could debate all day. I have my doubts about that as well. The scheme is too complex and not practical for the current player. Capers is no Fritz Shurmur.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

May 26, 2016 at 04:47 am

It's not just understanding them, it's reacting to them at NFL game speed without thinking about it.

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Allan Murphy's picture

May 24, 2016 at 08:48 am

Let's hope Sam B , Jake Ryan , and the rookies Blake and Frackle come in on fire..

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dschwalm's picture

May 24, 2016 at 12:04 pm

Wow! That's a novel thought, A.M. I would bet my life savings that is the "hope" of ll NFL teams right now.

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4thand1's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:37 pm

douchealm is back

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Spock's picture

May 24, 2016 at 08:51 am

I think Marpag said it well; the whole premise of this article is ridiculous. If the Packers lose in the PLAYOFFS (my emphasis) McCarthy is going to fire Capers? Hogwash. McCarthy has been beyond reticent to fire his coaches even after poor performances (see Slocum). Frankly, the RB and Tight end coach firings were a shock (a good sign, actually as their players were not playing their positions well last season). as to your comment," How interested is Peppers going to be at throwing his head in the pile?", Peppers is a professional who wants to win a Super Bowl before retiring. I can't see him not stepping up to the plate, especially since this season could well be his last.

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Since'61's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:37 am

Here's the issue with the Packers defense. Neither the coaching or the talent has been elite. Capers is a good defensive coach who has had one potential HOF (CM3) on his defense throughout his tenure. The key to a great defense is stepping up and making stops when you need to make them especially during the last 2-4 minutes of each half. Over the years we have seen far too often the offense take the lead or tie a game in the 4th quarter only to have the defense lose it on a late FG or TD drive or lose in OT. With few exceptions (CM3, Nick Collins, Woodson, Cullen Jenkins) Capers defense has not had the players to step up and make a big play at the critical time. In the playoff game against the Cardinals no one could hold onto an interception. In 2014 the defense disappeared during the last 4 minutes of the game and gave away a 12 point lead and I could go on all the way back to 2011. Is it Capers fault, yes to a degree, but drafting late, injuries, questionable talent and inexperience have all played a part. The bottom line is that you can't win without good players. There needs to be some level of talent there for the coaches to work with. Look at the Packer safeties prior to Clinton- Dix as an example. Or look at the difference between CM3 and all of our other LBs over the years. The coaches role is to develop what talent if any is there and utilize it in the most effective way possible. But even then there is no substitute for experience and lack of experience has also hurt the Packers defense. I would not mind seeing a change at defensive coach but an upgrade in talent is also required if our defense is ever going to reach "elite" status. Thanks, Since '61

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Handsback's picture

May 24, 2016 at 03:46 pm

A great defense stops the opponent when the game is on the line. What Since 61 is saying is 100% correct. You need talent and you need that guy who can step up and make a play when it's needed. Green Bay hasn't had that since the 2010 SB win. You still have a 90% CM3, HHCD, Daniels, vs. The players mentioned above. So who else will make that play? I dare say HHCD couldn't make that play until last year. (Remember the Seattle game!)
It's a talent and a perform under pressure mind set. I think it's the later that's kept the Packers from winning those close playoff games. Pressure does strange things to people's performance. They transcend the moment and win the battle. Lombardi's Packers did it on a regular basis. I think once you know it, you keep doing it.

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4thand1's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:42 pm

HHCD was still young and now he should make the jump to pro bowl status. He has enough experience to do so in year 3.

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dobber's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:49 am

"Is Dom Capers the next scapegoat?"

Dom Capers, with the exception of maybe 2009 and 2010, and then the last season-and-a-half has been a popular whipping boy and potential scapegoat around these parts for quite some time. I think he's comfortable in that role...

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PackerBacker's picture

May 24, 2016 at 10:36 am

Sorry it this is repeating something someone else has already commented.

My argument would be that MM doesn't need a scapegoat and that his job is not even in the realm of being in danger.

The team is a perennial contender and nearly always in the playoffs since he's been head coach. They're second in winning percentage behind only the Pats. They have won a SuperBowl and have been one win away multiple other times.

He's one of the best coaches in the league and his seat is ice-cold.

When you combine that with the structure of the Packers and how steady and level-headed Murphy and TT are, there is no chance that MM will need to sacrifice anyone if he doesn't want to.

His choice to fire coaches is his choice alone and not due to pressure to keep his position.

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Community Guy's picture

May 24, 2016 at 11:00 am

some comments on the OT loss in AZ:

- the Cardinals had what most said was the best offense last season and the Pack's D generally shut them down.
- for the most part, AZ could not run against the D
- the Cardinals passing game was shut down but got going later in the game.. Fitzgerald was the key.
- Shields played his butt off but dropped 3 picks
- pass rush, with the assistance of blitzing was mostly effective
- obviously Fitzgerald got hot late in the game, if the D had stopped him, the Pack would have advanced.. maybe Fitz got involved late enough (end of 3rd), that coordinators didn't adjust
- if Clay made a plausible tackle on him, his long overtime catch and run would have been mitigated/stopped much earlier
- Hayward made a potentially game-saving tackle on Fitz... Hayward may be missed
- Raji was inconsistent but blew up runs when it looked like the Cardinals were about to establish a run game
- Peppers played well
- Ryan seemed to help prevent the Cards from getting much going against the run
- Hyde didn't do well returning punts in the game
- Abby seemed very much in sync with ARod earlier in the game, he made key catches
- Janis was most effective when Pack were in desperation/"hail Mary mode"
- O-line played quite well
- Lacy played well

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PETER MAIZ's picture

May 24, 2016 at 11:06 am

I think it's McCarthy that's on the hot seat. After their super bowl, it was expected they would build a dynasty. This did not happen. If McCarthy doesn't deliver, he could be looking elsewhere. I think he's lost the faith of TT and Rodgers.

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dobber's picture

May 24, 2016 at 11:40 am

Unless the team goes in the crapper, MM will decide when MM is done being the Packers coach.

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Oppy's picture

May 26, 2016 at 06:35 pm

Caveat: "...So long as Ted Thompson is the GM."

All bets are off when a new GM enters.

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dobber's picture

May 26, 2016 at 07:26 pm

Wouldn't disagree with that...

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Finwiz's picture

May 24, 2016 at 12:52 pm

Sorry, but this guy should have been the 1st one gone this off season. I don't get it.... we get minor position coaches let go, but not the source of the defensive problems.... A scheme that's too difficult to learn for talented players. It amazes me this guy still has a job. Defense wins championships, and this is just an average defense, nothing more. And then there are years where it swings to a bottom 10 defense, and that's not acceptable. He must have something on McCarthy - like some scandalous knowledge or something, because it makes no sense he's still around.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

May 24, 2016 at 02:13 pm

Agree totally. I am and have been for years, in the fire Capers camp. The echo chamber that keeps touting him as a great coach has little evidence to back it up. No only has our defense been bad, it's been historically bad, in many key games. Yes, there have been moments, and yes, there is a lack of Hall of Fame players, but obvious weaknesses against the run and covering the middle of the field can not all be attributed to players. We are too often out of position and too often it looks like the opposing offensive coordinator has our number. He is simply outcoached too often. As to the article's contention that we miss A.J. Hawk's leadership, he was a bad player who fooled people with his rah rah attitude. If both Capers and Hawk had been let go four years ago this would have been a better team, regardless of the replacements.

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dobber's picture

May 24, 2016 at 02:32 pm

"If both Capers and Hawk had been let go four years ago this would have been a better team, regardless of the replacements."

I respect your opinion, but the "anything is better than what we have" argument is a flimsy one.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

May 24, 2016 at 03:19 pm

Hawk his last few years was regularly rated at the bottom or near of all league LB's, so "anything but" comes close to being correct in his case. Leadership comes from inspiring your teammates, but must include playmaking. He never was a playmaker.

Capers historic fails, giving up record setting games to QB's and WR's and allowing opposing offenses to set records that may never be broken, as well as his D's inability to close playoff games, also lends itself to "anything but." "Anything but" doesn't mean you or I, it does mean replaced with a professional. Years of experience isn't enough, it's often how incompetence gets rewarded.

The stink of some of the important games blown by Caper's D should have been enough to have had him fired.

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Finwiz's picture

May 25, 2016 at 09:47 am

Totally agree....this defense could never get off the field in games that mattered, particularly against good teams. How many times did we get a "3 and out" when we needed it, in key games? Rarely. When you don't get 3 and out's it effects you later in the game because fatigue sets in, like in the AZ playoff game when they had nothing left in the tank at crunch time. They make Matt Stafford look like all pro, and Kapernick too. This defense is awful in the sense that it gives up too many yards and doesn't get off the field. I guess I'm just old school, having been a fan since 1963 (1st recollection), so I value defense above all. We don't have it, and we won't win anything this year unless we get in the top 10 defensively. I don't see it with no schematic changes and no significant player aditions. It'll be the "same old, same old", later in the year. Mediocre teams rolling up big yards on the Packer D. Awful coaching, just awful.

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Samson's picture

May 24, 2016 at 03:37 pm

Only Capers ?? --- Like it or not,--- if season 2016 goes south for the Pack (anything under .500), the whole house will be cleared and next year at this time everyone will be talking about the 'new regime'. --- AR not only has to stay healthy but he has to return to the 'normal AR'. ---- Season 2016 is critical for many coaches, players and even fans. -------------- Like it or not.

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stockholder's picture

May 24, 2016 at 03:48 pm

This defense has struggled against injuries, fast QBs, certain Rbs, Free Agency, and players that never developed. MM and capers have always come up with a great game plans. Thats the combination that says he's no one's escape goat. Great minds think alike. Capers will stay as long as he wants too.

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Handsback's picture

May 24, 2016 at 03:53 pm

Capers is a very good coach. He's working with players that many teams don't want. (Neal anyone?) Sometimes the team just isn't good enough to overcome their lack of playmakers. I hope this year they make that switch.

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Finwiz's picture

May 25, 2016 at 09:48 am

You're a dreamer - there's enough talent on this defense, it isn't being utilized properly.

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PaulRosik's picture

May 24, 2016 at 04:24 pm

The packers defense was what it has always been in recent years. The averaged in the middle of the road statistically and had some good moments and then give up moments like a 75 yard pass in overtime. Management must every year evaluate if they received good use of the talent on hand. Is Capers getting great production out of an average crop of players, or is he holding back a talented group? That debate goes on yearly.

But after a season where the offense fell off the map and were middle of the pack in points and below average in yards produced it is not the defense that needs to be addressed.

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3rdigraphics's picture

May 24, 2016 at 09:44 pm

I will never waiver in my belief that Capers should have been fired after the 49ers playoff game where Kaep ran for record breaking yardage. Players publicly stated that they barely practiced the read-option the week leading up to the game. That is dereliction of duty as far as I'm concerned.

Capers is one of the oldest coordinators in the league - it's a young man's game. They're needed new blood on that side of the ball for years. McCarthy is loyal to a fault so Capers isn't going anywhere.

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Finwiz's picture

May 25, 2016 at 09:52 am

You are 100% correct - that game was a total and complete disgrace. The Packers defense MADE Kapernick's career. 180 yards rushing for a QB.....he'd roll left or right and nobody was ever home until he was 10 yards down field. Total joke of a defensive scheme. McCarthy would come down on him, things would improve a bit for a week, and then a few weeks later, same old huge gaps in the zone. Awful defense, just awful....and what about ALL the dropped INT's? Who's responsible for working with DB's on catching the ball? I'd say those position coaches report to the D-coordinator.

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Icebowler's picture

May 24, 2016 at 10:51 pm

If Jordy (and Rodgers of course) stay healthy all year, and the offense stays lackluster, like last year, Capers may be the only one who survives. Murphy (with Wolf in the waiting) might just say he's had enough of TT and MM.

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bsminh63's picture

July 24, 2018 at 09:32 pm

Football can be a weird game. An odd bounce of the ball often means the difference between winning and losing.

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bsminh63's picture

July 24, 2018 at 09:33 pm

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