Too many busted assignments for any defense to work. Philosophy and scheme are meaningless without execution. It's going to continue to get better and better with the infusion of more talent and more of Al's recruits replacing Shannon's slugs.
Sorry to burst your bubble but all of Shannon players are gone from the starting defense. Dont even know if there are any left period. Its Golden defense and his players. Funny the team played better when it was all Shannon players. Whose fault is it they are not executing. Let me guess. ..Shannon?
There were plenty of Shannon slugs on that defense last year, and, not coincidentally, there were all the worst players busting the most assignments and giving up the biggest plays. This year's defense will be significantly better due to the talent and smarts upgrade with Al's guys all over the field swooping in on opposing ball carriers like a rabid ibis.
Go look at the games. Tell me how many big plays were the result of busts especially by guys like Highsmith and Rodgers.