Firing Anarumo surprised me because of the development of the young CBs on the roster over the past 2 years, but it is good that higher standards and expectations are being set.
Q1) Out of interest, would this decision to let Anarumo go - would it have been made by Defensive Coordinator, Matt Burke or would it have been a Gase decision?
Q2) Who is in the mix to get the job?
It would be hard as outsider to distinguish the line between development and talent. Who's to say how much he did in development and how much was done with already developed talent. How much were they helped by other players? DC? By the same token, did he maximize the development? Did he meet the HC's expectations in his dealing with these players? Did he hold players accountable and fix problems or were they wildly inconsistent? This group has, at times, been very impressive but then turn around the next week and get toasted by missing assignments, etc. Granted they have not always had the most talent. The talent has gotten better.
When Lou took over as DB coach he had....
2012 Sean Smith, Richard Marshall and Nolan Carroll (27th in yards, 6th in passing TD's)
2013 Brent Grimes, Carroll, Will Davis, Jimmy Wilson, Jamar Taylor (16th in yards, 3rd in passing TD's)
2014 Brent Grimes, Cortland Finnegan, Jamar Taylor, Will Davis (6th in yards, 20th in passing TD's)
2015 Brent Grimes, Brice McCain, Bobby McCain, Jamar Taylor, Tony Lippett (21st in yards, 25th passing TD's)
2016 Byron Maxwell, Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, Tony Lippett (18th in yards, 25th passing TD's)
2017 Xavien Howard, Bobby McCain, Cordrea Tankersley, Alterraun Verner (17th in yards, 23rd passing TD's)
Our safeties over that span have primarily been Reshad Jones matched up with Michael Thomas or TJ McD, Nate Allen, IAQ, Walt Aikens, Louis Delmas, Jimmy Wilson & Chris Clemons.
I'm not seeing a lot of development. I see some players like Jamar Taylor thriving in Cleveland of all places. We have seen a good year out of Bobby McC and some inconsistent play by a lot of other starters. Not to say it was all his fault but I don't really have a problem moving on after this track record over 6 seasons.
I do see some promising signs from our young corners but not sure how much can be credited to Lou. Could be that his style/personality is just too similar to that of Joe Philbin and not Adam Gase. In that case a change is a good thing.