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Yesterday you spoke out on Tom Cable’s performance, as perceived by... you. Today we turn our beaks to peck at Kris Richard.
Richard inherited a defense that had led the league in scoring three consecutive times, once under Gus Bradley and twice under Dan Quinn. The cupboard was stacked and the pantry was stocked when he took over.
In 2015, Richard guided that talented defense to yet another first-place finish in points against, despite the presence of Cary Williams and the (short) absence of Kam Chancellor. However, if a Cardinals field goal bounces in off the upright in week 17 instead of out, the Seahawks are second in points allowed. Inches: they matter like miles.
2016 didn’t go as smoothly for Richard’s defense, on or off the field. Richard Sherman made headlines for threatening reporters and screaming at coaches. The Seattle Seahawks, who never get blown out, got blown out. Twice. By the stupid Packers, of all stupid people. The season ended short of a conference title.
If you break the last six years up into three eras with three coordinators, you find the following:
- Bradley’s defense gave up 30+ points four times in 34 games, or once every 8.5 games.
- Quinn’s, once every 12.7 games.
- Richard’s? Once every 7.5 games with Earl Thomas present, and once every 2.3 games without him.
It feels only fair to mention that Richard is the only one who had to make it work sans Thomas for an extended period of time (seven games).
Uncoincidentally, the poll below sounds similar to the Tom Cable one from yesterday.
Poll
Pick the response that best expresses your opinion about the performance of defensive coordinator Kris Richard.
This poll is closed
-
6%
He has my enthusiastic support
(133 votes) -
30%
He’s done fine, a solid job
(603 votes) -
32%
Neutral one: It’s Pete’s defense anyway, or virtually any DC would succeed with that much talent at his disposal
(640 votes) -
11%
Neutral two: I don’t have enough data to judge properly, or I don’t have an opinion at this time
(235 votes) -
16%
Dissatisfied for the most part; there are problems
(326 votes) -
1%
I’ll be pleased when he gets a job elsewhere or is fired
(35 votes)