Not gonna post prior quotes but will address some prior comments.
I'm a huge fan of our O scheme. Yes I think it, and CPJ calling the plays in it, gives us advantages over our opponents and helps our guys on O be successful. When we have really cooked with gas on O however, we have had strong talent and athleticism on that side. Even CPJ and his scheme needs Jimmies and Joes to succeed at a high level.
Do I have the same confidence in Roof and his scheme? No I honestly don't. Do I think he's a subpar D coordinator? No I honestly don't. Do I think talent on that side of the ball has been lacking? Yes I do. And that includes criticizing some players (talent and size / athleticism wise) who I loved watching and are favorites of mine.
Two examples, Pat Gamble and PJ Davis. Both very good players for us. Both with hearts of warriors that gave their all. How can I criticize that? Well I don't, but I do recognize some of their limitations. PJ lacked height and hip turn IMO when comparing him to elite level college ILBs. Pat poured his all into every play, and made a bunch of big plays for us. Pat lacked power, agility, and size to a degree compared to elite DTs and didn't have the athleticism to rush the edge as a DE.
Could another scheme have made these two guys more effective? Was a measure of the success they did have due in part to scheme and play calls? I honestly don't know but can see how arguments in both cases can be made.
But where I have seen multiple difference making athletes having success on O, I have not seen the same on the D side. Either in first stringers or with depth. Maybe that's just my misperception and I invite anyone to site examples to change my perception.
The recruiting successes we have had in the last 3 years lends me to believe the tide has started to turn with regards to improving talent on D. That's all just speculation till proven on the field. I still have front 7 concerns for this year but those concerns are tempered by what I believe to be talent and depth improvements here. My feeling is we are still a year away and 2018 will see a talent level that will be on par with other solid Ds. I hope we get there a year sooner than I think.