Robert Saleh, Head Coach: A-
Tough job as a rookie and he made some mistakes. Some of his game management is questionable at times, and I can't believe he wouldn't have called some of our defensive plays a little differently so maybe he needs to be a bit more hands on while his coaches are figuring their excrement out, but overall the growth of the team reflects on Saleh and that's a positive. We had horrific injury problems but he got the best from scrubs and guys off the street, remained positive and professional, didn't throw anyone under the bus, and I think showed all the signs of being the guy we hoped he would be.
Matt LaFleur, Offensive Co-ordinator: B
Things did not start well for MLF. No one could have predicted the loss of Greg Knapp and that burden fell on Lafleur to handle as Zach started his rookie season, and his decision to call the games from the sideline so he could be in direct contact with Zach while the defense was on the field didn't pay off. He didn't help Zach and he called some pretty brutal games. We didn't know it at the time but Zach's injury might have come at an optimal time for a number of people, including Lafleur; the White/Flacco tandem meant that Lafleur could go to the booth where he clearly had a much better view of games straight away, and the playcalling took a big leap forward. Still not perfect, and as a rookie playcaller he got taught a few lessons by opposing coaches, but given the desperate personnel situation in the back half of the season he did well to keep the offense looking competent. Clearly not afraid to be creative and some of his best plays are some of his prettiest, with sweeps and end arounds and triple reverses and multiple passers always waiting to come out of the bag. Hopefully he can show a lot more with better personnel next year.
Jeff Ulbrich, Defensive Co-ordinator: C-
The loss of primary pass rushing threat before the season got under way was a tough one, but it doesn't excuse some of the abject failings of the defense this season. Saleh said when he joined that this defensive line unit was the best he'd ever had, which says something after the team he had in SF, but all too often Ulbrich failed to find the looks to get penetration and as a result opposing QBs were able to pick us apart, something they did brutally through the middle part of the season. On the plus side the young secondary was better than we could have dared hope before the season started, but that's more than countered by the abject run defense. CJ Mosley was the defensive leader we know he is and that Ulbrich needed, but the complete lack of talent around him meant that teams could pretty much run at will on us and Ulbrich is going to have to find ways to make that front 7 a much more effective unit. Will need a much better second season to have a realistic hope of getting a third.
