I havne't seen what JL had to say about it. It is the impression i'm getting. and maybe it's sunshine, but i'm believing it for now. We've had players here and they could play good defense. We forced plenty of 3rd and longs over the past couple seasons, even with #4 DB's as our starters, but we could always rely on a breakdown somewhere and leave someone wide open for 12+ yards in the middle of the field.Evidently, and this could be sunshine blown up our backsides to some extent or another, but evidently Pettine’s defense is supposed to be exceptionally adaptable in terms of complexity. He and others (did you read the Jim Leonard interview?) have said that he can get a simple version of it completely installed and then just build on it with more complicated concepts as players are ready to handle it.
Just cleaning that up makes this defense better. Don't be so confusing you confuse yourself. Well timed "exotics" and lots of just solid base play will help this defense tremendously. Then you grow from there. I think it's a good philosophy. I wrestled since I was 5, no state championship, but I was better than most. and I'd dominate people with the first 3 moves I ever learned. Single leg takedown, an escape, and half nelson. You don't have to be fancy to win. Just be good at what you do.