re: Why does Loomis get so much credit?

Some gms are just numbers guys, so are just scouting guys, and some are both. Loomis is purely a numbers guy. He has never been a talent evaluator.

If you want to put blame on who we draft and pick up in FA, look to our scouting dept and coaches. They tell Loomis who they want and he makes the numbers work.

I believe what you are trying to say is our scouts and coaches do poorly at evaluating defenses talent.

Edit:
And yeah his title may say all that, but Payton is the one picking most of these guys. Maybe you can put a little blame on him for the scouts, but if Payton wants to keep them do you think Loomis should piss him off by firing them anyway?

They have a great relationship and it would be even worse to wreck it than just having a substandard defense imo.