Put Up or Shut Up 2013 - Defense Edition

It's hard to pinpoint one player who really needs to step their game up to stay on this team, but here's my attempt at a ranking.

1. Harper: I think Vaccaros draft selections was a "Hey Harper, Im looking at you" moment from Payton. While he may be uncuttable this year, I have no doubt if he doesn't step up tremendously this year, he's a goner. IMO he needs to not only get back to average, but really shine. Even then I think his clock his ticking with Vaccaro destined to take snaps.

2. Will Smith: Besides underachieving the past few seasons, the move to the 34 signals Smiths way out. Their obviously giving the respected Vet his chance at DE this year in the 34, but with young promising guys like Hicks who you can't keep off the field and guys like Tom Johnson or Tyrunn Walker who can produce some snaps for a fraction of the cost.

3A. Malcolm Jenkins: I honestly have no idea what happened to this guy. He showed tons of promise in 09 and 10. He was alright in 2011 but the guy looked completely lost the majority of 2012. I think he has the talent to be a contributor, he just needs to put it together. I would honestly have no problem putting IAQ in over him on a regular basis, considering Quddus actually produced when Jenkins went out towards the end of last year. I don't think he's on the hot seat as much as Harper, but if he doesn't start getting it together, he could be replaced pretty easily.

3B. Jon Vilma: He and Jenkins are in a similar situation to me, but with less pressure on Vilma. IMO Lofton and Hawthorne are the two guys you expect to be big time contributors at ILB with Vilma still seeing the field. I think he's already just about on his last year or two of being able to stay on the field, and after taking a paycut, he is still a valuable situational piece with tons of experience and leadership.

4. Patrick Robinson: I think Robinson is still a valuable piece to this defense, but he really needs to get it together after a horrid 2012. Hopefully the scheme change will allow him to get back to that potential we saw down the stretch of 2011. I don't think he's on his way out and hopefully with Lewis taking one of the top CB spots, he won't have to be spotlighted as often. I think this year and next are very important for him in determining whether they think he can step up to the 1 or 2 spot when Greer moves on/retires.

5. Broderick Bunkley: This isn't so much about him being on the hotseat as much as wondering what his fit will be going forward. I don't recall how old he is, but IMO Jenkins is the future at NT. Hell, he may be the present. I think Bunkley provides value as your incumbent starter and no matter who wins the battle, hell on the field quite a bit in 2013. I think he'll be a Saint for at least a couple more years regardless but with mentions of Walker seeing time at NT, you have to wonder how if three will be company with Jenkins, Bunkley, and Walker.