Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers during warmups prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Dom Capers did an excellent job at turning the Green Bay defense into the unit that helped the Packers win the Super Bowl two years ago. However, the Packers defense has not played as well since then despite the amount of talent Capers has had. Also, Capers’ failure to do a consistently good job as defensive coordinator means it is time for the Packers to let Capers walk.

The 49ers game may have been the best example of why the Packers need to fire Dom Capers soon. The Packers had Colin Kaepernick running all over the field and the Packers went into halftime needing to make an adjustment. Instead, Capers stuck with the same failing game plan and it cost the Packers a shot to win as Kaepernick kept running all over the Packers. This game has shown that the Packers need to make a change and there are definitely some good replacement candidates.

Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac had an excellent defense when he was in Carolina as their defensive coordinator and the only reason he left was because he couldn’t work out a new deal. Trgovac already knows the talent on the roster which makes him an excellent candidate for the job and a favroite if Capers is fired.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Another off the radar candidate who should be considered is Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. The NFL’s offensive strategies are being impacted by college football so why not get a defensive coordinator who knows how to stop spread offenses. Smart might be hard to pry from Alabama but Smart is one of the best defensive coordinators in all of football and Green Bay should take a shot at him.

All great defensive coordinators get their shots at some point and the Packers could take their chance on Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker coach Keith Butler. He has done an incredible job at developing linebackers for the Steelers while also getting to learn from one of the NFL’s best defensive coaches, Dick LeBeau. Butler would be an unproven hiring but his experience with Pittsburgh would make him a risk worth taking.

Defensive Coordinator: Capers

Special Teams Coordinator: Shawn Slocum

Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: Dave Redding

Inside Linebackers: Winston Moss

Outside Linebackers: Greene

Defensive Line: Trgovac

Safeties: Darren Perry

Cornerbacks: Darren Whitt, Jr.

Assistant Special Teams: Curtis Fuller

Offensive Quality Control: John Rushing

Defensive Quality Control: Scott McCurley

Here’s to hoping that these new defensive coaches can actually coach defense. Same goes for the special teams coaches also.