IDK if that's true. I think he's definitely improved. And it's also not like his defense is consistently worse. It's just so up and down.
The biggest issue with Donovan is that he hasnt progressed as a leader at all. Him and Rudy are equally to blame for this IMO. Just utter failure in leadership to let the team get that disconnected.
I think Rudy is a good "lead by example" guy, but he does put his foot in his mouth. I don't mind those comments, but they arent super productive when the locker-room is already fractured.
Donovan is terrible "lead by example" with his defensive effort. You can tell that carries over to the rest of the team. He definitely has leadership potential though. I think he has the personality type where he can be that guy, but he has to walk the walk first. Right now he's just empty talk, and he also does the foot in mouth things.