Brees, defense revive Saints
 

Dallas Morning News




Brees, defense revive Saints
01:29 AM CST on Friday, November 9, 2007

The New Orleans Saints staged a dramatic turnaround of their season in October, and quarterback Drew Brees has received most of the credit.

During the opening month of the season, the Saints were dreadful, starting 0-4, and so was Brees. A Pro Bowl quarterback in 2006, Brees threw nine interceptions and only one touchdown pass in those first four games.

But in the last four games, Brees has turned his season around – and so have the Saints. He has thrown 11 TD passes and only one interception in a 4-0 run that has the Saints at .500.

But a closer look reveals more to the turnaround than the arm of Brees. The New Orleans defense also has staged a dramatic about-face. Bombarded for 119 points in the first four games, the Saints have allowed only 67 points the last four games.

The Saints ranked last in the NFL after four weeks in sacks (one) and takeaways (3). Four games later, they have 13 sacks and nine take- aways. Mike McKenzie returned one of those takeaways 75 yards for a touchdown last week in a 41-24 romp over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The off-season objective of the Saints was to bolster a defense that finished 23rd against the run and 11th overall in 2006. The offense was already Super Bowl-ready, but the defense needed to improve for the Saints to take the next step from NFC title game to NFL title game.

So the Saints signed defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy, linebacker Brian Simmons, cornerback Jason David and safety Kevin Kaesviharn in free agency. They also used a third-round draft pick on cornerback Usama Young.

Simmons and David start, and Clancy, Kaesviharn and Young come off the bench. The contributions of Clancy and Simmons have helped the Saints climb into the top 10 in the NFL in run defense.

New Orleans has held three of its last four opponents to 17 points or less. The Saints rank sixth in the NFL in offense and fifth in the NFC in scoring. If New Orleans continues to hold opponents to 17 or less, the Saints are going to win a lot more games this season.

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

Ah yes, the mad scientist is hard at work, toiling night and day to find golden Saints nuggets to feed our swashbuckling crew of fans.

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

LOL you make me Laff. Thanks Will !!!

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

I do so agree. Between him and Blacksaint, I'd say we have two steady contributors. There are more but these two continually keep going. Thanks guys.

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

<---------certified black and gold swashbuckler
....umm that sounds gay but its not
ok i've thought this over and if being an avid saints fan means being a swashbuckler
count me in!

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

Count me in too
I just wont dress in orange and wear a feather in my hat. That is just a bit to artsy fartsy for me.

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

I call BS! I've seen you in that outfit. Thought it looked good on you too. But the Carmen Miranda outfit will always be my favorite.

I'd buckle that swash too if they keep winning. Hell if they win out......I might even dress up as a.........................guy that lives on a beach. Bet you guys thought I was gonna say something stupid didn't you? Maybe later, we all know I do have that ability.

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

Swashbuckler is too close to Swishbuckler, which is too close to being a Buccaneer (frigg'n queer?). In other words...gay.

Re: Brees, defense revive Saints
 

Swishbuckler? God, it's still to early in the morning for humor. I'll have to check this out later. Maybe 3 or 3:30 this afternoon.