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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; I usually don't re-post someone else's post but this guy's research is worthy of theft and I wanted to share it with all of you guys and see if you're as convinced as I am that we need a complete ...

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Old 12-30-2003, 02:33 PM   #1
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

I usually don't re-post someone else's post but this guy's research is worthy of theft and I wanted to share it with all of you guys and see if you're as convinced as I am that we need a complete overhaul of our linebackers.
It’s the most compelling evidence of our defense's weakness that I've seen in quite a while.
Great post by expinch of WDZ....

This is particularly for the people who don't believe linebackers should be our #1 priority in the offseason.

Earlier this year I tested my theory that our linebackers aren't worth poop by doing a little experiment. As I have stated before, I believe a defense is only as good as their linebackers, and how the linebackers go, the defense goes. So what I did was list the top 10 teams in overall defense in the NFL for the 2003 Regular Season, then I listed the 2 top tacklers for each team and their respective position. The Saints are added at the end, draw your own conclusions.

#1 Overall Defense - Dallas Cowboys
#1 Tackler - Dat Nguyen - ILB
#2 Tackler - Dexter Coakley - OLB

#2 Overall Defense -Buffalo Bills
#1 Tackler - London Fletcher - MLB
#2 Tackler - Takeo Spikes - OLB

#3 Overall Defense - Baltimore Ravens
#1 Tackler - Ray Lewis - ILB -
#2 Tackler - Edgerton Hartwell - ILB

#4 Overall Defense - Denver Broncos
#1 Tackler - Al Wilson - MLB
#2 Tackler - Nick Ferguson - FS

#5 Overall Defense - Tampa Bay Bucs
#1 Tackler - Derrick Brooks - OLB
#2 Tackler - Ronde Barber - CB

#6 Overall Defense - Jacksonville Jags
#1 Tackler - Akin Ayondele - OLB
#2 Tackler - Mike Peterson - MLB

#7 Overall Defense - New England Patriots
#1 Tackler - Tedy Bruschi - MLB
#2 Tackler - Rodney Harrison - SS

#8 Overall Defense - Carolina Patriots
#1 Tackler - Will Witherspoon - MLB
#2 Tackler - Mike Minter - FS

#9 Overall Defense - Pittsburg Steelers
#1 Tackler - James Farrior - ILB
#2 Tackler - Kendrell Bell - ILB

#10 Overall Defense - Miami Dolphins
#1 Tackler - Zach Thomas - MLB
#2 Tackler - Junior Seau - OLB


And finally the New Orleans Saints
#1 Tackler - Jay Bellamy - SS
#2 Tackler - Fred Thomas - CB

I don't have time to check, but I"d be willing to bet the Saints are the only team in the NFL who didn't have a linebacker eiher be the leading tackler or the 2nd leading tackler. Our defense is going to suck until we upgrade these guys across the board, write it down.
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Old 12-30-2003, 03:45 PM   #2
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

Please forward this information to the following:

Jim Haslett (sure he has appropriate spin for this info)
Rick Venturi
Tom Benson
Rick Mueller
Buddy D
Mike Detillier
Hokie
Jim H
.
.
.
.
:casstet:
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Old 12-30-2003, 04:49 PM   #3
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

Don\'t get to carried away though. Its a matter of your front 7 doing there job and you can pull these numbers out and see that if your Safties, and Corners are making more tackles than anyone on your team means you are not stopping the run, also could mean they are throwing on your more than running, also means you need to revamp the hole damn team because your D-coach dosen\'t know what the hell he is doing. We definatly need to bring someone in with inovation, who can create and use the talent he has... If he likes to bring players in let him choose them...

[Edited on 31/12/2003 by JOESAM2002]
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Old 12-31-2003, 06:45 AM   #4
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

Don\'t get to carried away though. Its a matter of your front 7 doing there job and you can pull these numbers out and see that if your Safties, and Corners are making more tackles than anyone on your team means you are not stopping the run, also could mean they are throwing on your more than running, also means you need to revamp the hole damn team because your D-coach dosen\'t know what the hell he is doing. We definatly need to bring someone in with inovation, who can create and use the talent he has... If he likes to bring players in let him choose them...

[Edited on 31/12/2003 by JOESAM2002]
DFB, I kinda agree. We have talent here at LB, maybe we just lack a good LB coach to utilize (or coach) them properly.
With that said I still wouldn\'t mind seeing us bring in at least 2 new LB\'s. One proven stud and another with potential.
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Old 12-31-2003, 11:08 AM   #5
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

We need a major upgrade of talent at the LB position. We do not have one standout, top tier LB on the roster. We have several adequate backups and Rodgers was an adequate starter but not a standout. For this unit and this defense to be completive on the level we all want this team to ascend too, we need a force at ILB and another OLB to complement the unit as well.
Hodge and Allen have improved but are nowhere near the level we need to get the job done. Smith is only getting older. Ruff is not the answer inside. The staff loves Cie but until he gets on the field and proves the love we need to look at more help.

ILB needs to be our major free agent acquisition this off season, no ifs\' ands or buts about it. Our LBs sucked coming into this off season. We all knew it and railed about the clubs poor address of the LBs in the draft and free agency and we sit it the same boat again this off season. Hope the message gets through this year.
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Old 12-31-2003, 11:23 AM   #6
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

Agreed. We all screamed CB and LB last year (either via draft of FA) and we\'re screaming it again this year.

I\'ve heard its a good year for CB and LB in this draft. No LeVar Arrington type superstuds, but top heavy on quality A-players.

We can probably still land a stud CB or LB with either of our 2nd round picks.
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Old 12-31-2003, 04:24 PM   #7
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don\'t get to carried away though. Its a matter of your front 7 doing there job and you can pull these numbers out and see that if your Safties, and Corners are making more tackles than anyone on your team means you are not stopping the run, also could mean they are throwing on your more than running, also means you need to revamp the hole damn team because your D-coach dosen\'t know what the hell he is doing. We definatly need to bring someone in with inovation, who can create and use the talent he has... If he likes to bring players in let him choose them...

............... one by one

1) you are not stopping the run - TRUE
2) also could mean they are throwing on your more than running - NOT TRUE
3) also means you need to revamp the hole damn team because your D-coach dosen\'t know what the hell he is doing. - OH SO TRUE


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Old 12-31-2003, 11:11 PM   #8
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

The only person unfortunately that can answer coverage schemes is the writer .

After watching the games last year and wondering who was the crack addict that designed a defense that gave James Allen coverage on Randy Moss , nothing would amaze me .

I have no doubt he has trouble keeping a team focused to win .
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Old 12-31-2003, 11:23 PM   #9
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

This is an interesting point .

Think we had it here a few weeks ago . Maybe it was JKool who started it .

For further review , the top 100 tacklers in the N.F.L.

Notice the Saints top 2 guys .....Hint ...hint look around 55 and 76 in the league

NFL SORTABLE STATS, INDIVIDUAL -- Total Tackles

Rk Name/Team Total Solo Assist Sacks Sack Yds FF


1 Jamie Sharper, Hou 166 124 42 4.0 19.0 3
2 Ray Lewis, Bal 163 125 38 1.5 11.0 2
3 Donnie Edwards, SD 162 126 36 0.5 6.0 1
4 Zach Thomas, Mia 153 116 37 1.0 5.0 1
5 Mike Barrow, NYG 150 115 35 2.5 25.5 3
6 Keith Brooking, Atl 144 126 18 0.0 0.0 0
7 Sam Cowart, NYJ 140 96 44 2.0 13.0 1
8 David Thornton, Ind 140 113 27 1.0 2.0 0
9 Keith Bulluck, Ten 137 108 29 3.0 21.0 5
10 James Farrior, Pit 137 102 35 0.0 0.0 0
11 Andra Davis, Cle 136 106 30 5.0 28.0 2
12 Jay Foreman, Hou 136 103 33 2.0 3.0 1
13 Eric Barton, Oak 133 101 32 0.5 0.0 1
14 London Fletcher, Buf 133 102 31 2.0 14.0 0
15 Tedy Bruschi, NE 128 81 47 2.0 16.0 3
16 Takeo Spikes, Buf 126 76 50 2.0 14.0 1
17 Rodney Harrison, NE 125 94 31 3.0 22.0 2
18 Chris Draft, Atl 122 103 19 2.0 15.0 1
19 Dat Nguyen, Dal 121 98 23 2.0 17.0 2
20 Dhani Jones, NYG 118 93 25 3.0 21.0 1
21 Marvin Jones, NYJ 115 81 34 0.0 0.0 0
22 Jeremiah Trotter, Was 115 96 19 1.5 5.0 2
23 Brian Urlacher, Chi 115 87 28 2.5 14.5 0
24 Scott Fujita, KC 114 100 14 4.0 18.0 1
25 Akin Ayodele, Jac 113 93 20 1.0 3.0 0
26 Shawn Barber, KC 113 97 16 5.0 31.0 2
27 Derek Smith, SF 112 91 21 3.5 30.5 1
28 Nick Barnett, GB 109 88 21 2.0 8.0 0
29 Napoleon Harris, Oak 109 79 30 2.0 19.0 3
30 Antoine Winfield, Buf 109 96 13 1.0 6.0 2
31 Ronald McKinnon, Ari 105 83 22 2.0 13.0 2
32 Lawyer Milloy, Buf 105 76 29 3.0 27.0 2
33 Derrick Brooks, TB 103 76 27 1.0 0.0 2
34 Brian Simmons, Cin 103 80 23 1.5 9.0 2
35 Mike Peterson, Jac 102 78 24 1.0 6.0 2
36 Greg Wesley, KC 102 88 14 2.0 12.0 1
37 Mark Simoneau, Phi 101 91 10 2.0 14.0 3
38 Kendrell Bell, Pit 100 86 14 4.0 31.0 1
39 Roman Phifer, NE 100 68 32 0.0 0.0 1
40 Anthony Simmons, Sea 100 83 17 3.0 21.0 1
41 Ronde Barber, TB 99 83 16 1.5 12.0 3
42 Sam Garnes, NYJ 98 66 32 0.5 2.0 2
43 Sammy Knight, Mia 98 78 20 0.0 0.0 2
44 Mike Doss, Ind 97 69 28 0.0 0.0 3
45 Earl Holmes, Det 97 74 23 2.0 21.0 0
46 Will Witherspoon, Car 97 74 23 1.0 9.0 0
47 Dexter Coakley, Dal 96 77 19 1.0 8.0 1
48 Ken Hamlin, Sea 96 76 20 0.0 0.0 2
49 Junior Seau, Mia 96 79 17 3.0 13.0 0
50 Nick Harper, Ind 95 84 11 0.0 0.0 0
51 Zeke Moreno, SD 95 78 17 2.0 12.0 1
52 Ifeanyi Ohalete, Was 95 79 16 0.0 0.0 0
53 Julian Peterson, SF 95 73 22 7.0 64.0 2
54 Omar Stoutmire, NYG 95 74 21 1.0 8.0 2
55 Jay Bellamy, NO 94 78 16 1.0 16.0 1
56 Barrett Green, Det 94 76 18 3.5 20.5 0
57 Edgerton Hartwell, Bal 94 69 25 3.0 20.5 1
58 Jessie Armstead, Was 93 77 16 6.5 36.5 2
59 Robert Griffith, Cle 93 74 19 0.0 0.0 1
60 Mike Logan, Pit 93 75 18 1.0 5.0 1
61 Eric Brown, Hou 92 71 21 0.5 6.0 3
62 Kevin Hardy, Cin 92 72 20 1.5 11.0 1
63 Kevin Bentley, Cle 91 56 35 0.0 0.0 0
64 LaVar Arrington, Was 90 81 9 6.0 32.0 6
65 Nate Wayne, Phi 90 76 14 3.0 31.0 3
66 Mike Minter, Car 89 74 15 0.0 0.0 0
67 Boss Bailey, Det 88 77 11 1.5 9.5 0
68 Al Wilson, Den 88 74 14 1.0 5.0 0
69 Na\'il Diggs, GB 87 77 10 1.0 9.0 0
70 Brian Russell, Min 87 78 9 1.0 2.0 0
71 Chad Brown, Sea 86 74 12 7.0 40.0 1
72 Dexter Jackson, Ari 86 74 12 0.0 0.0 1
73 Michael Lewis, Phi 86 72 14 2.0 21.0 2
74 Hannibal Navies, GB 86 72 14 1.0 5.0 2
75 Peter Sirmon, Ten 86 66 20 0.0 0.0 1
76 Fred Thomas, NO 86 78 8 1.0 13.0 2
77 Matt Bowen, Was 85 78 7 0.0 0.0 2
78 Corey Chavous, Min 85 74 11 0.0 0.0 0
79 Carlos Emmons, Phi 85 71 14 0.0 0.0 1
80 Lance Schulters, Ten 85 66 19 1.0 4.0 0
81 Darren Sharper, GB 84 71 13 2.0 8.0 2
82 Gary Baxter, Bal 83 72 11 1.0 5.0 0
83 Rob Morris, Ind 83 59 24 0.0 0.0 0
84 Tyrone Carter, NYJ 82 61 21 0.0 0.0 0
85 Donovin Darius, Jac 82 59 23 0.0 0.0 2
86 Pat Williams, Buf 82 56 26 0.0 0.0 0
87 Jerry Wilson, SD 82 66 16 1.0 7.0 3
88 Brent Alexander, Pit 81 62 19 1.0 5.0 0
89 Brock Marion, Mia 81 64 17 0.0 0.0 2
90 Charles Tillman, Chi 81 74 7 1.0 3.0 2
91 Chris Claiborne, Min 80 63 17 3.0 26.0 1
92 Kelly Gregg, Bal 80 67 13 3.0 15.0 0
93 Ben Leber, SD 80 70 10 3.0 16.0 1
94 Shelton Quarles, TB 80 59 21 0.0 0.0 0
95 Brian Walker, Det 80 67 13 0.5 2.5 1
96 Marcus Washington, Ind 80 56 24 6.0 41.0 3
97 Jerry Azumah, Chi 79 70 9 1.0 6.0 0
98 David Barrett, Ari 79 68 11 0.0 0.0 1
99 Ben Taylor, Cle 79 63 16 0.0 0.0 0
100 Adrian Wilson, Ari 79 70 9 0.0 0.0 2


\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo
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Old 01-01-2004, 09:13 AM   #10
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Linebacker Experiment (by expinch)

I do think this is the year to break this team down on all leadership levels... all Coaches must go. Go after Lovie Smith... I don\'t think moving up in the draft to get DJ Williams OLB Miami is what we need to do since there will be 2-3 corners could be available to us with the 18th pick either take DeAngelo Hall or Will Poole -CB\'s. with age issue going to be a problem with our D secondary. Disipline is the issue here with out team, Lovie will bring it along with some innovation and creativity we will need to bring up some of our week areas. Overall we have a solid team but I feel this is THE offseason to make or break this team. In other words after this season the way we are going... we will have to rebuild the following year.
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