Reasons for optimism regarding our defense.
 

I realize that a lot of people around here are worried about our defense. I think some of this feeling has carried over from the playoff game where we got yanked around by a sub-par ball club (Seahacks).

But if you look at the statistics, there are reasons to be happy about where we are on defense.

First of all, let's look at the sacks. We have 14 sacks through 5 games so far. We rank 6th in the league in this category and if the 2.8 sack per game average holds, that would be 45 sacks for the season. In 2009, we ranked 10th in sacks, and in 2010 we ranked 18th in sacks.

It's true, our defense has given up a busload of points, but let's look at the teams we've played! Green Bay and Carolina are top 5 offenses. Houston is a top 10 offense. We smothered the offenses of Chicago and Jacksonville. Currently, our defense is ranked 16th, which is actually above the level of 2009, when we were ranked 25th. In 2009, we gave up an average of over 21 points per game. I am kind of curious why so many people long for the 2009 defense. I realize we got a ton of takeaways back then, but that's also because we were on the field for so many longer drives. Personally, I prefer the defense of 2010, where we were ranked 4th in the league, consistently forced three and outs and had one of the best records in the league against 3rd down conversions. I think one of the reasons people remember 2009 so fondly is because there were so many games where we scored 40+ points, so people didn't necessarily notice that we had just given up 27 points to the Detroit Lions (who were terrible back then).

I feel certain that by the end of the season we will be a top ten defense and will start limiting opposing teams' scoring opportunities. Currently we are giving up an average of 25 points per game but that is skewed mainly because of the opening day loss to Green Bay. Last year, we only gave up 19 points per game and I think the upcoming schedule will be favorable to our defense. The real test will be this weekend in Tampa Bay. If we can hold the Bucs at home to, say, less than 20 points, that would be a major achievement.

Then there's SHANLE...

(Just had to do it) :smile:

We rank well within the NFL and we rank well when compared to the historical stats, however we seem to rank so-so against the team on the field with us. That frustrates me.

I'm optimistic that we'll improve, but the injuries have yet to plague us this year. When that happens we may be back to square one.

Alaska

Perhaps it is just the quality of opponent's offense right now. If as you say, we start to excel against some upcoming teams then I may feel better. Right now, stats aside and just watching the games I seldom feel like we can stop anyone. We have moments where we execute well but at least once per series we blow a coverage or take a drive continuing penalty. We need to get tighter on defense and we still have some glaring holes ala OLB.

Third downdefense is as bad as it gets. 3rd and 17 has me covering my eyes.

True Dat. The thing is, we can't say "look at the offenses" we played so far, because we're going to see good offenses in the playoffs.

I'm sorry - our defense is bad. I remain hopeful that it will get better, and yes there are bright spots, but it's bad. Anything else is lipstick on a pig.

the lack of pressure from the "new additions" is a concern for me. Rogers has done what so far? he was supposed to take some of those double teams and Will Smith was going to have a break out year?...NO, they have been absent and GW knows it, thats why he has to blitz every freakn down just to get pressure.

AND STILL playing 10-13 yards off the ball for our corners?? SERIOUSLY?? that means GW has no faith in our secondary because there wont be any push from the front 4.

I dont understand why teams dont just run counters on us all day..we cant stop them.
This defense is garbage without Drew Brees. Simply put, we dont put up 30-40 points a game we dont win. When we get into the playoffs with this same defense, its over just like it was in Seattle. We cant expect Drew to carry this team week in and week out.

The whole they havent had time to gel theory is bs too, its week 5. It should be figured out by now.

P Robinson has shown flashes, but if you think A.Rodgers ( in the playoffs) wont ABUSE him like he did in week one..then your crazy. Love our team, but this Defense is not helping us win a championship...Hope Im wrong

I think a lot has to do with personnel..G.W seems to call a good game for the most part..but he cant be out there making plays..

Im still hopeful we will get better down the line..good teams give us trouble ...but we give them trouble to..

Look at the Bears game?...we dominated..i agree on the cutbacks...they seem to always work against us..Overall i think we are better than last year..and in crucial points in the game we seem to make a play..

Remember Carolina had been giving teams fits all year..we got a win and that the most important thing of all

We need to go LB ..DT and Safety in the draft..and O-Line somewhere maybe FA..

Everything you said is true except for the GW comment. Our defense held in the red zone fairly well. Remember we all know that this defense is short on talent and experience.

Also...cant be said enough...that was a tough division game on the road..they always are..we did get pressure.. Newton escaped that's what he does and has done it all year..get ready this week will another tough game on the road.

Saints by 2 scores.

Yawn. The defense as a whole has not performed up to par. In our wins, Harper played a very impactful role attacking the line. It's amazing how Harper plays exceptional in one game and gives up a catch and it's back onto the Harper sucks and need to be replaced nonsense.

Time to take a page out of Choup's book...

Burn your Saints gear and move to Atlanta.

Defense is playing well, but there inability to shut the opposing offense down on third downs is keeping the other teams in these games. 3rd downs need to be their focus.

We still aren't bringing the heavy rush on 3rd downs. Take the lucky catch by smith, we had 7 guys on the line and only brought 5 and we almost got to Newton. Bringing 5 isn't bringing heat, that's an even matchup. At least bring 6 to out number the blockers on the line. Look at every other 3rd down conversion and we dropped in coverage instead of bringing pressure. If we're going to get burned at least let me see the QB on the ground!

There all going to be tough games. The elague wanted parity & they have got it. Teams are coming out of nowhere & the leite teams are hard pressed sometimes.

DOes anyone think the NE Patsies are a bad team?? But they lost to the Bills...

Its relative at this point.

We cant tackle for them - I hope they are almost as good as they sometimes are & not 1/2 as bad as they look when they are really bad!!