Defense Analysis, Part 1
 

The Drew Brees-led New Orleans Saints are Superbowl Championship material with the only liability, albeit a major one, is its Defense that gives it up faster and in more ways than an Overseas Military Base whorehouse.

While the turnover rate from the 2009 season was an aberration, one of the most telling failures of the defense is the big plays given up after mistackles.

Let's change things up, starting with the secondary - the Saints have invested two first round picks, two second round picks, and the best defender in the secondary came to the Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent - from Buffalo, so what's going on?

While some fans and the defensive coordinator swoon over Roman Harper's game that is among league leaders in sacks and strips - he's repeatedly burned for basic responsibilities in the secondary because of his awful coverage skills.

Malcolm Jenkins is the antithesis of some wide receivers on the other side of the ball - makes outstanding highlight plays (talking about those to his credit), yet the consistent routine plays he breaks down.

Tracy Porter, who is responsible for the biggest turnover in the franchise's history - ebbs and flows with his oft-injured body. When he's healthy, and gets his rhythm - he is special.

Patrick Robinson has shown dramatic improvement - but the same could be said about Tim Tebow once he throws for two hundred yards in a game. While he has worked hard - he is among the symptomatic problem that the secondary has of giving up way too many Yards After Catch.

And there is another obvious disconnect - exchange coverage mid-play between the linebackers and defensive backs, specifically safeties. While the current level of play from the linebackers won't be confused with ProBowl Play, they are getting the brunt of criticism when Tight Ends are Possession receivers are making big plays down the middle of the field. When watch the film, their body language suggests they are expecting help "over the top."

So you begin to wonder if the Saints have it backwards with their draft picks where they find amazing late round draft picks and rookie free agents but mediocre players in Round 1 - or the scheme that is backwards in the yards and plays it allows. The obvious change from the Superbowl Run is that one player, Darren Sharper, can no longer take the field. But is it just that one player? Has the Defensive Scheme evolved into an unrecognizable Frankenstein Monster by a Coordinator trying to do as much with his counterpart on offense to prove his worth, when, in fact, less may be more could be the solution?

Or could the front seven be doing that poorly of a job that no coverage will contain?

Uhh no, he's not "repeatedly" burned and his coverage skills are not awful.

...and here we go again.

You forgot to mention his thuggish play on the field in Harper's critique.

As much as I'm a Tracy Porter fan, besides the clinching Superbowl interception, he has not by any means shown that he's "special" player.

Sometimes I truly wonder if we're all watching the same game.

All I really do know is most of the time they don't look good. Somethings wrong and needs to be corrected very quickly.

DARREN SHARPER he was the key the glue. His ability to NOT be fooled and bait QB’s made him. We don’t have that in the secondary and it shows

I think this has a lot to do with it. Harper is a head hunter but we need someone who is an overall field general. We need a Drew Brees on defense & Sharper was that!!

Thats exactly what I've been saying. You can't be aggressive ALL the time!! SHARPER knew by instinct when to take his shot and when to watch for PLAY ACTION or even a DOUBLE MOVE. These young bucks are running out there looking for THE BIG PLAY every down and TEAMS know this and they're fooling them LEFT AND RIGHT. Then we finally do get a clean tackle and they go for the strip and end up getting dragged for 25 yards or even into the ENDZONE. You can strip every ball, sometimes you just have to make a solid tackle and move on to the next play. But overall we're looking good and I'm excited. LETS GO N.O.

HIT ME UP

Jenkins, Jenkins, Jenkins, if he did his job and did it well there would not be this discussion. Robinson is " The Weak Link", after this next game and he doesn't improve, CAN HIS A$$........... playing 10 yds off aint' going to get it done, missed tackles, bad angles, doesn't contain, can barely cover, beat on almost every throw, and to think he is a starting corner for the Saints. I got a glimmer of light still for this guy , I hope for the sake of the Saints he turns things around, it sure would be nice.

Losing the secondary coach Dennis Allen to the Broncos has maybe turned out to be a really big deal. This thing of leaving big cushions off the receivers, and guys not being able to catch a ball that's hitting them right on the numbers, it pretty much started late last year (when Allen was on the way out) and from right out the gate of the first preseason game this year. Maybe I had the black-and-gold tinted glasses on during the height of the Super Bowl run, but during 2009 I don't remember seeing quite so many obvious mixups of exchange coverage between the linebackers and defensive backs, plays where people get turned around and mixed-up and clearly don't know what's what, getting burned, etc. Greer and Porter in tandem were fearsome in 2009, and when they have their act together, they still make plays and look fearsome now -- it's just not all the time, which is troubling.

Great Point!! Greer and Porter were considered one of the better CB tandoms in the NFL. Now what? Porter has been injured, I know...but Patrick Robinson has taken the spot and he's supposed to be better? I trust Porter. I trust Greer. Robinson is still green IMO. I guess the question is to me...what happened to our secondary? I Jenkins and Harper were supposed to be badass. Now we are awful. Can we really blame the decline on the defense side of the ball all on the line or LB's???