Saints Nation: Curtis Lofton Could Transform Saints' Defense
 

Tackling, lack of pressure, poor run defense, spotty coverage... all things the Saints struggled with a year ago. There's pretty much no facet of the defense that I would have considered "strong" with regards to the 2011 Saints. They did do a good job of getting off the field on third down, and they did well to close out some games with big plays (at Tennessee and at Atlanta come to mind), but they never really excelled in any area at all. In fact, they were particularly poor in many.

Saints Nation: Curtis Lofton Could Transform Saints' Defense

Harper let the team in tackles. No wonder we didn't make the Superbowl. Where were the LBs?

Harper spent most of his time around the line of scrimmage. We basically used a base 4-4 defense...

Agreed... sort of.

Harper was used like a Strong Safety typically is. The only difference is he blitzed a bit more than SS's usually do.

I think we finally have some dept in the linebacker corp, even without Vilma.

Good article. Can't argue with it. It is what it is. I am looking forward to some improved lb'r play this year.

There is little doubt our LBing will be much improved this season. I also think the front 4 will get more sacks, and apply more pressure on opposing QBs, which should mean more takeaways for the D.

Players in position to make plays.

That's a good start.

A welcomed change eh..lol

With the other three on the side of the field opposite the ball.

Last year I wanted consistancy with our D, well I got it but not in a good way, they played poorly most of the time. The middle stunk all over the field, Rodgers,Franklin, Vilma and our last line of D Jenkins, now 3 of those 4 are not going to be there. Fresh faces and a new DC might be what was well needed. As for Jenkins I'm sure all eyes will be on his play this season, I know I got my eyes on him. So hopefully this season will be a lot better for our D and we will wreck havoc on opposing O's, then our chances of us hanging another championship banner in the dome will be much better. I am going to miss Payton on the sidelines, to me there is no one that could replace him.