Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Maybe I'm being a bit optimistic, but could this new D under Spags finally starting to gel?

Granted, the Eagles were playing with an ate up O line, but I liked what I saw. Namely, better tackling, less blown coverage and a little bit of nasty that was surely lacking when the season started.

The Falcons came in with a healthy O line, and a 'high powered' offense that has proven that it can score.

I saw better coverage on the pass (Where was Who-lio?). Pressure on the QB. Shut down tackling against Turner. A brick wall on D with goal to go.

Sure the team is giving up yards, but their red zone play is impressive in the last few games.

Is this just my imagination or are we getting better under Spags?

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I'm still not sold on them yet but the longer they play together the better they can become. Not saying they will be a top 10 defense but not bottom of barrel either.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I have to admit, the pass coverage has improved. White blew me away this game. We had decent push threw out the game. Lofton was as good as his contract.

I think they are turning around a bit, but I think all this game showed us is what they are capable of, if they get it together, maybe a top 20-15 defense.
Which is great and all we need.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I think it was great that the game announcer pointed out the perfect form of Jonathan Casillias' tackle.

A Saints player with perfect form on a tackle!!!

As a matter of fact, I don't remember any half hearted tackles yesterday. Maybe they're getting better.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

And can we finally put the fire Spags talk to bed?

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Depends on how you define "coming around"...

Better than we have been on KEY plays in the red zone...

We still don't make our opponents punt enough.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

What we watched yesterday, I woud say that's about as good as it's going to get, maybe slightly better. Also, they need some breaks. There were a a few critical drops that could have had us crying in our beer. Our best game plan will continue to be keep them off the field as much as possible.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I was really encouraged with the pass rush they were able to create with just the front 4, which seemed to improve as the game went on - are Saints' front 4 players better conditioned than the Failclowns' O-line?!

Also, the run defense was much better with great gap control and solid tackling, somethings that have been missing in many of the previous games.

The thing that made me crack up with laughter was when Siragusa said that Ellis "has a great motor!" :awe:

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Great offenses will always find ways to score. Like it or not Atlanta is built to score just because thier in the same division as us and they need to keep up.
The New Orleans Saints defense will be decent when they stop allowing crap teams who shouldn't score look good.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

A new nose tackle, a FS {possibly Quaddus}, a young stud OLB, and a big physical CB and we are scary. We played good in the red zone and shut Turner down, it was just good enough for a win, I,m not impressed with some players on the D, still don't think in a game our O don't score 30+ points that our D can hold. 400+ yards given up each and every game just aint' that good, to what standards are these players being held is what I would like to know. Apparently my standards of a good D might not be the same as someone elses.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Standards?
Ok I'll try...
1. Allowing over 400+ yard per game
2. On Pace for being the worst defense in HISTORY!
3. Allowing teams who normally don't have greta games look like super stars...

Is that enough standards?

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Ive always thought smitty is a mediocre coach. Atlanta is nothing more than a cheap knock off of Sean Paytons ideas and team building.
Even down to Rogers being their sproles, their OL always being weak because we have never had a strong DL, smitty has no originality and is just building a team to beat Sean Payton. He will always be behind.
But by copying SP smith looks good by having a offense that can put up points. Problem is they get exposed for lack of coaching,play calling , and being a copy in big games or the playoffs.
If SP was coaching in sundays game, Im positive we would have pulled away and scored more in the 2nd half.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Sums it up !!

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Time of possession is a huge problem, yes. Its the one weakness of our offense, and how you beat the saints. Redskins game is a good example of this.
But.. I am seeing a improvement in Red Zone defense at #16, and that hasnt been adjusted for sundays game.
NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only) on TeamRankings.com

and thats with having the most red zone attempts. Which is their own fault.
NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Red Zone Scoring Attempts per Game on TeamRankings.com

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Doesn't matter, as long as we keep scoring more points than the other team...

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Yes and having to score 35+ every week isn't putting any pressure on the offense...

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Not even sure its possible to consistently do with the TOP we give to opposing offenses.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I'd put more faith in scoring 35+ every week rather than in the defense. We have an offense built to score points, we've had a top 5 offense since '06...

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

and judging from my previous post you think I don't either?

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

you know what they say about assumption?

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I'm not asking you to make an assumption... try reading

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

no sir, the below post of yours is assuming I was even talking about you... I just used your "standards" post to say I would put more faith in the offense. Why does everyone get so defensive...

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I saw the defense begin to take it up another level in the Philly game.

Dallas never got but 1 sack vs Philly this week.

I saw a defense that got burned in 1 series vs Falcons, but they really have stepped it in and made Atlanta earn everything they got, had this game been 4-5 weeks ago, I think the Saints would of given up 40+ pts.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Confidence and momentum are beautiful things to a football team.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

Yes, I believe that the D is getting better under Spags. I see improvement.

Re: Is this Defense finally coming around?
 

I know one thing for sure;

Our D line is playing nasty right now, we are a lot more aggressive upfront and we can get pressure more consistently with 4 men, we never used to be able to do that in the slightest