Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

There effort in recent weeks has been remarkable and I think Spagnuolo deserves some mention...

In watching games post-broadcast, one of the biggest changes is that the the secondary is that the discipline of players staying in their zones and rush gaps is much better...

There's still way too many missed tacklies and a lack of heavy hitting, especially by the linebackers and safeties...

Cam Jordan seems to be rounding into a first round pick...

And there is also some continuity taking place with the linebackers seeming to finally get healthy...

Still want to see more of Martez Wilson and Akiem Hicks...

Jenkins has been in more man coverage, especially in red zone play...

Greer seems to be struggling lately, is his health/age a factor?!?

And this was the SF offense, not exactly a vaunting offense; and we couldn't get off the field in the second half when we had to have a stop after two Brees f**k-ups...

But why'll there is technical improvement, the "soft" impression is still there - missed-tackles, lack of fear/heavy hitting...

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

Yes, the defense did not lose that game. They had some bad moments for sure, but they held the whiners to 17 offensive points and, as was already mentioned, under 400 yards. If I weren't so angry at the time, I would have laughed at the headline I saw on the espn website after the game. I can't remember the exact word they used, but it was along the lines of "49ers dismantle Saints" or "dominate Saints". I'm pretty sure it was dismantle, but at any rate, it was a ridiculous description. We lost solely on two INT's returned for touchdowns. Period. It doesn't matter who you blame for either interception, the fact is that they did not out play us on either side of the ball, except for two gut wrenching plays.

They did out rush us, but we accounted for more first downs, and overall neither offense was that good. Both defenses were pretty good. We literally threw this one away.

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

The Defense gets my props. The whole damn thread gets my props, :mrgreen:.

I look at teams like the Jets, the Eagles & even the Lions, who let things like QB/Coach controversies and off-field issues affect their on-field performance and then I look at a unit like the Saints' defense.

They could fold, and who could blame them? They've been to hell & back, yet they refuse to mail-it-in and manage to improve week-by-week, making the most of a bad situation. Just get a little stronger, every week ... make a few more plays, every week ... that's all you can ask, IMO.

It's character, it's the ability to overcome adversity ... and the Saints' defense has it. It may not be pretty, but they're building a foundation for when Payton gets back and I got a feeling the Saints' 'D' has a bright future ahead of them ... bet.

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

DEFENSE!

:bng:

Re: Give the Saints Defense a Hand
 

Well, it has to get better - they've been one of the worst units historically...

But, this last statement does get to the crux of the matter - there is improvement and there are pieces in place which will allow this defense to move forward...

But I'd like to take the title thread in a different direction...

Right Now, Saints FO should start evaluating and reorganizing the scouting personnel and its effort in regards to defensive free agents and college prospects...

The best way we can give the defense a hand is to improve the personnel on the defense...

...but I do feel better about some of the pieces we have than I did five weeks ago...

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

11 games? Try at least 40 games. Marshawn lynch (2011) bring anything to mind? How about Deangelo Williams (2009)? Cadillac Williams (2009)? Steve Jackson (2009)?

You have to realize that this is the first and only game that Rushing yards and passing yards is not lopsided. Its the only game that passing was under 250 and rushing was under 150.

And 30 yards is monumental.... How many first downs do you think comes with 30 yards? The answer is not 3. Average gain per offensive play was 6.7 yardsthat is 4.5 first downs... What can an offense do with another 5 first downs? Average rushing was 4.6, what can an offense do with another 7 first downs rushing?


Ill put it in other terms... if you find $30 it isn't much but losing $30 when your hungry can be a b1tch!

Re: Give the Saints Defense a Hand
 

Yeah, I agree they do have to get better, but I say that knowing they'll follow the trend the Saints & the Patriots have set in that the premium is in a high-powered offense and an economical defense that's able to hold an opponent down just enough to win, but not overpower them.

I see some changes on the horizon, but as long as Brees is at the helm, I gotta' think this is about the level of defense you're going to see.

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

As long as Payton is the coach and Loomis is the GM you are going to see a high powered offense.

Since 2002 (10 years) the SB winners have been Giants, Packers, Saints, Colts, Patriots... All high powered offenses.

Only exception is the Steelers, and the Buccs.

It is the new way of the land.

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

It is the new way, that's for sure. Which is why we all scream for just a reasonably good defense. We're getting that at the moment. Offense needs to hold down their end of the bargain now.

Re: Give the Saints Defense a hand
 

Thats part of the problem with a slow progression... When they finally reach mediocrity you forget how damned awful they were to start.