New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

There seems to be plenty of optimism about all of the new life being breathed into the New Orleans Saints defense this year -- from coordinator Rob Ryan and the switch to a 3-4 scheme to free agents like Keenan Lewis and Victor Butler to the recent draft picks. But what about the "old" guard?


Are you excited about the potential of any veteran Saints players to bounce back in the new scheme and possibly even thrive in 2013?

There are plenty of candidates, since so many former standout players underachieved for the Saints in 2012 -- namely defensive end Will Smith, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, linebackers Jonathan Vilma and David Hawthorne, safeties Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins and cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson.

Personally, I think all four of those defensive backs will benefit most from the switch to Ryan and his more aggressive tendencies. They all struggled to switch to Steve Spagnuolo's heavy use of zone coverage last year. And if Ryan blitzes more and forces quarterbacks to get rid of the ball more quickly, the defensive backs will benefit.

I think Greer, especially, can return to being a big asset for the Saints since he was also plagued by nagging injuries last year. I've also been high on Jenkins' potential for a long time since I think he's got natural playmaking instincts and a desire to be great -- though he has regressed over the past two years instead of getting better. And I think Bunkley can be a much bigger asset than he was last year, when he practically disappeared in the middle of the Saints' front.

Sound off below with your thoughts.

New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season? | NOLA.com

I'm going to keep eating my words until it comes true. Let's go Patrick Robinson.

Who you got?

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

I'm hoping for Jabari Greer to have a bounce back season, both our DB's were tragic last season but I still can't trust Pat Robinson, no matter what scheme he is in, he finds a way to mess it up

I hope keenan lewis and Greer start at corners and corey white comes in for nickel

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Hands down Malcolm Jenkins, he's poised to have a big year, watch.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Agree with you about Greer, but I'm hoping that we can cultivate Robinson into something decent.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Sedrick Ellis. Oh, wait.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Malcolm Jenkins in the nickel corner spot...

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Greer has been the man since he got here.............he still is in my book.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Let's hope the whole defense "bounces back".

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Bunkley I hope I see something from him this year cuz last year I never even noticed him on the field... For what we paid him we need some procuction from this guy

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Hard one. Did the D suck because of the line or the backs or some mutant hybrid of both? I think DB so... Greer

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

When we're record breakingly dead assed, I mean dead last, in most categories and 31st in the rest, I'm with jnormand on this one. We need about fourteen players on this list.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

I think Mr Vilma is going to visuallize Roger like the water boy and legally murder foes.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Jonathan Vilma.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Rufus Johnson, yes I know what the post says.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

RUFUSSS!!!

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Leaving my personal feelings for a player (Greer) or my hope for a position (Jenkins at FS) I think the guy with the best shot to make a good comeback is Hawethorn. He was a stud in Seattle and played with a bad knee last year.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Good point. It's kind of easy to overlook the guys who were injured last year.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

If Harper is used more in the box id say it will be him. He was a good blitzer under GW and I could see him have 5-10 sacks this year if given the chance.

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

finger crossed that we have all CB healthy at the start of the season and well through out. The addition of a new safety that is better in coverage will free him up to play his position without helping out as much.

Now he needs the LB to put together a solid year and the same for the DL. Just solid will help him out greatly. the first and second levels of the defense worries me most right now

Re: New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season?
 

Romeus and White.