Go Back   New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com > Main > Saints

Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; METAIRIE, La. — As the Saints prepare to head to Tampa Bay this Sunday, they're eager to see if the opening week success of their four-man pass rush becomes a two-week trend. One problem is that their numbers are down ...

Like Tree3Likes

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-13-2013, 02:07 PM   #1
Threaded by papz
Problem?
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 11,665

Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rating: (0 votes - average)

METAIRIE, La. — As the Saints prepare to head to Tampa Bay this Sunday, they're eager to see if the opening week success of their four-man pass rush becomes a two-week trend.

One problem is that their numbers are down because of injuries to several linemen, meaning a shorter rotation of players will have more snaps in what could also be energy-sapping conditions in Florida.

Nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley (right calf), defensive end Tyrunn Walker (left knee) and defensive end Glenn Foster (right ankle) did not practice Thursday, raising the likelihood that none of them will make up part of the Saints' three-man base defensive line against the Buccaneers.

"It's tough to lose those guys. You have to pick up that slack," second-year defensive end Akiem Hicks said, adding that he was confident remaining linemen could handle it because of how they worked on conditioning. "I feel like the culture of our d-line has never been the type to miss out on extra work. It's all about what you do when nobody's looking."

New Orleans also made a move to bolster its depth up front on Thursday with the re-signing of veteran Jay Richardson, who spent preseason in New Orleans and was among the Saints' final cuts.

Richardson is listed as a defensive end. He can also play outside linebacker, a position which often resembles a pass-rushing end in a 3-4 front. The Saints also still use a four-man line in certain situations.

"I know I've got to be ready for both" positions, Richardson said. "Whether we're in our base outside 3-4 package or whether we're in a four-man front, I've got to know the outside spots. It just depends on the flow of the game."

While Richardson made it to New Orleans in time for Thursday's practice, it remains unclear whether he'll be active on game day.

If he is, teammates expressed confidence - based on Richardson's two sacks, two quarterback hits and fumble recovery in the preseason - that he'd handle his assignments well.

"He knows the system," defensive end Cam Jordan said. "He's definitely tested, battle ready. It's not like we have to throw him into the fire. He's been there before."

In their Week 1 win over the Falcons, the Saints sacked Matt Ryan three times and forced numerous hurried throws, including his final throw of the game, which was tipped by Kenny Vaccaro and intercepted in the end zone by Roman Harper to preserve the victory.

As the Saints try to repeat those results, the players with the biggest burden to try to clog up the inside will be Hicks, a second-year pro, and rookie John Jenkins, a third-round pick out of Georgia who wound up seeing action than expected in his regular season debut after Bunkley's first-half injury.

"Not too many rookies get an opportunity to come up and be a part of the group that I'm with," Jenkins said. "I'm just going to take advantage, seize the moment."

Full article: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure - NFL - Sporting News

Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	hicks3.jpg
Views:	0
Size:	30.2 KB
ID:	7938  

Views: 3600
Old 09-13-2013, 02:16 PM   #2
5000 POSTS! +
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,126
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Time for the offense to step it up. Our D looked sharp but they are not going to be able to do that consistently. The offense left a lot of points on the field. The game should have not been that close.
dizzle88 and WHODATINCA like this.
Beastmode is offline  
Old 09-13-2013, 05:10 PM   #3
In Doh We Trust
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 7,027
Blog Entries: 16
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Crap. Way too many injuries to the D
homerj07 is offline  
Old 09-13-2013, 05:25 PM   #4
Bounty Money $$$
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA.
Posts: 23,689
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Hicks will see more time in the middle and Richardson can help in rotating the DE spot while keeping it fresh.
Utah_Saint likes this.
Rugby Saint II is offline  
Old 09-13-2013, 10:52 PM   #5
5000 POSTS! +
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana
Posts: 5,893
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

I can't weight to see what J. Jenkins can do. He is our anchor. It all starts at the nose!!
halloween 65 is offline  
Old 09-13-2013, 11:03 PM   #6
Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New Haven Ct
Posts: 23,982
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Originally Posted by halloween 65 View Post
I can't weight to see what J. Jenkins can do. He is our anchor. It all starts at the nose!!
Same here. John is my ticket to a press pass this year and for many years to come.
QBREES9 is offline  
Old 09-14-2013, 08:37 AM   #7
100th Post
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 382
Blog Entries: 12
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Im just glad to see Richardson back in the line up. He has the most to play for out of the entire defense. For him its not just about winning the game, or what his numbers look like, its a matter of ill show you why you shouldnt have cut me. Im willing to bet he ends up being our top defensive lineman if he stays with the team.
joker-saint is offline  
Old 09-14-2013, 04:41 PM   #8
LB Mentallity
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 15,870
Blog Entries: 68
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Notes: In addition to the defensive linemen who sat out of practice, two defensive backs - cornerback Corey White and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus - also were unable to take the field, both with ankle injuries. Abdul-Quddus was out last week as well. White played last Sunday.
hagan714 is offline  
Old 09-14-2013, 07:12 PM   #9
1000 Posts +
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: WHO DAT NATION
Posts: 2,261
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

As long as we have Cam Jordan
saintsfan403 is offline  
Old 09-15-2013, 08:00 AM   #10
Site Donor
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Colorado Springs Co
Posts: 2,760
Re: Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure

Originally Posted by joker-saint View Post
Im just glad to see Richardson back in the line up. He has the most to play for out of the entire defense. For him its not just about winning the game, or what his numbers look like, its a matter of ill show you why you shouldnt have cut me. Im willing to bet he ends up being our top defensive lineman if he stays with the team.
Also very glad to see me back with the team. He should do very well in this system, and looking forward to seeing him play. But, I dont think he will be our best lineman.
Ashley is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules

LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/60306-saints-depleted-d-line-aims-keep-up-pressure.html
Posted By For Type Date Hits
Saints' depleted D-line aims to keep up pressure This thread Refback 09-13-2013 02:30 PM 26
The Latest New Orleans Saints News | SportSpyder This thread Refback 09-13-2013 02:13 PM 9


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:28 AM.


Copyright 1997 - 2020 - BlackandGold.com
no new posts