Saw this article on the red zone
 

I saw this article and thought I would post it to get your comments on it....

Who Dat Without Any Defense?


David Purdum

Slidell Sentry-News
Sports Editor

With only a seven weeks to go before the 2005 NFL season, the Saints are drenched in concerns. Too bad, it doesn't appear management cares.

Where's the urgency to upgrade a coaching staff that has failed to motivate and discipline the team consistently or effectively? A conference-high 129 offensive penalties in 2004 equals contract extension in New Orleans.


How does a team fail to score in the first quarter in it's first 10 games? From tremendous game-planning, that's how. The Denver Broncos led 14-0 after running only four plays in last year's 34-13 thrashing of the Saints. That debacle prompted owner Tom Benson to compare his hapless squad to a high school team, causing outrage amongst high school coaches across the state.

But it's not just Aaron Brooks and the offense that seem to take the first quarter off. Opponents outscored the Saints 90-0 in the first quarter of the first 10 games last season.

How do you take 41 sacks and still throw 16 interceptions? By making wise decisions, such as throwing it up grabs while falling on your backside in your end zone or - what the heck - why not just throw it backwards instead of taking a sack? Either throw it away or take the sack, please.


Where's the urgency to field a respectable defense? This just in: Defense wins championships. Championships - ho, ho - that's seems a little out of place.

Get your brown paper bags out early; management won't care.

(This guy obviously is a saints fan)

I am sensing a wee bit of angst in this post. :D

Angst? Here?

That's harsh -- not necessarily incorrect but harsh --- I guess the author didn't get the memo on the new slogan -- "gotta have faith"

But on the other side of the coin -- he cannot be disappointed -- only surprised -- thats not necessarily a bad thing == I am always optimistic and then get pissed off

The slogan is wrong too. Faith ain't going to cut it. You gotta have blind faith.

For you offensive bashers, you're right. First quarter points would be great. It'd pretty cool if opponents didn't score, too.

Defense, folks. Defense. :wink:



8)

What is the average number of 3 and outs posted by defenses in the first qtr of games and where did the '04 Saints D rank in that stat?

So what we want is for the first quarter score to be 0-0, every game until the offense decides it wants to play? Good strategy. Look at the first half of the Seattle game. You will get all the evidence you need for some offense bashing.

Yep, you got it. I want our defense to hold opponents scoreless in the first quarter. The defense is equally obligated. I have no problem counting on our defense to defend until our offense gets going. Don't get me wrong, here. Our first quarter offense isn't productive. But, you must agree, our defense isn't defensive.

I'll say it once again - the Saints offense, for the most part, scores enough to win a game.

The defense must step up.




8)

It would be nice, but not really realistic since our defense was gonna be bad anyway. It just didn't have to be SO bad. We needed our offense to protect our defense like Indy did. Instead we got Chicago's offense. And if we lose, our offense did not score enough for us to win. They were supposed to carry us, and didn't come close. No matter how you sliced it, the defense was gonna be bad. We needed the offense not to be, and they were. Besides that, even if it was 0-0 in the first, our offense would still be scoring ZERO and been inept. Just as unacceptable as the defense.