Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021

The New Orleans defense attacked offenses with a versatile group of playmaking safeties last season.

BOB ROSE 24 MINUTES AGO

The New Orleans Saints have had one of the league's deepest and most versatile safety units for the last few seasons. The group has allowed defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to be extremely creative and aggressive with his schemes.

New Orleans ranked 7th in total defense, 4th against the run and 14th in passing yardage in 2021. They forced 25 turnovers and were the NFL's best defense in the red zone and in yards per rush.

Much of the reason for the Saints defensive success has been the safety unit. It was a group comprising four players that were an impact in coverage, run support, and as pass rushers.

The safeties were part of a New Orleans secondary that was among the league's best this past season.

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Demonstrating the value of Ceedy:

"Gardner-Johnson is a versatile budding star, but also an emotional spark for the Saints defense. New Orleans was 0-5 in games he didn't play. In those contests the Saints gave up 10 more points, 35 more total yards, and 38 more rushing yards than their season average."

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

Yet some would be “ok” with letting Marcus W go?

This guy has unbelievable range.

Definitely a underrated FS.

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

I think a lot of people forget the other defensive backfields during the Payton era. Some awful ones.

Kevin Kaesviharn, Josh Bullocks, Usama Young starting at safety just to mention a few.

This defense is championship caliber, unfortunately year after year one side of the ball ends up dragging the other down.

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

That is too true K. He was only the third player the Saints have put the franchise tag on. That says a lot. I believe Williams still gets a bad wrap for his tackling which he seems to have cleaned up lately. Re-sign him long term!

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

I’m not disagreeing at all Dizz. Saints have truly had some overall really bad Defenses over the Payton era. But, the way I see it, the D (even this year) has always been the side to let the team down under Payton, and that includes this year.

Hear me out. Go back to the Marshown Lynch “Beastmode”
run. Look at Vernon Davis Beating Scott Stanley in the Niner Playoff game. Look at the Minnesota Miracle and even look at the Rams No-call game where the D let up a lead.

This year’s D was the strength of the team no doubt, but the performances against the Giants and the first Atlanta game were examples of the D blowing late game leads AGAIN. It’s the same sad story in my opinion.

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

As well as we played on that side of the ball we did blow a few. Ya rarely see a team go very far when one side of the ball just doesn't perform.

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

Completely understand and agree with your points, its always a difficult one because I whilst I agree, there's some points I'd add;

The D definitely failed late in 2011 Niners game, however the offense turned the ball over 5 times, 4 of them in the first half. We were lucky it was even close.

I think in the Rams game, as soon as that no call happened the whole team had the wind taken out of their sails, to literally win the game once and then the refs to not play fair, must have demoralised the whole team, including the D.

The Bucs playoff game last year for example, D played well enough (not great). Offense allowed Bucs to come in, a team they'd beaten twice and looked scared to death of their defense.

But yeah, I do agree that multiple times the Defense has let Brees down, especially in non playoff seasons where the offense was SB caliber and the D played like a high school team.
I guess my main point is, besides 2009, this team doesn't appear to be able to play complimentary football for a decent stretch. It's always one game here and there.

Re: Grading the Saints Safeties in 2021
 

That is Da's MO. Every year he drops a couple of stinkers. The Saints have invested heavily on defense recently and there is a lot of talent on defense. However, ANY good coach, worth his salt, can do as well I would imagine. Dennis Aleen is the weak link. I used to be a fan but time has made me decide to hop off the Dennis Allen float and I'm hoping he gets an offer elsewhere. We've got top talent we can move up to waiting in the wings. In my humble opinion Kris Richards in an excellent replacement with the necessary skills that Payton covets.