3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs

shawnkytonk · 05-18-2022, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

There will be communication issues in the secondary to start the season.

Period.

Very true, but it seems DA’s defenses have started off slowly the past few years if memory serves me correctly.

AsylumGuido · 05-18-2022, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

There will be communication issues in the secondary to start the season.

Period.

More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level?

Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season.

AsylumGuido · 05-18-2022, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by shawnkytonk

Very true, but it seems DA’s defenses have started off slowly the past few years if memory serves me correctly.

Most defenses start off slowly in the secondary.

turbo_dog · 05-19-2022, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level?

Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season.

JFC, Guido

Boston Saint · 05-19-2022, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level?

Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season.

That’s an interesting thought. Who “called the plays” on-field last year for the D? I would have thought it was Davis. Does the backfield have a different caller than the LB’s? Help us out rez!

AsylumGuido · 05-19-2022, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Boston Saint

That’s an interesting thought. Who “called the plays” on-field last year for the D? I would have thought it was Davis. Does the backfield have a different caller than the LB’s? Help us out rez!

Yes. It was Davis, with Werner as his backup with the dot. Here's all the defensive dot wearers from 2021.

Who Wears the Dot?

Team	Players
49ers	LB Fred Warner, LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Bears	LB Roquan Smith, LB Alec Ogletree
Bengals	LB Logan Wilson, LB Germaine Pratt
Bills	LB Tremaine Edmunds, LB A.J. Klein
Broncos	LB Alexander Johnson, LB Justin Strnad, LB Baron Browning, LB Kenny Young
Buccaneers	LB Devin White, LB Lavonte David
Cardinals	LB Jordan Hicks, LB Tanner Vallejo
Chiefs	LB Anthony Hitchens, LB Ben Niemann, LB Nick Bolton
Colts	LB Darius Leonard, LB Bobby Okereke
Commanders	LB Cole Holcomb, LB David Mayo
Dolphins	LB Jerome Baker, LB Sam Eguavoen
Eagles	LB Eric Wilson, LB T.J. Edwards, LB Alex Singleton
Falcons	LB Foyesade Oluokun (yes, he played 100% of ATL's defensive snaps this season)
Giants	LB Blake Martinez, LB Tae Crowder
Jaguars	LB Damien Wilson, LB Myles Jack
Jets	LB C.J. Mosley, LB Jamien Sherwood
Lions	LB Alex Anzalone, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Packers	LB De’Vondre Campbell, LB Krys Barnes
Panthers	LB Shaq Thompson, LB Jermaine Carter Jr.
Raiders	LB Denzel Perryman, LB Corey Littleton
Saints	LB Demario Davis, LB Pete Werner
Seahawks	LB Bobby Wagner, LB Cody Barton
Steelers	LB Joe Schobert, LB Robert Spillane
Texans	LB Christian Kirksey, LB Zach Cunningham, LB Neville Hewitt
Titans	LB David Long Jr., LB Jayon Brown
Vikings	LB Anthony Barr, LB Nick Vigil
Browns	LB Malcolm Smith, S John Johnson III, LB Anthony Walker Jr.
Cowboys	LB Micah Parsons, S Jayron Kearse
Chargers	S Derwin James, LB Kyzir White
Patriots	S Devin McCourty, LB Kyle Van Noy
Rams	S Jordan Fuller, LB Ernest Jones, LB Troy Reeder, S Eric Weddle
Ravens	S Chuck Clark, S Geno Stone

Boston Saint · 05-19-2022, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

Yes. It was Davis, with Werner as his backup with the dot. Here's all the defensive dot wearers from 2021.

Who Wears the Dot?

Team Players
49ers LB Fred Warner, LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Bears LB Roquan Smith, LB Alec Ogletree
Bengals LB Logan Wilson, LB Germaine Pratt
Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds, LB A.J. Klein
Broncos LB Alexander Johnson, LB Justin Strnad, LB Baron Browning, LB Kenny Young
Buccaneers LB Devin White, LB Lavonte David
Cardinals LB Jordan Hicks, LB Tanner Vallejo
Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens, LB Ben Niemann, LB Nick Bolton
Colts LB Darius Leonard, LB Bobby Okereke
Commanders LB Cole Holcomb, LB David Mayo
Dolphins LB Jerome Baker, LB Sam Eguavoen
Eagles LB Eric Wilson, LB T.J. Edwards, LB Alex Singleton
Falcons LB Foyesade Oluokun (yes, he played 100% of ATL's defensive snaps this season)
Giants LB Blake Martinez, LB Tae Crowder
Jaguars LB Damien Wilson, LB Myles Jack
Jets LB C.J. Mosley, LB Jamien Sherwood
Lions LB Alex Anzalone, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell, LB Krys Barnes
Panthers LB Shaq Thompson, LB Jermaine Carter Jr.
Raiders LB Denzel Perryman, LB Corey Littleton
Saints LB Demario Davis, LB Pete Werner
Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner, LB Cody Barton
Steelers LB Joe Schobert, LB Robert Spillane
Texans LB Christian Kirksey, LB Zach Cunningham, LB Neville Hewitt
Titans LB David Long Jr., LB Jayon Brown
Vikings LB Anthony Barr, LB Nick Vigil
Browns LB Malcolm Smith, S John Johnson III, LB Anthony Walker Jr.
Cowboys LB Micah Parsons, S Jayron Kearse
Chargers S Derwin James, LB Kyzir White
Patriots S Devin McCourty, LB Kyle Van Noy
Rams S Jordan Fuller, LB Ernest Jones, LB Troy Reeder, S Eric Weddle
Ravens S Chuck Clark, S Geno Stone

This designates the radio/headset guy. Does the backfield have an additional coordinator onfield to help put guys in place in addition? Like the shortstop and second baseman will coordinate without the outfielders.

saintsfan1976 · 05-19-2022, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level?

Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season.

Don't overcomplicate the argument Guido. We've seen it before and specifically in DA's defense. There will be communication issues to start the season.

I hope it doesn't cause us to lose games we "should win".

neugey · 05-19-2022, 02:50 PM

The Eric Wilson signing (ex-Vikings) clears up some of the stress about LB depth.

AsylumGuido · 05-19-2022, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976

Don't overcomplicate the argument Guido. We've seen it before and specifically in DA's defense. There will be communication issues to start the season.

I hope it doesn't cause us to lose games we "should win".

Yes. I agree there will be some of the same learning curve issues per usual. I just feel it may be a tad less of an issue with veterans (Maye and Mathieu) being plugged into starting positions as opposed to rookies as in the recent past. Lattimore, Adebo, and Ceedy should by now have a solid comfort level in Allen's scheme. This is the most seasoned secondary we have had in some time starting off a new season.

Also, something else to note is that we now have the Chief's starting safety tandem from 2021 (Mathieu and Sorensen) on the squad if Maye for any reason isn't ready.

05-18-2022, 04:49 PM	#11
shawnkytonk 500th Post Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Denver>Memphis>Mississippi Posts: 736	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 There will be communication issues in the secondary to start the season. Period. Very true, but it seems DA’s defenses have started off slowly the past few years if memory serves me correctly. Rell&Gold likes this.

05-18-2022, 06:05 PM	#12
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 There will be communication issues in the secondary to start the season. Period. More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level? Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season.

05-18-2022, 06:06 PM	#13
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by shawnkytonk Very true, but it seems DA’s defenses have started off slowly the past few years if memory serves me correctly. Most defenses start off slowly in the secondary.

05-19-2022, 12:33 PM	#14
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,541	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by AsylumGuido More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level? Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season. JFC, Guido

05-19-2022, 01:00 PM	#15
Boston Saint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,869	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by AsylumGuido More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level? Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season. That’s an interesting thought. Who “called the plays” on-field last year for the D? I would have thought it was Davis. Does the backfield have a different caller than the LB’s? Help us out rez!

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05-19-2022, 02:45 PM	#18
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,536 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by AsylumGuido More so than any other team with changes in the defensive backfield? More so than any team with any changes to the defensive coaching and/or schemes? If so, will those issues exceed their individual athletic abilities to still have the defense be able to perform at a high level? Basically, there are always issues with the defensive secondary every year with every team to a degree. I believe they'll weather those issue just fine especially considering the teams we face leading off the season. Don't overcomplicate the argument Guido. We've seen it before and specifically in DA's defense. There will be communication issues to start the season. I hope it doesn't cause us to lose games we "should win". Rugby Saint II and Rell&Gold like this.

05-19-2022, 02:50 PM	#19
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,592 Blog Entries: 13	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs The Eric Wilson signing (ex-Vikings) clears up some of the stress about LB depth.

05-19-2022, 03:34 PM	#20
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Re: 3 Areas of Concern for the Saints Defense Heading Towards OTAs Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 Don't overcomplicate the argument Guido. We've seen it before and specifically in DA's defense. There will be communication issues to start the season. I hope it doesn't cause us to lose games we "should win". Yes. I agree there will be some of the same learning curve issues per usual. I just feel it may be a tad less of an issue with veterans (Maye and Mathieu) being plugged into starting positions as opposed to rookies as in the recent past. Lattimore, Adebo, and Ceedy should by now have a solid comfort level in Allen's scheme. This is the most seasoned secondary we have had in some time starting off a new season. Also, something else to note is that we now have the Chief's starting safety tandem from 2021 (Mathieu and Sorensen) on the squad if Maye for any reason isn't ready. Rell&Gold likes this.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill