Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes

AsylumGuido · 06-15-2023, 07:18 AM

Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes

June 14, 2023
By Les East

Excerpts from link above:

METAIRIE – The New Orleans Saints have a new defensive line coach in Todd Grantham.

Of the 68 starts that were made by defensive linemen last season, 40 were made by players no longer on the team.

For the first time in 14 years and just the sixth time in franchise history they used their first two draft picks on the same position, grabbing defensive linemen Bryan Bresee (Clemson) and Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame) with their first- and second-round picks, respectively.

Two of the more prominent veteran free agents that they signed in the offseason were defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd (Jets) and Khalen Saunders (Chiefs).

So the defensive line, especially the interior, has absorbed more change since the end of last season than any other unit on the team. Grantham, who is new to all the players, and the first-year Saints linemen have spent the offseason getting accustomed to one another and the team’s defensive system.

“Really right now it’s about taking the system that we have and teaching the players that we have the system,” Grantham said. “Defense is about the ability to play fast. So how do you simplify things for a player so there’s no gray area and guys can just go play. That’s really been what I’ve focused on is the teaching and the implementation of the system that we have and getting guys to play to their ability.”

.....

Grantham hasn’t worked before with Saints head coach Dennis Allen, who oversees the team’s defense, but he said the two “have visited in the past during the offseason,” which provided “carry-over” into his new position.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s done and that’s one of the reasons that I wanted to come here is because of the success that he’s had and they’ve had here,” Grantham said “Whether you’ve been 3-4 or 4-3 it’s still four guys rushing, you’ve got 11 guys out there.”

Bresee was listed as a tackle when the Saints drafted him and Foskey was listed as a defensive end, though the Saints roster lists him as a linebacker. Regardless of titles, both appear capable of playing multiple spots along the line.

“You don’t want to pigeon-hole a guy by thinking he can only do one thing,” Grantham said. “Defense is about match-ups and I think you’re always going to look at the players you have up front as to, how do you create match-ups that are advantageous for you from a one-on-one standpoint whether it’s in the run game or the pass game.”

Read the whole article here ...

SmashMouth likes this.

AsylumGuido · 06-15-2023, 07:21 AM

Not sure where the writer got the bit about the Saints listing Foskey as a LB on the roster. The

has him listed as a DE.

SmashMouth · 06-15-2023, 09:00 AM

They should improve after a declining season last year.

AsylumGuido · 06-15-2023, 09:43 AM

I've always heard there is a codependency between the offense and the defense. The statistics of one are often driven by the performance of the other. For example, offenses that rack up tons of passing yardage are often forced to throw the ball a lot if their defense has issues giving up points. On the other hand, defenses that show lower than expected numbers of sacks from their defensive lines may be influenced by their own offense's lack of ability to score, thus allowing the opponent's offenses the ability to play far more conservatively limiting the need for plays that put their QB in danger of the pressure from the defensive line. The same can be said for turnover numbers. More more conservative the opposing offense, the fewer chances of forcing the issue resulting in picks or on second effort fumbles.

I think most all of us are expecting a much more potent offense this coming season with the addition of a real threat at QB and a really solid corps of runners and pass catchers. A healthy stretch of play from the offensive line should afford our own defense to eat on both the line and in the secondary. I'm excited to see the play of all of the new defensive linemen this season.

Rugby Saint II · 06-15-2023, 12:39 PM

We have a new D-line coach, new D-line, and a new DC. That's an awful lot of turn over for a team that is notorious for slow starts. I imagine DA will be sending blitzes early and often to confuse offenses while the defense gets their rhythm and timing together.

06-15-2023, 07:18 AM	#1
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes Twitter Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes June 14, 2023 By Les East Excerpts from link above: METAIRIE – The New Orleans Saints have a new defensive line coach in Todd Grantham. Of the 68 starts that were made by defensive linemen last season, 40 were made by players no longer on the team. For the first time in 14 years and just the sixth time in franchise history they used their first two draft picks on the same position, grabbing defensive linemen Bryan Bresee (Clemson) and Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame) with their first- and second-round picks, respectively. Two of the more prominent veteran free agents that they signed in the offseason were defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd (Jets) and Khalen Saunders (Chiefs). So the defensive line, especially the interior, has absorbed more change since the end of last season than any other unit on the team. Grantham, who is new to all the players, and the first-year Saints linemen have spent the offseason getting accustomed to one another and the team’s defensive system. “Really right now it’s about taking the system that we have and teaching the players that we have the system,” Grantham said. “Defense is about the ability to play fast. So how do you simplify things for a player so there’s no gray area and guys can just go play. That’s really been what I’ve focused on is the teaching and the implementation of the system that we have and getting guys to play to their ability.” ..... Grantham hasn’t worked before with Saints head coach Dennis Allen, who oversees the team’s defense, but he said the two “have visited in the past during the offseason,” which provided “carry-over” into his new position. “I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s done and that’s one of the reasons that I wanted to come here is because of the success that he’s had and they’ve had here,” Grantham said “Whether you’ve been 3-4 or 4-3 it’s still four guys rushing, you’ve got 11 guys out there.” Bresee was listed as a tackle when the Saints drafted him and Foskey was listed as a defensive end, though the Saints roster lists him as a linebacker. Regardless of titles, both appear capable of playing multiple spots along the line. “You don’t want to pigeon-hole a guy by thinking he can only do one thing,” Grantham said. “Defense is about match-ups and I think you’re always going to look at the players you have up front as to, how do you create match-ups that are advantageous for you from a one-on-one standpoint whether it’s in the run game or the pass game.” Read the whole article here ... SmashMouth likes this.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

06-15-2023, 07:21 AM	#2
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Re: Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes Not sure where the writer got the bit about the Saints listing Foskey as a LB on the roster. The Saints website has him listed as a DE.

06-15-2023, 09:00 AM	#3
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 37,016 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes They should improve after a declining season last year.

06-15-2023, 09:43 AM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,394	Re: Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes I've always heard there is a codependency between the offense and the defense. The statistics of one are often driven by the performance of the other. For example, offenses that rack up tons of passing yardage are often forced to throw the ball a lot if their defense has issues giving up points. On the other hand, defenses that show lower than expected numbers of sacks from their defensive lines may be influenced by their own offense's lack of ability to score, thus allowing the opponent's offenses the ability to play far more conservatively limiting the need for plays that put their QB in danger of the pressure from the defensive line. The same can be said for turnover numbers. More more conservative the opposing offense, the fewer chances of forcing the issue resulting in picks or on second effort fumbles. I think most all of us are expecting a much more potent offense this coming season with the addition of a real threat at QB and a really solid corps of runners and pass catchers. A healthy stretch of play from the offensive line should afford our own defense to eat on both the line and in the secondary. I'm excited to see the play of all of the new defensive linemen this season.
	“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

06-15-2023, 12:39 PM	#5
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,739	Re: Saints defensive line adjusting to series of major offseason changes We have a new D-line coach, new D-line, and a new DC. That's an awful lot of turn over for a team that is notorious for slow starts. I imagine DA will be sending blitzes early and often to confuse offenses while the defense gets their rhythm and timing together.

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