WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM?

BillyCarpenter1 · 05-25-2003, 07:22 PM

To me the weakest and most unproven area has to be linebacker, especially middle linebacker. Stopping the run could potentially be a huge problem for us this year. Not to mention stopping the screen passes that killed us last year. Last year Norman Hand and Grady Jackson were suppose to occupy blockers to free the linebacker to pursue the running back but we know how that worked out. Hopefully, the defensive line will be improved to help our linebackers out. Maybe our new linebackers will pan out like some other unknown linebackers have in the past. When Sam Mills and Vaughn Jonhson came in the leauge, I don't remember anyone jumping on their bandwagon.

lumm0x · 05-25-2003, 07:52 PM

I don\'t think stopping the run in the middle will be the biggest problem this year. Ruff\'s forte is said to be against the run and Sullivan/Smith or Jackson cannot be worse than the dynamic donut duo from last year. I think our inexperienced LBers will show more holes when asked to cover. Ruff\'s weakness is in coverage and I don\'t think Hodge or Allen will have the knowledge to always be in position or read routes.

Saints · 05-26-2003, 02:15 PM

I think DT is still the weakest position. Sullivan looks like a great pick and prospect, but no way to tell if he will make an impact this year. Gravy Jackson...I\'ve no faith in him untill he shows he\'s willing to bust his butt...it may be too late for that already, given the 360 lbs. he showed up with at mini-camp. It looks like he did nothing during the offseason.

LB posotions are also a question mark. I\'m comfortable with the DB\'s we have now.

billybignuts · 05-26-2003, 04:22 PM

I agree with lummOx, stopping the run wont be as hard as it was last year. Having the LBs in coverage is the thing that is gonna scare me.

Saints · 05-26-2003, 05:57 PM

I think that if the DT\'s are able to stop the run more effectively, then every other component fo the defense (LB\'s, CB\'s Safeties) will be able to play more aggressively. I think it is a domino effect and hopefully, more athletic DT\'s will help bring about a more productive D all around.

BiggPoppaFro2 · 05-26-2003, 11:37 PM

Yeah, but at least we are deep with some \"proven\" (term used verrrry loosely) DTs. I mean, if need be someone can get the jaws of life, pry the slab of ribs from out Grady\'s gaping maw and have him take up a couple of blocks. I think the weakest point is still the secondary. Just due to the fact that we have so many new faces back there. I still think they will play well enough to get the job done though. I know, I know. LB ain\'t exactly the same as last year for us, but Hodge and Allen got a year learning under Cox and Smith, and Ruff learned from Seau and Edwards.

I still say we should have made a serious play for Spikes though, D-------!

Saints · 05-27-2003, 01:09 AM

but remember, we just need to get the D from \"worst\" to \"average\" and the Saints should be a post-season contender...with the fire-power on offense.

SaintforLife · 05-27-2003, 08:20 AM

Just my opinion, but I still think the most \"unproven\" area of the 2003 Saints remains the defensive coord. Rick Venturi.

tweeky · 05-27-2003, 08:31 AM

I must say it has tto be the 2-point decision crew!

NEVER go for two in the 1st half, and NEVER go for two if your opponent may get more than two more possessions.

Other than that it has to be LB (need 1 more decent vet) and RB depth (jury still out on Keaton, Banks, Fenderson etc).

However I don\'t think we got weaker at any position, every position on O&D is the same or better than last year.

Saint · 05-27-2003, 10:08 AM

Just my opinion, but I still think the most \"unproven\" area of the 2003 Saints remains the defensive coord. Rick Venturi.

true...

05-25-2003, 07:22 PM	#1
BillyCarpenter1 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,209	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? To me the weakest and most unproven area has to be linebacker, especially middle linebacker. Stopping the run could potentially be a huge problem for us this year. Not to mention stopping the screen passes that killed us last year. Last year Norman Hand and Grady Jackson were suppose to occupy blockers to free the linebacker to pursue the running back but we know how that worked out. Hopefully, the defensive line will be improved to help our linebackers out. Maybe our new linebackers will pan out like some other unknown linebackers have in the past. When Sam Mills and Vaughn Jonhson came in the leauge, I don't remember anyone jumping on their bandwagon.
BillyCarpenter1 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,209

05-25-2003, 07:52 PM	#2
lumm0x Resident antediluvian Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,026	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? I don\'t think stopping the run in the middle will be the biggest problem this year. Ruff\'s forte is said to be against the run and Sullivan/Smith or Jackson cannot be worse than the dynamic donut duo from last year. I think our inexperienced LBers will show more holes when asked to cover. Ruff\'s weakness is in coverage and I don\'t think Hodge or Allen will have the knowledge to always be in position or read routes.

05-26-2003, 02:15 PM	#3
Saints Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? I think DT is still the weakest position. Sullivan looks like a great pick and prospect, but no way to tell if he will make an impact this year. Gravy Jackson...I\'ve no faith in him untill he shows he\'s willing to bust his butt...it may be too late for that already, given the 360 lbs. he showed up with at mini-camp. It looks like he did nothing during the offseason. LB posotions are also a question mark. I\'m comfortable with the DB\'s we have now.
Saints Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6

05-26-2003, 04:22 PM	#4
billybignuts 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 157	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? I agree with lummOx, stopping the run wont be as hard as it was last year. Having the LBs in coverage is the thing that is gonna scare me.
billybignuts 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 157

05-26-2003, 05:57 PM	#5
Saints Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? I think that if the DT\'s are able to stop the run more effectively, then every other component fo the defense (LB\'s, CB\'s Safeties) will be able to play more aggressively. I think it is a domino effect and hopefully, more athletic DT\'s will help bring about a more productive D all around.
Saints Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

05-26-2003, 11:37 PM	#6
BiggPoppaFro2 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 22	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? Yeah, but at least we are deep with some \"proven\" (term used verrrry loosely) DTs. I mean, if need be someone can get the jaws of life, pry the slab of ribs from out Grady\'s gaping maw and have him take up a couple of blocks. I think the weakest point is still the secondary. Just due to the fact that we have so many new faces back there. I still think they will play well enough to get the job done though. I know, I know. LB ain\'t exactly the same as last year for us, but Hodge and Allen got a year learning under Cox and Smith, and Ruff learned from Seau and Edwards. I still say we should have made a serious play for Spikes though, D-------!
BiggPoppaFro2 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 22

05-27-2003, 01:09 AM	#7
Saints Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? but remember, we just need to get the D from \"worst\" to \"average\" and the Saints should be a post-season contender...with the fire-power on offense.
Saints Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6

05-27-2003, 08:20 AM	#8
SaintforLife Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 10	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? Just my opinion, but I still think the most \"unproven\" area of the 2003 Saints remains the defensive coord. Rick Venturi.
SaintforLife Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 10

05-27-2003, 08:31 AM	#9
tweeky 500th Post Join Date: May 2003 Location: South Alabama Posts: 779	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? I must say it has tto be the 2-point decision crew! NEVER go for two in the 1st half, and NEVER go for two if your opponent may get more than two more possessions. Other than that it has to be LB (need 1 more decent vet) and RB depth (jury still out on Keaton, Banks, Fenderson etc). However I don\'t think we got weaker at any position, every position on O&D is the same or better than last year.

05-27-2003, 10:08 AM	#10
Saint Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 9	WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA OF TEAM? Just my opinion, but I still think the most \"unproven\" area of the 2003 Saints remains the defensive coord. Rick Venturi. true...
Saint Rookie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 9