cadilacin

Our linebackers or NOT VERY GOOD. Fujuita is OK, but Shanle and Simoneau are not physical and they are very slow. It's not rocket science, we can't stop the run because we don't have good LB play.

I have no confidence in our ability to stop anybody.

I'm always on suprised when we "make a play".

The bend but don't break....but break anyway style is getting old.

Our defensive team speed is SLOW.

Gary Gibbs plays waay to much man to man for the personnell we have.

We need a defensive LEADER! Trotter woulda been nice.

But i'm glad tha Harper is back...He can make plays!

I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE DEFENSE OF THE DEFENSIVE COACHING STAFF.

but i'ma watch and cheer like there is no tommorrow.

The best conerback tandem in the league reside in the N.O.

JKool

I couldn't agree more with andersen, xan, and SFIAH (as usual). The problem for our D, as it has been for many years is right in the middle. MLB. Our DTs just aren't playmakers, so we need someone big right behind them who can finish off offensive zone runs and middle runs. It's not like our DTs are getting into the backfield too quickly and that is the problem for our MLB - it is simple, he's not tough enough, nor instinctive enough.

Our LBs, outside of Fugita, who I think looks quite good this year and last, are pretty second rate. We also need someone at DT who can step up. I think Hollis might be able to do so, but we'll see.

The problem is not our CBs, it is that it is too easy to run and too easy force man coverage. Also, nothing short of zero interior pass rush isn't giving Smith and Grant enough freedom. We need a MLB who can STUFF the run, not just sniff it out. We also need a DT who can command two or even three interor Olinemen. AND we need an LB who COULD rush the passer - just the threat would help our DEs greatly.

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

Euphoria

JKOOL you speak the truth. Our DT's are the first problem. When you build any type of unit you should start at the middle of the line and work to the outside. Our DT are the biggest problem on the team. LB's aren't soley responsible for run stoping its the DT's. If they could at least stop the run and or put pressure on the QB the LB's would be free to increast the pressure on the QB, containment and help in coverage. You can't expect CB's to cover a WR for 30 seconds a play, eventually the WR will get free, its expected.

I'll admit I was agains the Bush pick I wanted someone on the O-LINE or even DT. We needed to build this team from the inside out. When we continue to play against high caliber teams we will get over powered and manhandled because we don't control the lines.

JKool

Euph,

I'm glad we're in agreement.

I think, regarding team building, that it isn't inside out exactly. It's more like around - DT, DE, LB, CB, S, LB, DT, DE, LB, CB, S - is my preferred order of excellence. However, this order can be slightly rearanged based on scheme and particulars about the individual players.

That said, we are in complete agreement that the inside of the defensive front is the main problem we are experiencing right now.

hagan714

You guys got it. we need to build with some young blood. This one year contracts to cast offs will only get you so far.

Dan the Man

Definitely agree that Simoneau and Shanle need to step it up. I was getting so aggravated watching them Thursday night. They wouldn't even try to get off of blocks. They'd just sit there and take it, SOMETIMES FROM WIMPY LITTLE RECEIVERS. They gotta get more physical if they want to stop the run. I also think Hollis Thomas was doing a much better job than Clancy or Lake or whichever one of those guys was starting for him. I understand they want to push him to lose the weight, but please, not for the sake of games.

That's going to be the last bad thing I saw about Thursday night, I'm going to get back into good-mood-Saints-fan-mode again. Unless LSU loses to Virginia Tech tonight, then I'm going to be upset with everything until SOMEONE puts a whoopin on someone else.

rich006

Can our D improve? Yes, as Hollis Thomas gets back in shape.

H. Thomas is one of the keys to our defense. He seems to be the only DT whose presence consistently helps the LB's. We can hope he will get more playing time as he gets back into game shape following his less than stellar off season. I don't blame the coaches for not playing him enough--he wasn't fit to play full time against the Colts.

sac-a-lait

Our defense would have kept us in the game if we had any kind of offensive production. We weren't playing the Bears or the Ravens defense, we were playing the COLTS defense. Very few teams can stop Manning and the Colts offense. If we can't run with the safeties 30 yards downfield, we are going to struggle on offense. I think the question is "Can the offense generate enough points for the defense we have?". We will struggle against good defensive teams like we did last year and will need some luck or superior efforts by individual players to win these games.

It is early in the season, we have some talented players and good coaches, so I am not overly concerned, but it was an ugly openeing performance.

Saintsfan4ever

sac,

Excellent point. I digress on that issue. Had our offense converted on more 3rd downs and had a better scheme to attack the Colt`s deep-protect defense, it may have given our defense time to catch their breath and keep us in the game.
But I think my question is still legitimate. Is this Saints' defensive roster capable of improving to a level where they can hold successful offenses in check without having to rely on the Saints offense to score on every possession?

saintsrule

To me, the Colts lost was about the offense not playing well, not the defense.