Can our defense improve?
 

We`ve seen what our offense can do. The potential is there, the skill is there, we`ve seen it. But...
On the other side of the ball, can our defense improve? is the talent there? and I don`t mean can they improve a little to stop 7-9 teams, what I mean is can this list of defensive players we have on the roster right now, can this group morph into the kind of defense to win a conference and take it to the big show this season?.... I`m having serious doubts right now.... your thoughts please.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

Yes.

We need the safety to roll toward David a bit more, which should be possible if we get more solidity in the middle of the defense (the safety won't have to watch the run as often). I saw Hollis hustle on a couple of runs, and I didn't see much from anyone else on the interior (DT or MLB).

Also, we barely blitzed, and when we did, it was the NB - way obvious. Of course, this is because we were playing against Manning. Against other teams, the blitz should be more effective. This will take some of the pressure off the CBs.

I'm not too concerned yet. If our D stinks it up against a middle of the pack team, then we should worry.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

Yes we we play against another team that isn't the Colts.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

I was surprised how easily the Colts ran. I think that Manning was bored and threw the ball more than necessary given how the D-line was shredded. The D-staff should look at how that Colts D performed and use that as an example of how a real team lines up to play in the NFL.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

I didn't relize that Jason Davis is only 5'8".
A little short going up against Reggie Wayen..

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

The Defense will improve, the Colts were just playing on adrenalin after the championship festivities.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

Simmoneau was nowhere. Simmons has to get a shot in the middle. Hollis needs more time. Everytime we did blitz, Peyton picked it up and burned someone back there. At least in the first half, playing the deep zone, it made him run the ball and keep the score close.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

Heck yes we can improve. Think about it we have a patch work defense on the field. A few draft picks, a couple of long term vets and a boat load of one tear contract players. Next year we better do a better job in the draft for the D. We can not go with offense year after year.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

I was initially. Then I started running plays in slow motion (love that DVR!) and started to get a sense of what was going on. It's glaringly obvious.

Simineou is a serious problem at the MLB position. Often he's nowhere near the play when the back hits the hole. He gets swallowed up and doesn't shed blocks. He shows absolutely no physicality at the point of attack when he gets to the point of attack. At times it seems like he's running to the blocker instead of to the ball.

It was ugly. Really ugly.


Considering how bad the Colts defense was last year until the playoffs that statement is almost laughable.

It's almost like the Colts defense got better simply because they now believe. Also they have a new physical MLB replacing Cato June (who we'll see next Sunday).

SFIAH

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

they knew what they were letting go. Dungy had replacements in the wings and they will be better than the group they lost. great drafting players for there skills not their position. Some luck is involved but it is the guts to make the pick and develop them quickly. Thats what we did last year and this years group seems to be stuck in the role of back ups and will not get that playing time in bunches to develop.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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?

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

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

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

CAN OUR DEFENSE IMPROVE?

Yes......... we are playin' Tampa this week!!

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

Yes, you are correct, sir.

Sounds familiar, go on...

I heard it called the break but don't bend D the other day.

So you're saying that good cover corners and LB's with the speed to cover fast TE's like Dallas Clark are what you need to play a pressure D with a lot of Bump and Run man?

He's old and gets injured a bunch, though. Why would we sign a guy with great leadership ability who has been so close to winning it all only to fall short that has gas in the tank and now a huge chip on his shoulder?

The only "real" player outside of the D-line, IMO. (okay, maybe MM)

Caddy nailed it. The LBs suck. They overachieved last year (and that's not saying much). The only starting caliber LB they we have is Fuji and he is not making any trips to Hawai'i any time soon.

I try to not question the coach and FO's moves much, because I know it's a tough, thankless job, but I've had a few beers so...the Meachem pick...really? He may turn out to be the next Marvin Harrison, but you've got a year left in Horn and two quality guys in Henderson and Colston. Seriously guys...why not Posluzny, Houston or even Branch?

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

i dunno bout the only REAL player...harper is definitely a real player, but KK is DAAAAAMN good...we need to put him at corner or something. he's a beast.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

I was just the first game.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

I surely hope so. I think that the corners need to press more and get help over the top. Disrupt receiver's timing off the ball and make the QB have to hold longer than planned and throw through unfamiliar lanes. Perhaps that will give our push one extra second to force bad decisions. We can't just let the O dictate...we have to cause some things to happen. Our best defense is to give Duece 20 carries a game (4.3 per) and keep the defense off the field and fresh.

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

Bucs 13 max. But's that not saying much. We need 14 to win (maybe a RB punt return again)

Re: Can our defense improve?
 

The talent outside of Grant, Smith, Mckenzie, Fujita, and maybe Harper, just isn't good. Being weak up the middle at DT and MLB is something that is hard to overcome. The front office wasn't lucky or good in their offseason defensive moves. When the Saints offense doesn't hit on all cylinders, they're not going to win. Especially against the better teams.