Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

it's already been fixed.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

Hahahahaha

Ok here's my plan:

1. Attack, and do it with the right people. We need to use the faster people on blitzes. Last year I saw a bunch of Simoneau blitzes where he ran into the lineman and just played patty cake, it was pathetic. Use Vilma or Morgan off the edge, something that will actually work. Use Harper from the free safety spot, he had a bunch of success two years ago on FS blitzes.

2. Start the best people. Here's my lineup as of right now:

DE - Charles Grant
DT - Hollis Thomas
DT - Brian Young
DE - Will Smith
WLB - Dan Morgan, if healthy, or Shanle
MLB - Jon Vilma
SLB - Scott Fujita
CB - MM, if healthy, or Randall Gay
CB - Usama Young or Jason Craft
FS - Roman Harper
SS - Kevin Kaesviharn

Bullocks and Simoneau should never see the field.

3. Change the scheme to fit the personnel. I understand that Gibbs likes the man-to-man coverage on the outside, but if we don't have the players who can play that kind of defense, why not change it up? I'd love to see us go to a Cover 2, but if not, just play more zone coverage. It doesn't make sense to stubbornly stick to a defense when we don't have the personnel to play it right.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

We are on the same page on this one TheDeuce. That's exactly what I've been saying. Gibbs is bound and determined to make a sqaure peg fit into a round hole. It is so obvious that our secondary is not cut out for a predominantly man to man defense. There is no way that Gibbs doesn't realize that. I think that it is imperative that we run more zone this season if we are going to be the contenders we were supposed to be last year. I don't see any other solution because let's face it, Bullocks is in the bottom 10 starting safeties in the league, Harper is a marginal starter, MM is past his prime and probably won't be 100% healthy any time soon, David is just gruesome in man, Usama showed promise but is too raw to be relied on, and Gay has been a zone corner his whole career.

A few people are against running the cover 2 because they feel like the transistion takes too long. If I remember correctly someone said that the transistion takes two or three years. It might take two or three years to perfect but I've seen teams have alot of success in year one. Of course the success of any scheme change depends on the talent the team starts out with when they decide to make the switch. In regards to the Saints I think we have the players needed for a relatively smooth transistion. When our DEs are healthy and in shape they can provide some of the pressure that is needed for the cover 2 to work properly. On paper our LBs seem like they would be very solid. Two of the top three CBs are better in zone. IMHO Roman Harper could be a very productive player in cover 2 but I'm not sure if there is any hope for Bullocks. The DTs wouldn't be the best fit.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

DE - Charles Grant
DT - Hollis Thomas
DT - Brian Young
DE - Will Smith
WLB - Dan Morgan, if healthy, or Shanle
MLB - Jon Vilma
SLB - Scott Fujita
CB - MM, if healthy, or Randall Gay
CB - Usama Young or Jason Craft
FS - Roman Harper
SS - Kevin Kaesviharn

I really wish they'd go with this as the starters.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

DE - Grant and Smith
DT - Hollis and Young
LB - Morgan, Vilma, Fujita
CB - David, McKenzie
Nickel - Gay
S - Bullocks and Harper

Those are my starters.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

Did you seriously just put Jason David in front of Randall Gay? Nobody could be worse than David, not even Fred Thomas. Come on papz

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

Plain and simple, the Saints MUST hit a couple of home runs in the upcoming draft to get that defense right. On paper, it appears there was only slight improvement during free agency. Yes, if he is ready to go, Vilma appears to be a major upgrade. It all boils down to pass rush. If the Saints get it going, the defense should be fine. If not, it doesn't matter what type of scheme they employ, it will get picked apart.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

Other than Vilma, no real impact players in FA, just solid back-ups. Still need beast OLB, DT and DB help (CB/FS)

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

That's my starting lineup because Payton already said he wants Gay to man the nickel. As much as I rather seeing David be the nickel/dime back, I also want Gay to be put in position to excel. I don't think David nor Gay would be a good 2. I'd start with David as he's more familiar with the system and did show signs of improvement towards the end of the season. If that doesn't work out, I wouldn't hesitate subbing Gay in there for the rest of the season.

Those are my starters but it doesn't mean I like it.

Re: How Would You Fix the D?
 

I'm hoping Usama Young or some bright young rookie from the draft gets the nod over Jason David. I'd like to see Gay man the nickel as well. He's a good nickel corner, just not a true #1 or #2.