TE RB and DB Still an issue for Saints

BRSaintsFan · 05-18-2008, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by 504Highlander

Saints had one of the best D's in the league in the 80's, but it wasn't enough.
The Ravens have one of the best D's, but they have not returned to the SB.

Good D is not enough. Teams that consistently get to the playoffs and SB, have excellent running games, as well as good D.

To help your running game, you must have a passing threat, et cetera.

To have a perimeter running game but no bruiser up the middle, lets your opponent, focus on stopping screens and slants.

With no TE threat, DB's can smother the WR's, and so on.

The elite teams get this and configure their teams to be effective at all of the above.

Perimeter runners, between the tackles runners, receiving tight ends, blocking tight ends, all help to keep the opponents D honest.

I don't feel like we have all these bases covered at the moment.

If you have a defense that can shut down opponents, then that strategy is fine. While our defense will be improved, its success will hinge as much on the offense's ability to put up points in a hurry and make the opponent 1 dimensional. I agree that we could use some "meat" in the backfield, but both Stecker and PT are capable of taking carries between the tackles and I think you will see a more patient Reggie this year. Keep in mind that you do not have to be 230-240 lbs to effectively run the ball between the tackles. I think we have the things that you are looking for. Periement runners (Reggie), B/t the tackles (Deuce, PT, Stecker), Recieving TEs (Johnson, Miller), Blocking tight ends (Miller, Campbell). I hear you on the injury concerns but keep in mind that the ball will be spread around for the RBs as will the snaps for the TEs. We arent asking Deuce to pound the ball 25-30 times a game. We arent asking Johnson hold his blocking point of attack on a trick knee for 40 snaps a game. Our offense finished 4th in the league last season. We add some experience to PT and Reggie. We get a even somewhat healthy Deuce back. We get Meachem playing time. If we finished 4th last season, the pieces are in place for us to finish in the Top 5 again this year as we have all what we had last year plus more.

Also, our bad start last year was a result of more than an ineffective, between the tackle run game. Drew was not playing as well. Our defense forced our offense to play from behind, thus limiting our run game. And our schedule was not a cake walk by any means in the first 3 games.

05-18-2008, 04:16 PM	#9
BRSaintsFan 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 449	Re: TE RB and DB Still an issue for Saints Originally Posted by 504Highlander Saints had one of the best D's in the league in the 80's, but it wasn't enough. The Ravens have one of the best D's, but they have not returned to the SB. Good D is not enough. Teams that consistently get to the playoffs and SB, have excellent running games, as well as good D. To help your running game, you must have a passing threat, et cetera. To have a perimeter running game but no bruiser up the middle, lets your opponent, focus on stopping screens and slants. With no TE threat, DB's can smother the WR's, and so on. The elite teams get this and configure their teams to be effective at all of the above. Perimeter runners, between the tackles runners, receiving tight ends, blocking tight ends, all help to keep the opponents D honest. I don't feel like we have all these bases covered at the moment. If you have a defense that can shut down opponents, then that strategy is fine. While our defense will be improved, its success will hinge as much on the offense's ability to put up points in a hurry and make the opponent 1 dimensional. I agree that we could use some "meat" in the backfield, but both Stecker and PT are capable of taking carries between the tackles and I think you will see a more patient Reggie this year. Keep in mind that you do not have to be 230-240 lbs to effectively run the ball between the tackles. I think we have the things that you are looking for. Periement runners (Reggie), B/t the tackles (Deuce, PT, Stecker), Recieving TEs (Johnson, Miller), Blocking tight ends (Miller, Campbell). I hear you on the injury concerns but keep in mind that the ball will be spread around for the RBs as will the snaps for the TEs. We arent asking Deuce to pound the ball 25-30 times a game. We arent asking Johnson hold his blocking point of attack on a trick knee for 40 snaps a game. Our offense finished 4th in the league last season. We add some experience to PT and Reggie. We get a even somewhat healthy Deuce back. We get Meachem playing time. If we finished 4th last season, the pieces are in place for us to finish in the Top 5 again this year as we have all what we had last year plus more. Also, our bad start last year was a result of more than an ineffective, between the tackle run game. Drew was not playing as well. Our defense forced our offense to play from behind, thus limiting our run game. And our schedule was not a cake walk by any means in the first 3 games.