Where is the defense?

SaintStoneyMount · 10-07-2002, 09:52 AM

:casstet: It looks like we have a real problenm on defense. Face it. Pittsburgh hasn't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard this year, but they managed to run all over the dome carpet. Maybe, it was the new (old) guy Maddox or maybe the Saints are feeling the effects of too many defensive injuries. We are anorexic at corner and "Tagliaboooo" nixed Carter's reinstatement. (of course Carter is his own worst enemy and he knew the rules) What makes me nervous is the tendency McCarthy has to go conservative when we have a lead. Like our defense is going to hold somebody. Washington may give us trouble if we try to sit on a lead with them. That's if our defense allows us to get the lead. On the upside, Grant redeemed himself after the Detroit fiascal. When do we get Keyou and James Allen back? Also is there a cover corner out there, because it's just a matter of time. SF and Terell Owens Won't be so kind.

Binx · 10-07-2002, 08:14 PM

can\'t anyone tackle on this team???

whodatsaintsfan26 · 10-07-2002, 08:25 PM

Once Thomas gets the cast off he can cover anybody in this league. Irvin has done a fine job on the other side. When Grady Jackson was brought in you knew the defense was more geared to stop the run and would have less of a pass rush from the front four. Grant had a great game this week and will only get better. Someone has to tell Bellamy and Knight DONT HIT OUR CORNERS WE ARE TOO THIN. I thought Bellamy killed Irvin yesterday, and I dont remember who Knight hit a couple of weeks ago but stop. Darren Howard really needs to step up and play like he did his rookie year. He hasnt done anything. The defense will be fine.

billyh1026 · 10-07-2002, 09:16 PM

Our corners are being toasted at an alarming rate. Steve Superior has to be drooling when he watches film of the last 2 QB\'s blase our secondary. If Ramsey throws like he did Sunday we better hope our offense can keep up. I ain\'t preaching doom-n-gloom. Just being realistic.

WhoDat · 10-07-2002, 09:24 PM

I think we\'re screwed on defense. We\'re supposed to be a great run stopping team that is questionable at best in passing downs b/c our front four can\'t get any pressure on the quarterback and our corners are bad. Flat out bad. Thomas is a good corner when he\'s not banged up, but Irvin, Hawthorne... they\'re no good.

The scary thing is that Pittsburgh ran all over us. Bettis and Zereoue haven\'t been able to run on anyone this season. They rolled over our \"tough run defense.\" Not to mention the 100+ yards Pittsburgh gained in TWO series on SCREEN passes.

Over all our front four are good, not great. Last year\'s front four were better, and they didn\'t even compare to the old front threes we used to have like Wilks, Warren, and Martin.

Our linebackers are decent. Our secondary is bad overall. The way to beat the Saints this year is the same it\'s always been - vertical passing attack. Let your receivers run wild in our secondary and throw deep. We cannot and have not ever been able to stop that. I mean c\'mon, an 0-3 team starting a rookie quarterback beat us doing just that - throwing deep.

We have the 21st ranked defense in the league I think. That\'s BAD. The only way we will win games going forward is out scoring people. Aaron needs to keep his turnovers to a minimum. If he does that, we\'ll be fine. Still, on defense, expect teams to put up 300+ yards and 25+ points every game.

whodatsaintsfan26 · 10-07-2002, 11:03 PM

When Thomas gets healthy you will see the defense that was supposed to happen from opening day. With Thomas\'s injury I think they had to change the defensive schemes. With a healthy Thomas the defense can play more man coverages. With him hurt he cant play man and Venturi cant blitz like he wants to. Right now Venturi has to protect Thomas in the secondary and not bring the house. When the cast comes off I think the defense will change dramatically. Look at the defense before he got hurt and watch game film on it after. I think you will see a very different approach. This team pressured Farve and Johnson all day long. After Thomas got hurt you dont see as much pressure because Thomas cant cover with the \"CLUB\' on. It is nice to see he can atleast use his fingers now though. Just hang tight for a couple of weeks and the defense will be fine when Fred is fine. Willie Whiteheads injury has forced a rookie to step in and start. Grant had a great game this week, but is still raw and learning. When he understands what is going on he will be awesome. This is a defense that has only played 5 games together. Craver is a ball hawk and will be fine when he comes back. Hawthorne has all of the tools to be special in this league, whether he will or not is something different. I hope they dont give up on him yet. He has to take his knocks for now.

[Edited on 8/10/2002 by whodatsaintsfan26]

saintz08 · 10-08-2002, 02:08 AM

There are very few Defensive coordinators that are going to bring the house on an unseen quarterback , each quarterback brings a different angle to the game . And once again the Saints have the unfortunate luck of playing a team with a QB controversy , when they play the Redskins . Never thought I would say it but I am glad the Saints play the 49ers soon , finally a team with some tape on them someone can study ...

SaintStoneyMount · 10-08-2002, 01:08 PM

Hey Saintzo8! I see we agree on something. I don\'t see Venturi bringing the house against Ramsey. I guess we need to break out the old Tulane film. When Keyou returns he should make an impact. Also James Allen will make an impact becuse he has good coverage speed. Time will help these rookies get over their learning curve and become consistant contributers. Just hope the offense can keep us out front and not put the game on the defense which is still going through growing pains.

whodatsaintsfan26 · 10-08-2002, 03:52 PM

Im not saying bring the house on every play. I would like to see them try to confuse a young QB with different blitz schemes. Ramsey hasnt seen many different blitz and coverage schemes in the NFL. Hit him a couple of times and let him know what he is in for. Make him get some happy feet and hurry his throws or throw into coverage. Just make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Bringing the funk a few times wont hurt.

SaintStoneyMount · 10-09-2002, 07:11 AM

I agree Whodat. We need to mix it up. I also think we go conservative too early. I say play tough all the way to the final whistle. We are getting burned at the end of every game. Sammy is called upon to often to bail us out in the closing minutes. Maybe I am a little bias because in past years the prevent has only prevented us from winning.

10-07-2002, 09:52 AM	#1
SaintStoneyMount 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Stone Mountain, GA Posts: 448	Where is the defense? :casstet: It looks like we have a real problenm on defense. Face it. Pittsburgh hasn't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard this year, but they managed to run all over the dome carpet. Maybe, it was the new (old) guy Maddox or maybe the Saints are feeling the effects of too many defensive injuries. We are anorexic at corner and "Tagliaboooo" nixed Carter's reinstatement. (of course Carter is his own worst enemy and he knew the rules) What makes me nervous is the tendency McCarthy has to go conservative when we have a lead. Like our defense is going to hold somebody. Washington may give us trouble if we try to sit on a lead with them. That's if our defense allows us to get the lead. On the upside, Grant redeemed himself after the Detroit fiascal. When do we get Keyou and James Allen back? Also is there a cover corner out there, because it's just a matter of time. SF and Terell Owens Won't be so kind.

10-07-2002, 08:14 PM	#2
Binx Rookie Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 7 Blog Entries: 1	Where is the defense? can\'t anyone tackle on this team???

10-07-2002, 08:25 PM	#3
whodatsaintsfan26 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 577	Where is the defense? Once Thomas gets the cast off he can cover anybody in this league. Irvin has done a fine job on the other side. When Grady Jackson was brought in you knew the defense was more geared to stop the run and would have less of a pass rush from the front four. Grant had a great game this week and will only get better. Someone has to tell Bellamy and Knight DONT HIT OUR CORNERS WE ARE TOO THIN. I thought Bellamy killed Irvin yesterday, and I dont remember who Knight hit a couple of weeks ago but stop. Darren Howard really needs to step up and play like he did his rookie year. He hasnt done anything. The defense will be fine.

10-07-2002, 09:16 PM	#4
billyh1026 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 213	Where is the defense? Our corners are being toasted at an alarming rate. Steve Superior has to be drooling when he watches film of the last 2 QB\'s blase our secondary. If Ramsey throws like he did Sunday we better hope our offense can keep up. I ain\'t preaching doom-n-gloom. Just being realistic.
billyh1026 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 213

10-07-2002, 09:24 PM	#5
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	Where is the defense? I think we\'re screwed on defense. We\'re supposed to be a great run stopping team that is questionable at best in passing downs b/c our front four can\'t get any pressure on the quarterback and our corners are bad. Flat out bad. Thomas is a good corner when he\'s not banged up, but Irvin, Hawthorne... they\'re no good. The scary thing is that Pittsburgh ran all over us. Bettis and Zereoue haven\'t been able to run on anyone this season. They rolled over our \"tough run defense.\" Not to mention the 100+ yards Pittsburgh gained in TWO series on SCREEN passes. Over all our front four are good, not great. Last year\'s front four were better, and they didn\'t even compare to the old front threes we used to have like Wilks, Warren, and Martin. Our linebackers are decent. Our secondary is bad overall. The way to beat the Saints this year is the same it\'s always been - vertical passing attack. Let your receivers run wild in our secondary and throw deep. We cannot and have not ever been able to stop that. I mean c\'mon, an 0-3 team starting a rookie quarterback beat us doing just that - throwing deep. We have the 21st ranked defense in the league I think. That\'s BAD. The only way we will win games going forward is out scoring people. Aaron needs to keep his turnovers to a minimum. If he does that, we\'ll be fine. Still, on defense, expect teams to put up 300+ yards and 25+ points every game.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans SaintsÃ¢Â€Â™ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse \"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

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10-07-2002, 11:03 PM	#6
whodatsaintsfan26 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 577	Where is the defense? When Thomas gets healthy you will see the defense that was supposed to happen from opening day. With Thomas\'s injury I think they had to change the defensive schemes. With a healthy Thomas the defense can play more man coverages. With him hurt he cant play man and Venturi cant blitz like he wants to. Right now Venturi has to protect Thomas in the secondary and not bring the house. When the cast comes off I think the defense will change dramatically. Look at the defense before he got hurt and watch game film on it after. I think you will see a very different approach. This team pressured Farve and Johnson all day long. After Thomas got hurt you dont see as much pressure because Thomas cant cover with the \"CLUB\' on. It is nice to see he can atleast use his fingers now though. Just hang tight for a couple of weeks and the defense will be fine when Fred is fine. Willie Whiteheads injury has forced a rookie to step in and start. Grant had a great game this week, but is still raw and learning. When he understands what is going on he will be awesome. This is a defense that has only played 5 games together. Craver is a ball hawk and will be fine when he comes back. Hawthorne has all of the tools to be special in this league, whether he will or not is something different. I hope they dont give up on him yet. He has to take his knocks for now. [Edited on 8/10/2002 by whodatsaintsfan26]

10-08-2002, 02:08 AM	#7
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	Where is the defense? There are very few Defensive coordinators that are going to bring the house on an unseen quarterback , each quarterback brings a different angle to the game . And once again the Saints have the unfortunate luck of playing a team with a QB controversy , when they play the Redskins . Never thought I would say it but I am glad the Saints play the 49ers soon , finally a team with some tape on them someone can study ...
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020

10-08-2002, 01:08 PM	#8
SaintStoneyMount 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Stone Mountain, GA Posts: 448	Where is the defense? Hey Saintzo8! I see we agree on something. I don\'t see Venturi bringing the house against Ramsey. I guess we need to break out the old Tulane film. When Keyou returns he should make an impact. Also James Allen will make an impact becuse he has good coverage speed. Time will help these rookies get over their learning curve and become consistant contributers. Just hope the offense can keep us out front and not put the game on the defense which is still going through growing pains.

10-08-2002, 03:52 PM	#9
whodatsaintsfan26 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 577	Where is the defense? Im not saying bring the house on every play. I would like to see them try to confuse a young QB with different blitz schemes. Ramsey hasnt seen many different blitz and coverage schemes in the NFL. Hit him a couple of times and let him know what he is in for. Make him get some happy feet and hurry his throws or throw into coverage. Just make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Bringing the funk a few times wont hurt.

10-09-2002, 07:11 AM	#10
SaintStoneyMount 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Stone Mountain, GA Posts: 448	Where is the defense? I agree Whodat. We need to mix it up. I also think we go conservative too early. I say play tough all the way to the final whistle. We are getting burned at the end of every game. Sammy is called upon to often to bail us out in the closing minutes. Maybe I am a little bias because in past years the prevent has only prevented us from winning.