strato

For Saints' D, the risk of giving up big yardage on aggressive tactics is worth it
By Brett Martel (CP) – 1 day ago

METAIRIE, La. — The ideas Gregg Williams covered in his first formal meeting with the Saints' defence had nothing to do with formations or coverages and everything to do with nastiness and fear.

"That was a defining moment as far as mindset," Saints linebacker Scott Shanle said, recalling a speech of about 30 minutes that Williams delivered back when off-season workouts began last spring. "This defence is the type of defence everybody in the NFL would want to play in."

The Saints are not immune to giving up big plays and lots of yards. They ranked 25th in the regular season in yards allowed (357.8 per game), yielding more than 400 in a game six times this season.

Such statistics could be a problem with a quarterback like Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings visiting New Orleans on Sunday in the NFC championship game. Yet Williams said on Thursday that he doesn't worry about that.

The Saints' defence gives up yards because Williams and his players take an aggressive approach that sometimes means taking risks. The reward can be game-changing plays. The Saints were second in the NFL this season in turnovers with 39 on 26 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.

"That's a huge part of our success so far, being able to turn over the ball, being able to score when we do get the turnovers and change the game," defensive end Will Smith said



The Canadian Press: For Saints' D, the risk of giving up big yardage on aggressive tactics is worth it

G504

This is an excellent point. So many defensive ranking are based on yard allowed, but if our defense can stick two in the endzone, that more than makes up for allowing the opposing running back to grab a buck fifty on the ground, in my opinion.

strato

Yep sometimes stats can just be thrown out the window..the only real one that means anything is Wins and we got 14 and counting..