The Missing Pieces for a Rep

BRSaintsFan · 04-27-2010, 11:09 AM

Additional run stopping support and situational pass rush help. The teams in our division and most that we play (if they can) will try to run the ball as effectively as possible and limit our offense's opportunity to see the field. Many teams tried it last year and it did not consistently work, but looking at some of the games we lost and some of the close games.

Week 8 vs Atl - Turner 7.6 ypc
Week 10 vs Stl - Jackson 5.0 ypc
Week 15 vs Dal - Cowboys TOP 36:26 to 23:34
Week 16 vs TB - Williams 5.4 ypc
Playoffs vs MIN - Peterson 4.9 ypc
Super Bowl vs IND - Addai/Brown 5.5 ypc

We gave up 100+ yd rush games to M. Turner (151), D. Williams (149), S. Jackson (131), C. Williams (129), J. Stewart (125), and A. Peterson (122).

The strategy against teams trying to run clock on us and slow the game down would be to score early and make teams throw the ball to catch up or stay in the game. With our improved secondary, that plan works for us but keep in mind that we did give up 300+ pass games to K. Kolb (391), J. Campbell (367), C. Redman (303), T. Romo (312). B. Favre (310), and P. Manning (333) not to mention M. Ryan (289), M. Bulger (298), and J. Freeman (271). Granted injuries were a contributing factor to alot of these stats and I would take Drew in a QB duel all day, every day, but additional pass rush on the QB will help. While I think our defense will be improved next season and will still create plenty of turnovers, I am not sure they can continue to do so at the torrent pace they did last year if they are not able to force teams to throw the ball more more often out of 3rd and long and pressure the QB to let our talented secondary make plays.

View Poll Results: What position(s) do the Saints need to address if they want to repeat as Super Bowl Champs?
LB	36	59.02%
DT	32	52.46%
DE	14	22.95%
S	6	9.84%
CB	1	1.64%
OL	3	4.92%
WR	0	0%
RB	2	3.28%
QB	5	8.20%
TE	0	0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll

04-27-2010, 11:09 AM	#20
BRSaintsFan 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 449	Re: The Missing Pieces for a Rep Additional run stopping support and situational pass rush help. The teams in our division and most that we play (if they can) will try to run the ball as effectively as possible and limit our offense's opportunity to see the field. Many teams tried it last year and it did not consistently work, but looking at some of the games we lost and some of the close games. Week 8 vs Atl - Turner 7.6 ypc Week 10 vs Stl - Jackson 5.0 ypc Week 15 vs Dal - Cowboys TOP 36:26 to 23:34 Week 16 vs TB - Williams 5.4 ypc Playoffs vs MIN - Peterson 4.9 ypc Super Bowl vs IND - Addai/Brown 5.5 ypc We gave up 100+ yd rush games to M. Turner (151), D. Williams (149), S. Jackson (131), C. Williams (129), J. Stewart (125), and A. Peterson (122). The strategy against teams trying to run clock on us and slow the game down would be to score early and make teams throw the ball to catch up or stay in the game. With our improved secondary, that plan works for us but keep in mind that we did give up 300+ pass games to K. Kolb (391), J. Campbell (367), C. Redman (303), T. Romo (312). B. Favre (310), and P. Manning (333) not to mention M. Ryan (289), M. Bulger (298), and J. Freeman (271). Granted injuries were a contributing factor to alot of these stats and I would take Drew in a QB duel all day, every day, but additional pass rush on the QB will help. While I think our defense will be improved next season and will still create plenty of turnovers, I am not sure they can continue to do so at the torrent pace they did last year if they are not able to force teams to throw the ball more more often out of 3rd and long and pressure the QB to let our talented secondary make plays.