Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

I believe we will be better while this gelling proccess is continuing to move foward. Gregg tutoring our defense is definately gonna pay off in this second year with our eager young players, gaining the tenacity gregg offers.DEFENSE

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

Our Defense is still pretty young. Should be better this year with the added time playing together and the depth. Our Defense did it's Job and then some by putting points on the board and sealing a playoff win and a Superbowl win. They were #1 when it counted the most.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

You're right on what I think about Grant. He was one of those who "cashed it in" after signing a big contract. He became expendable due to not living up to the money he was making. I liked Fujita alot, but he was definitely replaceable. As far as Clancy, I don't see that he would have been that much better of an option than what we had, and especially with him being 32 by the start of the season and coming off a season-ending injury, that makes him even less of an option. I think the additions they made this offseason (Brown, Wilkerson, Robinson, Woods) and Arnoux and Vaughn, provided they are healthy, will actually help the team. That is speculation on my part, as well. I just don't think the defense is as bad as you say it is. And if I remember correctly, you were singing the same tune I'm singing now about the injuries when fans of other teams were coming in here bashing our defense last year.

I agree that there is more that could be brought in to improve it, but the Saints had their hands tied as far as free agents were concerned due to that stupid Final 8 rule.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

Indeed. That's exactly the point I'm trying to make.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

The point was not who had the worst defense between the two. The point was you don't need an great defense to make it to or win the Superbowl.

If you win the turnover battle, the chances of you winning the game increase to about 90% I believe.

While luck plays a part in it, obviously that player's talent and ability to get into position to create these turnovers do too. So I don't see what you're trying to get at here. I didn't saying anything about relying on luck.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

Great points everyone.

Remember that statistics don't tell the whole story.

Was was obvious about our defense last year is that we had very little depth.

That takes years to develop and injuries make it even more apparent.

Pieces are being added, but I agree w Canton that we are still 1-2 cornerstone players away.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

my point about that....and yes i agree to a point....is that just because we won it last year with a bad defense, doesnt mean we should try and get by with that again....we shouldve at least been trying to add to our holes this offseason....apparently they are trying but it doesnt seem like they are trying very hard

idk about the percentage but of course......thats why we won so many games....because we took the ball from them and didnt give it up ourselves

turnovers have a lot to do with luck....thats where luck joined the conversation......you're right that talent and ability go hand in hand because the talent and preparation create a lot of luck

but like i was saying before.....turnovers are more luck than skill.....so its safe to say that our defense was very lucky IMO.....we really didnt stop anybody this year except the pats.....we just thrived off of turnovers

can we get by another year without stopping anyone? history(which really means nothing) has shown us that you really cant get by like that

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

We are about the same team as last year with a few exceptions. The advantage to that is that collectively they are even better prepared than last year. The disadvantage is that we are basically the same team as last year with a lot more film on us and our tendencies.
What I'm trying to say is that we haven't significantly upgraded our weaknesses. jmo Our defense was extremely aggressive and opportunistic which led to a lot of turnovers. We may not have the ball bounce our way this year like we did last year. But then again...... we might. I am a firm believer that you make your own luck. Fortune smiles on the well prepared.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

We score so many points our D just needs to be a little above average..and BAM....superbowl..i think thats what your all trying to say.

Re: 25th ranked defense...So what!!!
 

Canton - For me personally, I beg to differ on how our offseason has gone and how much we've actually accomplished. We shed a lot of money and deadweight by releasing Grant and made a solid signing in Alex Brown who should prove to be an upgrade. We re-signed one of our top free agents in Sharper and drafted some quality players on the defensive side of the ball. I really do believe we improved as opposed to some of the media and fans. As many pointed out, some of our injuries played a big part in our defensive statistics. I think it's overblown on how "average" or "bad" (some might say looking at numbers), our defense really was.

At our supposed holes on defense, DT and OLB I persume, we still managed to win a ton of games and ended up with a ring. So... is it really that significant of a hole as some are portraying? I'm really not concerned the least bit of the Fujita loss... those numbers are easily replaceable with what we already have on the roster. I was watching the news yesterday and Zurich (local sports guy) mentioned that we do play a lot of 4-2-5 leaving a linebacker out quite a bit... just saying that position isn't that big of a concern. Now while I am concerned at DT, any type of consistent production from anyone there will prove to be an immediate improvement. All in all, I do believe we got better on the defensive side of the ball... just my opinion.