BillyC

I have always beleived and will continue to believe that the offensive and defensive lines are where you start. If you can dominate the line of scrimmage, then role players at the skill positions can thrive. If you have sub-par lines, then running backs and QB\'s will struggle. Sure,there will be exceptions, but for the most part that\'s the way it works.

The sad thing is that as much money and draft picks as the Saints have invested in our offensive line, it still isn\'t that good. I know there are some that want to look at Deuce\'s numbers and say that the offensive line must be good, but they\'re not. Just ask yourself when we need to rush for one yard how confident you feel? Yeah, that\'s what I thought. And the pass blocking at times looks like the worst in the league. I hear some say that the reason Brooks get sacked a lot of times is because he holds the ball too long. Yeah, that happens. But, I\'d hate to count the number of times he would have been sacked if not for his pure athletic ability. Kurt Warner wouldn\'t have lasted 4-games behind this offensive line when he was in his prime!!

The defensive lline may be in pretty good shape, but we still need another quality tackle.

The secondary needs almost a complete overhaul. The secondary players that are playing well are up there in age, and older players are just more injury prone. But, it seems like all of our players are injury prone.

Linebacker -- It would be great if we could find some unknown player and he turns into a superstar, but we\'ve gone that direction enough. To me, this has to be the first area we address.

JOESAM2002

IMHO, we can live with our offense, we just need a coach that can get them to play together. I say go whole hog on defense, go get 2 corners and 3 linebackers. Take T-bucky out behind my barn and skin him,he\'s been a complete dud as far as I can see. This off season, and somewhere on here I posted it earlier, there are a bunch of very good corners available. I really don\'t care where we get them as long as we do.

And oh, by the way Sainta! Could we have a new Defensive C.O. too?

Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot, than to open it and remove all doubt!!!!!

"Every time you think, you weaken the nation!" Moe Howard...The Three Stooges.

lumm0x

Gator that\'s an excellent point. In the past we have surrendered the big play, but in kind we were able to make the big play almost at will. It is no secret that we have lost that explosiveness we had last year and you are bang on when you notice the impact it has on our defensive scheming.

BillyC

I think there is little question that he defensive scheme has changed. But, I don\'t think it has anything to do with the lack of production of offense. Does anyone remember what Venturi said his goals for the defense was in the off-season. The goals Venturi mentioned were to (a) stop the big plays (b) increase speed on defense.

I think this defensive scheme was gonna be the same no matter what the offense did. The reason you don\'t see this defense blitz or take a bunch of chances is they are always playing from behind and opposing offenses can keep them guessing between the run and pass. Defenses always play more agressive when their team has the lead.

BillyC

I thought you were saying that Venturi had decided before the season started that his defensive game plan was based on what he thought the offense could or couldn\'t do. Sorry for the mistake...

Gator, I can talk about other things than Aaron Brooks. I support Brooks but I know he has flaws. I always have known, I just don\'t pin everything on Brooks like some members. And no gator, I\'m not saying you pin everything on Brooks.

WhoDat

Here\'s the difference between Eli and Ricky. Eli has always been the third son in a family full of football stars. You think he wasn\'t seen as the savior in Oxford?! That\'s crazy. Eli has been acheiving under pressure from fans, media, history, etc. his whole life. Ricky was a guy that never got a lot of hype until his, what, junior year of college. He had a social anxiety disorder and honestly, played as well in NO as he is playing now. He had one great year (last year), but look at what he\'s doing now. The same thing he did in NO.

Eli just wins. This kid has that spark. I mean, LSU just handed that team it\'s FIRST SEC loss this year, and trust me guys, they\'re NOT that good. Eli finds a way to win. He\'s tough, smart, mobile, good arm. He is the real deal and he has the added benefit of being an immediate fan favorite.

On another note, I\'ve been saying since week 5 or 6 that our needs on D are the same this offseason as they were last offseason. Know why that is? B/c the clowns running the show from Metairie didn\'t use the fifth most money under the cap to sign a single impact player on defense. Not one. This is why we need a regime change, b/c if there isn\'t one, expect to see the same BS in the offseason and the same result next year.

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ 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.\"

saintz08

I will go with :

An AFC personnel man said that he gave Peyton’s work ethic and intensity the highest grade he has ever given a prospect. Although no one can measure up to that character profile, that same source insisted that Eli has an even better arm than his brother. He lauded Eli’s superior mechanics, smoother throwing motion and stronger arm. Although both would be classified as pure dropback passers, he cited Eli as having slightly better mobility.

WhoDat

Thank you 08.