Crusader

Saints' defense still smarting over playoff loss

Glenn Guilbeau
Louisiana Gannett News
gguilbeau@gannett.com

METAIRIE -- The last time we saw the New Orleans Saints defense, it was putting the finishing touches on a disaster movie called, "Gutless in Seattle."

The film featured the same star-studded cast from the 2010 fantasy-but-true Super Bowl blockbuster that overwhelmed a nation called, "Amen To Dat." But this time the actors were falling all over their lines and themselves as if Seattle 5-foot-11, 215-pound back Marshawn Lynch was "a missile the size of the Chrysler Building."

Seattle fullback Michael Robinson got the Lynch train started when he pushed Saints middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma just enough out of the way. Outside linebacker Scott Shanle was right there unblocked and got to Lynch in the backfield, but he missed the tackle. That's one.

Defensive end Alex Brown, who did not apply much pressure all season, was kept out of the play by right tackle Sean Locklear. Right guard Mike Gibson pulled and slammed cornerback Tracy Porter five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Porter, the hero of "Amen" the previous year with the game-clinching interception of Peyton Manning and touchdown return, was just beginning his back step.

Defensive end Will Smith fought off a block and got two hands on Lynch's hips after two yards, but he let him get away. That's two missed tackles. Safety Darren Sharper, a major star in 2009, got to Lynch six yards later as did defensive tackle a Remi Ayodele, but neither tackled him. That's three and four. Cornerback Jabari Greer hit Lynch at the 50, but he was no match. That's five.

Porter recovered for a shot at the Saints' 36, where New Orleans could have held Seattle to a field goal and a manageable 37-30 deficit late in the fourth quarter. Instead, Lynch channeled his inner Walter Payton with a stiff arm for the ages that sent Porter tumbling back another five yards and to the ground. Peyton would have enjoyed it. That's a half dozen. And Lynch was off.

Brown had a shot at Lynch's feet at the 16, but not quite. That's "The Magnificent Seven." Safety Roman Harper dove for Lynch inside the 5, but he missed like he had on a couple of coverages that turned into touchdowns. And that's a "Super Eight." Lynch's 67-yard touchdown made it 41-30 with 3:22 to play, and the 11-5 Saints lost to 7-9 Seattle, 41-36, in the biggest upset in NFL Playoffs history.

Of that motley crew on the field, only Ayodele has left the team. Sharper is still unsigned, but for the most part, the gang is all back and trying to erase "Unstoppable" from their film library. The Saints defense was very good for most of 2010 and often carried the team during a down year for the running game. The Saints finished fourth in total defense and pass defense while it was No. 16 against the run. The third year of coordinator Gregg Williams should mean even better numbers.

Saints' defense still smarting over playoff loss | The Town Talk | thetowntalk.com

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.