Saints face tough task in stopping Jones-Drew, Lewis

10-01-2011, 09:04 AM

METAIRIE, La. – One week ago, the Saints figured out how to slow down Houston’s vaunted rushing attack, keeping Ben Tate to fewer than 100 yards for the game on the ground.

The task could be much tougher Sunday when New Orleans (2-1) travels to play Jacksonville (1-2), which will throw a rookie quarterback onto the field making his second start.

Partly because of rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, the Jaguars have focused on the run game this season. And in spite of the fact that teams know that Jacksonville will run the ball – the Jaguars lead the NFL with 108 rush attempts this season – it’s sixth in the NFL with 403 rushing yards.

And leading the way is Maurice Jones-Drew, who is third in the NFL with 307 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“He’s probably the hardest guy to bring down in the league at any position,” Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas said. “He has tremendous balance. He has a good burst. He knows how to set up his blockers up well. He’s an elite running back in this league.”

Full article below.
Saints face tough task in stopping Jones-Drew, Lewis | wwltv.com New Orleans

GeauxForMore · 10-01-2011, 09:52 AM

I still don't believe in our run D. But I haven't believed in them since the La'roy Glover days.

lumm0x · 10-01-2011, 10:07 AM

This is a game where our D needs to step up and dominate the run and put the ball in Gabbert's hands. MJD scares me more than any other Jag of course. This will be a defining moment for our defense. They have one elite weapon easily identified. Let's shut that down.

|Mitch| · 10-01-2011, 10:21 AM

If we can somehow start fast and get ahead, force the ball out of MJD's hands and into Gabberts...

TheDeuce · 10-01-2011, 10:28 AM

I've been impressed with our run defense so far this season... the problem, IMO, is the pass defense. Especially if we are down a CB or two, I'm not confident in the ability of our defensive backs to make a big play when needed right now.

halloween 65 · 10-01-2011, 11:18 AM

I think we'll be pretty good on run D. with Big Johnson back. LB's hold= no run game. Could be a big game for Harper...

the-commish · 10-01-2011, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by halloween 65

I think we'll be pretty good on run D. with Big Johnson back. LB's hold= no run game. Could be a big game for Harper...

I agree. We will get to see why Loomis signed no. 72 from the CFL. He is supposed to be a very good player, but has been injured since the first preseason game against the 49ers. He will likely help; and our run D has not been bad at all so far.

Looks like 8 in the box will be the defensive alignment, trying to stop Pocket Hercules, and pressure the Jags' offense into throwing the ball. Hopefully, this will work to put the ball in the rook's hands; but even if it doesn't, MJD can not beat the Saints by himself (the Jags are averaging 9 PPG on offense this season--which is not going to get it done against any team with a decent offense).

If the D can hold MJD in check, and force the ball into Gabbert's hands, the Saints can, and WILL, blitz him, and depend (hopefully) on the secondary to adequately defend the pass.

pumpkindriver · 10-01-2011, 06:53 PM

As long as we don't turn the ball over, make stupid mistakes and get a bunch of penalties, we will win this one easily. Should be over by early in the 3rd qtr.

WhoDat!656 · 10-01-2011, 07:01 PM

We will find out if Franklin and Rogers are earning their paychecks tomorrow.

homerj07 · 10-01-2011, 08:49 PM

We will find out if a LOT of guys are earnig their paychecks tomorrow!

10-01-2011, 09:04 AM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,682 Rating: (0 votes - average) METAIRIE, La. – One week ago, the Saints figured out how to slow down Houston’s vaunted rushing attack, keeping Ben Tate to fewer than 100 yards for the game on the ground. The task could be much tougher Sunday when New Orleans (2-1) travels to play Jacksonville (1-2), which will throw a rookie quarterback onto the field making his second start. Partly because of rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, the Jaguars have focused on the run game this season. And in spite of the fact that teams know that Jacksonville will run the ball – the Jaguars lead the NFL with 108 rush attempts this season – it’s sixth in the NFL with 403 rushing yards. And leading the way is Maurice Jones-Drew, who is third in the NFL with 307 yards and a touchdown on the ground. “He’s probably the hardest guy to bring down in the league at any position,” Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas said. “He has tremendous balance. He has a good burst. He knows how to set up his blockers up well. He’s an elite running back in this league.” Full article below. Saints face tough task in stopping Jones-Drew, Lewis \| wwltv.com New Orleans Last edited by papz; 12-24-2011 at 06:46 PM..
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10-01-2011, 10:28 AM	#5
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	I've been impressed with our run defense so far this season... the problem, IMO, is the pass defense. Especially if we are down a CB or two, I'm not confident in the ability of our defensive backs to make a big play when needed right now.
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

10-01-2011, 11:53 AM	#7
the-commish Longtime WhoDat Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 529	Originally Posted by halloween 65 I think we'll be pretty good on run D. with Big Johnson back. LB's hold= no run game. Could be a big game for Harper... I agree. We will get to see why Loomis signed no. 72 from the CFL. He is supposed to be a very good player, but has been injured since the first preseason game against the 49ers. He will likely help; and our run D has not been bad at all so far. Looks like 8 in the box will be the defensive alignment, trying to stop Pocket Hercules, and pressure the Jags' offense into throwing the ball. Hopefully, this will work to put the ball in the rook's hands; but even if it doesn't, MJD can not beat the Saints by himself (the Jags are averaging 9 PPG on offense this season--which is not going to get it done against any team with a decent offense). If the D can hold MJD in check, and force the ball into Gabbert's hands, the Saints can, and WILL, blitz him, and depend (hopefully) on the secondary to adequately defend the pass.

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10-01-2011, 09:52 AM	#2
GeauxForMore 500th Post Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 582	I still don't believe in our run D. But I haven't believed in them since the La'roy Glover days.

10-01-2011, 10:07 AM	#3
lumm0x Resident antediluvian Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,026	This is a game where our D needs to step up and dominate the run and put the ball in Gabbert's hands. MJD scares me more than any other Jag of course. This will be a defining moment for our defense. They have one elite weapon easily identified. Let's shut that down.

10-01-2011, 10:21 AM	#4
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	If we can somehow start fast and get ahead, force the ball out of MJD's hands and into Gabberts...

10-01-2011, 11:18 AM	#6
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	I think we'll be pretty good on run D. with Big Johnson back. LB's hold= no run game. Could be a big game for Harper...

10-01-2011, 06:53 PM	#8
pumpkindriver 500th Post Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Killeen, Tx. Posts: 932	As long as we don't turn the ball over, make stupid mistakes and get a bunch of penalties, we will win this one easily. Should be over by early in the 3rd qtr.

10-01-2011, 07:01 PM	#9
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,001	We will find out if Franklin and Rogers are earning their paychecks tomorrow.

10-01-2011, 08:49 PM	#10
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	We will find out if a LOT of guys are earnig their paychecks tomorrow!