Defense starting to make Saints scary

SaintsBro · 12-05-2011, 03:25 PM

I want very badly to drink the Kool Aid on this year's defense, but every time I get the glass up to my lips, I find I just can't do it... they are THIS CLOSE to the turnovers and big plays that made that '09 defense sizzle, but they just can't seem to get the 2-3 more big plays a game that would easily make them dominant, game-winners, world-beaters, scary, fierce, the ones you don't want to face, etc.

I don't know what else to do, except blame the lockout/lack of practice, and maybe this new secondary coach for some of this stuff -- these guys know how to make interceptions, how to make big plays, or at least they knew how. They have ALL done it before -- Porter, Jenkins, Greer, Vilma, we have all seen them do it before, with our own eyes. And they did it before under Gregg Williams as coach, so it can't all be on him.

BUT I think those early defensive shut-down stops in the beginning of the game were HUGE. This game was basically a shootout, but the Lions kinda didn't realize it was a shootout at first -- they thought it was some other kind of game, so they didn't start shooting until 5:00 left in the 2nd quarter down by 17...that made the difference.

It did look to me like basic TACKLING was getting better -- grabbing the guy and getting him down. The basic "hats on the ball" swarming type stuff seemed to be improved. PRESSURE from the front 7 seemed to be a little bit better, in parts of the game at least.

woody · 12-05-2011, 07:47 PM

I think the point of Greg Williams' D scheme is to be an all or nothing type defense. Remember, he was brought in to implement a defense that matched the offense? Before him, the offense was scoring so quick that the defense barely left the field, and they would completely wear down. Being so aggressive, they may create a big play or allow one, either way the opponent has to keep up with best offense in the league, and our defense gets a breather. This isn't supposed to be a ravens type defense, and stafford never throws for 400 if he isn't playing catch up the whole game.

NOLA54 · 12-05-2011, 10:47 PM

If we can win by 14 points when we give up 400+ yards to our opponent, I'll take that every time.

12-05-2011, 07:47 PM	#2
woody 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 181	I think the point of Greg Williams' D scheme is to be an all or nothing type defense. Remember, he was brought in to implement a defense that matched the offense? Before him, the offense was scoring so quick that the defense barely left the field, and they would completely wear down. Being so aggressive, they may create a big play or allow one, either way the opponent has to keep up with best offense in the league, and our defense gets a breather. This isn't supposed to be a ravens type defense, and stafford never throws for 400 if he isn't playing catch up the whole game.
woody 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 181

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Defense starting to make Saints scary	This thread	Refback	12-05-2011 07:45 AM	3

12-05-2011, 03:25 PM	#1
SaintsBro Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in line with my ridiculous CLEAR PLASTIC BAG Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 3	I want very badly to drink the Kool Aid on this year's defense, but every time I get the glass up to my lips, I find I just can't do it... they are THIS CLOSE to the turnovers and big plays that made that '09 defense sizzle, but they just can't seem to get the 2-3 more big plays a game that would easily make them dominant, game-winners, world-beaters, scary, fierce, the ones you don't want to face, etc. I don't know what else to do, except blame the lockout/lack of practice, and maybe this new secondary coach for some of this stuff -- these guys know how to make interceptions, how to make big plays, or at least they knew how. They have ALL done it before -- Porter, Jenkins, Greer, Vilma, we have all seen them do it before, with our own eyes. And they did it before under Gregg Williams as coach, so it can't all be on him. BUT I think those early defensive shut-down stops in the beginning of the game were HUGE. This game was basically a shootout, but the Lions kinda didn't realize it was a shootout at first -- they thought it was some other kind of game, so they didn't start shooting until 5:00 left in the 2nd quarter down by 17...that made the difference. It did look to me like basic TACKLING was getting better -- grabbing the guy and getting him down. The basic "hats on the ball" swarming type stuff seemed to be improved. PRESSURE from the front 7 seemed to be a little bit better, in parts of the game at least.

12-05-2011, 10:47 PM	#3
NOLA54 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,708 Blog Entries: 1	If we can win by 14 points when we give up 400+ yards to our opponent, I'll take that every time.