Grading the New Orleans Saints' defense vs. the Falcons

SaintsBro · 12-27-2011, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Srgt. Hulka

I don't know who is responsible, but MANY times last night, and all season, quarterbacks have been throwing into our secondary and there has been NOBODY even in the same tv screen shot except the reciever. Our secondary has to come from 20 yards away to tackle the reciever. Ryan threw to the same spot all night, and nobody was there except his reciever. Did anybody notice that Skid Britches threw for almost 400 yards last night?! 400 yards! That's not a secondary shutting down the pass.

Yeah, I get what you are saying there and yes, it could improve...I know that exact "spot" you are talking about last night and I saw it too, throwing to the same spot over and over, BUT this is what I kinda think was happening there: Every time Ryan threw to that same spot, in the middle of the field, our guy would make the open field tackle and it would CHEW THE CLOCK UP, thirty forty seconds per completion. The sidelines were well covered, Julio was generally pretty well covered; we had a lead, and other than that one fluke TD pass they were not getting ANY big plays on our D. That spot on the field where the guy was always wide-open, it really only opened up for the Falcons once we had the lead. So I know what you're saying and I agree with you it could be better, but there was also that time-wasting element to consider. Kinda like letting your opponent bleed himself to death by a bunch of little cuts, rather than lopping off his head. The Detroit game actually looked kinda similar on defense, letting them do certain things and NOT do others.

lynwood · 12-27-2011, 03:28 PM

They Scored 16 points....let me repeat that. They Scored 16 points! He could have passed for 10,000 yards. We held them to Field goals and 16 points. It's hard to shut a team down to zero points. I think they played very well including the backup Saftys.

Marlboro Man · 12-27-2011, 05:43 PM

Not trying to be a downer but I'm concerned about Drew's starting to throw INT's again going into the playoffs.

But these are what I was talking about before the game.

Danno · 12-27-2011, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Marlboro Man

Not trying to be a downer but I'm concerned about Drew's starting to throw INT's again going into the playoffs.

But these are what I was talking about before the game.

But both were deflected passes. The 1st was a freakishly good play by Moore.

WHO_DAT_CAT · 12-27-2011, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Marlboro Man

Not trying to be a downer but I'm concerned about Drew's starting to throw INT's again going into the playoffs.

But these are what I was talking about before the game.

Only one was Drew's fault. The other pick in the end zone was just bad luck.

Prior to tonight Drew was 37 TDs to 11 INTs. Tom Brady is 36TDs to 11 INTs. Only QB better is Aaron Rodgers. And he is off the charts better: 45 TDs to 6 INTs.

But, really, I wouldn't worry if I were you. We have a scary running game, not to mention, a Pro-Bowl tight-end and an amazing slot receiver Lance Moore, that gets us 3rd down yardage this year. Last year, Drew was trying to make up for a non-existent running game.

Also, our O-Line this year is playing vastly better than last year.

Kryptonite · 12-28-2011, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by WHO_DAT_CAT

Only one was Drew's fault. The other pick in the end zone was just bad luck.

Prior to tonight Drew was 37 TDs to 11 INTs. Tom Brady is 36TDs to 11 INTs. Only QB better is Aaron Rodgers. And he is off the charts better: 45 TDs to 6 INTs.

But, really, I wouldn't worry if I were you. We have a scary running game, not to mention, a Pro-Bowl tight-end and an amazing slot receiver Lance Moore, that gets us 3rd down yardage this year. Last year, Drew was trying to make up for a non-existent running game.

Also, our O-Line this year is playing vastly better than last year.

Agree! I too am always worried about Drews INTs, but only the one deep ball (interference no-call) was on him. I think he just thought about it too long. See how wobbly that ball came out. He wanted to change his mind but 2nd guessed himself. I can live with that...this time. HA!

He's had a helluva better year with those (INTs) than last. Like you mentioned, the running game (and the addition of Sproles and Graham) has been the biggest reason for this.

hitta · 12-28-2011, 10:11 AM

One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways.

mike27 · 12-28-2011, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by hitta

One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways.

Good observation. Noticed that too.

gandhi1007 · 12-27-2011, 05:56 PM

Guys that stood out:

Junior Gallette - Needs to be starting.....period.

Greer - Thought he would be a liability. I was wrong & Mr. Greer....you have my sincerest apologies. Guy has played lights out all year.

Vilma - Glad to see him back. He reads the offense for the whole D.

Shanle - I can't believe I'm saying this, but he played well last night.

Jenkins - Dude looked like Ronnie Lott with those hits last night.

Harper - Always making plays.

D-Line - Much improvement, but still no pass rush.

CharityMike · 12-27-2011, 06:22 PM

You guy's are forgetting that our rookie DB played last night and made some good plays. He had a couple open field tackles that was pretty impressive considering our DB's, with the exception of Greer, seem to have a problem tackling.

Our D did what's most important, held them to just 16 points. Did we have some miscues, of course. I LOL'd at the comment to cut Harper. Maybe we should cut Vilma for not even trying to knock the pass down that foolio caught for a touchdown. He was right there and seemed to just watch it happen. You can't cut everyone because of a bad play or 2 a game. The other team gets payed to play the game also.

12-27-2011, 08:51 PM	#1
SaintsBro Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in line with my ridiculous CLEAR PLASTIC BAG Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 3	Originally Posted by Srgt. Hulka I don't know who is responsible, but MANY times last night, and all season, quarterbacks have been throwing into our secondary and there has been NOBODY even in the same tv screen shot except the reciever. Our secondary has to come from 20 yards away to tackle the reciever. Ryan threw to the same spot all night, and nobody was there except his reciever. Did anybody notice that Skid Britches threw for almost 400 yards last night?! 400 yards! That's not a secondary shutting down the pass. Yeah, I get what you are saying there and yes, it could improve...I know that exact "spot" you are talking about last night and I saw it too, throwing to the same spot over and over, BUT this is what I kinda think was happening there: Every time Ryan threw to that same spot, in the middle of the field, our guy would make the open field tackle and it would CHEW THE CLOCK UP, thirty forty seconds per completion. The sidelines were well covered, Julio was generally pretty well covered; we had a lead, and other than that one fluke TD pass they were not getting ANY big plays on our D. That spot on the field where the guy was always wide-open, it really only opened up for the Falcons once we had the lead. So I know what you're saying and I agree with you it could be better, but there was also that time-wasting element to consider. Kinda like letting your opponent bleed himself to death by a bunch of little cuts, rather than lopping off his head. The Detroit game actually looked kinda similar on defense, letting them do certain things and NOT do others. DrewDat likes this.

12-27-2011, 03:28 PM	#2
lynwood 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hockley, Tx Posts: 1,515	They Scored 16 points....let me repeat that. They Scored 16 points! He could have passed for 10,000 yards. We held them to Field goals and 16 points. It's hard to shut a team down to zero points. I think they played very well including the backup Saftys. halloween 65 likes this.

12-27-2011, 05:43 PM	#3
Marlboro Man 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,469	Not trying to be a downer but I'm concerned about Drew's starting to throw INT's again going into the playoffs. But these are what I was talking about before the game. Attached Thumbnails

12-27-2011, 05:45 PM	#4
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,758	Originally Posted by Marlboro Man Not trying to be a downer but I'm concerned about Drew's starting to throw INT's again going into the playoffs. But these are what I was talking about before the game. But both were deflected passes. The 1st was a freakishly good play by Moore.

12-27-2011, 10:08 PM	#5
WHO_DAT_CAT 100th Post Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 386	Originally Posted by Marlboro Man Not trying to be a downer but I'm concerned about Drew's starting to throw INT's again going into the playoffs. But these are what I was talking about before the game. Only one was Drew's fault. The other pick in the end zone was just bad luck. Prior to tonight Drew was 37 TDs to 11 INTs. Tom Brady is 36TDs to 11 INTs. Only QB better is Aaron Rodgers. And he is off the charts better: 45 TDs to 6 INTs. But, really, I wouldn't worry if I were you. We have a scary running game, not to mention, a Pro-Bowl tight-end and an amazing slot receiver Lance Moore, that gets us 3rd down yardage this year. Last year, Drew was trying to make up for a non-existent running game. Also, our O-Line this year is playing vastly better than last year.

12-28-2011, 09:39 AM	#6
Kryptonite DAMMIT BOY! Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Crestview, FL via S'port LA Posts: 197	Originally Posted by WHO_DAT_CAT Only one was Drew's fault. The other pick in the end zone was just bad luck. Prior to tonight Drew was 37 TDs to 11 INTs. Tom Brady is 36TDs to 11 INTs. Only QB better is Aaron Rodgers. And he is off the charts better: 45 TDs to 6 INTs. But, really, I wouldn't worry if I were you. We have a scary running game, not to mention, a Pro-Bowl tight-end and an amazing slot receiver Lance Moore, that gets us 3rd down yardage this year. Last year, Drew was trying to make up for a non-existent running game. Also, our O-Line this year is playing vastly better than last year. Agree! I too am always worried about Drews INTs, but only the one deep ball (interference no-call) was on him. I think he just thought about it too long. See how wobbly that ball came out. He wanted to change his mind but 2nd guessed himself. I can live with that...this time. HA! He's had a helluva better year with those (INTs) than last. Like you mentioned, the running game (and the addition of Sproles and Graham) has been the biggest reason for this.

12-28-2011, 10:11 AM	#7
hitta 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,339	One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways.
hitta 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,339

12-28-2011, 10:16 AM	#8
mike27 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 104 Blog Entries: 2	Originally Posted by hitta One thing that Brees does that a lot of other QBs don't do is intentionally throws a really deep risky pass that gets intercepted on 3rd down, which usually plays out a lot like a punt. These get reflected in his stats, but usually are irrelevant because we'd be punting on 4th down anyways. Good observation. Noticed that too.

12-27-2011, 05:56 PM	#9
gandhi1007 Part Time Pimp Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,967	Guys that stood out: Junior Gallette - Needs to be starting.....period. Greer - Thought he would be a liability. I was wrong & Mr. Greer....you have my sincerest apologies. Guy has played lights out all year. Vilma - Glad to see him back. He reads the offense for the whole D. Shanle - I can't believe I'm saying this, but he played well last night. Jenkins - Dude looked like Ronnie Lott with those hits last night. Harper - Always making plays. D-Line - Much improvement, but still no pass rush. QBREES9 likes this.

12-27-2011, 06:22 PM	#10
CharityMike Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mid City, New Orleans Posts: 3,556	You guy's are forgetting that our rookie DB played last night and made some good plays. He had a couple open field tackles that was pretty impressive considering our DB's, with the exception of Greer, seem to have a problem tackling. Our D did what's most important, held them to just 16 points. Did we have some miscues, of course. I LOL'd at the comment to cut Harper. Maybe we should cut Vilma for not even trying to knock the pass down that foolio caught for a touchdown. He was right there and seemed to just watch it happen. You can't cut everyone because of a bad play or 2 a game. The other team gets payed to play the game also.