Saints run defense to be tested by 49ers

Attached Thumbnails · 01-11-2012, 09:13 AM

METAIRIE, La. — One of Sean Payton's offseason priorities was shoring up the Saints' run defense.

Two of the biggest moves designed to address that weakness were the acquisitions of defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin in free agency.

Now one of the biggest tests of the Saints' changes comes in a high-stakes showdown Saturday, when New Orleans (14-3) travels to San Francisco (13-3) for a second-round playoff game.

Led by Frank Gore, the 49ers averaged 128 yards rushing per game this season, which ranked eighth in the league. So Payton anticipates a heavy workload for Franklin and Rogers.

"Those guys will have a big role in the game," the coach said. "There are a number of things that (the 49ers) do offensively, but they've been very consistent at being physical up front and blocking with power and finding ways to create big plays in the running game, and then off of that play-action pass."

Franklin, who is 6-foot-1, 317 pounds, left what had been a losing 49ers team in hopes of landing with a winner in New Orleans. The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Rogers, who had never appeared in a playoff game before this season, had the same goal in mind when he left Cleveland to play in the Big Easy.

Because of the Niners' quick turnaround under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, Franklin finds himself needing to come through with a big performance on his old home field to help his new team advance to the NFC title game.

Franklin dismissed the notion that there was any special meaning to his return to San Francisco.

"It's the next team that we're playing and it happens to be my old team," Franklin said. "I came here to win a Super Bowl and these guys are the next team that we play on our route to the Super Bowl. That what makes it big to me."

Read more: Saints run defense to be tested by 49ers - NFL - Sporting News

Ashley · 01-11-2012, 09:27 AM

Yes they are damn good in that department, coming in 8th in the league with 127.8 per game. So its huge we shut them down.
Safety Roman Harper said. "We're really going to need Jon Vilma to show up and lead us this week and match Frank Gore. We're going to need our D-line to show up."
Couldn't agree more Roman

NOS2SB · 01-11-2012, 09:29 AM

Stop the run!!!!!!!!!!!

dizzle88 · 01-11-2012, 09:47 AM

We always struggle to stop frank gore, we need to step up and shut him down. Vilma got beasted last year when we faced him so it's a great team effort that's needed

halloween 65 · 01-11-2012, 09:48 AM

Our D vs. their O, this is going to be where we win. Shanle, yes surehand Shanle is going to have a monster game. Sound tackling, fundamental football is a key in taking down the 9'ers. Dunbar is going to thrive in this game also. Now bash all you want but Vilma is going to have a hard day, he's already nursing an injury, he has all year, and as the game gets longer he's going to be less effective. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and his name is Martez Wilson, a heavier lb. with blazing speed.

AlaskaSaints · 01-11-2012, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by halloween 65

Shanle, yes surehand Shanle is going to have a monster game.

I promised to give him a pass...

...but...

ddddaaaaayyyyyyuuuuummmm!!!!!!!!

I had to read that three times to make sure I was getting it right.

LOL

I too hope he has a monster game. There may be some electricity getting to that bulb after all.

Alaska

SanDiego49er · 01-11-2012, 10:01 AM

We can definitely run on you. And I don't think you can run on us very effectively.

Budsdrinker · 01-11-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by dizzle88

We always struggle to stop frank gore, we need to step up and shut him down. Vilma got beasted last year when we faced him so it's a great team effort that's needed

Actually in the last 4 games against Gore only has (1) 100 yd game which was last year. 2006-40 yds, 2007- 41 yds, 2008-82yds, and last year 112 yds. And in those 4 games only 1 TD. So actually we contain Gore pretty well.

AlaskaSaints · 01-11-2012, 10:08 AM

Meet Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas.

Your post are becoming juvenile.

Alaska

joker-saint · 01-12-2012, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by AlaskaSaints

Meet Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas.

Your post are becoming juvenile.

Alaska

Lets add Sproles to mix as well.......One running back, sure....Two running backs, maybe......But three? Are you crazy? The Niners are going to be so confused when they play the package with Sproles, Graham, and Ivory or Thomas in it. Quit being so juvenile, and go post on you Niners site. LOL....Just joking I.E. Joker-Saint

01-11-2012, 09:13 AM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,753 Rating: (0 votes - average) METAIRIE, La. — One of Sean Payton's offseason priorities was shoring up the Saints' run defense. Two of the biggest moves designed to address that weakness were the acquisitions of defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin in free agency. Now one of the biggest tests of the Saints' changes comes in a high-stakes showdown Saturday, when New Orleans (14-3) travels to San Francisco (13-3) for a second-round playoff game. Led by Frank Gore, the 49ers averaged 128 yards rushing per game this season, which ranked eighth in the league. So Payton anticipates a heavy workload for Franklin and Rogers. "Those guys will have a big role in the game," the coach said. "There are a number of things that (the 49ers) do offensively, but they've been very consistent at being physical up front and blocking with power and finding ways to create big plays in the running game, and then off of that play-action pass." Franklin, who is 6-foot-1, 317 pounds, left what had been a losing 49ers team in hopes of landing with a winner in New Orleans. The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Rogers, who had never appeared in a playoff game before this season, had the same goal in mind when he left Cleveland to play in the Big Easy. Because of the Niners' quick turnaround under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, Franklin finds himself needing to come through with a big performance on his old home field to help his new team advance to the NFC title game. Franklin dismissed the notion that there was any special meaning to his return to San Francisco. "It's the next team that we're playing and it happens to be my old team," Franklin said. "I came here to win a Super Bowl and these guys are the next team that we play on our route to the Super Bowl. That what makes it big to me." Read more: Saints run defense to be tested by 49ers - NFL - Sporting News Attached Thumbnails
Views: 2009

01-11-2012, 09:58 AM	#6
AlaskaSaints 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 2	Originally Posted by halloween 65 Shanle, yes surehand Shanle is going to have a monster game. I promised to give him a pass... ...but... ddddaaaaayyyyyyuuuuummmm!!!!!!!! I had to read that three times to make sure I was getting it right. LOL I too hope he has a monster game. There may be some electricity getting to that bulb after all. Alaska halloween 65 likes this.

01-11-2012, 10:01 AM	#7
SanDiego49er 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 145	We can definitely run on you. And I don't think you can run on us very effectively.
SanDiego49er 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 145

01-11-2012, 10:08 AM	#8
Budsdrinker A Cajun Transforming TX Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 2,787	Originally Posted by dizzle88 We always struggle to stop frank gore, we need to step up and shut him down. Vilma got beasted last year when we faced him so it's a great team effort that's needed Actually in the last 4 games against Gore only has (1) 100 yd game which was last year. 2006-40 yds, 2007- 41 yds, 2008-82yds, and last year 112 yds. And in those 4 games only 1 TD. So actually we contain Gore pretty well. AlaskaSaints likes this.

01-12-2012, 03:31 AM	#10
joker-saint 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 382 Blog Entries: 12	Originally Posted by AlaskaSaints Meet Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas. Your post are becoming juvenile. Alaska Lets add Sproles to mix as well.......One running back, sure....Two running backs, maybe......But three? Are you crazy? The Niners are going to be so confused when they play the package with Sproles, Graham, and Ivory or Thomas in it. Quit being so juvenile, and go post on you Niners site. LOL....Just joking I.E. Joker-Saint

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01-11-2012, 09:27 AM	#2
Ashley Site Donor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Co Posts: 2,760	Yes they are damn good in that department, coming in 8th in the league with 127.8 per game. So its huge we shut them down. Safety Roman Harper said. "We're really going to need Jon Vilma to show up and lead us this week and match Frank Gore. We're going to need our D-line to show up." Couldn't agree more Roman

01-11-2012, 09:29 AM	#3
NOS2SB Shampoo Join Date: May 2011 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 454	Stop the run!!!!!!!!!!!

01-11-2012, 09:47 AM	#4
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,357	We always struggle to stop frank gore, we need to step up and shut him down. Vilma got beasted last year when we faced him so it's a great team effort that's needed

01-11-2012, 09:48 AM	#5
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	Our D vs. their O, this is going to be where we win. Shanle, yes surehand Shanle is going to have a monster game. Sound tackling, fundamental football is a key in taking down the 9'ers. Dunbar is going to thrive in this game also. Now bash all you want but Vilma is going to have a hard day, he's already nursing an injury, he has all year, and as the game gets longer he's going to be less effective. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel and his name is Martez Wilson, a heavier lb. with blazing speed.