Haps Biggest Fan

I've thought things over and listened to some of the experts like Mike Detillier, and I think that the Saints Defensive problems can be traced to the lack of a "Fearsome Foursome" on the defensive line.

If we had some guys like Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones and the other two Fearsome Foursome guys, we'd beat everybody easily.

So, how do we improve our defensive front four ? By next season?

Halo

We've been talking about that since Friday. Defense needs to be improved.
We also have a LOT of money invested in our D-line now. When we get a new defensive coordinator we need to make some changes for sure.

Our line has been inconsistent in play for 2 years in a row, and honestly wasn't the thing that brought us to the Superbowl in 2009.

Would love to have a strong line like the 49ers have this season.

saintfan

With our offense, I'd be willing to settle for about half of what San Francisco can bring with their front 4.

halloween 65

I love this tread. 2 young, tough, hungry, agressive, big and quick, DT's to blow up the middle. Out with the old, in with the new. Goodbye Ellis, Franklin,Smith, and Rodgers.

Haps Biggest Fan

I know that there has been tons of discussion on improving the defense, but the discussion seems to focus on the defensive backfield.

I'm beginning to realize since Saturday that it is the Saints front four that's the key. If we could pressure the QB with only our front four, our defensive backs would look MUCH better, I'm thinking.

lumm0x

Exactly. I am confident our coverage unit would be much more effective with some QB pressure. When we were so opportunistic in 09 we also had more pressure from Will Smith and Bobby McCray. Even the LBers like Fujita and Vilma were more active blitzers. Our best pressure man this year was a safety.

We need a game changing DE. I think our interior DL is fine. Get rid of Rogers and bring more youth there, but the DE position needs serious upgrades. Jordan and Galette are nice depth but neither are starters to me yet.

QBREES9

I'd say give Jordan and Galette a full traning camp and may be just maybe we could have something.

hagan714

fearsome foursome? been years? i like
Cameron Jordan on the strong side DE
Sedrick Ellis at DT

Shaun Rogers at 32 played well but he is 32
Will Smith seem to have lost a step

Now in the draft we have some nice players this year for the draft
Young NT is in need

Alameda Ta'amu NT, Washington
Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

DT to keep an eye on
Derek Wolfe, DE/DT, Cincinnati

pass rush DE to push Smith
Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia

good depth at DE
Julian Miller, DE, West Virginia
Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas

A JR worth watching if he comes out
Devin Taylor, DE/OLB, South Carolina

FA in 2012?
not going there till we see what happens.

Now remember with every great front 4 there were good if not excellent LB allowing them to do there thing. To me this an area of greater need

MLB is good
Jonathan Vilma
Jo-Lonn Dunbar

Martez Wilson - WLB or SLB i am torn here he can play both. with his size and speed i would think SLB with TE duties
Will Herring - SLB - solid back up

We need to upgrade one starter and improve depth.

the draft has some projects that may pay off
but thats a different topic

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

gandhi1007

I was talking to a buddy today about what we're paying for Will Smith, Sedrick Ellis, & Jonathon Vilma. With that money alone, we could afford to keep just about everyone & go out & get Mario Williams & London Fletcher in FA. That's crazy!!!

Haps Biggest Fan

I don't know if we are getting our money's worth on Defense.