GumboBC

I've always thought the main reason we haven't been to the playoffs the last few years was because of our defense. I decided to look at ALL of the playoff team's defenses and see where they ranked in 3 important categories -- Total Defense - Scoring Defense -- Turnovers -- What I found was pretty much what I suspected. Of all the playoff teams, only 2 did not finish in the top 10 in one of the categories. Those teams were -- Seattle and Indianapolis. Indianapolis did almost make the top 10 in total defense, finishing 11th. So, for all intensive purposes, Seattle was the only middle of the road defense that made it to the playoffs. Here are all of the playoff teams from 2003:


Team/total/scoring/turnovers

Dallas - 1st/ 2nd/22nd
Carolina - 8th/ 10th/19th
Seattle - 18th/15th/14th
Green Bay - 16th/ 11th/10th
Philly - 19th/ 7th/18th
St. Louis - 15th/17th/1st
New England - 7th/ 1st/3rd
Tennessee - 12th/13th/8th
Baltimore - 3rd/6th/2nd
Indianapolis -11th/ 20th/13th
Denver - 4th/9th/30th
Kansas City - 29th/19th/4th

Saints/17th/16th/17th



One of the more interesting defenses was Kansas City. Their defense ranked 29th in the league in total defense. However, they were able to overcome that by creating the 4th most turnovers in the league.

There are a lot of different ways to have a successful defense in the NFL and you had better be good at something. If you look at teams that were average at stopping the run or the pass, those teams were able to overcome that weakness by creating turnovers. I don't think they created those turnovers by accident either. I think it was the aggressive nature of their defense that created the turnovers. Which brings me to the Saints defense.

Since Rick Venturi has been the defensive coordinator, I have never been a fan of the style of defense he plays. He just doesn't play aggressively enough for my liking. Maybe it's because he doesn't have the right people. But, I don't buy that.

I think you have to play aggressively no matter who you have. I think being aggressive actually hides a defenses weaknesses more than it exposes them. I also think Venturi thinks just the opposite. I think he plays non-aggressively so not to leave his players exposed. Maybe he's right. But, the results just aren't there using his philosophy.

I also think since Haslett and co. were hired, they set out to build a strong offense and put the defense last. As you can see by the list of the 2003 playoff teams, defenses are what gets a team to the playoffs.

There is a bright side though. In the last couple of years, Haslett and co. have concentrated heavily on the defensive side of the ball. Our defense seems to be much more talented than it has been since.....well......the last time we made the playoffs, when our defense was ranked in the top 5.

If our defense can return to one of the better defenses in the league, we could have a special team in New Orleans. Our offense has been kept in tact, and we've only added more weapons over the years. I don't know if this was their plan all along. I kinda doubt it was, but it might turn out to be for the best. We might have a team that will be tops in the league for years to come.


[Edited on 15/5/2004 by GumboBC]

[Edited on 15/5/2004 by GumboBC]

lumm0x

I don\'t think anyone can dispute the fact that our defense has cost us more games than any other single concern. It is almost factual that defense makes a champion. I gotta agree that Venturi\'s reactive style makes me cring constantly. He just simply let\'s an offense dictate on us. We definitely have the front 7 personnel to be agressive, and in doing so would likely make up some of the heat the secondary recieves anyways.

GumboBC

I know our offense had it\'s problems last year, but when I hear ANYONE talk about the offense being the big problem, I just have to wonder what they\'re thinking.

What I\'m concerned about above all else this year is Rick Venturi. I know we had a lot of injuries last year and our defense did improve from the previous year. But, as lummOx noted, the style of defense he runs just makes you cringe.

I think lummOx used the right phraise -- reactive style -- Offenses are so good today, you can\'t do that. You have got to disrupt things or you\'re going to get beat. I think our linebackers play more reactively than any other players on defense. I like linebackers that play the run on their way to the QB. Our linebackers just sit back there and wait on the running back. Very rarely did I see them playing aggressively.

What\'s just as troubling to me was how our guys were so out of position. I think he\'s making our defense too complicated. IMO, he\'s making them think too much instead of just playing instictively.





[Edited on 15/5/2004 by GumboBC]

D_it_up

Is this another sly post diversion to get people off of Aaron Brooks\' back? :P

GumboBC

LMAO!! :P You get these labels and ya just can\'t shake \'em. Nah, I was\'nt trying to do that D_it_up2. I love a good Brooks debate. I was just trying to come up with something interesting to talk about. Not much news coming from the Saints these days.

And, there might be some folks that actually think Brooks is the problem and not our defense.



[Edited on 15/5/2004 by GumboBC]

Euphoria

Here is another reason why we didn\'t make the play-0ffs and its wins. Its simple... score more points than your opponet and you win. A team can have the #1 Offense and win it all because they score more points, a team can have the number one Defense and win beccause they stop the other teams from scroing. It also helps that the football gods shine on you that year as well.

New England 14 2
Baltimore 10 6
Indianapolis 12 4
Tennessee 12 4
Kansas City 13 3
Green Bay 10 6
Carolina 11 5
St. Louis 12 4
Seattle 10 6

E U P H O R I A

GumboBC

Hey, Euphoria. I think everyone understands that. My point, while a LITLLE more complex, is still a simple one. And that is: You\'re much more likely to WIN with a strong defense.

Did you realize that:

Dallas ranked 15th in offense
Carolina ranked 16th in offense
New England ranked 17th in offense
Philadelphia ranked 18th in offense

Do you see that the 2 super bowl teams were below average in offense and WAY above average in defense?







[Edited on 15/5/2004 by GumboBC]

SaintNik

The most important stat on offense or defense is scoring! Funny how this works, but when your offense scores more than your defense allows your opponents offense to score you win almost every time.

Of all of the stats posted by Billy on last years playoff defenses it was interesting to see that the team that won the super bowl, New England, ranked number one in scoring defense. Also, only N.E. and Baltimore ranked in the top ten in all three catogories posted.

If the Saints can field a defense this year that ranks in the top ten in scoring allowed we will be a team to be reckoned with. I am also hoping that we play a more attacking style of defense. Blitzing can lead to giving up big plays but it can also disturb the timing of the offensive play leading to turnovers. Putting pressure on the QB and reducing his amount of time to throw can make an average defensive backfield look good. The speed, youth and depth of our front seven should allow us to attack at all times.

Just Chillin Checking Out The B&G Forum While Waiting For My Ship To Come In

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kenpersons

This team has been good enough the last three years to win it all. They simply haven\'t gotten it done.

We swept Tampa Bay the year they won the Super Bowl, for goodness sakes.

It\'s a matter of desire, and that\'s something I think they\'ll have this year. The desire to become champions.

saintz08

Man I love a good smoke and mirror analysis ......
This one is good .........

Hocus Pocus .......All teams have the same philosophy ........

First of all teams have a philosophy , either offensive or defensive . This is where they spend the higher draft picks , free agent acquisitions and the majority of their Cap Money .... Some teams go for the balanced theory , but players that excel at their positons usually lean the team in one direction or another ....

So let\'s take this play off list and break it down .

Offensive teams - Possessing the big three as some call them , quarterback , runningback and receiver all high paid .Or the Coach who leans towards putting points on the board .

Green Bay
Kansas City
Seattle
St.Louis
Indianapolis
Philadelphia
Denver
New Orleans

Defensive teams - Lean towards stopping teams and spend on that side of the ball.

Baltimore
Carolina
New England
Tennessee
Dallas

Now let\'s look at the teams in a comparable projection .

Offensive teams - total offense

Green Bay - 5798 yds
Kansas City - 5910 yds
Seattle - 5626 yds
St.Louis - 5457 yds
Indianapolis - 5874 yds
Philadelphia - 5035 yds
Denver - 5598 yds
New Orleans - 5438 yds

Now a fascinating stat ..... Completion percentages for these same teams ....

Green Bay - 65.4
Kansas City - 63.1
Seattle - 61.0
St.Louis - 63.2
Indianapolis - 67.0
Philadelphia - 57.5
Denver - 62.6
New Orleans - 59.1

Some may want to say look how our defense has underachieved , but considering the higher salaries counting against the cap , looks like someone else has too.....

\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo