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Canton, Ohio - First, the usual preseason disclaimer: Don't read too much into anything you see on the field in an exhibition game, especially the first one. Now that we've got that out of the way, there was an awful lot to like about the New Orleans Saints' new-look defense in Sunday night's 17-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

ll those wrinkles in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's scheme were on display in an impressive first half - starting with a rare interception by safety Malcolm Jenkins on the Cardinals' second play.

Everything about the play felt new.

Instead of dropping back deep like he did so often in former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' scheme, Jenkins actually crept up next to the linebackers before the ball was snapped.

"That's some of the new stuff that we'll see," said Jenkins who didn't have an interception last season. "I'm definitely a lot closer to the ball, me as well as Roman (Harper). And more eyes are on the football. So I think it will open us up to a lot more opportunity."

Jenkins also deserves credit for keeping a grip on the ball after struggling with drops in the past.

"I've just been praying that I catch the ones that come to me," Jenkins said. "I got blessed on that one."

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TheOak

Great stuff!!!!

Not sure what I am going to feel 1/2 way into the season if we have a top 10 defense. Mostly happy but also a little pissed that GW restricted the talent we do have, and kept them from excelling.

frankeefrank

I couldn't disagree more with the story. The Cards employ a terrible scheme and Kolb is a terrible QB. We couldn't stop the run.
How did it look better?

dizzle88

We didn't stop the run because our starters came out after two series

I know it's only kolb but in GW's D we got torched by skelton and colt McCoy in 2010

It definitley looked better, Curtis lofton is a baller, martez is going to make an impact!

CharityMike

Judging by this post and in the other threads by you, you either had to high of expectations or you were not watching the same game as the rest of us.

What did you expect from a vanilla scheme and the FIRST preseason game?

Mardigras9

Like Dizzle, was impressed with Lofton and Wilson also.

Halo

It's also a little too early to throw alarms and smoke signals about the defense, don't you think?

jlouhill

jlouhill

I've long felt we had good talent on the D side but it was GW's scheme that hindered them. Time will tell though. Hopefully they will continue to build on last night.

Rugby Saint II

We desperately need another impact DT.jmho