Give the defense credit
 

Holding the falcons to 23 points when we turned it over 5 times is nothing short of spectacular

They seem to start slow but once they settle down and play fundamentals you can see the progression
Look at the defense from the start of the season to now, there is an obvious improvement
There are still some things to iron out, but can't really complain because I'm seeing improvement

Couple of opportunities for picks were missed vs falcons but hardly anything fell our way in the game

Cam Jordan is a great player, love the way he slammed Ryan into the ground on the sack then he smacked Michael turner when he tried to turn the corner

If our D can continue to improve, next season could be a good year for them (with additions of some players) plus we get Payton back and hopefully that will stop the transformation of mr brees and dr INT

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Key players who I think we would have been counting on, will be back next season. Chamberlain, romeus, I also expect us to have a good defensive draft. And that should give us a great shot to retake this division.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

They get more than credit:

Allowed only

15 - 1st downs
LESS THAN 300 TOTAL YARDS
ONLY 2 TD's
26 mins TOP
NO Atl receiver had over 60 yards

You can bet your AZZ that teams will be studying our defense on tape from this game to prepare for Atlanta.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Defense played well. Still have a few brainfarts in coverage though but overall best game of the year for them.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

They played fairly well, but the culprits on defense that make good pitiful plays are still here.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

I do, there was that nice stretch where ATL couldn't buy a first down, and the rest of the stats posted by the Oak ... you gotta' sift through the rubble and look for the bright spots in a loss like this, :mrgreen:.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

The most impressive stat to me, especially after the 9ers game, is we did not allow them a 3rd down completion until the 4th qtr!! That is amazing. This D is really starting to come around. Next year does not look so bleak defensively.

Next year doesn't look bleak on either side of the ball, coaching, anything.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Hicks is still inconsistant but when he flashes it is amazing. Him and Jordan will be the key stones in building a dominant front 4.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

He has still been more active then sedrick Ellis has in the last 5 years in terms of making plays

Jordan was inconsistent last year and then he's had a pretty good year this year, 7 sacks for a guy that was brought in primarily to stop the run is very good, not to mention he is very good against the run also

Agreed that we will build the D around those two, and also lofton I believe

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Our defense out played our offense. How can you not manage the clock when you are in scoring position, prior to the half?

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Ok, I'll give em credit.... Thanks for too little, too late. How's that? Yeah they started getting better in what week 10? They dug the hole too deep and when they finally get their act somewhat together, the offense falls apart. I know it's tough and probably impossible, but I want a miracle. How sweet would it be to have gone through all this and still win it all?? Never been done before? So what, there's a first time for everything.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

This season kinda reminds me of the 2008 season. Our defence struggeled and we finished with a pretty bad record while offence produced. Next year we tweaked the defence and added som key components and improved to win the Super Bowl. With our defence starting to come around I think that can be done again next year.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Familiarity breeds confidence...

Cam Jordan looks like he's starting to find his place...

Akiem Hicks should replace Sed Ellis in the starting lineup...

Bunckley was a solid FA addition...

Smith plays like he should be retired...

Curtis Lofton is the best FA addition since Darren Sproles...

Vilma being back is great, even if it is in a timeshare because of his health...

We still need two new safeties; but Jenkins has showed some playmaking ability lately and should be move to CB...

Robinson is a solid corner, but he still wasn't worth the first round pick...

With his size, shouldn't Corey White play safety?

Will Harper's salary tag get him a ticket out of town?

Is Martez Wilson our new Junior Gallete of unrealized potential for the next two years?

Which round will the Saints select their first defensive player ? And assuming he stays, will Spags have any say?!?

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Improvements were made, they look much better and I give Spags credit. Still does not erase the damage they inflicted early on. I'm still bitter about a few losses directly attributed to their lack of effort.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

Defense has greatly improved since the season start.
I think Spagnuolo figured out that GW had no choice but to dial it up and send 6 or 7.
I've even had a chance to take a few breaths because the tackling improved.
They've gone from a D grade to a B-.
If they can get a few takeaways to go with last weeks 3rd down performance,
I may be inclined to give them an A.
Actually catching the INT, and actually revovering a caused fumble is HUGE.
If they ever get to that, it will be a great compliment to the offense.
I'm also thinking Ellis just hasn't panned out and will be elswhere next year.
Payton back, Spags able to ramp up through trade/FA/draft,
our 9-7/8-8 turns back to 13-3 next season.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

I share your frustration, didn't like it, but not having a fraeking head coach for the entire year, can have a little tiny bit to do with that.

Re: Give the defense credit
 

The defense has been the bright spot since the bye. I just hope having 3 corners wont hurt us against Eli.