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There seems to be plenty of optimism about all of the new life being breathed into the New Orleans Saints defense this year -- from coordinator Rob Ryan and the switch to a 3-4 scheme to free agents like Keenan Lewis and Victor Butler to the recent draft picks. But what about the "old" guard?


Are you excited about the potential of any veteran Saints players to bounce back in the new scheme and possibly even thrive in 2013?

There are plenty of candidates, since so many former standout players underachieved for the Saints in 2012 -- namely defensive end Will Smith, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, linebackers Jonathan Vilma and David Hawthorne, safeties Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins and cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Patrick Robinson.

Personally, I think all four of those defensive backs will benefit most from the switch to Ryan and his more aggressive tendencies. They all struggled to switch to Steve Spagnuolo's heavy use of zone coverage last year. And if Ryan blitzes more and forces quarterbacks to get rid of the ball more quickly, the defensive backs will benefit.

I think Greer, especially, can return to being a big asset for the Saints since he was also plagued by nagging injuries last year. I've also been high on Jenkins' potential for a long time since I think he's got natural playmaking instincts and a desire to be great -- though he has regressed over the past two years instead of getting better. And I think Bunkley can be a much bigger asset than he was last year, when he practically disappeared in the middle of the Saints' front.

Sound off below with your thoughts.

New Orleans Saints question of the day: Which defensive player will have best bounce-back season? | NOLA.com

I'm going to keep eating my words until it comes true. Let's go Patrick Robinson.

Who you got?

dizzle88

I'm hoping for Jabari Greer to have a bounce back season, both our DB's were tragic last season but I still can't trust Pat Robinson, no matter what scheme he is in, he finds a way to mess it up

I hope keenan lewis and Greer start at corners and corey white comes in for nickel

lsutigerfan

Hands down Malcolm Jenkins, he's poised to have a big year, watch.

saintsfan403

Agree with you about Greer, but I'm hoping that we can cultivate Robinson into something decent.

D_it_up

Sedrick Ellis. Oh, wait.

|Mitch|

Malcolm Jenkins in the nickel corner spot...

Rugby Saint II

Greer has been the man since he got here.............he still is in my book.

jnormand

Let's hope the whole defense "bounces back".

AllSaints

Bunkley I hope I see something from him this year cuz last year I never even noticed him on the field... For what we paid him we need some procuction from this guy

homerj07

Hard one. Did the D suck because of the line or the backs or some mutant hybrid of both? I think DB so... Greer