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New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson didn't have to go into much detail about what makes an effective nose tackle in the NFL. He used attributes like "big and stout" and football qualities such as "short-range explosion" and "strong upper body."

It's not as easy as it sounds. And yet Johnson went as far to say that if there's one position on the defensive front playing consistently well nearly two weeks into training camp, it's nose tackle. Johnson singled out Brodrick Bunkley, rookie John Jenkins and Akiem Hicks as the reason he's encouraged about the position.

Johnson said a nose tackle will be used a lot within Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme, though it might not be in the traditional sense of being flanked by two defensive ends. Johnson said in nickel situations the Saints may elect to keep in the nose tackle as another wrinkle in Ryan's diverse scheme.

"I would say we're getting a lot of efficiency from that position right now," Johnson said.

Bunkley has been the primary nose tackle with the first-team defense. There hasn't been much variation with Bunkley as his sole position will be at the nose.

The 6-foot-2, 306-pound lineman was once considered one of the best free-agent defensive tackles on the market before last season. Bunkley (32 total tackles) didn't flourish during his first season in New Orleans, but Johnson said the new scheme is a better fit.

"Well, when we looked at him in Denver when we got him in free agency, he really played a nose position," Johnson said. "So that's why we got him. We really got caught a little bit last year with (Bunkley) playing out on the edge and in the three technique.

"It wasn't quite the scheme fit. But now that we've gone in on the 3-4, we're really doing the things that fits him best. It's showing off in camp. ...

"There's no doubt about it how much this fits for Bunkley. I think he'll tell you that."

Hicks described Bunkley in similar terms.

"He's a push guy," Hicks said. "He's a big, strong, low-center-of-gravity guy. That's what you expect from a guy like that. You expect him to push the pocket, and that's what he does really well."

Read more: New Orleans Saints feel good about nose tackles through nearly two weeks of training camp | NOLA.com

Danno

Without doubt this was the most encouraging training camp article I've read so far.

I'm sure Vilma and Lofton will both agree.

Beastmode

A lot of checks being written for this group. I don't think I've heard one completely honest assessment yet. I tried to do my part in another thread showing that with a new scheme and coach the odds of having any real success is not in our favor but I was shot down like an egret and thrown in the river. I believe it will be a rough ride...at first, but I could see things start to turn around mid season.

Danno

I think it will be tough at first, but this group has already played in a very similar offense for 3 years, Here's why I think it won't be as tough as it usually is...

Familiarity with a very similar sysyem under Gregg Williams.
Many of our top players were better suited for a 3-4 anyway.
Gregg Williams ran a lot of 3-4 packages when he was here.
We'll play a base 3-4 only 50% of the time.
Its not the typical 3-4 we all knew during the dome patrol.
Every CB we have is better suited for man instead of zone.

Anything can happen, but my best guess is a middle of the pack finish. Start off a little sluggish and gain momentum as the year progresses, barring key or excessive injuries of course. If we lose 3 or 4 more players then yeah, we're gonna probably suck.

I'm hearing the "minor" chest injury to Coleman may be a torn pectoral, which could take him out for the year.

That would be a big blow, especially with Butler already out for the year.

TheOak

Defenses are reactionary for the most part, and they are always behind offenses at the start of the season until they get some tape to watch to see what offensive changes were made in the offseason on opposing offenses.

Slow to start = most of the league so we should be equal to most.

In 2012 we had a mismatch between players and scheme, this season it seems we have a scheme to match our players.

SmashMouth

The jury is still out, WhoDats. But the hype is fun to banter about!

TheOak

I dismissed my jury... I'm sole judge, jury, executioner.

Defense finishes 10th in the league.

For no other reason that top WR in the NFL are dropping like flies this preseason and everytime one falls our Defensive secondary gets better .


Oh... BTW Atlanta lost its RT for the season. Mike Johnson is out fir the season and they will have to start a rookie. MattyIce is in trouble week 1.

Rugby Saint II

Yeah, Coleman is out................but you didn't hear that from Sean Payton.

homerj07

You are quite the optimist Oak. If we get to 19th I would ecstatic. I hope for at least 21-22 overall.