Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

METAIRIE, La. — For much of the offseason, the biggest storyline focusing on the Saints’ defense had to do with its switch from a 4-3 front for a 3-4.
But best-laid plans are always subject to change and Sunday, against Atlanta, they did just that.
“Between the packages that were supposed to run and then some of the packages we made up on the go, I know I played a little bit of nickel and safety,” Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins said.
Wait. Did he just say first-year defensive coordinator Rob Ryan “made up” plays on the go?
Indeed, fellow safety Roman Harper confirmed as much, likening what happened to Ryan drawing up plays in the sand. Or, in this case, the synthetic turf on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome floor.
“We did it a couple of times,” Harper said.
In truth, the Saints are never going to be solely a 3-4 base team. Too many offensive formations demand too many different defensive alignments.

FULL STORY HERE: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go
Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Reporter
Email: bhandwerger@wwltv.com | Twitter: @wwltvsports

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Maybe thats why the "high powered" falcons offense who were supposed to destroy our D only managed 2 TD's the whole game

If the players enjoy playing for RR then thats a good sign, versatility wins games and SP loves versatility

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I can't wait to see when all the pieces are in place for this D! I think the only thing we may need is to try and find a good young corner come F/A next offseason.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I don't think this is anything worthy of an article, honestly. This happens all the time and pointing it out this way makes what we do seem like it's "off the cuff" and didn't have a plan.

Adjustments are adjustments...paper, white board or dirt. Whatever works. ;)

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I think it's a GREAT article, great quote to put out there, because it makes other teams worry even more, that not only do they NOT have any film of the Saints defense to study, even the stuff they see on the film they HAVE of the Falcons game, is probably not worth much because Ryan is gonna be throwing even more new things at them on the fly, next week and beyond.

Believe me, teams are scurrying, going all the way back and studying film of Ryan's time with the Raiders (because that's the most similar group of players to what he has here). It's like Matt Ryan's "Who are you?" comment at Junior Galette. At least for right now, nobody knows what to make of this defense.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I wonder if he liked the answer he received? :bng:

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I was most happy with our half time adjustments, both offensively and defensively. That's one thing that Never seemed to happen last year, and it always had in years past (Payton era).

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

The NFL is all about match ups and adjusting game plan on the fly... Sean Payton and it seems Rob Ryan are good at this.

Joe Vitt/Carmicheal + Spagnuolo not so much.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I think our defense played good but they still are one of the worst in the N.F.L. I thought our offense looked horrible. The D bailed us out all game.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

How are they one of the worst? 18th in total yards, 20th in passing yards, 19th in rushing yards, and 7th in points given up...

Not bad for the first game of the first year in a new system with starters out in that first game of the first year...

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

ok turn them lose and keep them fresh.

dam that is earth shattering thinking.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Uh we need linebackers. We addressed the backfield this past offseason. Why would we add corners when we are desperate at linebacker.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Could have fooled me; Haralson and Galette looked great when they were in... We need some depth but we are far from desperate...

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

They did great no doubt, but Atlantas line is horrid. I still think we need an every down kind of beast in there. Junior and Wilson will be great mixed in there but we need someone else that can take every snap. I dont see Wilson and Junior as every down kind of guys. And if we have any more injuries we are screwed.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I am so over this topic of how difficult it is to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Look, there are so many different looks that we aren't really in a 3-4. You see a lot of 5-2 looks in Ryan schemes. Its not about the base D its about talent and putting them in the right place to make plays. That is what he was drawing up to get someone in position to make a play.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Yes, I'd like fries with my package to go please. Give me fries!

http://www.9to5gifs.com/wp-content/u...-funny-gif.gif

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I agree. I really didnt see many 3-4 looks at all this game. I saw mostly 4-3 and some other **** that is over my head. Either way it seems like our guys are adjusting just fine.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

It all goes back to Rob listening to his players. Its not just a courtesy, he actually listens and then implements their input into plays.

Numerous players have said he does it, now I see what they mean.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Yep! They are settling on one hell of a lot better than they did with Spags.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Hopefully he picked up a few more schemes at Ms. Mae's!

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

There actually was a little bit of 3-4, but a LB was on the line giving a 4 man front... I believe that's how Haralson got his sack...

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Once Rob figured out how effective the 4man rush was over the blitz, he drove it home.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

And we only sent 5 or more a handful of times...

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

We've got a LB'er on IR who is a starter and Haralson is a starter. I want another safety and another corner. Even if for nothing other than depth.....although, P. Rob still scares the hell out of me. White has potential but I have no confidence in him or Jenkins for that matter.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

So that go to the Cadillac and turn around line from Any Given Sunday wasn't made up. IMO this is a good thing, shows that RR isn't afraid of dumping the game plan and making adjustments. A brush of fresh air compared to last season

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Until we prove overran extended period that the D is better we will. E remembered as "one if the worst defenses"

One game does not a season make or break.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

Don't believe anything a player says about strategies or tactics when there is another game to be played. This is just a plot to mess with jofre's failure brain.

Voodoo defense.

Re: Saints defense made up packages 'on the go’ against Falcons
 

I think everyone saw Gonzales biting the ground at least a few times when he was supposed to block the DE or outside linebacker or whatever came off the edge . The others in their o-line were no better,so i guess we had it easy with Atlanta .I would like to wait a few more games before stating my opinion on this years D .At least middle of pack would be good over last year