Rating: (0 votes - average)

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

dizzle88

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

Mr.Riaton

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.

SaintnDE

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.

SaintsBro

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.

|Mitch|

I wonder if he liked the answer he received?

73Saint

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).

TheOak

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.

darksoul35

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.

|Mitch|

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...